Report by: Quinton Spaulding

Pictures by: Monique Spaulding

The Fontana City National… something of an “oddball” on the Gravity Calender, but always well contested and well worthy of its title!

The 2010 US Cup Pro XCT is what brings the National to Fontana, but its the only race on their calender that has Downhill and 4X. Once upon a time we all played together, and brought prestige to one another, now its seems that the Cross Country moving onto its own was a mistake. Gravity events on the other hand are on the surge, so maybe we should thank them for cutting us loose!

We did a little XC ride of our own before DH practice began on Friday, (just to spin out the legs). Binggeli however,likes to include walls, stairs, benches, logs, rocks, jumps as well as a little curb hopping.

Keeping our equipment clean is key… it’s also rule # 1 in the KHS Factory Race Book of rules .

We were  spoiled the entire weekend with entertainment.. Ronnie from Marzzochi was our DJ…

… and the stunt road bikers put on an awesome show!

These guys are pro’s and obviously commit many hours a day to honing their skills …thanks for coming out!

The SHIMANO kids race was the real deal! These kids were itching to take off and all of them had their “eye on the prize”.

The first race on the schedule for our team was the 4X Saturday afternoon. Blake Carney looked strong on track and put in service for KHS.

Blake went on to earn a great result finishing 3rd to none other than the current 4X National Champion, Mitch Ropelato, (who was 2nd) and the current 4X UCI World Champion, Jared Graves took the win!

Shuttles went very smoothly the whole weekend, however, all the shuttle vans had “broken air conditioners” and that made life miserable for the downhillers. and the drivers alike.

Left to right: Mitch Ropelato (Specialized), Jared Graves (Yeti), Blake Carney (KHS),

Logan Binggeli attacked Sundays race track. At the same time he said there were sections where he backed off to make sure he placed with a good result.

Binggeli finished a familiar 7th place amongst a very competitive “World Class” top ten!

Blake Carney had a few bobbles but put in a good effort.

Carney said he needed a little more time to get used to his bike, and also adjust to returning to the DH realm.

I had some nervous tension before Sunday’s race… which turned into a crash in the first turn out the gate.

Right after that I got up and rode the wheels off my bike! I have to admit I was a little disappointed, but I still had fun… It was a GREAT track!

Melissa Buhl continued on with her powerful “winning streak”. Once again her nearest competitor was more than 15 seconds back!

Buhl moves forward onto the Sea Otter Classic with tons of confidence and hopes of taking the Dual Slalom and Downhill titles.

Left to right: Jennifer Wolf (Cove/Gravity Garage), Joanna Pettersen(Nema), Melissa Buhl (KHS), Gabriela Williams (StevieZ Racing), Joy Martin (Vixen Racing).

Chuck Valenzuela on the podium for KHS!

Jim De Haven takes another for KHS!

Tony Landy on the podium for KHS.

In-N- Out came out and gave away a few hundred hamburgers… so tasty!

Logan wants to go home, Jim shows me the nearest Rite Aid, Dave is being himself… and I think Chuck is posing!

THANK YOU!!!

Please stay tuned for our next update which will be from the Sea otter Classic April 15th-18th.

All the best,

Q.

Report by: Quinton Spaulding

Pictures by: Monique Spaulding

David “CRASH” Collins was really instrumental in elevating the level of MTB racing at Bootleg Canyon. Although his history there was short, Crash was getting ready to change the face of mountain bike racing at Bootleg.

Race promoter Francine Johnson seen here with Crash’s widower, Terri Collins.

EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM!

Naish Ulmer who is somewhat familiar with racing Super D, took 3rd place in the Nevada Desert!

Logan Binggeli tries his hand at the Super D. The terrain was rough, loose and steep, so it really suited the Downhillers. He had a really good run and took 2nd.

Scott Johnson, who thrives in these conditions and specializes in Super D racing, crushed the field with his fastest run of the day!

KHS SWEEPS THE PODIUM!!!!!!!

Tony Landy on the podium for KHS.

Justin Aliperti on the podium for KHS.

Hey, if you’re from Flagstaff and know these guy’s… hook them up with a cup of COCO!

Racing DH can be exhilarating, and so is the shuttle ride at Bootleg Canyon.

Binggeli laid down a scorching time in the Downhill, taking 3rd place (only 2 seconds behind Factory Yeti rider Aaron Gwin).

Ulmer also had a strong result, he placed 8th overall.

I was pleased with a consistent 9th place finish in a stacked top ten.

Left to right: Aaron Gwin (Yeti Factory), Mitch Ropelato (Specialized / Fox), Logan Binggeli (KHS)

MENS PRO DH TOP 10

Melissa Buhl absolutely put a hurt on all her competitors…somewhat of a pattern this season!

WOMAN’S PRO DH

David Dasta on the Podium for KHS!

Thanks to our sponsors!

Next we will be at the Fontana City National in Fontana, CA  March 25-27.

Please stay tuned for more updates!

All the best,

Q.

Photos by: Monique Spaulding

Report by: Quinton Spaulding

We were back in Fontana, CA this past weekend for round number 5 of the SHIMANO Winter Series. This was also the Finals, and carried double points for all racers who made it out there.

Naish Ulmer loves to race Super D. He said that the course was a lot of fun to race, and wished that he had more time to practice. Participating  in Super D and DH in the same weekend  is a tough act to juggle. Ulmer took 6th place in the Super D race Saturday morning.

The same applies for Carney, racing both the 4X and DH disciplines. He is a 4X specialist though, and placed 3rd in Saturday afternoons 4X event.

As Carney has been a “gated racer” all his life, he cannot wait to get out on the Pro GRT circuit and chase the National Title for KHS.

Left to right: Jake Kinney (Division 26), Blake Carney (KHS), Eric Carter (GT),

Left to right: Jake Kinney (Division 26), Eric Carter (GT), Blake Carney (KHS),

Blake took 2nd Place (right behind former World Champ Eric Carter), in the overall points chase for the 2010 SHIMANO Winter Series 4X Title… Well done Blake!

The SHIMANO Kids Race is always popular… the future Champions of our sport!!

The best “dirt conditions” deserve a lot of practice runs. The conditions for the 2010 Winter Series have been unbelievably good. We were blessed with tons of rain, which brought epic riding conditions throughout the series.

Melissa Buhl visits with Colby Young (ODI Grips) while he prepares some custom etched grips for her.

We are very proud to announce that KMC Chains will be supplying the KHS Factory team with chains for 2010… Nothing but the BEST!

Shuttles!!

Melissa Buhl and Leigh Donovan doing a couple practice runs on race morning!

Check out my “custom painted” ONEAL 9 series helmet… looking good in 2010 for sure!  If anyone is interested in a custom paint job on their helmet, email Steve Dulmage at scubastv@live.com, he does a good job and is affordable!

Buhl laid down a phenomenal DH race run Sunday morning, beating 2nd place rider Anneke Beerten by almost 9 seconds, as well as 3rd place Intense rider, Leigh Donovan.

Binggeli has raced consistently throughout the Winter Series… he has always put himself within striking distance of the Win. He took his 3rd consecutive 7th place finish on the day.

It all payed off… Binggeli snatched a 5th place podium finish in the overall DH title on Sunday.

Ulmer continues to build momentum. He had his best finish ever at Fontana with a 12th out of 40 place in the DH.

I simply wanted to have a clean run with minimal mistakes. This was another tough “pedal track”, but at the same time it was tons of fun. I placed 14th on the day and was pleased with my result. I certainly hope to do better on a “big track” a couple weeks from now, at the Annual St. Patty’s Day race event in Bootleg Canyon.

Carney had a respectable run, with a top 20 – 17th place finish.

Left to right: Ryan Egusquiza (Rockgarden), Rich Houseman (Intense), David K (ODI), Eric Carter (GT), Jason Memmelaar (Giant/HBG), Logan Binggeli (KHS)

Left to right: Rich Houseman (Intense), Eric Carter (GT), David K (ODI), Logan Binggeli (KHS)

Binggeli took 5th place overall in the DH for KHS!

Left to right: Gabriela Williams (Z Racing Brigade), (Leigh Donovan (Intense), Melissa Buhl (KHS), Anneke Beerten (Intense), Jennifer Wolf (Cove)

Chuck Valenzuela on the podium for KHS!

Jim De Haven on the podium for KHS. De Haven took 2nd in his class for the overall…well done Jim!

Tony Landy takes his first win for KHS!

The end of the series product raffle was a huge hit!

Everything went off well and on time. This was a GREAT Winter Series and I would like to take this opportunity in saying a HUGE thanks to Donny Jackson, his family and his crew form Southridge U.S.A. for making it all happen!

We will be at the “Greener Grasses” event in Bootleg Canyon, NV this coming St. Patty’s Day. Please stay tuned for the race report and photos to follow.

All the best,

Q.