The multiple-track DH venue of Descend Hamsterley will play host to the three-round Down’n’Out Winter Series starting in the middle of December. The series represents a big push by the Descend guys and Hamsterley locals to get the venue back on the racing map, and with plenty of track options they’ll be able to offer a different course at each round.

Each weekend will follow the same format, with practice from 9am to 3.30pm on the Saturday (with uplift) and two race runs preceded by a short burst of final practice on the Sunday. The organisers aim to have the prize presentations (cash, trophies and product prizes for category winners) all done and dusted by 3.15pm. All rounds will carry British Cycling ranking points, too, and there’ll be a cash prize for fastest run of the day, regardless of category.

Round 1 is 15/16 December, with subsequent rounds on to-be-confirmed weekends in February and March. Entry is £45 per round and entry forms are available now at www.descendhamsterley.co.uk.