PUSHBIKES WORLD MOUNTAIN BIKE NIGHT RACING CHAMPS 2010

World Champs Night Racing segment that appeared on TVNZ Breakfast show  - NIGHT RACING








  




WORLD MOUNTAIN BIKE NIGHT RACING CHAMPIONSHIP

Bottle Lake Forest, Christchurch
2011 Dates to be Advised
 
RACE INFORMATION
Blue Dog Events have been running mountain bike night races at Bottle Lake Forest since the mid 1990’s. In 2006 the series was renamed the World Championship Night Racing Series in recognition of the competitiveness of riders racing in this series……for many years on the start line I’d say, ‘its not the World Champs, take it easy’. This usually fell on deaf ears and the riders would then take off like they were racing in a World Champ race……hence it has now become The World Champsionship MTB Night Racing Series.
 
But don’t let the name deter you. All mountain bikers are welcome and the course is suitable for all levels of riders. This series is social and friendly, a great way to meet other mountain bikers plus it will keep you motivated to come out and ride over winter. Combined with the opportunity to race for a World Champ title this series is not to be missed!
 
The 2010 series kicks off in early May and will run for eight weeks. The first race will be a warm up race to allow riders to familiarize themselves with the course and racing in the dark, then the next seven races after this will make up the World Champ Series.
 
If you’re not able to compete in the series, you’re welcome to come out and just ride in any individual race.
 
ENTRY
On the night between 6 – 6:45 pm.
 
WHERE
The Information Centre, Bottle Lake Forest car park, Waitikiri Drive, Christchurch.
 
COST TO ENTER
$10 per race.
 
RACE BRIEFING
6:50 pm
 
START
7:00 pm sharp.
 
DISTANCE/COURSE
The course is an approx 20 km loop within Bottle Lake and will be on MTB single track and 4WD tracks. It will start and finish outside the Information Center building.
 
MAP
Click on Map (top right hand side) for details of the course.
 
HOW THE SERIES WILL WORK
The first race is a practise race so everyone can familiarise themselves with the course. Then there are seven races that make up the series. Out of the first six races, your best three placings will count towards your series points. These points will then be added to your placing in the final race. You must race the final to qualify for a series placing.
 
This will allow you plenty of scope to get the three best times possible or if commitments prevent you from racing every week you won't miss out on still being in the series.
 
SERIES POINTS
After much discussion and experimentation with points I am going to stick with the formula that we've used previously which is your placing will equal your points, i.e 10th place = 10 points. The riders in each category with the lowest number of points will be the winners. If two riders end up on the same points, the rider who placed highest in the final race will be the winner.
 
This system of points means every rider will know exactly where they placed in the series.
 
KEEN TO TRY NIGHT RACING BUT...
This is for any of you really keen to give night racing a go but are a bit concerned about racing in the dark, getting lost or what to expect. We've organised for an experienced mountain biker to look after you for the duration of the race. They will give you a pre race run down on what to expect and then the group will all ride/race together with the instructor. So if this sounds like you, all you have to do is turn up, register to ride and advise the person at registration you wish to join the group.
 
HOW FIT OR SKILLED DO I NEED TO BE?
If you are very new to mountain biking and keen to try night racing, I recommend you have several rides at Bottle Lake (both in daytime and at night) before the series begins to familiarize yourself with the tracks and roads. Fitness wise, you will need to be able to ride comfortably for at least 45 minutes.
 
WHAT WILL I NEED FOR RACING IN THE DARK?
LIGHTS - to enjoy racing in the dark we recommend a good quality set of lights mounted on your helmet. If you would like help on this, call into any Push Bike Cycle shop for assistance or go to www.nightlightning.co.nz
SMALL TORCH – a small torch will come in handy if your lights fail.
WARM CLOTHING – it goes without saying that we’re racing at night so it does get a bit cooler.
 
TO FIND OUT IF RACING IS ON OR OFF IF ITS RAINING
While we will try and race even if its raining, if the weather turns to heavy rain/strong wind we’ll look at canceling. To find out if racing is on or off, text the word bluedog to 8877 and you’ll get a message back with a race update. We’ll also post an update on the website. The final update will be at 5pm on the day of racing.
 
PRIZES
After each race as soon as the last rider is in there will be a random spot prize draw.
 
CATEGORIES
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES CATEGORIES
MALE or FEMALE  
JUNIOR 12 – 18 years
OPEN 19 – 34 years
VETERAN 1 35 – 44 years
VETERAN 2 45 – 54 years
VETERAN 3 55 years +
SINGLE SPEED OPEN 12 – 34 years
SINGLE SPEED VETERAN 35 years +
  • 1st placegetters in each category will be awarded a World Championship Jersey
  • 1st / 2nd / 3rd placegetters in each category will be awarded medals.
 
PHOTO - World Series Winners 2010
 
 
NEED MORE INFO?
Contact the race director, Rod Hibberd on 021 288 6908 or blue.dog@clear.net.nz.
 
 
 
 
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