Kustom Bikes DH Winter Series RD1

Avill Ball near Dunster in Somerset was the venue for the first round of the Kustom Bikes DH Winter Series. Team rider Greg Berry, racing in the hardtail category gives us his run down on the track and the results. Rolling off the start ramp the track began with a few rooty flat corners and a small compression/jump if you were fast enough. Next the severity of the hillside started to come into play as the riders began to snake down the first of many switchbacks, which had really only one line down because the track was quite tight to the tape. Then came a straight line with some sneaky roots that seemed to double every run, this was followed a right hander with a tight line against the tape jumping a tree stump, making sure you were able to stay high for the entrance to the next few switch backs. First of the trickier obstacles was a couple of logs laid in the middle of the course, looking more like a trials section! This involved riders either kicking off a tree stump to clear the logs or simply trying to bunny hop before to clear them. Both of which riders found difficult but there was also a higher chicken line to be taken if needed. This was followed by an annoying set of roots which looked easy but when ridden were defiantly not. They were awkwardly placed on a fast kink in the track and with whatever speed hit at caught a lot of riders back ends out, involving them sliding off the course. The track then came to the first of two fire road crossings, this one involved a steep drop killing all speed but only going a tiny way down the road before dropping back in for some more switchbacks. These seemed to be a lot steeper than the above ones and also had some very awkwardly placed roots, as well as a tree stump placed right on the exit of a corner which took more than a few riders out! Then followed the most popular spot for the crowds of the day, an off camber roots section which most if not all riders struggled with. There were two main lines either risk it and go high trying to conquer the roots or drop down slightly avoid the roots and play it safe (I know which one I choose!) A slight off camber incline then came which set you up nice and high on a group of roots, before turning back down the hill to send it off the road the gap, throwing you out into the final field section. After landing the road gap, riders were hit straight with a left hand berm and then followed by a slippery wooden table top. Finally there was a small kicker which sent you straight down to the last corner before the home straight. To view all the photos from the event click here Many thanks to Don (Kustom Bikes) and to all the marshals, who as always put on a great event. Results Senior 1. Lee HUSKINSON - 1:14.545 2. Zak HURRELL - 1:16.781 3. Nathan VIALS - 1:17.107 Junior 1. Moss MACRINER - 1:14.703 2. Jay WILLIAMSON - 1:15.914 3. Calvin ROGERS - 1:19.099 Youth 1. Tyrone RUTHERFORD - 1:18.234 2. Isaac ANDERSON - 1:18.562 3. Tom PROFFITT - 1:23.961 Master 1. Jim DAVAGE - 1:18.704 2. Steve WORKMAN - 1:26.594 3. Julian JACOBS - 1:29.870 Juvenile 1. Owen WILLICOMBE - 1:25.619 2. Edd HOARE - 1:28.828 3. Finn TENNANT - 1:29.150 Veteran 1. Darren KNEESHAW - 1:30.194 2. Tony WILLIAMS - 1:32.910 3. Keith SAUNDERS - 1:38.043 Hardtail 1. Anthony BISHOP - 1:33.239 2. Greg BERRY - 1:35.387 3. Ben DEAKIN - 1:36.899