Irish Downhill NPS 2006 Calender Announced

November 05

Following a meeting of the new Irish Downhill Mountainbike Committee, and further consultation with the various organisers the following dates have been organised for the 2006 Irish Downhill National Points Series.

So here it is, 2006 promises to be biggest and best Irish NPS ever. The best tracks from last year along with some new venues and a full series of 8 races + National Champs

Round 1 will bring us back to the 2005 venue of Lumpers Forest In Ravensdale on 23rd April 2006. This race will be the first race of new Irish team, TC Racing, headed by Tom Clogher and Jim Smith. Word is the course is a newly built course by the team so here's hoping it will be an excellent start to the season.

Round 2 brings us back to the home of the 2005 Winter Series, Ballycarton. Organised by what might be argued as the best race organisers of 2005, Plush. Joe, Ricky and the rest of the team will be heading North the week after Round One on 30th April 2005.

Staying North, and staying with Plush, the 2006 Round 3 will see the return of the old school venue in Ballycastle, known as Coolavaley. A race venue for many years, the Plush guys intend to resurrect the course and bring you yet another excellent NPS on 4th June 2005.

From as far north, to as far South..... Round 4 the 021 Racing team, headed by Rory O'Keefe will bring us to the venue of the 2005 Irish Championship in Mallow. After excellent reports from last year, it would be a shame to leave this venue out of the 2006 season so keep your dairy free for 2nd July 2006.

The National Champs is on the 23rd July as to avoid a clash with the XC champs, (so those fit enough/Skillfull enough can do both) and will be organised by Plush in Rostrevor Forest. Expect a new course and expect it to be one of the best National Champs ever.

Round 5 will be hosted by Epic Dowhill, organisers of the Epic Blast on 6th August 2006. The provisional venue is Ballinstoe, but word on the street is that Epic may be working on a new venue, watch this space - and with Epic running the show, you can be sure it will be a good event.

Following the Epic Blast on 3rd September, Round 6 will take us South again to the venue of the final 2005 NPS, White Horse in Waterford. Always one of the best races of the year, on Tom Power's home track, minus Tom (but we're assured he's leaving plenty of help behind) on 10th August.

Round 7 will see us head to Clasnacrona on 1st October where Killarney CC and Rebel Racing intend to hold their postponed 2005 Munster series venue and promise to bring the track up to the standard set by the 2005 race organisers.

Finally, Round 8 will see a new venue being used, as some new organisers from Wexford will be holding a race in Bree. Word from Tom Power says the Bree track is 'Savage' so if we can go by White Horse standards we will be in for a good one. This race will be held on 15th October 2006.