The Hope XC race series is back for 2010 with five dates building on the success of the events inception in 2009.
Offering racing for ‘aged 15 to 105’ with two courses running in parallel making the event accessible for the less experienced and testing for the regular racers, the proven format enables the organisers (eight blokes in a pub) to attract riders of all abilities, from first-timers through to the racing whippet straight from the national series.
All the races will be held at Lee Quarry, Lancashire and series director Paul McKeown enthused about the series: “We offer something for everyone; we know the elite will go out and race fast and hard, the Weekend Warriors will be more of a spread with some loving the technical downhill sections more than the up’s. It’s the Have-a-goes and the kids we really try and look after.”
The course is well suited to a range of abilities and is challenging to all. “Lee Quarry is an awesome dramatic venue and we want to give them a taste of the quarry without them biting off more than they can chew,” added Paul.
New investment by Lancashire County Council within Lee Quarry “opens new course options and enable us to keep our reputation for exciting and demanding course design,” says Technical and Course Director Neil White.
Andrew Moore and Andy Seddon the latest recruits to the team are enthusiastic about 2010: “Brownbacks is all about people who care about mountain biking making things happen. It’s great for the area, it’s great for mountain biking and we get to raise cash for local charities and have the odd beer” comments Andy.
“I started volunteering to help with these events and I saw the effort and spirit of the team and just had to be part of it to make sure 2010 happened” adds Andrew from the corner “ we need lots of volunteers on race day for everything from sign-on, timekeeping to marshalling, people should just get involved to support these events and the team”.
Those dates for your diary are:
- 30 May
- 27 June
- 25 July
- 22 August
- 26 September
What happened to last year’s money?
Following the success of 2009 which saw over 200 individual riders compete in each of the two series the 2009 cash surplus has been given out on behalf of the team, volunteers and riders.
£750 has been donated to Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team who cover Lee Quarry and the surrounding area and £250 to Derian House Children’s Hospice. True to their aim the Brownbacks wanted to donate this to causes close to their hearts and wanted to show that the events at Lee Quarry were aiming to contribute to the wider community.
Chris Smith said: “This was no mean feat considering we set the 2009 series from scratch early in 2009 and we aimed to offer the lowest cost racing around. Donating any surplus cash to good causes has always been a key aim and makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
If you enter by post then its £10 per race or £45 for the series with entries accepted on the day of the event but they will cost £15 and are subject to availability. .
Share