This is the word from clubber…………………………………………

Well that time of the year has come around again!

The last race of the season will happen this year at Nannup over the weekend of the 4-5 October. All the big names will be laying it all on the line to take away the title of State Champ! The Goat farm has been good the last couple of years, but we figured it was time for a change - and where better than by far the best race track in the state.

The Nannup track was designed specifically for the 2005 National Round held there and is by far the best DH that WA has to offer. Sam Hill was one of the lead designers of the track, and it offers way more vertical drop than anything else around. It also offers some of the biggest variety of obstacles, with a huge double jump (optional), to fast fire road at the top, one of the best rock garden sections around, then into single-track (very technical) down through the deep-dark woods, complete with terraces, step downs and fully walled berms!

We have received word that Sam Hill will be back in town - and at this point is intending on coming to race the event. If you have never had the opportunity to watch one of the world’s best race up close it is worth the trip alone. Margret River local and top 10 world cup rider Mitch Delfs will also be in attendance, fresh off a very successful world cup campaign with his new team. No doubt he will be looking to give Sam a run for his money, It’s Mitch’s home track after all!

Online Rego: is now available for the race, see the online - forms and entry link on the toolbar and simply follow the prompts. New in 2008 is the option to register online and then pay at the race (this way if you don’t want to use/have a credit card, you can still register online). This sytem will make it easier for everyone and will avoid huge lines that never seem to move.

Details of the event are as follows

Cost:
Under 13s = No fees
Juniors (15s – 17s) = $50
Under 19s = $65
Seniors (All categories) = $75

* We realise this is an increase in cost but due to the remoteness of the track our costs go up to get everything there. Also, the hire costs of all the equipment is increasing—inflation hurts us all. The club is also interested in progressing and acquiring further resources such as an instant timing board to display rider times at the finish. This all means extra cash has got to come from some where—unfortunately race fees rose slightly. On the other hand, this is still a good deal for two days of full shuttle services on the best track in the state!
You will still need to bring your MTBA card or receipt to the officials tent to get your shuttle sticker. Anyone who does not bring proof of membership will have to buy a day licence for $15.

If any new people are feeling a little hesitant about coming, don’t be! This is one of the best events of the season and you will experience a fun-filled weekend. The track is such that anyone can ride it due to the B lines put into all the tough spots, so come down and see what all the hype is about.

Getting There:
The track is located at the top of Ellis Creek Road, which is a dirt road running off the southern side of the Nannup - Balingup Road, in the Lewana Pine PLantation, half way between Nannup and Balingup.
If you are coming in from the Balingup side, go down South Western Highway to Balingup, then turn onto the Nannup - Balingup Rd. Go approx 15 kms and you will see the Cheese factory on the left. Ellis Creek road is just past on the left, follow all the way to the top.
Coming from Busselton, take the Vasse Highway to Nannup. Go past the Lawn Bowls Club and turn left onto the Nannup-Balingup Rd. Go approx 20 kms and Ellis Creek Road will be on your Right Hand Side. Follow to the top. If you see the Cheese Factory on your right you have gone a couple of Kms too far!!
We will have signs on the roads so keep an eye out. The best thing to do is look it up. Google maps are really easy to use,
go to http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=nannup+balingup+rd+and+ellis+cre… and just keep zooming on the area, it has all road names as you zoom in.

Accommodation:
If anyone is needing a place to stay over the weekend the best thing to do is contact the Nannup visitor centre on Tel: (08) 9756 1211 or you can visit the website at www.nannupwa.com. The race track is also very close to the township of Balingup. Some people stay at Dunsborough, Busselton or Bunbury and then drive in each morning.

Event Schedule:
Saturday 4th :
Practice 10:00 - 4:00
Late rego 10:00 - 4:00

Sunday 5th:
Practice 8:00 - 10:00
late rego 8:00 - 9:00
Racing 10:30
Presentations around 3:00

If anyone else has any questions post them up and I’ll try to answer them as quickly as possible.
Thanks
Steve “Clubber (of Seals)” Buursema
PMBC VP DH