the bottom of the hill never lies

Posted on July 9, 2012

give us racing or give us death

The day started much like any other. Dawn. Caffeine. A mad scramble to get everyone in the truck, fed and over to Toyland. Everyone camped and thrashed the night before so it was a bleary-eyed crew that met us in the early morning. Al and Daniel gave an impromptu demonstration on how to ride the Toyland ramp complex. People were stoked!

Rich and Lacey watch the rampage

Al Brunelle – saying “Good Morning”

Everyone ambled about sleepily. Jonny had coffee and breakfast made and the machinery of downhill racing managed to get moving shortly after. We headed over towards Pismo and up into a neighborhood that Jonny knew of. The streets were completed but the houses had yet to be built. Fresh roads. No people. No cars. Hills and turns. It was ‘go time.’ They set up a slalom course, held a racers meeting and turned everyone loose. They road hard and fast. It was elimination, speed and racing at its best. The BLR crew held it down during the day.

The raceway

preparing the gear

David Hackett and Adrian Pina

behind every great racing man is a great lady…

Daniel Cuervo – first time down the hill

Mike Maysey- he lit it up. 2nd place

Sergie Yuppie – flying

We stopped for lunch and a break. They were setting up a Super G on another hill close by. This would be no joke either. I looked it over and wondered –  ”How in the F@#%! are they going to do this?!” I would find out in just a few minutes. These guys take their racing VERY seriously. People can get hurt. 50 mph + on a skateboard is not a thing to be taken lightly. A few faces were somber and thoughtful as we walked to the top.

Hackett – Super G

Mike Maysey 2nd Place tie

BLR’s Jason Mitchell 1st Place GS

Gravity crew upholding the law

BLR’s Greg Fadell – 3rd Place GS

Dave Rogers 5th Place GS

BLR’s John O’Shei 2nd Place GS

I was walking up and down on the hillsides trying to get photographs. These guys were literally flying by me. I was actually stunned at the speeds they were all attaining. I hadn’t realized just how gnarly they really are. Everyone had a great time, races were run and no real injuries were suffered. It was an interesting look into the world of big speed and wide open racing…  In the end, the bottom of the hill never lies. Fastest man down is the man. Skate- Ozzie

podium