Ash Holds Off Grom Assualt at Hill Climb

Thunderstorms and rain threatened to cancel the first Hill Climb social race, however on sunday the 7th of march, the stoke gods shon through in holy timing, with the road drying up for the first heat remaining in that state until the end. The event organised by two grom's both 16 years old saw 30 competitors as well as a group of spectators. The event started with an idea to hold a small social race for all the new and not-so-new juniors (as well as a few old buggers) to meet each other with a side of light racing. However as the day panned out, the racing grew tense. With the help of Jack Murray, Josh Threapleton, and Macca as start and finish line marshals, the event was able to be run failry smoothly with all racers running in a minimum of two races plus free ride runs. Absolutely all racers performed well, with a notable mention to those that had ridden the road before as well as having no prior racing experience. The race was setup with two initial series based on a points system, first place receiving four points, third receiving 3 points and so on. Series 1 placed four random racers in close contention against each other down the 3min long hill, a true leg burner to say the least. Both series consisted of seven heats with the second being streamed according to previous placings. Once more points were added up, the top ten racers then moved onto 5 man semi finals with Ash Armitage and Myles Borchardt the only two to receive a total of eight points.

The semi finals consisted of two series of five racers, making out for an exciting battle down the hill for both semi-final races. With comments being made suggesting that the semi finals were among the most heated out of all of the races. Semi final 1 consisted of; Ash Donaldson, Matt Pascoe, Michael Langley, Ashley Armitage and Myles Borchardt. They battled it out down the hill with Ashley Armitage unfortunately slipping out in one of the last corners. They crossed the line with Ash Donaldson in 1st, Myles Borchardt in 2nd, Michael Langley in 3rd, Matt Pascoe in 4th and Ash Armitage in 5th. Merrick Wildash, Oliver Smith, Nick Threapleton, Pete Whitehouse, and Dan Mactaggart all lined up for there race and kicked off furiously down the hill, it was another close race with Merrick Wildash just in front of Oliver Smith. Pete Whitehouse, Nick Threapleton and Dan Mactaggart followed closely behind.

A set of rusty bearings later and the grand final race was created, consisting of the first and second placers from the previous semi finals. Ash, Merrick, Ollie and Myles headed up the hill for the last race of the day crowning the winners of the first Hill Climb Social Race ever. As the elastic was let go on the start line, Merrick blasted out in front with a powerful kick putting him into first place for a third of the run with Ash, Myles and Olly in close contention for second. By corner seven, the gap between Ash, Merrick and Myles was closed with Myles ripping through the corner pulling in just behind ash. Ash chased down on Merrick down through the remaining corners until a pass was made. With Merrick pulling in just behind Myles who was catching ash draft, Ash passed the finish line first with Myles close beside him followed by Merrick and Ollie.

1^st Ash Donaldson

2^nd Myles Borchardt

3^rd Merrick Wildish

4^th Oliver Smith

Credits:

Special mention must go to Pete Whitehouse and Lance evans, whom without your assistance the event would not of gone ahead. Thank-you tim for dedicating your time to take some amazing photographs of the event.

As well as this, anyone that provided lifts up the hill we sincerely thank you.

We would like to thank early skateboards for supplying the prizes.

Lastly, to absolutely everyone that came on the day, afterall without you we wouldnt have event!