After emerging from a familiar frosty and wet winter, on a perfect spring-time weekend in late September, Rocky Trail Entertainment drew perhaps this years biggest state racing crowd to the Pony Express trail in Lithgow, NSW. With months of development and tweaking of the track completed in time for the event, riders were loving the extra speed and flow, and some nice big jumps in the trail’s late sections. Lithgow is a track that takes guts to ride FAST in practice or in racing, as the local trees and rocks took a few casualties on Saturday, and a few more on race day.A�Elite Women’s Kellie Weinert crashed Saturday, and raced Sunday before being diagnosed with a severely bruised neck and other injuries – and still attained 4th place – we hate to continue the soccer/downhill athlete comparison but… Shoutouts to Kellie and others injured for a swift recovery.
Read on for all the action in Lithgow!
The step up has grown since last time, and while there were cases-a-plenty over the weekend, it was generally agreed that the jump worked well on the track, and props were handed out to those that cleared it with ease. Photo: Edwin EmmerickThe last major feature on the track is a newly-constructed 25-30ft gap which catapulted riders into the final 150m of trail.Gaps like this and front-casing don’t mix. Liam walked away from this one, thankfully! The missing seat-post was borrowed for racing, and unrelated. (also thankfully)Pony express claimed some helmets and riders this weekend, we’re glad to know that each of the riders we heard got hurt are on the mend. Photo: Edwin EmmerickTim Eaton has had a strong presence throughout the National and NSW/ACT Downhill series’, and this round was no different, as he also broke the 2min mark with a time of 1:58.Sarah Booth grips the series with another win in Lithgow aboard Kona, here she tackles Mega Thunder switchbacks with apparent ease…Keiran Volk slays the exit berm at Mega Thunder, in a qualifying run that would set him up for 2nd in the Expert Male division. Photo: Edwin EmmerickLadies and Gentlemen, we have seen the U15’s become U19’s, getting faster and faster and now moving to elite – here we have the next generation. MTB Grom’s, hitting A-lines and generally looking good on their bikes – they’re on your heels men & women! Photo: Tim Shirvington
Dave McMillan AKA Mayhem Dave strikes again, displaying his signature speed and style to take the fastest time and an unprecedented 1 minute 57 second race run. Photo: Edwin Emmerick
Elite Male
David McMillan – 1:57:408
Tim Eaton +1.4s
Tom Lewis +2.4 (from leader)
Mark Conliffe + 2.7
Joel Willis + 3.1
Elite Female
Sarah Booth – 2:23:622
Joanne Fox +15.6s
Vanessa Thompson +16.7
Kellie Weinert +16.9
Clare Ly +45.2
Ryan Plunkett is one of a small group of U19 privateers competing at a National level, while doing the whole NSW/ACT series too. These riders know the stories of racing, from injury to triumph 2014 has been a big year. Who will bring it home in Canberra next month?
Mt Stromlo holds the final installment of the NSW/ACT DH Series on October 4/5, run by Rocky Trail Entertainment – check out their website for information and entering. www.rockytrailentertainment.com
Keep up to date with the Aussie racing scene with Downhill247.com on Facebook & Instagram.
Words & Photos (except where credited otherwise): Jaime Black / www.jaimeblack.com.au
