Brook MacDonald Takes The Win In Duryea, Neko 2nd

Last year Neko raced and won in Duryea, a local race which he was very proud to support and to help elevate in the national media. This year he went a step further by bringing his new team-mate and World Cup race winner, Brook MacDonald to the event.

For both riders, it was a lot of fun, The weather could not have been better and the atmosphere was really cool finishing in Reading's city park in the downtown area. The event marked the Gravity East season opener, and the guys have two more big East Coast races coming up, in Mountain Creek and Plattekill before starting their European race campaign.

Lots of spectators and and lot of Neko's supporters and friends came out to watch which made it even more difficult for Neko to accept his race run with a big crash, after some much local expectation of a repeat from 2012. Nevertheless he was proud to stand on the podium, not only with his team-mate, but his brother Logan as well, who took 3rd.

Neko said: "I was definitely disappointed to crash on my home track with all my friends and family watching. I take these pre-season races as an opportunity to find my limits and try new things. Crashing today helps me ride better tomorrow and build up to the start of the World Cup season. I was really stoked to make it a Trek sweep and see my little brother join Brook and I on the podium. I really enjoyed the weekend."

Brook said: "I had a lot of fun racing a more 'low key', low stress event. The relaxed atmosphere made it fun and I really appreciate the help from Ray from Trek's Race Department who kept our Session runnign sweetly all weekend!"

Results:

1. Brook MacDonald (NZL) - 2m 57secs
2. Neko Mulally (USA) - 3m 02secs
3. Logan Mulally (USA) - 3m 03secs

Thanks to Matt Delorme for the photos.

2013 Gravity East Series (GES) Changes

GES 2013 has gone through some minor re-organized management; the series is ready to move east coast gravity racing forward through its progressive program development

Changes:

Daniel McDonald, DHD Promotions & Gravity East Series Owner, long time gravity advocate and cycling promoter/consultant, due to the potential conflicts of interests following USA Cycling’s election of Mr. McDonald to “Gravity Race Director” position on USAC’s MTB Committee and due to his commitment to the Riders and the Committee some changes which were difficult to make, however Mr. McDonald feels the long time the series has been under his direction and the right decisions had to be made to maintain the GES rider and series integrity.

Mr. McDonald has licensed the “Gravity East Series” it’s name and logo for a minimum of two years to our very own well qualified 2012/2013 Race Director Mr. Joe Olivas of “Indie Marketing and Sales” whom will be President/Race Director and will handle ALL day to day business going into 2013/2014. Mr. McDonald remains as GES consultant and advisor to Joe Olivas.

Joe Olivas, 2012/2013/2014 President & Race Director, was also former Promotions Manager at Rollerblade USA, he has an extensive career in action sports industry category as well as experienced in grass roots events marketing and management. Long term experience in event logistics. Specializing in outside vendor management and trade show asset management. Many reasons we felt this is the best candidate, and one who will continue the GES vision.


Dieter Ward, remains GES Vice President and will continue to be available as a consultant to Race Director Joe Olivas and the GES Series as needed.
Dieter Ward who was former GES director from 2007-2008, although he will also be leaving day to day operations to participate/Support in the 2013 USABMX National and New Jersey Sate Series. He will also continue his work with Lars Tribus in creating synergy between MTB and BMX racers by hosting gated racing for mountain bikes at selected New Jersey BMX tracks and events.

Frank Endreson JR. , Assistant Race Director, Gravity East Series participant since 2008, Assistant Race Director for 2012 and will remain as Asst. Gravity Race Director for 2013, Mr. Endreson JR. is also Team Manager for “Team Femme Fatale”.

The Gravity East Series is set to charge into 2013 for its 7th downhill mountain bike race season! The series was started in 2007 to promote and showcase downhill racing, and racer talents on the east coast. Since that humble beginning it has grown to become one of the largest and longest running gravity racing series on the east coast offering riders an affordable, professionally run series with ever changing diverse competition, courses and venues.

"Maxxis is once again proud to be the Title Partner for the 2013 Gravity East Series,” said Aaron Chamberlain, Marketing Specialist at Maxxis International, USA. “We're excited to continue our partnership with the premier downhill race series on the East Coast."

Christoph Vogl, General Manager of Formula North America, says, “Formula is very excited to continue our partnership with the Gravity East Series in 2013! As the returning Presenting partner for the series, we are proud to work with such a proven and longstanding series.”

Focused on growing rider participation, with a commitment to the pro and amateur the GES offers a minimum of $1000.00 Pro purse at each race for a total of $6000 for the series, plus, a GES Finals Pro purse of $5000.00 and amateur prizing in excess of $20,000.00 for a total of over $31,000.00in cash and prizes for the series.

5/5/2013 -- Duryea Downhill, Reading, PA
6/2/2013 -- Mountain Creek Bike Park, Vernon, NJ
6/30/2013 -- Windham Mountain, Windham, NY
7/14/2013 -- Swain Resort, Swain, NY
7/28/2013 -- Oak Mountain, Speculator, NY
8/17/2013 -- Blue Mountain, Palmerton, PA
Dates TBA -- Seven Springs Resort, Seven Springs, PA

2012 Team BGB/Mountain Khakis Snowshoe GES Report

Though the Gravity East Series is based out of the Northeast states of this land of the US of A, we can count on one round coming far enough South for Team BGB-MK to show those Northeasters what the Southeasters are made of….. Snowshoe. Have I mentioned it just so happens to be our fav place to shred (OK, maybe I have, once…. or maybe twice). This weekend would be Team BGB-MK Pro Max Morgan’s return to the SE race scene after spending the summer up in the NE. It would also be a special weekend to remember for one Team BGB-MK rider!!!

As usual, you can’t use the word “Snowshoe” in a sentence without the word “rain”. Quite simply, it’s like peas and carrots, steak and potatoes, peanut butter and jelly, you just can’t have one without the other. The local forecasters were predicting a cold front moving in just about noon time on Saturday. Well, two hours earlier that predicted, that front turned the race course into streams. All of Saturday was a wash, no pun intended. Well, not entirely... .now for the special part of the weekend. You see, race day which just so happened to coincide with Team BGB-MK Lady Rider Heither Schultz’s 40th birthday. SURPRISE! And a surprise it was….. for almost seven months of shear secrecy the team worked to give Heither a surprise with an unexpected family visit, an event/racer surprise party and to top it off a special team jersey. Total success, as she didn’t expect a thing! Happy Birthday Heither!

On to Sunday…… with the showers all day previous, Sunday morning was a slip and slide fest. The grass covered slopes were virtual ice until riders were able to rut the corners working in conjunction with the sun to start to dry things out. As the hour clicked to noon, you really couldn’t ask for better race conditions.

The Men’s Pro class would be a battle between two guys that know each other all too well, Ethan Quehl of Chainsmoke/Judge Racing and Team BGB-MK’s own Max Morgan. These two guys have a connect ion of sorts, growing up an hour from one another in Northern Georgia, riding and racing together for years as Juniors, and most importantly developing a mutual respect of one another’s ability. Ethan got his chance before Max and posted a time of 4:24.47. Six more riders and it was Max’s turn. Max pinned a time just 1.85 seconds off the pace set by Ethan. This day belonged to Ethan… close close racing though, as Max posted the third fastest time of the day, behind Leland O’Connor in second, for the bronze prize (0.39 sec off the second position). GREAT RACING!

Up next….. seems we are in the mist of repeat of the month of July…..3 weeks, 3 races. Off to the final race at Beech Mountain this coming weekend (Sept 16), then back to WV for the final race of the Snowshoe Series (Sept 23). The season’s almost over…. already? Where does the time go?

Team BGB-MK Results:

Max Morgan – 3rd Pro Men
Nick Frantz – 4th Men Cat 2 30-39
Jay Guidry – 4th Men Cat 2 19-29
Heither Schultz – 3rd Women’s Cat 2/3 All Ages

Thanks to all our sponsors: Mountain Khakis, Billy Goat Bikes, Rocky Mountain Bicycles, Loaded Precision
Components, Black Market Bikes, Feedback Sports, Smith Optics, Zerode Bicycles, POC Sports, Suspension Experts.

2012 GES Race 2

Race #2 of the Gravity East Series takes place alongside the international atmosphere of the Windham NY Mountain Bike World Cup Festival complete with wide variety of entertaining events that cater to cycling and non-cycling visitors.  Some of these include a ride the plank challenge, vendor expo, block party, live music, motocross aerial show, and kids race. 

According to Ernie Reale Windham GES Track Builder and Rider:

“Rode the Gravity East course today at Windham, after weeks of work, it is the best its ever been and one of the funnest courses I've ever ridden. Lots of new features including a rock drop into the upper rock garden. Fresh cut, jumps, some new berms, new rock gardens! A total mix of Windham, Plattekill, Diablo and old school Mount Snow in one track! “

Come out Race the GES with plenty of time between training sessions to see the best in the World qualify and race Sunday July 1^st, register today

Save $5.00 register online here: https://www.bikereg.com/Net/16446

Entry fee online is 75.00 (Cat 1,2, 3) 80.00 Pro

On-Site Registration/Packet Pick-up Schedule:

• Entry Fee for Gravity East DH $80.00 Amateur $85.00 Pro
•  
• $2000.00 Dollar Pro Purse (Men and Women)
•  
• Thursday & Friday June 28^th & 29th Registration 9:00am-4:00pm 2^nd Floor Base Lodge
•  
• Saturday 9:00am-12:00pm Late Registration $10.00 additional to entry fee

Training and Race Schedule Thursday June 28^th-Saturday June 30^th

• Thursday June 28^th: Training times – 10:00am-1:00pm
• Friday June 29^th: Training times – 12:00pm-2:00pm & 4:00pm-6:30pm
• Friday June 29^th 8:00pm-11:00pm Windham Downtown Block Party don’t miss it!!

Saturday Training and Race Information:

• Saturday Training from 12:00pm to 2:00pm Last Chance course inspection
• Start Times will be posted at the All Sports Events Timing Tent at 2:00pm
• Race Starts at 3:00pm Awards to follow
• Saturday Happenings!!!
• 6:30pm FMX Motocross show with Jeff Lenosky Stunt Show
• 8:00pm Free Concert with Voodelic, CKS and the Band 3

For Maps additional Information visit www.racewindham.com

For information on the Gravity East Series:

www.gravityeastseries.com

To register for the GES Race #2, June 28-30, 2012 at Windham Mountain, NY: https://www.bikereg.com/Net/16446

We would like to thank our  GES Partners:

Maxxis Tires, Formula Brake, Fox Racing Shox Kali Protective’s, Fox Racing Shox, NEMA, Profile Racing, Dirtrag Magazine