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| Owen is calling the guy at the end of the DH course so that guy can start the clock. Bike stand is Arnold Lacorte - pic by Nick McHugh |
XC racers in Singapore are luckier than the DH guys.
There are no more XC races in Sg BUT at least they
can get their feet wet in neighboring Malaysia.
The Malaysian Jamborees cater to all racers from
National Racers, to Weekend warriors, to Aunties and
Uncles, even to Boy/Girl Racers.
There are no more XC races in Sg BUT at least they
can get their feet wet in neighboring Malaysia.
The Malaysian Jamborees cater to all racers from
National Racers, to Weekend warriors, to Aunties and
Uncles, even to Boy/Girl Racers.
But if you are interested in the Downhill side of things,
there is no beginner friendly DH races in Singapore.
Errrr scratch that, there are NO Downhill races in
Sg. Ok, some may argue that there is the Redbull
Night DH race and also that DH race held in
the Singapore Flyer. BUT those races happen once
in a blue moon. So while waiting for the moon
to turn blue, what do you do? Twiddle your thumbs?
Anyway, PadyakPinoy Sg has a core group of riders
who are into DH racing. There are also lots and lots
of newbie riders who are into DH ... but are intimidated
with the jumps at Gangsa and the main DH route in Kent
Ridge. The thing is people have to start somewhere ...
and so there's this mild and short DH section in Kent Ridge
where people started to practice... and when that place
was identified, CrestPursuit Owen said :
"Let there be a beginner's DH race here" and
lo! there was a race... and they saw that racing is good.
Hehehehe of course, it didn't happen as simple as that.
They talked about how to have a "start gate", how to time
the race, where to get medals, what are the prizes, etc.
In the end, it was agreed that this will be a beginner's
race. If you have raced DH before, too bad! You are disqualified.
But apart from that rule, anything goes.
You can use whatever bike you have. The "entry fee" is just
But apart from that rule, anything goes.
You can use whatever bike you have. The "entry fee" is just
10$. The 10$ fee went to buying BEERS and CHIPS for
everyone. People approached the organizers to be marshalls,
mechanics, photographers, pom-pom girls, whatever.
Lastly, Owen took care of the prizes. So now that
everything is set ... there were people who asked :
What if you don't have a DH bike and ARMOR?
Arnold replied : No excuses!!! I will lend my race winning
Tomac DH bike AND armor to whoever needs it ...
and that my friends is why the race is called
The Lacorte Cup :-)
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| Tropang Putikan's Anton trying his hand at DH race course. - pic by AirTime Mark |
XCers went for the race. People on DH bikes went
for the race. People on hardtails went for the race.
Even non-competitors went to the race just to show
support, say 'Hi', and share some laughs.
Even non-competitors went to the race just to show
support, say 'Hi', and share some laughs.
Everything went smoothly. Also, I almost forgot,
if you are racing, then you need to go for at least
one practice session! Safety First!
Morning was reserved for the seeding runs.
The race took a break for lunch and then the heavens
opened and there was a torrential downpour. These
people just waited for the rain to stop and then continued
racing in the mud. Even the photographers had their
expensive DSLRs and Remote Flashes out!
Everything that was expected from a DH race was
there. There was even a HOTSEAT! :-)
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| Nick McHugh - Attack! - pic by AirTime Mark |
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| Tropang Putikan's Gerald, is back to try the race course ... a few months after he broke his back - pic by AirTime Mark |
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| Eventual winner - Vince pic by AirTime Mark |
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| Owen tackled the course on his On One Inbred but he is disqualified from competing as he has already done a DH race before - pic by AirTime mark |
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| Incredible Hulk AKA Merlion (that's his real name) tried the course on his Lynskey pic by AirTime Mark |
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| Master Bobot on his Turner - pic by AirTime Mark |
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| The Hot Seat ! :-) |
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| The Organizers, Racers and Volunteers - pic by Nick McHugh |
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| AirTime Mark and Arnel - pic by John the Mechanic |
Ahhhh what can I say... the race was a total
success in terms of fun FUN FUN. Now those
guys who joined this race already has some idea
of how it is to race DH. They have even become
sooo confident that last I heard, a few of them who
have long travel bikes (NOT full blown DH rigs)
will be competing in Batam's Light DH race !!!
The next installment of this race will be held
on February 2013 .... from what I hear, a few guys
from my group, Tropang Putikan will be going
for this round :-)))
By the way, here's a short video from Rey Toots
about what went on that day (might NOT play on phones).
