Drift Bikes in conjunction with Rocky Trail Entertainment and Synergy Trails presents the 2015 Killikaze XC & Gravity Enduro. This years race will count as the final rounds of the Hunter Mountain Bike Association Cross Country and Downhill Series for 2015!
Drift Bikes is stoked to be putting on the biggest little race of the year once again and would like to thank the Hunter Mountain Bike Association for their support.
This year’s race will again include the infamous FLYOVER allowing riders to utilise a full compliment of the trails available on the western frontier of the Killingworth area without compromising both direction and flow! Divebomb beneath your competitors but live to tell the tale.
The Killikaze is not just the biggest little race of the year, it is also a chance to revisit one of the most fondly remembered race venues in the country and the stomping ground of the Hunter Mountain Bike Associations early years.
The Killingworth trail network was used by the HMBA for over 20 years and has seen mountain bike racing progress and grow to what it is today. It has hosted countless State and National series races over the years in both XC and DH and was the original stomping ground of 24 hour MTB World Champion, Jason English.
Drifters Robbie McNuaghton and Adam Freeman were both race directors at Killingworth at one point and have raced the trails since they were boys at the tender, innocent age of 12. They have a soft spot for it’s fast, yet technical trails. Using this intimate knowledge of the trail network and vast collection of topographic maps, spy photos and studying space age infra-red video surveillance the original course they dreamed up for the 2014 Killikaze will once again deliver all of Killi’s greatest hits that will have you grinning and grimacing from ear to ear.
We’re looking to get all y’all asses out of Glenrock for the day and offering up the opportunity to race a sweet track freshly prepared by Synergy Trails with state of the art timing equipment thanks to Rocky Trail.
If you’ve never raced before and are perhaps a little bike-curious about the whole racing scene, there’s never been a better time to give it a muddy crack. Mountain Biking Australia have a FREE trial membership program which will make it super easy and inexpensive to have a go at your first race. Details for MTBA membership here
How To Race
If this is your first race, you’ll probably be surprised by how laidback and friendly the local club racing scene is. An HMBA club race is a great way to ease yourself into MTB racing and we’re sure you’ll love the experience. Jump onto MTBA and grab your free trial membership prior to entering the race!
Registration for both events will be available both online and on the day from 7am.
Please note: Cross Country Registrations close at 8am sharp.
Gravity Enduro Registrations close at 11:30am
You can register on the day but remember entering online will speed up your registration process significantly.
Entry is $45 and this allows you to race both events, That's two races for the price of one! Please note: You do not have to race both events!
HMBA use a graded racing system, graded A through D with separate Men’s and Women’s categories. You can self-seed however sandbagging (as it was known in the 90′s) is still frowned upon. So if you need a tip on what grade is best for you, then enter the class that you are worried about keeping up with, not the one you think you can win!
Given the length of the proposed November course (approx. 10.7km) we are aiming to try and have everyone finish around the same time. Once again remember that all riders must be registered by 8am.
A Grade (3 laps) will start at 8:30am.
B Grade (2 laps) will start once the final competitor from A grade crosses the start finish line at the completion of their first lap. We approximate a 9am start for all other grades.
C grade (1 laps) starting 1 minute behind B
D Grade (1 Lap) starting a minute after apart once the final competitor from B grade has completed their first lap.
Juniors (1/2 Lap) must pre-register at hmbaxc@gmail.com – starting at 7.30am.
This is designed so that the majority of the competitors finish at the same time.
We estimate the following overall times for Grades A thru D and Juniors
A grade – riders to finish in about 1.5 to 2 hours
B grade – around 1.5 hours
C grade – in about 45 minutes to an hour.
D grade – in about 45 minutes to an hour.
Juniors – 20-30 minutes
Your body and bike will be put under a lot more pressure than normal during a cross country race. This won’t be easy, but it will be fun!
For Gravity Enduro all categories will be the same as Cross country with one addition being the Masters Category.
Due to the courses being separate from each other Gravity Enduro practice will be available as soon as you have registered right through until 12:30pm with racing starting at 1pm sharp!
Make sure your bike is in excellent mechanical working order – you will be riding a technically demanding course that will have steep pinches, rocky sections, rollers, flig-goo-goos, ruts and corners galore. It will require smooth operating / properly set-up suspension, crisp shifting gears, powerful brakes and plenty of bite left in your tires!
Preparing your body for the effort is different for everyone – if you’re used to riding for 1 – 2 hours you will probably last the distance no problem at all. What might be the problem (and what tends to surprise most people new to the scene) is the pace of the field, coupled with the fact that you’re not stopping – catching a breath, admiring your bike and posting on Instagram #lovinglife #glenrockpicnictable
Know the track
We suggest riding at Killingworth as much as you can to get confident on the dusty turns and technical features. Check out the Strava profile below
There are many opinions on how to prepare physically for racing – But as a bare minimum, ride continuously for the length of time you intend to race and push hard on EVERY climb.
Most new comers tend to go out too hard and use all of their energy in the first half of the race. In your training if you can get used to evenly distributing your energy, pushing hard but knowing your limits and staying focused and smooth in the technical sections, you will definitely start reeling in the first lap commandos as the race goes on.
Another excellent training tool is to push hard in the last 10% of your training rides to simulate pushing towards the line as your race comes to a close. This means you will be prepared to leave everything on the track when the end is in sight!
Make sure you have adequate nutrition for before, during and after the race. Late November can be very hot (especially at dry, dusty Killingworth) – Bring lots of water including electrolyte’s, food and some gels.
You’ll need to keep drinking during the race, prepare enough bottles so that you can grab one at the start of each lap. Place them somewhere that’s quick and convenient to scoop up on the way through (or better yet, have someone hand them to you so you look really pro). Have at least 1 gel on board, use it before you need it and keep the fires burning all the way to the end.
Do a practice lap!!!
If you can’t make it to any of the wolf pack or instructional days that drift bikes will be holding in the lead up to the event, be sure to arrive early on race day and do a practice lap prior to your race start. Allow an hour for a practice lap, and enough time to register before the close of registration.
How to find the race site
Finding the Killingworth Trails is straight forward:
Starting at Wakefield Rd, turn at the sign to Killingworth onto The Broadway.
Follow The Broadway into Killingworth itself and turn right into The Boulevard (follow the MTB sign on the power pole).
The dirt road turnoff to the Killingworth trails is 450m on the left, before you reach the power sub-station. From there follow the road and signs, under the freeway, to the event centre some 1-1.2Km in.
Keep in mind, the road in is un-sealed and will be rough in places. If you don’t feel comfortable driving on this style of road you can always park at The Boulevard and ride in.
THE WRAP UP – Things you MUST know
- The race is on Sunday the 29th of November
- You must be at the race site and registered by 8am to race the Cross Country
- You must be at the race site and registered by 11:30 to Race the Gravity Enduro
- You must wear an Australian Standards Approved helmet.
- You must wear covered footwear, no thongs
- Sleeveless jerseys are tolerated but generally frowned upon unless they are of pre 2000 vintage
- Day Licenses are available for $20 (cash only) on the day however if you visit the MTBA website you can register for a free 8 week membership. Details for MTBA membership here
- The race entry is available on the day.
- Remember to bring your own food and water and nutrition, the club has very limited supply of these essentials.
- Be prepared.