[blt2ride]

Here is an artice from Mountain Bike Action. It looks like Fontana will host the first NORBA National of the season...

CHANGES TO 2006 NORBA NATIONAL MTB SERIES


USA Cycling announced today two significant changes to the previously announced 2006 National Mountain Bike Series. Organizers of the series have added a seventh event at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA July 15-16. Additionally, both the date and the venue of the opening round in Southern California have changed.

Originally scheduled at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas, CA on April 22-23, the season will now begin May 5-7 at Southridge Park in Fontana, CA, 50 miles east of Los Angeles.

NATIONAL OVERVIEW
Leading the charge in the number of events per series is the freshly revised dual slalom/mountaincross schedule. Five dual slalom events this year... Thank you Norba! Go grab your January 2006 issue and go to Down the Trail on page 114. That flashback photo of the Mammoth Mountain Dual Slalom Course is all about American mountain bike racing.

There are still three mountaincross events included in the 2006 National Dual Slalom/Mountaincross Series. Whether it's a DS or MX race in the schedule below, it will be counted as one series event. In total their are eight events in the DS/MX series.

Both the cross-country and downhill series have seven events each. There are six races in the short track and Super D disciplines, but only two events are scheduled for the marathon. Like last year, there's a good chance that the Marathon World Cup at Mont-Saint-Anne in Canada will again be counted as one event of the National Marathon series.

CONFLICTS

The first National Marathon at Deer Valley on July 8-9 also conflicts with the third Marathon World Cup in Villabassa, Italy. It won't hurt because no Americans seriously contested the full World Cup Marathon Series last year.

But what does hurt is that the May 5-7 National Downhill/Mountaincross opener is now on the same weekend as the first Downhill/4-Cross World Cup in Vigo, Spain. Where do you think Brian Lopes, Eric Carter and Jill Kintner are going to race?

REVISED 2006 NATIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKE SERIES SCHEDULE
May 5-7: Southridge Park, Fontana, CA...XC/ST/DH/MX/SD 1
Jun 10-11: Sugar Mountain Resort, Banner Elk, NC...XC/ST/DH/DS/SD 2
Jun 17-18: Mount Snow Resort, West Dover, VT...XC/ST/DH/DS/SD 3, MX 4
Jul 8-9: Deer Valley Resort, Park City, UT...XC/ST/DH/SD 4, DS 5, MA 1
Jul 15-16: Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA...MX 6, XC/DH 5
Aug 5-6: Brian Head Resort, Brian Head, UT...DS 7, XC/DH 6, ST/SD 5, MA 2
Aug 12-13: Snowmass Resort, Aspen, CO...DS 8, XC/DH 7, ST/SD 6

Event Key:
XC...Cross-Country
ST...Short Track
DH...Downhill
MX...Mountain Cross
DS...Dual Slalom
SD...Super D
MA...Marathon

 

[profro]

Thats great for Fontana, but does it have a lift? If not, could this open the door to other venues that don't?

 

[Super-man]

Good info, thanks for the post.

 

[renegade999]

No lift DH national? you're kidding me right. tell me your kidding.

may not renew my NORBA license based on that fact alone.

 

[Zark]

Fontana a National? Really? It just seems like such a grassroots/local kinda race venue to me.

 

[Jeremy R]

It just seems like such a grassroots/local kinda race venue to me.

That is what the Norba Series is now.
A grassroots race series with no money for pros.

 

[blt2ride]

No lift DH national? you're kidding me right. tell me your kidding.

may not renew my NORBA license based on that fact alone.

I’m sure Donnie will work it all out; he will probably have to run half-a-dozen shuttle trucks. If anyone can make this type of set-up work, it's Donnie. The only thing I’m thinking about is the infamous “wall.”

 

[profro]

I've done a national DH in a flat bed before.

The bed flat beds at Bootleg work well.

 

[blt2ride]

I've done a national DH in a flat bed before.

The bed flat beds at Bootleg work well.

The only catch for Fontana is that you have to drive up on city streets; which means the bikes go in a flat-bed, and the riders have to go up in a chaser van. Although, we did do one race where we went down the backside of the mountain, and shuttled up the fireroad.

 

[Cant Climb]

No lift DH national? you're kidding me right. tell me your kidding.

may not renew my NORBA license based on that fact alone.

the UK is all shuttle truck as is the scottish, and Irish national series.....and you got fields filled to the limit.

 

[ztlh13]

The best terrain in the east does not have lift access. I would assume the west has many gems that can only be travelled by road!

I think it is awesome to get back to basics! Everything else has been screwed.

 

[Ciaran]

Fontana a National? Really? It just seems like such a grassroots/local kinda race venue to me.

Do they have the space, parking and enough shuttle trucks to handle a national?

Zark, I think AMBP should make some sort of showing that weekend.

I’m sure Donnie will work it all out; he will probably have to run half-a-dozen shuttle trucks. If anyone can make this type of set-up work, it's Donnie. The only thing I’m thinking about is the infamous “wall.”

Maybe they will redisign the course to make it more appealing.

 

[Zutroy]

Do they have the space, parking and enough shuttle trucks to handle a national?

Zark, I think AMBP should make some sort of showing that weekend.

Maybe they will redisign the course to make it more appealing.

It think there will be enough, my guess is they will cut a deal to use the park on the other side, or part of the strip mall parking lot.

I think we had 350 guys racing at the state race, and parking wasen't a problem at all.

As far as the lift...the Sonoma race won't have one either.

 

[surfinguru]

As far as the lift...the Sonoma race won't have one either.

Neither does Sea Otter.

 

[Zark]

I don't think they cal avoid the wall and have a decent length course. Its gonna be a pedalfest. I expect to see some folks rockin freeriders/trail bikes to conquer the wall.

 

[-BB-]

Sweet...

Hopefully we can get one up at ciarian's place up on Baldy for next year.

 

[PatBranch]

I haven't been to a national race yet. Would only pros race this?

 

[-BB-]

I haven't been to a national race yet. Would only pros race this?

No... anyone can do Norbas. As long as you pay your $5
They have beginner - Pro

 

[PatBranch]

Cool, I'll be there on my hardtail.

 

[dondon]

I think Norba should be more concerned with adding prize money for pros and giving more value for money to amateurs (lowering costs, or increasing practise times)

Instead they add 2 more questionalble downhill events with Fontucky and Infineon, change the date yet again - now having it clash with a WC when the previous date didnt. And worst of all everyone is celebrating the "return of slalom" - does anybody remember the shoddy excuse for courses that Deer valley and Vermont was. Its another way of them cutting costs and efforts. Slalom can be good - but riding has progressed further than grassy turns. They still need to build big and varied features. Look at the snow mass and Angelfire 4x courses -thats how it should be.

 

[Transcend]

Wow, so now it's crappy venues and too many events at each venue. Not to mention making it clash with actual pro events.

Excellent!

 

[Bicyclist]

Wow, so now it's crappy venues and too many events at each venue. Not to mention making it clash with actual pro events.

Excellent!

Exactly. I don't know what Norba was thinking, or should I say wasn't thinking.

 

[Transcend]

Meh, I don't even care anymore. Like most of us who were super into it and serious a few years ago, I couldn't really give a damn anymore.

I'll go to a few world cups, maybe Vermont, and then local and Canadian races. NORBAs aren't even worth travelling to anymore.

It wasn't run to well before, and now they try and shoehorn in 6 events at every race. Why does everyone need to be a specialist? WTF do they need super D for? Slalom AND 4x?

 

[heikkihall]

Ill be racing more Canada Cups next year thats for sure!
Atleast from what I have heard about Fontana is they can put on a great local series. Hopefully they step up and make this National one of the best this year. That is not going to be too hard since the rest of the National Series is total crap.

 

[Zutroy]

I think NORBA is still under the impression that if you have races close to large cities people will get all excited and come.

It will be interesting to see how those two races come out. My guess is donnie negotiated some level of control at the fontana race, i don't see him letting the TBB guys come on there and run the show, since that place is his show.

Sonoma my be small, but i heard they put on a good race, and it's the Sea otter guys there.

Maybe this is something we need, some outside TBB promoters having some say. Time will tell.

 

[Transcend]

ANYTHING outside of TBB is a good thing from what I have seen.

 

[Zutroy]

ANYTHING outside of TBB is a good thing from what I have seen.

Very true

 

[Zutroy]

I think Norba should be more concerned with adding prize money for pros and giving more value for money to amateurs (lowering costs, or increasing practise times)

Instead they add 2 more questionalble downhill events with Fontucky and Infineon, change the date yet again - now having it clash with a WC when the previous date didnt. And worst of all everyone is celebrating the "return of slalom" - does anybody remember the shoddy excuse for courses that Deer valley and Vermont was. Its another way of them cutting costs and efforts. Slalom can be good - but riding has progressed further than grassy turns. They still need to build big and varied features. Look at the snow mass and Angelfire 4x courses -thats how it should be.

I personally think slalom is better. It leads to better racing over all even when the course sucks, vermont and PC included. I don't know about vermont, put at PC half the problem was the slope they choose, to rockie and too steep to start. If they had the coure where it use to be back in the day, they would have probably had a good course.

I wouldn't be suprised if the two questionable events actually had prize money.

 

[konabiker]

Maybe this will mean Donnie will get a legit timing system? I hate to say it because I love what he does at Fontana, but I don't see it working out too well.

 

[Zutroy]

Maybe this will mean Donnie will get a legit timing system? I hate to say it because I love what he does at Fontana, but I don't see it working out too well.

NORBA has a timing system they use.

WHich is known to make mistakes too.

 

[THEDUDE]

Fontana has amazing dirt!

 

[Brian Peterson]

Speaking of Fontana, anyone heard anything about the 4x course? I would like to have an excused to go out and race, and if that course is decent, I may try to sneak out when my new HT ready...

Thanks!!
Brian

 

[dondon]

I personally think slalom is better. It leads to better racing over all even when the course sucks, vermont and PC included. I don't know about vermont, put at PC half the problem was the slope they choose, to rockie and too steep to start. If they had the coure where it use to be back in the day, they would have probably had a good course.

I wouldn't be suprised if the two questionable events actually had prize money.

Its not a mater of what is better -slalom or 4X -its just that lately when they build slalom tracks they seriously lack any effort and creativity. Its like they think that the exciting head to head format of raing is enough to keep the interest and they dont need to build a good track. Thats what i want to see - good tracks with alot of dirt and good size umps and rhythm sections - no matter if its slalom or 4X..

 

[Heath Sherratt]

I agree with Zutroy, the two "questionable" races may be the best of the bunch. New promoters, different organization, possible prize money. Should be interesting. As for slalom and 4x, i love slalom and hate 4X. It's great to see the choice is there but the points work out to be two races at the same event. So if you only race one or the other you have half the chance of doing well in the points series.

 

[Zutroy]

Speaking of Fontana, anyone heard anything about the 4x course? I would like to have an excused to go out and race, and if that course is decent, I may try to sneak out when my new HT ready...

Thanks!!
Brian

I don't know how the 4x course is going to be, I think they would have to bring in tons of dirt to make a decent one. There is not much to work with there.

 

[Cant Climb]

As a spectator i enjoy watching slalom more than 4x. On a well built track it is more of a test of skill with pure cornering instead of the ram and slam tactics of 4X, which most of the time ends up being follow the leader affair...

 

[gangstamaxx]

I cannot wait for snow...this season is gonna be dank...I'm a bit dissapointed that theres no virginia though...

 

[Bicyclist]

Maybe this will mean Donnie will get a legit timing system? I hate to say it because I love what he does at Fontana, but I don't see it working out too well.

Yeah, especially because there are some big classes and there are tenths of a second separating people. You have to wonder if it's just a timing error or what.

 

[narlus]

the UK is all shuttle truck as is the scottish, and Irish national series.....and you got fields filled to the limit.

exactly, and you don't see those riders' talents being limited by a lack of lifts, do you?

 

[renegade999]

exactly, and you don't see those riders' talents being limited by a lack of lifts, do you?

has nothing to do with limiting rider talent. has everything to do with paying top dollar to enter a race and not getting a top level venue in return. the ends don't justify the means. if they charged half the regular rate, i'd consider it. you can go. tell me how your backyard pickup truck national was. i'll be at my local lift access hill(s). have a good race run.