Keith Bontrager in action earlier this year

After two successful years, first at Lodgewood Park, Shropshire and then at Cotswold Park Farm, the Bontrager Twentyfour12 combined 24 and 12-hour event is packing its bags and heading down the M5 for a new home at Newnham Park, Plymouth on 26-27 July 2008.

And while many might bemoan that long drive to the South West, there’s a good few reasons why the move can be considered a good thing. Newnham Park is well used to hosting large events, such as the Grundig World Cups back in the day, and plenty of NPS and marathon events since then. And that’s not forgetting the fantastic and challenging course easily accessible in the surrounding woods.

Understandably Event Technical Director Keith Bontrager is happy with the news: “We’ve been searching everywhere on the island for the best race course and venue and when the Cobbold family said Newnham was available we jumped at the chance. Its race history and setting is unrivaled and the journey to Plymouth will definitely be one worth making. The venue is great and we will focus on a technically challenging, fun route to ride, with plenty of singletrack. See you there!”

Aside from the move, there’s other changes afoot for the format, the race now having another, yes another, 12-hour race while the main 24-hour event is going on. Beginning at midnight, as the first 12-hour race finishes, the Torchbearer12 will be the first race we know of to start at midnight. You can now enter a team of four or five into the 24-hour race for the same price, and Veteran riders have their own category in the 12-hour solo.

As needed for such an event, there’ll be proper flushing loos (it says here), showers, large campsite, trade area, massage facilities and music and other entertainment throughout the night. In 2007 all solo categories and some pairs were sold out so get your entries in early if you plan to take part. Online entry is available from 1 December with the first 300 entrants receiving a special Bontrager memento. Entry and more details are available at www.twentyfour12.com.