Injun Devil DH - December 20th, 2003

The Injun Devil was angry my friends.  He could sense fear in the heart of the riders, and responded by dishing out one of the most technically challenging courses in recent history. Fitness and strategy played an important role on a course which called for racers to sprint their portly downhill machines on a brief climb and soupy flats.  Though rain held off on race day the course had soaked up its share of precipitation resulting in slippery off cambers and deep sticky ruts in the steepest of sections.  As could be expected lines developed, changed, and degraded as thirteen racers practiced the course.  Thinking speed lead to costly crashes for nearly every rider in run one. With a cautious yet smooth run down the hill it was Justin Graves aboard the hot seat with the fastest first run time in round one.  The pack was tied up close behind as mistakes and mechanicals brought Matt Snyder, Jared Delong, and Sean Tetrault across the line tied for second place. Perhaps the most impressive display of sheer will and wiliness was witnessed as Mr. T managed to push a front flat half way down the course, through the most challenging sections, enroute to a time which would put him right into the running.  The days hard core award belonged to Chris, being the only female racer, and exhibiting pure moxy as she pushed back up the trail in order to drop the course's concluding shore bridge.  Though time ticked away while she corrected a driveline mishap she truly mastered the devil, forgot her fear, and pinned it cleanly to the finish. In round two the pressure was on for racers to make up substantial time.  This time round it was the first rider down the trail, Jared Delong, who cleaned the course and laid down the second fastest split of the day putting him in position to take the cake if other riders got off line.  Graves did not manage two clean runs but managed to pick himself off the ground in time to edge Delong by four seconds in the final tally.  As riders trickled to the bottom it was apparent that carnage had been the trend.  With two consistently quick runs Brian Hapgood and Greg Newkirk tied Delong for second a mere breath behind the leader.  Matt Snyder's smooth cyclocross dismounts won him third place, despite a flat and second run crash Sean T landed fourth, with Hank Matheson right behind.  On the B course it was all Seqouyah's smooth 20" skills giving him the fastest runs on the sane route.  Nipping at his heels was young Mr. Rhall, whose abilities and confidence continue, not to mention that his perpetual presence has him sitting pretty in the land of pirate points.  Rounding out the B ragers was Chris who braved the testosterone thick scene and wowed all with her smooth riding and gutsy approach.   In the interest of spreading the love, and since Jared humbly suggested it, points for second will be awarded to all three tying riders and distributed accordingly down the line.  After the crowds dispersed antics did not cease as the boys got a little crazy on the septic pit jump.  Most who attempted managed to roll away but it was Graves' no handed face plant, which left him clinging to the backside of the pit, that earned moans of identifying agony all around.  Then the mobbers rolled to the quarry where a few witnessed Newkirk attempt to ride a hundred foot slide which he had cleaned the day before.  Let us just say that somersaulting down a steep rocky embankment did little to shatter Greg's confidence as minutes later he was seen hitting a ten foot cliff drop on his ass, he managed to ride it out smoothly with impressive style.  As darkness fell a few crazies were still up and Hapgood's vision was realized as he stoked a furnace fire in the septic pit, flicked on the halogens, and lit the run way with christmas lights.  None were burned as Hank, Greg, Brian, and Byron entertained in true mobber fashion.  Living up to Brian's mantra "I just wanna shred." Thanks to The Hoopa Crew, headed up by Patrick, for all their hard work and for feeding the famished riders. ,

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