Information

NO FUSS FOR DOWNHILL DIEHARDS
The Fort William Downhill Endurance

The Fort William Downhill Endurance will be staged on the internationally renowned downhill track at Nevis Range near Fort William - home to the 2007 Mountain Bike World Championships - on Sunday 7 September 2008.

As one of the longest and most physically demanding courses on the international mountain bike race circuit, riders of this gruelling event will need physical strength, quick reflexes, superb bike control and an unerring eye for the right line as they speed down the 2.82km track. They will also need huge amounts of stamina in order to ride the track as many times as possible in six hours!

The Nevis Range Downhill course is a full-on, flat-out, no-compromise charge down the face of Aonach Mor, the 9th highest mountain in the UK. A succession of big jumps and bumps, berms, drop-offs, rock slabs and technical natural sections provide plenty of challenges for the riders, all the way from the top gondola station (at 655m) to the magnificent finish section above the Nevis Range car park.

Frazer Coupland, from No Fuss Events, said: “The Fort William Downhill Endurance is a new and totally unique event to the UK and it has already captured the imagination of some of the key players in the downhill community. It will be a fresh, new and different event, whilst challenging enough to be completely in keeping with the gnarly hardcore scene normally associated with downhill riders.
“This will be a fantastic event for spectators too. With great access onto the course from both the top gondola station and the Nevis Range Car Park, excellent spectator viewing points the length of the course, and a restaurant and a café, friends, family and hard core downhill fans will be able to soak up the adrenaline fuelled atmosphere in style, whilst cheering on the riders as they complete the awesome challenge.”

In normal downhill races riders race individually against the clock, For the Fort William Downhill Endurance riders will use a Le Mans style mass start. After a short run to the event tech area downhill bikes will be collected and ridden uphill to the Nevis Range Gondola’s Tower Nine – about three quarters of the way down from the top. Riders will then race as fast as possible to the bottom where they will catch the gondola to the traditional start of the track at the top station. From here it is simple - as many descents as possible in six hours! Each descent will be timed with the cumulative descent times counting in cases of equal descents.

The idea of the event is not only to test endurance but also reliability. Participants will only be allowed one bike and a list of itemised spares to see them through the whole event. At the bottom of each run participants have the opportunity to enter the tech area to carry out any running repairs, replenish fluids and to take a breather.

There will be time penalties for riders who have to change wheels, forks, bars, frames and other major components. Also participants will not be allowed assistance in the maintenance of their equipment from outside the tech area.

No Fuss are delighted to announce that Dave Hutchens, a well known face on the Scottish Downhill scene, will assist the team in the organising and running of the event.

Dave Hutchens said: “This unrivalled event will combine both the skills and the endurance of the riders and the reliability of their bikes. The Downhill course at Fort William is well known for being one of the toughest courses. This event will add another dimension for extreme sports enthusiasts.”

Course

The Nevis Range Downhill course is a full-on, flat-out, no-compromise charge down the face of Aonach Mor, the 9th highest mountain in the UK. A succession of big jumps and bumps, berms, drop-offs, rock slabs and technical natural sections provide plenty of challenges for the riders, all the way from the top gondola station (at 655m) to the magnificent finish section above the Nevis Range car park.

Rules

Conditions and Rules of Entry for Competitors

1 All competitors must be over 16 years of age.

2 All competitors must register and enter via the No Fuss web site; entry cost will be set at £70.

3 Riders should be competent and have experience of competing in downhill or extreme mtb events.

4 Rules where appropriate will follow the Mountain Biking Regulations contained within the current British Cycling Federation (BCF) Rulebook.

5 All entries are accepted either via the on-line entry system or by downloadable entry form sent to the address given on the entry form with the appropriate entry fee.

6 Closing date when entries are full there will be a reserve list taken and used in a one out one in basis.

7 Race number boards will be issued event registration between 1800 and 2100 on the Saturday night and 0600 on the Sunday morning.

8 A limited number of spaces will be will be reserved for major sponsors of the event.

9 Helmets - CE certified and conforms to European standard EN1078 MUST be worn. Only 1 piece Full Face Helmets are permitted.

10 All riders must have Body Armour protection as per the armour guideline document.

11 Race number boards MUST be displayed on the front of your bike, and any instructions from race officials observed during practice and racing.

12 Bar-end plugs MUST be fitted.

13 Competitors are forbidden on the course until they have signed on. No Fuss and or partners including Nevis Range, Forestry Commission or any partners cannot be held responsible for injuries sustained throughout the duration of the event.

14 All competitors are under the jurisdiction of the No Fuss Officials from the time they sign on until the completion of the final prize giving.

15 Top limit of competitors – 230 riders (with small adjustments at the discretion of the committee). This will be on a first come first served basis, other than reserved spaces as indicated. These are based based or the logged entry time and date from the On-Line Entry System, or on the postmark date on your envelope, whichever is applicable. There will be a reserve list, please indicate any cancellations as soon as you can.

16 When overtaking, the rider shall shout clearly to the rider in front, ‘rider’, on hearing this all riders must keep clear of and give due consideration to the following faster rider, including those from other categories. Competitors being overtaken must not willfully obstruct the overtaking rider. The overtaking Rider must also give due consideration to Riders being overtaken, in terms of accident or injury, by making clear his/her instructions and if possible to what side the overtaking maneuver will take place on. High speed overtaking, without warning, will not be tolerated and will be reported to the event officials and may result in disqualification.

17 If you retire, for whatever reason, you must report immediately to the nearest marshal who will radio your retirement to the race officials. If possible tome chip must be returned to event registration point.

18 Competitors must obey the instructions of Marshalls at all times,

19 Riders who disobey these instructions will have their race number taken and may be disqualified. This rule WILL apply to everyone including experienced riders, as Marshalls may be under specific instruction from race officials.

20 Pre race on completion of registration and verification riders will be required to have bike scrutinized by No fuss Mechanics for race worthiness.

21 On completion of scrutinizing bikes will be held in the technical area. Bikes may not leave the technical area as marked on appendix 3 for the duration of the event. Although riders may receive assistance from out with the technical area only riders and No Fuss officials will be permitted to work on bikes within this area. Any rider wishing to remove bike from the area will do so as sanctioned by the tec area official and will incur a 15min penalty.

22 Mandatory pre event meeting for all competitors will take place. Briefing and equipment inspection will take place.

23 Race start will be Le man type start with an uphill cycle to tower 8 as marked on appendix 3; where the downhill course will be joined.

24 On leaving the tec area via the tunnel no overtaking is permitted, participants are expected to commence to the chip timing area at the top of the course immediately on alighting uplift

25 All competitors are responsible for ensuring they are aware of all rules and conditions of entry.

26 Toilets provided must be used.

27 Unsportsperson like behaviour is totally unacceptable; this includes the use of profane or abusive language

28 All protests must be made to a No Fuss official (Frazer, Spook or Martin). Protests can be made throughout the event and up to 15 minutes after final results are posted. It would be appreciated if any protest could be made respectfully to the official. No Fuss officials say is final in all protests.

29 The No Fuss Officials (Frazer, Spook and Martin) will be given the final decision regarding any occurrence at the event including those not addressed in the rules.

Who's Coming

This is a list of entries since the new site went live. If you have entered prior to January 31st 2008, then don't worry you'll appear here soon.

Solo Sen Male

1) 777 Racing  -  kenny denoon
2) Yogrez  -  Martin Roberts
3) Off Beat Bikes  -  Jesse Wigman
4) Team Goonies  -  Alan  Futon
5) Team Goonies  -  Kenneth  Fulton
6) nigel glynn  -  nigel glynn
7) All Terrain Cycles  -  Huw Oliver
8) Alpine Bikes/Ironhorse  -  Tom Lamb
9) feckingmeeeee  -  william brown
10) andrew kneeshaw  -  andrew kneeshaw
11) Alpine Bikes  -  John Morrison
12) Evans Cycles  -  Gary McIntyre
13) Team Goonies  -  William Chalmers
14) Freedom  -  Malcolm Bloomer
15) Alpine Bikes  -  Andy Dodds
16) Tappin The Nar  -  Scott Burnett
17) Dave  -  David Duggan
18) MTBcut.tv  -  Stu Thomson
19) SOLO  -  JOHN STEVENSON
20) Mtb Direct  -  wayne tabernor
21) Bodge Bikes  -  Elliot Lennie
22) Nick Trafford  -  Nick Trafford
23) Freeflowbikes  -  Neil MacMartin
24) Moonglu / Zeal Optics  -  Ben Moorhouse
25) Bassoobik Bikes  -  Al Boyne
26) hardtailnation.co.uk  -  iain woodley
27) OPPOSITION  -  Tim Wilcox
28) NYC Freeride  -  Craig Hawthorn
29) Shredder of Gnar  -  Robert Davidson
30) mtb-direct.co.uk  -  col williams
31) Half Ar S'd Racing  -  Moray Cuthill
32) half arsed racin....  -  Gary Wesleby
33) Perth City Cycles  -  David McKendrick
34) Liberty Racing  -  Iain McKenna
35) Paul Crowther  -  Paul Crowther
36) Halfed Arsed Racing  -  Michael Sproul
37) Solo  -  Dave Preece
38) mojo/orange  -  Chris Hutchens
39) University of Warwick  -  Mark Ryall
40) Lo-Riders  -  David Pugh
41) Singletrack Bikes  -  David Macmillan
42) Tomac Monkeys  -  Roger Crawford
43) Marin  -  Nic Burridge
44) Elusive  -  David Emery
45) Pedal Power  -  Iain Cookson
46) Cerney  -  James Scott
47) Braund Racing  -  Daniel Braund
48) Scotby Cycles  -  Graeme Farish
49) Scotby Cylces  -  Lyle Hyslop
50) shocker  -  paul griffiths
51) FreeFlow Bikes 1  -  Duncan Jones
52) FreeFlow Bikes 2  -  Romi Kadri
53) Ben Thompson  -  Ben Thompson
54) Team Spitz  -  Tim Rees
55) Team Canary  -  Craig Outhwaite
56) Team Sperm  -  Ben Ducker
57) the opposition  -  graeme simpson
58) Ecosse Downhill  -  Grant Garden
59) porkpie mbc  -  darren noyes
60) Mike  -  Michael Papadopoulos
61) Team Leather Driving Gloves  -  Phil Dixon
62) james  -  james prowse
63) CC-CC The corrective  -  Adam Powell
64) CC-CC The Corrective   -  Alex Hazle
65) Team Teva  -  Donald Fraser
66) team Williamson  -  Greg Williamson
67)    -  Phillip Newby
68) Mojo Orange  -  Ben Cathro
69) Sun Microsystems  -  Oli Wakeman
70) Bikeoutlet BBMF  -  Neil Percival
71) FEARINGOUT.CO.UK / EUCC  -  Steve Larking
72) 100% health  -  tim leach
73) Hope Factory Racing  -  Neil Arnold
74) Hope Factory Racing  -  Simon Perry
75) CGCC  -  Andrew Devine
76) Crookes Gentlemen  -  Adam Wiles
77) Team Spicy Chicken Slice  -  Henry  Sharman
78) BRAAAP  -  Matthew Greig
79) braaap  -  andrew donnachie
80) Team KeeperLIT  -  Johny Wilson
81) Hope factory Racing  -  Guy  Martin
82) The AE Team  -  Greg Nichol

Solo Sen Female

83) Highland Bicycle Company  -  Naomi Williamson
84) Hope Factory Racing  -  Helena Eriksson

Solo Vet Male

85) Highland Bicycle Company  -  Stephen Williamson
86) Highland wolf  -  Kem Avis
87) Team WitAmEyeDooin  -  Alan Matthew
88) primary water racing  -  richard king
89) Offbeatbikes  -  Alistair MacLennan
90) porkpie mbc   -  lloyd maroney
91) Hope Factory Racing  -  Simon Sharp
92) Hope Factory Racing  -  Ian Weatherill

Solo S Vet Male

93) Perth City Cycles  -  Alisdair McKendrick