London based MTBers will fondly remember the Beastway series, which was forced to go on a sabbatical due to its Eastway venue being bulldozed to make way for the 2012 Olympic site.

But rejoice, Beastway is back for 2009, with a new series ready to kick into life next month. The revitalised series will be held at the new, purpose-built Redbridge Cycling Centre in Hainault, London. The first race is scheduled for 1 July.

The format remains as before and the short course races will use sections of the surfaced trails linked together with a variety of established woodland and newly planted areas.

There’ll be four race nights on the 1, 8, 15, 22 of July and a team race and prize giving on 29 July. If the weather remains dry expect fast dusty trails but this could change very quickly if there’s rain to leave a very sticky circuit.

Categories include Junior, Expert, Sport, Masters, Veterans, Under 14, Under 16 and Singlespeed. Racing starts at 7.30pm for 1 hour, (Youth A and B categories start at 7.50pm).

Entry costs £10 for seniors, £7 veterans, OAP, Students and Juniors. Youth’s pay £5.

The circuit will be built each week from 3pm. Anyone who can help with this, or can help on the gardening days will get a free ride. Beastway need to prepare some trails and volunteers are required on 17 and 24 June from 6.30pm prior to the start of the series to help with this. Contact Ray Blackwell if you can help on 07970082541 for more details.

The venue is the new purpose built Redbridge Cycle Centre, known also as Hog Hill, and has full facilities including showers and lockers – www.redbridgecyclingcentre.co.uk.

More at www.beastway.com