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Cheddar
Challenge 2002 - Cross Country Festival!
Major changes will
be made to the official season's finale - The Cheddar Challenge taking place from
4th - 6th
October. Last years event remained strongly supported in spite
of the general downturn in mountain bike racing and what can
only be described as an exodus from certain formats. However, Cheddar has never been an event to stand still
or follow trends, preferring to lead and move forward. In 2002 The Cheddar Challenge will tune in to its core
supporters and focus more strongly on the extremely popular
cross country and trail disciplines. The format will see a strong mix of substantial participant
driven races, mixed with some dynamic spectator attractions
and, of course, great entertainment.
Downhill
& Dual Dropped
While Cheddar has
enjoyed some great downhill and dual racing over recent years,
the extreme cost of staging such races, added to ever increasing
concerns over behavioural issues, has led to a decision to
focus solely on Cheddar's historic stature within cross country
racing. The Cheddar Challenge is, after all, the longest
running cross country classic in the UK and from
2002 onwards, the whole focus and organising effort will
go into delivering the best cross country festival in the
country. This in itself is no mean feat, however the organisers
hope that the loyalty shown by cross country competitors
throughout
the years when downhill & dual attracted greater interest
can now be doubly repaid as the event moves forward solely
for the benefit of these riders.
New Schedule
Friday Night
Friday will feature practice sessions for all the weekend's events as well as a brand new night time trial race which will be the
main focal point of the Friday evening. The time trial will be run on a short cross country
course & will start & finish outside the bar complex,
ensuring a great atmosphere. A true nocturnal extravaganza
is promised to kick off the weekend, with a sound & light
show adding to the vibe.
Saturday
The main part of
Saturday will now be wholly devoted to the Team Relay Race, which will be extended
to a five hour marathon,
run along the same lines as the previous two Team Relay Races
held at Cheddar.The extension of the race not only allows
for increased entries but also provides teams with an increased
challenge.
Later in the afternoon,
the Mini Cheddars
will again take the forefront and with more time being available
to dedicate to this highly popular event, the spectacle of
parental insanity is sure to exceed everyone's expectations.
Finally, a new edition to the Schedule - Trials. Back in
the day, Cheddar used to hold some serious trials competitions,
long before downhill became
a serious contender for space in the schedule. Cheddar played
host to all the big trials names, together with many riders
not immediately associated with the format
and some others who've since slipped into obscurity. It is
fitting therefore to re-introduce a trials competition into
the event at this point when Cheddar is returning to its
roots.
Plans for Cheddar's
infamous Saturday nighter are being kept firmly under lock
and key at this time and no information is being made available,
except that attendance will be strictly limited to those racing
and their families, ensuring that the party atmosphere is
as fat, funky & euphoric as possible!
Sunday
Sunday will see the
European Singlespeed
Championships taking a prime position in the cross country
schedule, rather than its previous dark, damp & lonely
slot at the end of the day. A full schedule of cross country
racing will again feature, with all categories catered for.
Get Certified!
For those riders
out there with something to prove (usually to their doctors!!),
there will be a chance to compete in the ultimate cheesy challenge
with a block entry competition for every cross country race
over the whole weekend. More details will be included in the entry
form.
For more information on 'New Cheddar'!!!
Contact Broadway House on 01934 742610
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