Brownback Racing has announced details of Series 2 of the Hope XC Race Series at Lee Quarry in Lancashire. Whichever way you look at it, the inaugural series was a success, attracting 230 riders with some travelling 200 miles to take part.

Series 2 retains the same simple single race format of series 1 with some important additions. There’ll be a new category for 15 and 16 year olds while 17 year olds will be able to race in the main categories – Racer, Weekend Warriors and Have-a-go Heroes are all fairly self-explanatory. There’ll also be on-site catering in what the organisers describe as the event “hamlet”.

Title sponsor Hope is back on board, with series prizes including an SP XC6 wheelset, brakes, lights and copious quantities of Sh1tshifter bike cleaner, as well as unique Hope-manufactured trophies. Category sponsorship is coming from Leisure Lakes and Minx-girl, with the Have-a-go Heroes series prize being a day’s one-on-one training with Great Rock Training. There’s also a singlespeed subcategory sponsored by Charlie the Bikemonger.

Race dates are 6 September, 27 September and 18 October 2009. Entry is either online at www.xcracer.com or download an entry form from www.brownbacksracing.co.uk and then post it with a cheque in the traditional manner. Postal entries need to be in by the Tuesday before the race you’re entering. Entry on the day will be available, but it’ll be more expensive and numbers are limited, so it’s best to enter in advance to avoid disappointment.

Everything you need to know is at www.brownbacksracing.co.uk.