The Madness Outlaws !!!

Outlaw Madness !!! What a weekend of racing !!!!

Hidden in the Tewantin Forest Reserve lies the picturesque Gyndier Drive. A road which has been closed off to traffic for some years now. The road is now used by the local walkers, cyclist's, skateboarders and has held the Annual Noosa Hill Climb race for vintage car's since 1988. The course is a bit over 2 km long and has a bunch of corners winding down the track. Riders can hold tuck through the whole track drafting and railing corners. Speed max is about 60km/h, but with 8 riders it is a battle from start to finish.

The weather leading up to the Outlaw Madness Weekend was raining and cold. And prediction's for the Weekend was to be more rain... But as usual the weather man was wrong and the God's turned on some fantastic Queensland weather !!! Weather man said it was a little heat wave..
Riders form Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, and the East coast came to race. We were lucky to have been blessed to have riders who represent other nations from around the World here at our little Outlaw Race.

Sunday 8:30 am - The bus arrives and Bus Driver/skater Marty Dance takes the first load of skaters up to the top to freeride down to the finish line to get registered, then more freeriding. Riders signed in and were given a number then told to listen for their numbers to be called from the Lotto Ball draw for the heats... We had 70 registered racers from Groms to masters...

All 70 races were registered by 10:00am and the Draw began..... The Format was 70 balls numbered from 1 to 70 placed in a bucket then 8 to 9 riders were drawn into 8 heats. the winner from each heat stayed in that heat bracket and the others were placed back in the lotto bucket. 7 to 8 new racers were drawn again and put into the 8 heats. this went on for 5 rounds. At the end of the 5 rounds the top 8 riders with the lowest points raced for the top 8 spot. Then the next top 9 to 16 raced and the top 17 to 24 raced for their positions.

The start line with 8 to 9 racers was packed like sardine's and the push off was a tight squeeze just for foot space. The racers pushed to the push line then dropped into tuck then charged for pole position. Drafting played a part and racers trying to get the sling shot to get out in front and away, but there was always another Outlaw on their tail. But it all came down to the finish line and who would cross the line first to win the heat.. Some of the heats were so tight, we had to go to the video and photo ref. to find that only half a wheel separated some riders over the line.

After the 5 rounds the race for top 8, top 9 to 16 and top 17 to 24 raced for final position in the Finals. The 3 finals where made up of the top riders and the racing was tough and tight. It was a fight in the as the racers came around the last corner. The crowd went wild as everyone was screaming for their favorite riders in the grand final. Outlaw Benbro crossed the line first winning by a board length and following in close behind was Outlaw Kam and Myles and closely by the other 5 Outlaws.... Congrats Benbro !!!

The Final run of the day was the Chinese Downhill. We had about 60 riders freeriding all together. We had the Outlaws that wanted to race for the $50 and Yellow Mask! About 12 riders went up for the challenge from the top. The other Outlaw riders took it as one big fun run and enjoyed the pleasure of riding in a mass group. Gabe battled it out to take the final win for the day... One stoked Grom !!!

The bus made the day easier taking up 3 heats at a time and giving friends and family the chance to watch the race and a bit of light bus entertainment from Kurt. The bus had good ventilation giving the riders breathing space and sitting space...

The day went smooth with the help from the Start line guy's = Matty Leadfoot and Odin. Corner man = Andrew Armitage. The Fantastic 4 at the finish line score sheets/video and photo ref = Dirk, Meddii, Nicky and Thalia. Madness Bus Driver = Marty Dance. The BBQ 2 = Sasha and Bodie. The RedBull kids = Jaxon, Jessica and Brigette, and random crew for stepping in to help = Owen, Benbro, Robbo, Mr Mactaggart, Mellisa, Kurt and everyone for listening up and doing your bit to make the day happen.

A big thanks to all the Sponsors who donated prizes and gave up time to help. Cre8ive Sk8 Shop, Rhythm, Hopkin Skate, Early Skateboards, www.completeradness.com, SH Longboards, Norfin Longboards, Voodoo, Glyde, Dukes Longboard shop, Slippery Dip Pucks, ND = Kurt for Art and Extreme Marble for making the trophies and a late donation from board shop. RedBull for donating 5 cartons of drink. And finally all the racers you to have just contributed to this sport by racing.

Outlaw Madness was sponsored by the people who care for this sport and want to see it grow and help our riders at the same time. Check out the poster and shop in Australia and show your support. It's your future to...

Congrats to Outlaw Connor for leaving Splender in the Grass to come Race at Outlaw Madness to come in the top 24 then back to Splender after the day. You must have danced your arse off that night !!!!
To all the family's and friends that came out to show support and everyone who came to race, you all helped make an awesome day. A few minor things to brush up on but in the end we got the result that we wanted....
Cheers Kurt for dricing the Chinese Downhill and giving Marty The Bus driver a skate. He was so Stoked !!! Bradley Sterrit for stepping out of his Street Luge and getting stoked!

1 - Benbro....................25 -As.........................48 -Ching
2 - Cam.............................-Joel J........................ -Sam Lau
3 - Myles ....................27 -Arbi ...................... 51 -Callum
4 - Gabe.......................... -Locdog ......................-Millzy
5 - Mathew..................29 -Mitchell...................... -Sam Thompson
6 - Seb.............................-Bradley...................54 -Alex K
7 - Ash A .........................-Arvin............................-Dylan Lee
8 - Ash D..........................-Zane............................-Brodie
9 - Steve ....................33 -Josh Matthews...... 57 -Lance E
10 - Mathias....................-Jack Allen.............. 58 -Jake S
11 - Jonathan..............35 -Oliver.......................... -Johnny P
12 - Kurt......................36 -Kanufi.....................60 -Jackson B
13 - Robbo..................... -Josh E.................... 61 -Thomas
14 - Gilbert..................38 -Reedy..........................-Mack
15 - Kevdog.....................-Juan........................... -Bodie
16 - Mike.........................-Jake Day................. 64 -Tim
17 - Austin..................41 -Pokey...........................-Joel Mcc
18 - Owen..................42 -Jamie.......................66 -Matty
19 - Jez......................43 -Hammo........................-Nathan
20 - Joe..........................-Isaac............................. -Doug
21 - Connor....................-Dan Mc..........................-Adam
22 - Trav....................46 -Flavio............................-Shane B
23 - Pete........................-Chad
24 - Haggy............... 48 -Butternuts

Thanks for the stoke and to the kids and older crew that got a kick out of this race. It is not a fast track but it gets you in the race mode and close racing. Whatever you got out of this race, I hope you all skate safe and that the stoked doesn't wear off to soon.. Keep skating and supporting....

No money was made. The Rego money went towards the bus, Insurance, petrol, materials and race gear, and the left over money went towards Prize money.
We did raise some money for ASRA through the BBQ and RedBull drink sale. Thanks to everyone who donated...

See you all real soon............

Photos- Meddii Blackburn
-Leah Harden
-Douglas Mizzi -www.fusionskate.com