VATONYC EXCLUSIVE: NYC REDBULL MINI DROME 2013 "RECAP"
The Redbull MINIDROME 2013 was an amazing Fixed Gear Bike Racing event sponsored by the good folks over at RedBull; aside the point My Good Friend Danny Goblin was competing alongside 100 fixed gear cyclists speeding around a track inside of the abandoned church on Bushwick ave competing to qualify for the grand prize . It was an awesome event featuring some great music from the good homies, DJ Dirty finger (Conrad Carlson) and the Hip-Hop Rockstar's NINJASONIK.
I had gotten to the church earlier than expected which happened to become a great opportunity for me to photograph the venue before the expected crowd of 4500 people had arrived. Its almost surreal seeing this event take place inside of the church i saw as a kid growing up in the neighborhood.
The beautifully constructed Red Bull Mini Drome will engage both body and mind as competitors navigate around a unique and technically challenging course reaching speeds of up to 80 km/ph. The purpose built track has been engineered in Germany by Velotrack, the team who built the velodromes for the Delhi Commonwealth Games. The track maintains race worthy dimensions in the smallest possible size to enable a single pursuit.
Here we can see the Contestants register their bikes for their chance to qualify for the grand prize.
I caught up with my longtime Friend Danny Goblin and got some flicks of the registration process as well as a great smile for the ladies.
Here we see Danny finalizing the registration process and picking up his number ready to make some practice runs and get this competition started.
Conrad Carlson aka Dj Dirty Finger getting ready to spin all night on the 1s and 2s.
Focused and in the zone Conrad's getting ready to DJ for 14 hours straight at the red bull event as well as an after party afterwards.
The ambiance changes and people begin to scramble their way inside to grab a good spot and a drink before things get too crowded.
Contestants parlay around the Mini Drome cracking jokes practicing runs and such, so as the night went on more and more people arrived by the flocks to spectate the event from the ground level and mezzanine.
Lights, Camera, Action!!!!!! things are starting to gear up and things start getting hectic as contestants and fans get ready.
Contestants 20 and 21 definitely gave each other some good competition as they raced their metal horses for the best time.
Contestant number 21 had a few close calls but not like the unlucky few that didn't make it past their practice run.
These two guys kept on falling, you have to appreciate their dedication though not many people would be able to complete atleast one lap in this thing, If you were there you'd get a better idea of how steep the Mini Drome really was.
I personally felt like the guy riding the bianchi pista didn't even have the proper set up to handle the track.
Contestant 31 had a great run with the exception of him being a little too thirsty for Red Bull at the right place but wrong time.
He quenched his thirst and soon after continued his way up the track to complete his run.
Danny Goblin is seen here ecstatic as a horny teenager in a strip club getting ready for his run, with myself hoping the best for him not get hurt.
Danny Goblin in the Mini Drome about to start his run.
Soon enough Danny gets the hang of the track and continues on to making his lap's around the Mini Drome.
Soon enough the Qualification round was over and continued to the two man track race.
Soon after the first two races of the second round, I met up with the rest of the Homies and NINJASONIK back in the VIP lounge and kicked back with some Brick Oven Pizza and Beer courtesy of Bushwick's very own Roberta's Pizza, the good folks at Coor's Brewing and Red Bull.
Overall the night was spectacular, topped off with an amazing performance by my good homies NINJASONIK, some amazing Fixed Gear Mini Drome racing and most importantly a good time with some old friends. if you missed out don't feel bad, There is always Dope Stuff going on in My City.
