Saracen British Downhill Series – Round 2 Fort William – Preview

This weekend the Saracen British Downhill Series visits the biggest track of the season, Fort William, Scotland. Below we have all the information you should need on the weekend whether you are riding in the event or coming along to watch the racing.

British Cycling National Rd 2 at Nevis Range on Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th of May 2013. UCI Category 1 event.

The Venue: Nevis Range, Torlundy, Fort Willliam, Inverness-shire. PH33 6SQ. Scotland.
T +44 (0)1397 705 825 / E info@nevisrange.co.uk.

Please do not park in the section of the car park in front of the ticket office/entrance to the gondolas.
When you drive into the venue and onto the car park main centre road way please turn:
RIGHT: If you are not in the pro pits. Please park responsibly.
LEFT: If you are in the pro pits. Please note pro pits is a pit area for pop up tents race trucks. All other team/riders vehicles will have to be parked in the racers side of the car park (on the right were you turn in).
Team and pro/pits will be located
Spectating and parking will be free.

The Course: The course is probably the toughest on the World Cup circuit and will be physically and technically challenging and your race run will be between on average 5-7minutes long. Riders are advised to wear suitable protection, walk the course prior to riding and ride within their own ability level.

Length – 2.82km
Start altitude – 655m
Finish altitude – 100m
Vertical descent – 555m
Finish – Nevis Range car park
Fastest time 4:50 minutes.
Course rating (1-5 with 5 being very technical): Rating 4.
Man made obstacles are in abundance along the whole length of the course with several large jumps and berms.
The finish arena is large in size and will be surrounded by 50 crowd barriers.

Nearest Train Station: Tom-na-Faire. Station Square, Fort William. Highland PH33 6TQ.

The nearest Ferry Port is: Achnacroish Lismore Ferry Terminal, Achnacroish, Isle of Lismore, PA34 5UJ
Mallaig Habour Authority, Mallaig, Invernesshire, PH41 4QB 01687 462154
Oban Oban Harbour, Oban, Argyll, PA34 4DB
Lochaline Lochaline Ferry Terminal, Lochaline, PA34 5XS

The nearest Airport is: The closest major airport is Inverness Airport (INV / EGPE).
This airport is in Inverness, United Kingdom and is about 64 miles from the center of Fort William.

Another major airport is Glasgow International Airport (GLA / EGPF),
which is in Glasgow, United Kingdom and is 70 miles from Fort William.
Edinburgh Airport (EDI / EGPH) is in Edinburgh, United Kingdom and is
89 miles from Fort William, United Kingdom.

Nearest Hospital: Belford Hospital, Belford Road, Fort William.
Telephone No: 01397 702 481

Local Ambulance Service: Fort William Ambulance Depot, Nevis Road, Fort William,
Inverness-Shire. PH33 6LY. Telephone No: 01397 702 382.

Nearest Police Station: High Street, Fort William. PH33 6EE. Telephone No: 01397 702 361

Nearest Public Showers: There are showers onsite at Nevis Range at £1.00 for 3minutes and will be open when the cafe is open.
If your camping out in the car/van and just want a shower then the Fort William leisure centre (Lochaber Leisure Centre) have these facilities available, located on the Belford Road, Fort William, PH33 6BU, based on the main road leading to the track, heading through passing the Belford Hospital, this place is around 500yds on from the Hospital on the left hand side. Good parking available. Tel: 01397 704359 Cost £1.10 a shower, £1 deposit for use of a towel or bring your own.
Thurs: 7:15am to 9pm
Fri: 7:15am to 9pm
Sat: 10am to 4pm
Sun: 10am to 4pm

There are also showers based at the train station which has recently been refurbished, the train station is accessible from the back of Morrison’s car park. Tel: 0845 601 5929, the cost is £3.50 which includes the use of a towel. The showers themselves are private cubicles.

Organisation: BDS Events.

Race Director: Simon Paton: si@descent-gear.com. Mobile 07968 229 359
Race Web Site: www.britishdownhillseries.com
https://www.facebook.com/BritishDownhillSeries

2013 Race Schedule:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday the track is open for anyone to ride, please pay Nevis Range.
Friday
09:00 Venue open for team pits, parking and camping.
10:30 – 15:15 The track is open for anyone to ride, please pay Nevis Range onsite, no need to book.
15:00 Course open for on foot inspection only. If you wish to use the gondola please pay Nevis Range.
16:00 Commissaire course walk.
18:00 – 20:00 Race registration, please bring your valid 2013 BC/UCI Race Licence.

Saturday
07:00 Course open for on foot inspection only.
08:00 – 11:00 Race registration, please bring your valid 2013 BC/UCI Race Licence.
08:30 Uplift open for marshals and medics.
09.10 Uplift opens for all riders
09:30 Open practice for all riders.
18:00 Course Closed.
18:05 Riders meeting.
18:30 Last gondola down for marshals and medics.
18:30 Course open for on foot inspection only. No transport to the top is provided or permitted.

Sunday
07:30 Uplift open for marshals and medics.
08:10 Uplift opens.
08:30 Open Practice for all.
10:15 Last Uplift Leaves.
10:15 First Uplift for racing.
10:45 Course Closed.
11:00 Timed Seeding Run followed by one timed race run.
17:30 Podium for top five in each category.
18:00 Last gondola down for marshals and medics.

Entry procedure, distribution of identification numbers: The race is pre-entry only. SOLD OUT

Racer numbers will be available at the race office (large white marquee 15x9meters) where all riders must sign on and present their valid racing licence. Failure to produce a valid racing licence will mean an instant £10.00 cash administration charge that will go straight to British Cycling. Once paid the rider can then complete registration and compete in the event.

Riders will be given one number board for the series. If you have raced the BDS previously this year, please bring along your number board from that round. It is your responsibility to look after it. A lost number board will mean a £5.00 charge for a replacement as will a number board that has a modified shape and sponsors’ logos removed.
No defacing of number boards.

Rider Registration opens in the side room at the cafe:
Friday from 18:00 to 20:00
Saturday 08:00 to 11:00

Note: For series overall positions, four out of five rounds count, including seeding points.
Race Categories and running order for both seeding and race run:
Juvenile Pro-Tec 13-14 years of age.
Youth – SixSixOne – 15-16 years of age.
Veteran – Madison Clothing – 40-49 years of age.
Master – Madison Clothing – 30-39 years of age.
Women – Shimano -13 and over.
Elite Women -Schwalbe – 19 years and over.
Junior – Fox 17-18 years of age.
Senior – Kore – 19-29 years of age.
Expert – Shimano -19 and over.
Elite – Schwalbe – 19 and over.

Juvenile – Riders must be in the year of their 13th or 14th birthday.
Youth – Riders in the year of their 15th or 16th birthdays.
Junior – Riders in the year of their 17th or 18th birthdays.
Senior – Riders in the year of their 19th birthday then the Senior category is the appropriate aged based category. See below for how riders can attain Expert or Elite status.
Master – For riders aged 30 to 39.
Veteran – For riders aged 40 to 49.
Grand Veteran – For riders aged over 50

Prize Money: The fastest 8 riders overall from the Male Junior, Senior, Expert and Elite will receive prize money and UCI points in accordance with the UCI rule book.
The fastest 4 riders overall from the Female Junior, Senior and Elite will receive prize money and UCI points in accordance with the UCI rule book.

All prize money will be paid directly by British Cycling to the riders.
Mens UCI cat 1
1st 665 euros
2nd 530 euros
3rd 400 euros
4th 265 euros
5th 200 euros
6th 130 euros
7th 100 euros
8th 65 euros

Womens UCI Cat 1
1st 530 euros
2nd 400 euros
3rd 265 euros
4th 130 euros
5th 65 euros
6th 65 euros
7th 65 euros
8th 65 euros

Race Regulations: The event will run under BC and UCI Regulations and Penalties. Please make sure you aware of the rules.
The BDS has the best safety record in the history of mountain bike racing in the U.K.
Friday 16:00 we will hold a course inspection with the UCI Commissaire, Chief BC Commissaire, Head Marshal, Head of Course Maintenance and myself. Any recommendations will be implemented immediately.

BDS rules incorporate those laid out in the current BC and UCI handbook of 2013.

Under suspicion of theft, the police will be called and you will be detained until their arrival.
Anti-social behaviour, vandalism, riding mini-bikes, motorbikes, driving recklessly at the event (Disqualified).
Acts of violence, intimidation or vandalism will receive a lifetime ban.

Juvenile and Youth you must wear the following body armour:
Full Spine
Elbow pads
Knee pads
For riders that do not wear them (Disqualified)

Uplift Procedure: Gondolas will transport both riders and bikes. Bikes will hang from their seats outside of the gondola, please ensure your seat and seat post are tight and up to the job.
Please fill every hook on each gondola, failure to do so will result on longer queues.
We will provide an uplift marshal at the pick up point.
We aim to lift at least 200 riders per hour. The route is a circular uplift so the gondola has no need to stop.

Race Timing: www.sportstimingsystems.co.uk the UK distributor for Tag Heuer.
Results will be posted in the main arena on completion of each event and online by Monday 12:00 after the event.
Wireless communications will be used. The riders will start from a covered area with hand rail and will cross a laser beam to start the timing. The finish line will use laser beams again to capture the rider crossing the line. A large T.V screen will show the results live at the finish line.
Live split timing will be provided at the step down section into the open field. Provisional results from each category will be printed and displayed within five minutes of the category finishing.

Medical: Rescue Medics will provide full medical cover both on course and from an identifiable Base Station in the event arena. Five medical personnel ranging from a doctor to paramedics.

Camping: The race venue is not a campsite. Police can move you in as the Nevis Range has no license to allow camping. Definitely no fires!
The car park at Nevis Range which is where the race will be held is hard standing gravel and access for big rigs is easy. Various camp site around the area, most favourable is the Glen Nevis Camp site. Do not empty your chemical toilet anywhere onsite.

From South heading North:
Follow A82 all the way past Fort William, until the small white (paintspot) roundabout, straight through this(marked for GLEN NEVIS) and into the Glen, STRAIGHT ON APPROX 2 MILES.

From North heading South:
As you approach Fort William heading toward town centre, Turn Left at white (paintspot) roundabout (marked for GLEN NEVIS) and into the Glen, STRAIGHT ON APPROX 2 MILES.
Has all major facilities including showers. www.glen-nevis.co.uk Tel: 01397 702 191 Price per tent pitch: £7-£20 depending on size of the tent.

PA System: A full Public Announcement Facility will be on site with announcements throughout the day. Toby Parodi the voice of the BDS will be on hand all weekend. A Notice Board will also be on display in the Race Office/Rider Registration area for displaying information regarding the event.

Catering: Nevis Range have two cafes, one at the base station and one at the top of the hill by the start line. The mobile cafe will be open by the finish line and the cafe will also be open which has free wireless connections. The onsite caterers will be open as follows:
Friday until 21:00
Saturday Food until 21:00, Bar until 21:00

Toilets: Both indoor mens and womens toilets are available both at the base station and the top of the hill near the start. All will be serviced on Saturday evening and re-stocked throughout the weekend.

Refunds and Transfers: If you wish to cancel a booking please note the following cancellation conditions:
29+ days notice: £60.00 paid back.
15-28 days notice: £35.00 paid back.
14 days or less notice: no refund.

There will be an e-mail/sms system to update riders at 15:00 on Saturday with Sunday’s seeding times and on Sunday afternoon your race time. Plus the result and the overall results and a short message on Sunday evening.

Facebook/Twitter uploads are available as we now have an I-Pad with built in 3G allowing us to upload trackside with all the latest news.

All results posted online by Sunday 18:00 of the race.

The award ceremony will take place ten minutes after the last rider has completed their race run and will be located in the finish arena area.

UCI Commissaires:
ESTEVES Armando
British Cycling Commissaires:
Kelvin Hoy.
Digby Sym
Dominic Scott
Dave Hutchens

Course Marshals: 28 x marshals will be in place on course both Saturday and Sunday throughout training. Each marshal will be easily identifiable by wearing a high visibility vest and will be supplied with a working two way radio, a whistle, red and yellow flag and a supply of refreshments. We aim to ensure all our marshals are aged 21 or over and fit and able.
The marshal briefing will be carried out at 08:00 on the Saturday morning at the registration tent.

Colin Olden and Chris Bowden – Course Maintenance.
Ben Brevitt and Conrad Hackett – Support Team.

Additional Information:
Places to eat:
McDonalds: Next door to Morrison’s supermarket
Thursday: 7am to 10pm
Friday: 7am to 10pm
Saturday: 7am to 10pm
Sunday: 7am to 10pm

Brewers Fayre (pub food).
Next to McDonalds, you have to order your food before 9pm, anything later will be leaving you with an empty belly. This place can get very busy when an event is taking place so it’s advised to maybe make a booking.
Tel: 08701 977104

Chinese/Indian.
There are several Indian takeaways and restaurants along the High street all seem to be above standard and the Chinese takeaway/restaurant is opposite the police station. The Chinese does have a good reputation for decent food at good prices. Highland Star(Chinese) – 01397 703905

The midges are a nightmare! Make sure you cover yourself in midge repellent. My repellent of choice is Avon Skin So Soft. If it rains, the wind speed is above 5mph or it’s hot and sunny they don’t come out to play. If they are out make sure you close up everything as they will have a rave / disco in your tent, van,car or motor home. Avon Skin So Soft will be on sale at the event.

The XC routes and the 4x course is open to use all weekend until the 3/4 pack. Please make sure you wear the appropriate safety gear at all times.

Nevis Range Riding in general:
Nevis Range XC Riding: If you are bringing the family, friends then get them in on the riding at the Nevis Range, the Red Route will be open along with the XC Witches Trails. There are 3 marked trails these are:

The world champs route graded red and 8.5 km long, 10 Under the Ben loop: graded red and 10 miles long, The Broomstick Blue: graded blue and apprx 6km long. There is a map which can be purchased for £1 from bike shops and Nevis Range. You can start either at the Northface Carpark or at Nevis Range Carpark. In the forest there are also many other trails, some marked with Forestry ‘Witches Trail’ marker posts, while others are more hidden but worth looking for. Take care though, many are steep, slippery and technical. Access to the Forest is either from Nevis Range, Torlundy North Face climbers car park or the road into Leanachan opposite the Highbridge road end.

Shops: Morrisons – Town Centre Pass this on way to Nevis Range, take 1st exit at roundabout at the end of the dual carriageway. This shop does have a Café which opens for Breakfast at 8am, 9am on Sunday.
Opening Hours:
Thursday: 8am-9pm
Friday: 8am-9pm
Saturday:8am-8pm
Sunday: 9am-6pm

Petrol Stations: Various along route to the Nevis Range, BP and the Esso are both 24hrs however the Morrison’s Petrol Station is always the cheaper for fuels and gas.

Morrison’s Petrol Station Opening Times:
Thurs: 7am-10pm
Fri:7am-10pm
Sat:7am-10pm
Sun:8am-8pm

Insurance Document:
http://www.gravity-racing.co.uk/insurance/fort.jpg

Pro riders racing this event include: Cedric Gracia, Greg Minnaar, Steve Peat, Gee Atherton, Danny Hart, Josh Bryceland, Andrew Neethling, Marcelo Gutierez, Marc Beaumont, Brendan Fairclough, Ben Reid, Sam Dale, Damien Spagnolo, Adam Brayton, Bernard Kerr, Matt Simmonds, Joe Smith, Fabien Cousinie & Markus Pekoll.

 

British Downhill Series Website:
http://www.gravity-racing.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/BritishDownhillSeries

Ride.io will be bringing you coverage over the weekend our video edit from the weekend, headcam footage and race report.

2013 bds British Downhill Series dh downhill event info Fort Willaim info nps preview saracen