The first of the four-part, Aston Hill Downhill Races took place on the DH3 course at the weekend. Just fewer than 120 riders turned up to make the course’s race debut a day to remember. As always, the fantastic Aston Hill atmosphere made the day as much about comparing times and catching up with friends, as it was about the racing.

Here’s a quick (are you sure? – ed) run down the course for those that didn’t make the race. Out of the gate it’s straight on the gas over the first tabletop, then full throttle across the jump-infested start straight. A sweeping lefthander brings you to a freefall section; a tabletop to bomb-hole combo takes you into a berm and then over a kicker before another lofty jump. The landing sets you up for a sweeping lefthander and a flat-out dive down across the first fire road. Hard on the brakes and then round the infamous two-stage berm before swinging right and crossing the second forest road.

Dropping off the forest road leads you into a ninety left with a berm to keep the speed on. Then it’s back on the gas again before pin-balling over some roots and onto the ledge.

Only the brave pedal here, because the next section has to be negotiated by the seat of your downhill pants. It’s a sweeping dive down onto another ledge with a speedy drop-off or an easier line to the inside.

Over the bump, and into the bus stop before flying across the off-camber roots. Hit the stump-jump, hang on through the roots and it’s onto the finish chute. Time? Sub-two minutes if you want to be in with a shout.

As you would expect, home riders dominated the results, and the swanky Aston Hill Downhill trophy remained with a home rider. In the Hardtail category, Lewis Searle (astonhill.com) set the pace from run one, and with a time of 1:51.53 he took the top step on the podium with an 11 second margin. Graham Stubbings (astonhill.com) came home in second with 2:02.49, and Mark Oliver (Mank Wonkey), rounded out the top three with a time of 2:04.49.

In the Youth men, Ricky Crane (Pedals/Saracen) took the win with a time of 1:52.69. Tom Roche (astonhill.com) took second place with 2:00.95 and Christian Fairclough took third with a time of 2:04.50.

In the Junior men Chris Sinden (astonhill.com) flew down his second run to bump Andy Ayers (Aston Hill Junior Devo) into second place with 1:38.68 and Tom Smart (Ancillotti) took the third step on the podium with a time of 1:44.96.

Into the senior categories, and the Masters men was the first to be rapped up. French rider Jerome Abed pushed mechanical trouble to the back of his mind to take the win with a time of 1:48.33. Paul Wellls (Framework Racing) took second place with a time of 1:48.96 and Jason Whittock (astonhill.com) rounded out the top three with a time of 1:50.55.

In the Vet men it was a three-way fight for the top step with Phil Smart coming out on top with a time of 1:59.72. Alex Foulie (VT Racing) was in second with 2:26.61 and Jerry Tubb rounded out the top three with a time of 2:33.92. Only two women raced and Kirsty Price took the win with a time of 2:06.28 with Liz Farley on the second step of the podium with a time of 2:25.49.

Wrapping up the day were the Senior men, and, as usual, the category was as hotly contested as ever. Ross Searle (astonhill.com) set the pace and stunned the field with a 1:36.81 on his first run. Could he, or anyone else, go faster? That was the question.

The answer was ‘yes’, as Ross posted a time of 1:35.47. Ross wasn’t the only rider to go faster though, and it ended up with the top three seniors on the same second. Alex Coventry (Ancillotti) took second with a time of 1:35.77 and Scott Tankard (Team SDR/Aston Hill) took third place with a time of 1:35.83.

Round two takes place on Sunday 25th August on Aston Hill’s Red Run (XCDH) with what promises to be a great day’s racing. Don’t let the name put you off; the Red Run is a great downhill with some tough sections to keep you on your toes. It’s also a great downhill for anyone looking for an introduction to the sport. Expect the top riders to be on the rivet, but anyone can get down this track and have a truckload of fun in the process. For more info check out Astonhill.com