Kris Schamp
Hi, everyone!
This Monday, we are wrapping up the 2017 Portland Short Track Series, after 8 weeks of some very exciting racing!
Like in years past, we plan to go out with a bang and we hope you will be able to join us for our Short Track Grand Finale (http://www.portlandracing.com/short-track-finale-2017.html), which promises to be another night of sheer bike race fun.
Because we expect a lot of racers (including new racers), we encourage everyone who plans to race and doesn't have a series pass, to register online (at http://obra.org/events/25237/register --- deadline extended until 6pm tonight). It will not only save you time and $$ tomorrow, but it will also alleviate the workload for our registration crew.
When you are pre-registered, all you will have to do is pick up your race plate at the info desk (under the motocross tower on the infield) or - if you have already a plate for the category you plan to race - just line up at the start of your race and have fun!
And if you miss the online registration deadline, you can of course still pay at the race tomorrow, from 4:30pm until 15' before your race. You can pay with credit card, cash, or check.
Here are a couple other updates ahead of tomorrow's big night:
1) Series standings, podium contenders and call-up list for tomorrow's races.
We just posted a detailed overview of the current series standings, featuring the series points racers earned at each of the past 7 races and the podium contenders highlighted in each category:
http://www.portlandracing.com/stxc-podium-contenders-2017.html
Still a lot of podium spots that are undecided, so look forward to some hard-fought battles for short track fame and glory!
And here is the call-up list for our final night of racing, featuring the top 5 series leaders in each category and the 240+ racers who purchased a 2017 Series Pass:
http://www.portlandracing.com/call-up-list-2017-07-31.html
2) Last week's Holeshot winners and our final batch of weekly raffle winners.
Last Monday's Cyclepath "Pedal to the Metal" Holeshot Night was another blast! Check out the full list of 22 ultra-fast boys and girls who took the Holeshot in their category and gort rewarded with a $15 Cyclepath gift certificate, a Short Track pint glass, and bragging rights for the next 12 months:
http://www.portlandracing.com/holeshot-night-2017.html
And one last batch of 30 lucky winners in our weekly raffle: http://www.portlandracing.com/weekly-raffle.html
Of course, you will still have one more chance to win big in tomorrow's live raffle at the very end of the night. This raffle will be free for all racers in attendance and will feature a ton of cool prizes, donated by our generous series sponsors!
Also worth checking:
- The latest batch of action shots captured by our series photographer Victor Duong: https://www.flickr.com/photos/42573615@N03/sets/72157681611033482
- One cool helmet cam video of last Monday's Cat 1 Kids race shot by volunteer/parent David Bussey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wymWPD7zNo4
- Results of last Monday's kids races: http://www.portlandracing.com/results-kids-2017-07-24.html
- The current standings in our friendly team competition, where - like last year - the Cyclepath Racing and Camas Bike & Sports teams are involved in a neck-and-neck race for the series crown: http://obra.org/events/25730/results
3) Get ready for the 2017 "Ultra Short Track" Team Relay Race...
Like in years past, we will stage an all-for-fun team relay race on the motocross track, right after we're done with the regular races. Since we will only use the motocross track, the laps will be ultra-short, ultra-fast and ultra-fun to race and/or watch!
This year, we have a record 28 teams signed up for the Relay, including an all-junior team, a random team of crazies who plan to race on a shared 80's Huffy beater bike, and three Camas Bike and Sports teams, who are racing in honor of a team mate and two family members of team mates who passed away this last year, after battling cancer. Please cheer them on when you see them out there and be prepared to witness the thrill, camaraderie, and fun that defines the Portland Short Track Series!
4) One last night of FREE kids races, short track clinics, yummy PB&J sandwiches... and Nossa Familia iced coffee!
Like previous weeks, we will organize free kids races under the trees (starting at 6:00pm sharp) and we'll finish the kids' series with free ice-cooled lemonade and an even cooler Islabike, which will be raffled off among all kids who raced the series (and, yes, you have to be present to win)!
Elaine Bothe and Andrew Coe of Wenzel Coaching will host one last night of free short track clinics (from 5 to 6pm) and our food station will be serving free Dave Killer's Bread PB&J sandwiches.
Last but not least, our friends at Nossa Familia will come out one more time with their coffee cargo bike to sample free iced coffee and iced mochas!
Note: The PIR concession stand will be open again this Monday and serve HUB beer, soda, burgers, hot dogs, and other yummy goodies. Please respect the PIR policy and do NOT bring any alcoholic beverages from outside the venue.
5) Safety first!
With likely larger-than-usual race fields on Monday and a lot of new riders (of all ages and skill levels), we like to ask everyone to make an extra effort to race safely and courteously. Finally, if you come by car, make sure not to leave any valuables visible in your car, or bikes unlocked on your car rack.
That's it... we are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow at PIR on Monday for one final night of Short Track bliss. And, yes, it's going to be warm, but - judging by the forecast for the rest of the week - if there is one day you want to be riding/racing your bike the coming week, it is tomorrow! And we always have a nice breeze out there (and plenty of water and refreshments) to keep you cool.
Anyway, round up your friends and team mates, bring your families, and let's throw a party!
Cheers,
~Kris
Portland Racing
https://www.facebook.com/portlandracing
https://www.instagram.com/portlandracing/
PS: if you raced earlier in the series, please make sure to bring your race plate! And if you raced multiple categories or have upgraded, make sure to race with the correct race plate!
PS 2: Also, a heads-up that all Short Track t-shirts will be on sale tomorrow for just $10.