BRAD KING: Calif Gold Cup Rd.1 Report

The first round of the California State series was a good one for me and my new Tomac Primer downhill bike. The course was a lot more technical then the past Winter Series races and the dirt was back to its normal dry and sandy ways.

On Saturday there was super high winds which made it hard to practice all day so John Keep and I only got a few practice runs in while almost getting blown off the mountain each one. The wind finally died down when the sun went down and it looked like it was going to be a good day on Sunday.

Sundays practice was early at eight o clock. The wind had died down all the way by the morning and it was an awesome but hot day at the races. Morning practice went really well and the bike was running perfect after my mechanic Steve wrenched on it Saturday night.

We had a really long wait after practice for our race runs, almost 5 hours. After all that time passed, I got up to the top for the race run and was in the gate feeling good. I had a really good run, only making one or two small mistakes. I was the second to last guy in my class and when I came across the finish line I was in 2nd place, about half a second down from Jake Payne in first and about two seconds up on 3rd place Adam Digby.

My Tomac Primer ran really well the whole way down and I couldnt be more happy with it. I was really stoked to have a good race run on a new bike without being completely used to it yet. I am looking forward to getting on some more technical courses and getting some more time on the bike. Thank you to Steve for getting my bike dialed and Jeremiah for helping us out all weekend and thanks to John Keep for getting the lines on the course dialed in. Looking forward to our next race at Sea Otter and Port Angeles. Also thanks to Tomac, Bike Vault, and all our other sponsors!

Brad

ROBIN BALOOCHI: NW Cup Round 1 Race-recap

This last weekend was the first round of the NW Cup in Port Angeles, WA. After the Fontana winter series race a couple weeks back I spent a good bit of time getting my bike setup and testing out our new Intense tires. Practice started on friday at 1pm and I decided to wait till friday morning to make the 6 hour drive up to WA. I wanted to get as much time on my bike during my break from school before the race.

After arriving on friday I was eager to get some runs in. It had just rained so I figured it was a good time to try out the mud tire for a couple runs even though it was drying up. The Intruder tire was great, it's a perfect tire for semi-muddy conditions. After about an hour it was back to the Edge tires and it didn't take long to get comfortable on the track. It was a great course with some tight corners, one steep bit and a lot of rough braking bumps and banked corners, it was definitely a proper DH course. Sat practice was also dry and everyone was pinning it, the dirt was real grippy and the Primer was glued to the ground. It looked like everyone was having fun and the PA shuttle crew was killing it with efficient non-stop shuttles with no lines. I did a timed run at the end of practice so I could have a good idea about my capabilities on race day.

I woke up pretty early on race day and was excited to get on with the race. It rained through the night but surprisingly the track didn't change much. After one practice run I felt good about my lines and was ready for my seeding run. With a few small errors I made it down the hill and qualified in 16th, I was off the pace in comparison to my timed practice run the day before. I ended up making a couple of adjustments to my bike and relaxing a bit before the final race run. In my race run I hit all my lines clean and rode well within my limits. I ended up 14th and improved on my qualifying time by 8 secs. Bryn Atkinson ended up taking the win and got me by 14 sec. Eventhough that's a big chunk of time it was a big jump from the 25 sec gap he had on me in qualifying! It was good to get a mud race in and see where I'm at right now in comparison to guys like Bryn Atkinson who won and Curtis Keene who ended up taking 4th. Bryn had a good gap on 2nd place so overall I wasn't that far of the podium. This race was a huge improvement on the fontana race a couple weeks back so I'm gonna use this moment to push forward to the start of the season. With 4 weeks to go till the first GRT at Port Angeles I'm gonna be here in Eugene working hard both on and off my bike to be ready. I'll also be heading down to the Sea Otter Classic to kick off the season and hang with the team.

Big props to the NW Cup crew; the race was a lot of fun with a great course, efficient shuttles, great food and flawless logistics, great job guys! Last but not least a big thanks to DRD Tomac and all my sponsors for making this season a reality!

Robin

Kieran Bennett Back on Track at Oceanias! Podiums twice – 3rd in 4X and 4th in Downhill!

(March 21, 2010) Dunedin, New Zealand – DRD Team rider Kieran Bennett takes home two stellar results from one of the most prestigious cycling events in the south pacific! The Oceania Mountain Bike Championships, held in Dunedin, New Zealand, showcases the best mountain bike racers from Australia, New Zealand and the region all battling it out to win the title of Oceania Champion.

Following a streak of problematic races, Kieran seems to have gotten his rhythm back as he has finished his second race aboard his new DRD Tomac Primer... and with just as many podiums! With a new bike & a new team, Kieran is quick to prove just why he’s one of the quickest Kiwis on the circuit!

After a last minute decision to race 4X, Kieran promptly proved that his decision would be fruitful. Within a few practice runs, Kieran had the course dialled and had some big inside lines ready on the turns.

Going into qualifying, Kieran was pleasantly surprised to find himself in 6th position after a fairly average run.

During the race, Kieran’s inside lines paid off, as he was still getting accustomed with gated racing. Getting pushed to the back, he had to dig deep and make a move for advancement. The next round once again required Kieran to make a move against some veteran 4X riders. After a few strong passes in the first two corners, Kieran found himself in the lead & holding on until the finish.

In the finals, Kieran would find himself next to strong competition in Wyn Masters and Daniel Franks

“I definitely wasn’t expecting to be in the finals that when I decided to race, but I was stoked knowing I had made it that far,” said Kieran

Wyn Masters and Daniel Franks would take the top two spots at the finish, while Kieran was all smiles with his strong 3rd place performance.

Kieran’s main focus this weekend would undoubtedly be in the Downhill. The track suited Kieran well as it varied in terrain & was a lot of fun to ride. Kieran had to hold himself back from riding, so he wouldn’t exert himself doing too many practice runs, and remain fresh for race day.

Kieran was feeling confident and knew he could pull a good result. However, qualifying would prove to be bittersweet as a mechanical would cause a bit of a dampener in his plans, as he wanted to leave the start gate hard and see how he ranked against his competition.

“I sprinted hard out of the start and into the first few turns,” explained Kieran. “As I was pedalling out of the 3rd turn on the track, my chain dropped and got jammed out in my guide! I was pretty gutted so I just tried to carry as much speed as possible for the rest of the run. I somehow still managed to come in 12th, so I felt good going into the finals.”

Kieran’s confidence going into his race run would prove essential as there were a number of elite world cup level racers in attendance.

“Straight away I was feeling good on my DRD Tomac Primer and hardly felt like any time had passed by entering the final wooded section,” said Kieran. “Knowing all I had to do was make it out of the trees and through the 4x section clean, I started to ramp it up a little more, until I hit the finish and into the lead!”
In the end, Kieran’s time would be good enough for 4th place behind fellow countrymen Cam Cole, Nathan Rankin and Wyn Masters who have all been at the top of their game as of late.

All-in-all, an extremely successful weekend for Kieran, as he makes another big step towards the top of the podium! His confidence is on the rise & he’s getting comfortable on his new DRD Tomac!

Next up on the agenda, team DRD Tomac will be competing simultaneously in two different states. While Robin Baloochi will be attending the first round of the NWCup in Port Angeles, Washington; John Keep & Brad King will race the first round of the California Gold Cup in Fontana, California.

Photo credit: Max Carter-Smith

DRD Tomac is proudly sponsored by

KIERAN BENNET: Oceanias Report - 3rd in 4x; 4th in DH!

After four full on days of riding the main thing I can really say about the weekend was that it was a success for me, I may not of won anything but after the results I was having at the beginning of the New Zealand season im so stoked to come away from this weekend with two podiums.

I decided to race 4x kinda last minute and not really for any particular reason, mostly I think to have a bit of fun and do something different. After a few runs practice I had the course dialled and had some big inside lines ready on the turns. Going into qualifying I was just hoping to make it into the top 16 and at least get to race one round, when I came through the line after a run I thought was fairly average and slotted into 6th I was pleasently surprised!

My inside lines payed off for me in the round one after having a bad start and getting pushed into the back, I made my move on the 2nd turn and put one of my inside lines to use and block passed my way into 2nd where I stayed to the finish making it into round 2. Going into round two I was thinking this is probably where my night finished as I had two really fast 4x guys in the heat, after getting squeezed back into 3rd once again down the first straight I made my first pass on the first turn and then again put another pass in on the second turn to take the lead which I managed to hold onto until the finish.

Now I was sitting in the finals gate going oh man how did I get myself here! I definitely wasnt expecting that when I decided to race but I was stoked knowing id made it that far. Wyn Masters and Daniel Franks made it out front quickly had a battle for 1st and 2nd while I rode hard trying to catch them and hold onto my 3rd spot. In the end Wyn won the battle and was the new oceania champ with Daniel in 2nd and I took my first 4x medal ever with 3rd. (This was also only my 2nd ever 4x race)

The downhill track that was built for the race was awesome, it varied so much and was a lot of fun, I didnt want to stop doing runs but had to keep it calm other wise I would of over practiced and been wrecked for the race.

After a couple of practice runs on race morning I was amping to race, I felt really good and confident I could pull a good result. I wanted to put a good qualifier in so I would know how im sitting going into finals so I put a good sprint out of the start into the first few turns then as I was pedalling out of the 3rd turn on the track my chain dropped and got jammed out in my guide! I was pretty gutted so just tried to carry as much speed as possible for the rest of the run and still managed to come in 12th on a 2.57 so I felt good. After a quick mechanic session I had my bike sorted and a bit of time to chill out before my race.

I was confident going into my race run and knew what I had to do so I quickly got down to business and sprinted out of the gate as hard as possible. Straight away I was feeling good on my Tomac Primer and I hardly felt like any time had passed by the time I made it into the last woods. Knowing all I had to do was make it out of the trees and through the 4x section clean I started to ramp it up a little more until I hit the finish and into the lead on a 2.45! I was stoked as a couple of fast guys had started before me so I knew I had a good run.

In the end my time was good enough for 4th place behind Cam Cole, Nathan Rankin and Wyn Masters who have all been having some awesome results lately. It was my 2nd podium for the weekend and another huge confidence booster for me going into the US season.

Again it wouldnt of been possible without the help from everyone at DRD/Tomac and all of our sponsors!

DRD Tomac Joins up with "Team DUKE!" Helping the fight against Cancer!

DRD Tomac recently joined up with "Team DUKE," an organization that brings courage, strength and grit to the fight against cancer.

With your help, we can reach our fundraising goal for this event by donating $10 or more to the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. In all honesty, whatever you can afford to give will be appreciated, and everything helps. Even a dollar will go a long way! Thank you for your generous support!

All proceeds benefit the John Wayne Cancer Foundation.

Since 1985, the John Wayne Cancer Foundation has supported awareness programs, education programs and support groups, and has been committed to groundbreaking cancer research and education at the John Wayne Cancer Institute (JWCI) in Santa Monica, CA. The Institute has received worldwide acclaim for advances in melanoma (skin cancer), breast and colon cancer.

Team DUKE is a coalition of athletes and donors who passionately fight cancer by training for and participating in athletic events. All funds raised by Team DUKE go directly to the JWCF.

And that's where you come in. Please donate whatever you can by visiting my personal Team DUKE website by clicking on the link below.

I'm very grateful for your support.

For more informtion about Dean Racing Development, please visit the DRD Tomac team website at http://www.dylan-dean.com/drd.htm

Click here to view the fund page for Dean Racing Development.

KIERAN BENNETT: 2nd Place - Skyline Screamer Race Report!

As soon as I heard about the Skyline Screamer downhill race in Wellington I knew it was a race I didn't want to miss. The organisers decided to take it back about a decade and run an eliminator style race 3 up down a wide open firebreak and seriously how can you not have fun at something like that especially when there was $1000 up for first.

Luckily they were keen to get a good pro presence at the race and offered to cover my flights up to the race so it was a definate yes from me and by Saturday afternoon I was at Wellington airport getting picked up by Nathan Rankin who looked quite wrecked after racing the Karapoti classic which is a 50km (30mile) xc race thats been held for 25 years.

Sunday was an early morning and not knowing what to expect or really where we were going we headed in the general direction of the hill where the race was supposed to be. With only a couple of minor detours we pulled into the park at the bottom of the hill to find a pretty low key looking event going on. Due to a bit of poor advertising it seems that not too many people knew about the race but there were still about 8 guys who all could do damage so once we got organised it was the up the hill to check out what we were racing.

First run down I was feeling comfortable on my new Tomac Primer 220, it was handling perfectly and I had a smile on my face the whole way. I only ended up doing 3 practice runs before qualifying because I got pretty confident on the track quickly.

I got a bit squirely in my qualifier but still had a decent run and was only 1 second behind Rankin so I was pretty happy and sitting in a comfortable spot. My first heat was pretty cruisy after putting a good sprint in out of the gate I got a good lead and had a big gap by the finish making it into the 2nd round with ease as they only took the winner from each heat.

After a bit of break it was back for the 2nd round, I found myself up agaist a bit stiffer competition with Daniel Meilink getting first gate pick and then getting into an early lead but staying close to him paid off and I reeled him and made a pass for the lead on the first short uphill and never looked back to get my 2nd win.

Nathan Rankin made a last minute pass in his final heat race to take the win so that meant I would be finding myself in the finals against him.

Getting a good jump off the line I managed to get straight into the lead but clipping a pedal on the first small climb gave Nathan the opportunity to get ahead going into the next climb where he kept his lead but I was right there with him once we hit the main downhill section. Coming into a fast left that exited onto a wide open water rutter section I found my way back into the lead setting up wide and making my move down the inside and then trying to put some distance into Nathan but then only about 30 seconds later coming round a sweep trying to protect the line next thing I see if the bright orange kit of Rankin making a move around the outside and putting himself back into the thousand dollar position on really the last legit spot to make a pass. I stayed stuck to his wheel for the rest of the run but with no where else to pass I had to settle for 2nd, this wasnt a complete disaster though I still walked away with $500 pocket money and had one hell of a fun race. I couldnt help but smile after crossing the line.

This was by far the most fun ive had on a bike in a long time and I think a lot of that is thanks to my new DRD Tomac, ive never felt so instantly comfortable and confident on a new bike.

I cant say thanks enough to the organisers for putting on a great event and making it possible for me to be there and also to Jeremiah at DRD for taking me in this season and putting me on an amazing bike!

Cheers!

KB

ROBIN BALOOCHI: Southridge Winter Series Finals Race Report

(Fontana, California) This weekend I competed in the final race of the 2010 ODI Southridge Winter Series. After receiving my bike on Sat morning fresh off my flight from Oregon I was excited to get on and do some runs. It was great to be back on a DH bike after a 3 year hitaus and it only took a few runs to back into the swing of things. Overall the first day on the bike went better than expected and rain showers through saturday night made for real good conditions come race day. During Sun morning practice I somehow managed to bash a rock and knock my crank arm out of alignment, but with some innovate solutions between Jeremiah and some friends we were somehow able to salvage a race run. At the end of the day I finshed 24th without any big hang ups. The goal of the weekend was met which was to get the new bike rolling, get me in the gate to start running against the clock again, and figure out any kinks that need to be worked until the official season starts at the Sea Otter Classic. I'm headed up to Oregon monday morning with a big "to do list" over the next few weeks in preparation for my next test race at the NW Cup in Port Angeles, WA March 26-28.

Thanks to DRD/TOMAC and all my sponsors for making this season happen and a special thanks to Joel at Tomac, Stephen the team wrench, and Jeremiah Dean for hustling to get my bike rolling.

Robin Baloochi

Kieran Bennett gets his new Tomac Primer!!

The Primer has landed! Kieran Bennet just received his new Tomac Primer frame! He's super pumped to get things rolling this season & has already been having a blast riding his local trails! Check for KB at the next New Zealand National riding his fresh Tomac frame!