Kris Schamp
Hello everyone,
For those of you who didn't receive the email I sent out earlier today, here are a couple updates ahead of next Monday's Portland Short Track Grand Finale & Team Relay (http://www.portlandracing.com/short-track-finale-2013.html), which promises to be another night of sheer bike race fun!.
1) Summer Casual Contest Photos and Winners!
Last Monday's Summer Casual Short Track Night was a hoot. We saw some great outfits in all race heats, from Juniors to Pros. We posted a gallery with the winners in each category and various other nominees on flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66996555@N07/sets/72157634796832312/) and the all of last week's winners (incl. our weekly grand prizes) have been posted athttp://www.portlandracing.com/weekly-prizes.html
BTW: Next Monday, Leonard Johnson of Hot Foot Photo will be out shooting again, and thanks to our title sponsor Hopworks Urban Brewing, digital downloads of all photos of the final night will be available for FREE through next Friday!
2) Still time to pre-register online for Monday's races!
Our last night of the series always enjoys high attendance and a record number of racers and - looking at the great weather forecast for Monday and the many folks who already pre-registered - this year won't be an exception. To alleviate the lines at the registration desk, we strongly recommend to pre-register online (http://www.portlandracing.com/registration.html). We have extended the online registration deadline until end-of-day today (Saturday), so you have still time to pre-register, save money and time on Monday, and provide some relief to our registration volunteers. And, like every week, you will receive a start-line call-up and get your name in the raffle for a five-person "Party Pass" at the Lumberyard!
3) Get ready for the "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. This year, we have lined up a 26 teams of 10 racers who each will get to race one lap. Since we will only use the motocross track, the laps will be ultra-short, ultra-fast and ultra-fun to race and/or watch! Note that all available team slots have been filled. If you are not racing on any of the relay teams, just bring your cowbells and consider yourself part of the cheerleading squad that will be lining the course.
4) ... and - of course - our Grand Series Awards & Raffle!
In good tradition, we will close the night and wrap up the series with unique awards for the overall top-3 podium finishers in each category and of course our not-to-be-missed Grand Series Raffle. For our final night, we will raffle a ton of great prizes, including:
- A Salsa Mamasita 29-er frameset donated by Cyclepath;
- A Shimano All Mountain 29-er wheelset donated by the Lumberyard Bike Park;
- Four Yakima Front Loaders;
- A Moots Titanium Open Trail Stem;
- A Hopworks Pub Runner Lite city bike donated by Bike N Hike;
- A plethora of other cool prizes, donated by our other generous sponsors Rubena Tires, Chris King, Portland Design Works, Icebreaker, Camas Bike & Sport, Nossa Familia Coffee, Blaq Designs and Ruckus Components.
Note: the raffle is free for all racers, but you have to be present to win. Also, a heads-up that all remaining Short Track T-shirt will be on sale for just $10.
5) One last night of FREE kiddie races, MTB skills clinics, and yummy post-race snacks and refreshments.
Like previous weeks, the Camas Bike & Sport team will organize free kiddie races under the trees (starting at 5:30) and bring out some skinnies for kids to practics on after their race. Elaine Bothe (Wenzel Coaching) and Brian Austin (Bike N Hike) will host one last night of free MTB skills clinics (from 4:30 to 5:30). And the crew of Portland Design Works, Lumberyard and Northwest Trail Alliance will be outin force, serving free PB&J sandwiches, juicy oranges, and other yummy snacks donated by our sponsors Larabar and Food Should Taste Good.
Note: The PIR concession stand will also be open and serve burgers, hot dogs, ice cream, sodas and Hopworks beer! Please respect the PIR policy and do NOT bring any alcoholic beverages from outside the venue.
6) Safety first!
With likely larger-than-usual race fields on Monday and a lot of new riders (of all ages and skill levels), I like to ask everyone to make an extra effort to race safely and courteously, especially when passing slower riders. Also be safe when crossing the PIR track and follow the crossing marshals' directions. Finally, if you come by car, make sure not to leave any valuables visibly in your car, or bikes unlocked on your bike rack. This year, we've been spared of any theft in the PIR parking area, but unfortunately it has happened in the past and we just want everyone to be aware of it.
That's it. I hope you enjoy another great summer weekend and I am looking forward to seeing you on Monday at PIR. Round up your friends... Bring your family... Let's throw a party!
~Kris
Portland Racing
PS 1: 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 plate!
PS 2: Mark Sunday August 25 on your calendars for the Kruger's Kermesse... encore! That's right, earlier this week, we got the green light from Don Kruger to stage another Kermesse farm crit at Kruger's Farm. Like in years past, this race will make for a great opportunity to dial your fitness and offroad riding skills, ahead of the upcoming cyclocross season!
More details: http://www.portlandracing.com/kermesse/