ASRA - Australian Skateboard Racing Association

Since Newtons is coming up very soon and we have a heap of first timers involved, I thought it would be good to post this great article i found written by K-Rimes

As we see the racing scene start to grow and blossom and see the competition level rise to new heights, we are seeing a new motion currently that is based in fun, but has drastic effects for safety and for sportsmanship. There are more and more and people to be careful of for those who are coming up and speeding up, and there are other riders who are skilled but need to be aware of those around them.

We have moved on from days past where certain riders would dominate a heat, session, or even an entire race and now there are riders who are able to mix it up, dice it up, and get right into the action with attempts, skilled though they may be, that can endanger others. To add onto the tremendous gains in skill we are all experiencing, the playing field is becoming more even and overall, more challenging. This challenge can make for some dazzling defeats, and startling wins and passes and that is what downhill is really all about... But these days, some of the passes we're seeing involve riders cutting inside lines that just won't work or won't make sense (unless a proper drift and line is taken), riders grabbing a hold upon another rider and pulling for the pass or even persons giving up their speed to others (so that the boosted rider may make a pass before the line). These are just the sort of thing that we must be cautious about if we're going to keep all happy and most importantly, safe.

Inside lines are a KEY point to downhill skateboarding, as those who are able to make them and have used them know very well. It is one of the few sports in which we can fit two, three, or even four wide going through turns at equal, or in the case of footbraking, differing speeds. Riders who are making inside line passes need to be conscious not only of their directional forward line, but also their outwards direction that can be accentuated, or diminished by proper lines. When one passes on the inside, their line will take them outwards towards the hay, whereas a rider on the clean, smooth line will go from wide, to inside, to outside taking up maximum room in the turn for a minimal amount of time. We're seeing riders who are making unnecessary inside passes (which is especially brutal for those who are taken out by them) as they are able to take out top riders (who arguably have the better line and rights to it).

One way to skate safe in tight areas is to use your hands and body, not your skateboard. When wheels rub, decks get stuck together, or trucks link up inevitably the skater(s) go down. When hands or the body are primary points of contact there is better traction for those who do so as there is another set of wheels to gain traction from (and a body traveling at the same speed to balance with). The same applies to freeriding... Never touch a skater's deck as it is their lowest point thus when moved, has the most leverage over the skater's weight. When it slows down (gets pulled) the skater goes over the front (this is what you see with wheel rub). Use a flat palm when touching riders, never grab!

To pull or to push is to modify the true outcome of your skateboarding vs. those who you are racing with. The leading rider has it and that's it, grabbing and pulling is dangerous for the riders not expecting it and is the lamest you can get for sportsmanship. Be it a qualifying heat or a practice heat, keep it true to skateboarding and your own skills. Pushing a rider forward is a difficult point for most people... Arguably, it is the safest way to race, especially on tracks with only one clean line (Maryhill, etc). As said before with intersecting lines, it is often far better to separate and stay safe. There is a limit to what is necessary and what is judged acceptable and that is up to the judgement of the rider giving the boost, but as far as modifying a person's position with a HUGE boost, that's just hurting the rider that's getting pushed... They didn't earn that speed, nor would they earn the falsified win. Push with a flat hand and only what is necessary to keep you safe.

Along with technique, knowledge, and experience there must be a huge addition to the racer's world known as judgement... Take a look back and gauge your competition, do you really need to take 1st in the heat, or will a solid 2nd keep you in the race equally? These are the things that we all must take into account before and especially during the heat.

Will a pass before a turn gain you the distance you need to use your preferred braking technique?

Will passing a pre-drifter and footbraking in front keep you well spaced in the turn?

Do(es) my opponent(s) footbrake for turns?

What type of line do my opponents take? Does mine differ?

Does my set-up limit me to certain lines (sticky wheels stick, drifty wheels drift)?

What line will a right footer take vs. a left footer?


These are the sorts of things we need to think about before we race... What do the rest think?




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Leigh, I think this is perfect timing for this topic to be raised, especially with so many new racers hitting Bathurst for the first/first event. Even though I don't speedboard, I think K-Rimes comments are of sound thinking, and even though it maybe directed at the skateboarders in specifics, his general theme applies to all disciplines. There is a certain amount of contact to be expected during a race, but the premise that "Rubbing is Racing" and "Team Orders" are outdated, unacceptable styles of riding. In Streetluge/Classic Luge, if a riders feet are visible in your peripheral vision then they have the line..you MUST give them room and DON'T shut the gate, or else you get DQ'd. Don't bomb a corner, unless you have ample room and won't affect another riders line. No blocking for team members/friends/rewards. Look at the personalities on the startline, see who will want to fight with who, and pick your spot, draft, let them play and then pass close to the line. Skill comes it keeping it clean and fast, and race within your abilities. We all want to go home in one peice at the end of the day, and race the next day.
Regardless of discipline, if you're a hard, fast, clean rider then you'll be able to run anywhere, but play without thinking, and be reckless and you'll run alone. No-one wants to be DQ'd at an event.
The best advice I would give to the first time riders at Bathurst, look at the experienced riders, look at how they conduct themselves on the track during practice, listen to what they say when talking about lines, and look/listen to the personalities around you at the event, ie, who's quiet and observant, who's gun-ho and prone to pick undoable lines and who will be a safe bet to draft if they are in your heats.
Just my two cents.
I totally agree , in motor racing we always had a driver briefing where the clerk of the course "laid down the law" and although incedents are inevitable , you dont want to be the one that no one wants to ride with because you cant control yourself or your speed and everyone is wary of you . (which is exactly why I havnt entered because I dont yet posess those skills) when the helmet goes on the brain flys out the window was a comon saying we used about guys that changed charactor during a race and didnt give a f..k about any one else ; there is huge difference between racing to win and TRYING to win at ALL COST . . Its a huge privelege (in my opinion) to have this event and to be involved , lets hope the stoke this sport brings all of us shows through from all the participents and the young guys listen and learn from the experianced guys , thats certainly what I have been trying to teach my Josh . good rolling everyone
these all very good points, something all first timers (me included) will definitely have to keep in mind, but i think some things only come with experience, given a situation an experienced rider will know what to do just based on his intuition, a first timer however might not immediately know what to do when put in a tight spot. I expect to make mistakes in terms of judging lines taken and different breaking methods by different riders, so I hope the more experienced riders will understand that if our mistakes somehow affect them, it wouldn't be under any malicious intent, its just that we're still learning.
yeah this was something i was and am really worried about being my first time racing and not being too experienced in riding in tight groups at speed, personally i know i am not fast so if someone looks like they are going to be able to pass me i am going to let them go for it in a race or in practice at the end of the day your going to feel like crap if you take out another rider because you where trying to be gutsy and hold him off when he is faster then you
well as an inexperienced racer myself, this sort of insight really gives me something to think about and work on before race day. by sharing the article amongst newer riders it will give me a bit of comfort knowing that they will go into the race with a bit more sense and understanding.
as was said, whilst it is a competition we still all want to be able to ride again in the future. go hard, but race smart.
rubbings racing and im gonna push you all in the dirt! mwahahahaha!!!
if you can get on your board,

get out and skate now with your mates, the more practice everyone gets with other riders the better.

Jacko said:
rubbings racing and im gonna push you all in the dirt! mwahahahaha!!!
and im gonna throw objects in your path from the sidelines jacko, like babies and blow up dolls n stuff like that
I'm right behind you on this one Jacko.

Jacko said:
rubbings racing and im gonna push you all in the dirt! mwahahahaha!!!
how many dead babies does it take to throw jacko off?
Ten....but only one half inflated blowup doll!!!!!!!!!.....lololol

Dale said:
how many dead babies does it take to throw jacko off?
yeh thanx for posting this leigh,awesome....i think k-rimes is tellin everyone in a nice way to stay the f--k outta my way..haha,.....

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