If you’ve ever fancied trying your hand at downhill racing but have been put off by the possibility of making yourself look like an idiot, and you’re vaguely near the south-west, then you may wish to chance your arm with Dirt Racing’s Ride Central Downhill Series. It’s described as an “entry level” event with courses designed with all abilities in mind – the organisers make a point of the fact that the courses are suitable for those new to downhill racing (which means that you’re not going to have to be able to clear a 15ft road gap just to complete the course).

Dirt Racing promises a “fun and friendly” atmosphere. All the usual categories will be available (including a hardtail category) with prizes for the top three in each. Plus there’ll be random spot prizes scattered about the place.

The six-race series will alternate venues between Broadway House at Cheddar and High Action at Churchill, both in Somerset. As well as fun courses, both venues have bars and restaurants, which is a bonus. There’ll also be Go-Ride training sessions for the under-12s at each round.

Race days will include a three-hour practice session and two timed race runs. And if you can’t quite bring yourself to race, you can always ease yourself in the right direction with one of the practice days, the day before each race day. A tenner gets you unlimited practice runs to let you get the feel of things and maybe tempt you into the race fray next time…

The dates are:

Race Dates

• DH1 – Sun 2 April, Cheddar
• DH2 – Sun 7 May, Churchill
• DH3 – Sun 4 June, Cheddar
• DH4 – Sun 23 July, Churchill
• DH5 – Sun 17 Sep, Cheddar
• DH6 – Sun 15 Oct, Churchill

Practice Days

• Sat 1 April, Cheddar
• Sat 6 May, Churchill
• Sat 3 June, Cheddar
• Sat 22 July, Churchill
• Sat 16 Sep, Cheddar
• Sat 14 Oct, Churchill

More details and online entry at www.dirt-racing.co.uk.