Mahackamack 400
Few people know this about me but in 1999 I was the Junior Street Luge champion of the world. Back then the sport was relatively small and junior class even smaller, but I still wear the title proudly. I have always had a deep love for speed and extreme alternative sports. Downhill sports have grown significantly in the past decade, and even though sports like this have been removed from larger publicized events such X-Games and Gravity Games there is still a huge international presence.
This weekend I went to an IDF race and decided to blog the event - enjoy!
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6/10/2016 - Its a sunny weekend in Port Jervis , NY as downhill enthusiasts from around the world gather for the Mahackamack 400, the latest race hosted by the International Downhill Federation (IDF). The race down the 1 mile course has a top speed of about 50mph and is one of the slower but more challenging hills in the IDF line up due to two tight 140 degree turns.
Friday Night
Athletes arrive at a local bar to register and relax in preparations for practice on Saturday. The demographic for downhill sports is diverse with a number of riders representing international teams from as far as France, Spain, Brazil, and China, aged from 15 to 57, and from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Many of the riders have formed long standing friendships through this sport and are happy see their pals from overseas. The bar is filled with laughter, hugs, and excitement as participants and spectators catch up and express their excitement for the coming days events.
Our featured rider, Kellee Jones, enjoying a game of pool with fellow downhill skater Candy Dungan, and street luge pilot Christopher Hicks. Some of the riders relax and enjoy the night while in sharp contrast others leave quickly after registration to rest and mentally prepare for the challenges that await them in the morning.
One of the more experienced street luge pilots, Bob Swartz aka “The Ambassador of Street Luge”, fills out his safety waiver quickly pointing out the fact that he is the oldest racer at this event at the ripe age of 57.
Saturday
Riders wake up early Saturday and begin preparations for practice. Seen here is the only gravity bike rider who attended this race making some final adjustments to his equipment.
The pit area situated at the top of the abandoned park road begins to fill with vehicles. Some are lone riders and families, others arrive by the van-load with their friends and team mates. Riders set up their equipment as volunteers gather by the starting line to discuss safety and run through basic radio and flag etiquette.
After a final riders meeting and safety inspection a group begins to form at the starting line. Riders will spend all days practicing in an open format and getting to know the road.
Once riders reach the bottom, they stuff themselves into a U-haul truck for a quick return to the top. This is often regarded as one of the more dangerous parts of the downhill sports by many riders! The smell of cow hide,sweat, and burnt rubber from the shoes used to brake fills the air. There is nothing quite like this.
The ambulance races to corner one for what would be the only serious injury of the weekend, a fractured hand for one of the downhill skate boarders.
Racers break for lunch, music plays from boom boxes around the pit area as riders pass out merch and enjoy playing catch.
Bob demonstrates his Jet powered luge in the parking lot drawing a spontaneous crowd with the sudden deafening sound and smell of jet fuel! Shortly after riders return to practice.
Candy Dungan who took second place in womens class shredding around corner two!
As the day winds down, riders return to their camps, hotels, and RVs to rest for the next days upcoming race. Many riders take the races very seriously, while others are happy just to be here and riding the road.
Featured Rider
Kellee Jones, originally from Houston flew into the states from China where she teaches English just for this race. This is her first IDF event and shes very excited just to be here. Kellee originally got into downhill sports 6 years ago and has been skating ever since. She enjoys snowboarding as well as playing Ukulele/singing and was definitely one of the most laid back riders at the event that I had the pleasure of meeting.
“Its so quiet inside my helmet and I love that! You can hear your breathing, and in a way its kind of a meditation for me, it slows things down a little bit even though I’m going so fast“ - Kellee Jones
Below, she carves off some speed in preparation to enter turn two.
Kellee rides for Speed Doctor, a bearing company, who helped her travel to this event.
Below she wears the yellow safety vest which indicates to course officials that she is the last rider on the course for this practice run.
Kellee took third place in Women’s class and was stoked just to be on the podium for her first international class event. Congrats Kellee!
Sunday - Race Day
Sunday morning is much quieter than the previous two days have been. Racers prepare for one more practice and then they will head straight into bracket races.
Bob Swartz and Richard Shoaff are long time Navy buddies. Even though they are competitors today, they help each other by checking truck settings on Richards board. The atmosphere here is a kind helpful one and things don’t seem very competitive until racers are on the starting line.
The race begins with Street Luge starting the first heat.
Kolby Parks takes first in each heat proving he is the fastest luger on the mountain. This is Kolby’s first win of the year!
Bob Swartz exhausted from the heat as well as the mental and physical drain of riding all weekend.
Seen here are all of the Street Luge competitors.
Next is the open class for long boarders, followed by women’s and then junior class.
As the race concludes riders pack up their gear and begin to help with course cleanup. Downhill race events are often done with a very limited budget and riders often assist with setup, tear down, and cleanup. Many of the course workers are ex-riders, family, or friends.
Once the hay bails are picked up from the course people gather around the podium to congratulate the winners and hand out rewards - in this case skate decks and some cash!
Junior Class Winners (1st - Edward Keifer, 2nd - Matthew King, 3rd - Jesse Martin, 4th - Nikolas Matousek)
Womens Class Winners (1st - Emily Pross, 2nd - Candy Dungan, 3rd - Kellee Jones)
Luge Class Winners (1st - Kolby Parks, 2nd - Christopher Hicks, 3rd - Tim Koch, 4th - Matthew Yates)
For more information on IDF races check out their website here - http://internationaldownhillfederation.org
The event this past weekend! Check it out friends! I was featured :)
