Kris Schamp
Last Monday, we wrapped up the 7th edition of the Portland Short Track Series and I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who cam out to race, cheer, volunteer, or otherwise helped make this edition another one for the books. It was great to see so many new faces each week and it was even greater to see so many families with kids enjoying the weekly event. We definitely hope to see you back next year!
The results of last Monday's races, the final series standings, and the Ultra Short Track Team Relay results have been posted. Just click the links at
http://www.portlandracing.com/results.html
I further would like to thank our generous sponsors, most of them local companies with a big heart for local bike racing:
- Our Series title sponsor Hopworks Urban Brewing, who contributed generously with products, prizes and a royal cash purse for our pro podium finishers. Special thanks for the $2/beer Monday Night deal for Short Track Racers at the new HUB Bike Bar on N Williams!
- The fine folks at Chris King, who catered lemonade and other yummy goodies to our racers, and as usual topped it off with some much coveted prizes.
- Our perennial bike shop sponsor Bike N Hike, who helped us putting on the free junior clinics.
- Our other, equally awesome, bike shop sponsor Cyclepath, who provided free mechanical support throughout the series.
- Our other gold-level sponsors Moots and Yakima, who contributed with some awesome prizes.
- Portland Design Works and Nossa Familia Coffee, two other local businesses who supported the series with their fantastic products.
- Larabar and St Honore Bakery for the yummie bars and PB&J sandwiches racers and spectators got to enjoy at the races.
Feel free to send them a word of thanks, or even better, support their business whenever you have the chance!
Also a shout to the friendly staff of Portland International Raceway, our amazing crew of OBRA officials and the great folks of Northwest Trail Alliance who hosted the super-fun skills park at the final race (with the team relay, we raised $700 for NWTA!).
Finally, huge props to the more than 40 volunteers who helped out this year. From the people at the registration desk, to the lap counters and course marshals, to our first aid providers, to Luciano "the voice of short track", to the organizers of our free kiddie races and junior/women clinics, to the folks who helped set up and tear down the course each week: they all did an awesome job! Without the help of this amazing group of people, we wouldn't be able to pull it off.
We will back next year with more short track racing. If you have any feedback you like to share or some ideas to make next year's series even better, just shoot me an email.
And if the series just felt like an appetizer and you're hungry for more, we have great news: On Sunday August 28 (less than 4 weeks from now), we'll be back with the Kruger's Kermesse Farm Crit! This fun, off-road bike race (all over easy farm roads and suitable to riders of all skill levels) will be a great segway into cyclocross season. And it wouldn't be Kruger's Farm if we didn't make it a big party with live music, beer, food, and a bunch of other fun elements for racers and spectators alike. So mark your calendar, check out the race flyer (http://www.portlandracing.com/kermesse) , and stay tuned for another update (with more details) when we get closer to the event!
Thanks again, enjoy your summer, and hope to see you around at the races!
~Kris
Kris Schamp
Portland Racing