[FCR 2003] More about Breckenridge

[Gary Fluitt]

Let me be clear about the Breckenridge races. I say RACES (plural) because there will be THREE.

1. SlalomCross (Friday PM)
2. Dual GS (Saturday)
3. Dual TS (Sunday)

I've recently (4/14) changed the format of the Friday race in Breck to a slalomcross. We had so much fun at the Bahne-Cadillac slalomcross that we have to do it again. So make sure you get to Colorado no later than Friday morning - early. Racing will start at 12PM sharp Friday afternoon. Depending on size of field of racers, it will go down as 2 qualifying runs, and a single or dual elimination.

Saturday Dual GS-
This is not an experiment. We've run lots of courses that were on curves (albeit less extreme than the breck hill). What we will do that WILL be different is that the finish line will be even, NOT staggered. This method of course plotting will off-set the start line, like in track. "Inside" lane will start higher up the hill than the "outside" lane. This will be as mathematically correct as my communications degree will allow me to make it.

The curve is a left hander. This feature favors the Goofy Footed Racer potentially because, well, your turning more left than right. Given that I will be setting the course (with a little help from all of you guys), and given that I am Regular Foot, I suspect the "Goofy Foot" advantage will not be huge because I'm not going to set heel side gates that I can't pump to or otherwise make.

My course setting goal is to make the lanes as close to each other as possible in speed, difficulty, and actual course layout. Flow and rythum are king, followed closely by matching the run time of both lanes. If this makes the lanes un-identical, so be it. I'll be looking forward to constructive criticism from racers that'll be there early.

We'll have the hill for a full 8 hours prior to the racing. That ought to give us enough time to dial a couple of really excellent courses (single and dual). I will not be able to publish a race course prior to event since the road is in constant use, but I will go run it with my mates around here and give you all a report on hill speed, equipment, and "proposed" course set ups. Good enough?

On Sunday we will MOVE to a dowtown venue for the Tight Slalom race. I don't know how tight the tight will be so don't ask, but I did notice an overall interest out there to make the gates tighter. I reckon there will be a lot of 5.5 and some 5's. It just depends on how fast the hill is. We will be one block north of where we were last year, now on Washington St. The advantages to Washington Street are: A.) No snobby Tapas Bar owners to deal with B.) A slightly longer hill (perhaps 15 more cones) C.) A stretched mid-section that flattens out to accomodate some series tight gates. D.) No residential driveways.

Next week I will post pictures on Washignton Street TS venue here. Until then, here are some pics of the GS location.
<img src="http://www.asphaltplayground.com/images ... art_sm.jpg">
This is looking down from the start line

<img src="http://www.asphaltplayground.com/images ... _up_sm.JPG">
This is looking up toward the start from the curve

<img src="http://www.asphaltplayground.com/images ... own_sm.jpg">
This is looking down course from curve. The overhead walkway is a double decker. The top is open. The finish line will be directly below that walkway. Should make a great vantage point for the cameras.

Pictures of the TS course soon.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Gary Fluitt on 2003-04-15 13:42 ]</font>

[Henry Julier]

Gary-

I need to know-

where to fly into

how to get to breck from there

where to stay (cheap!)

My dad and I are hoping we don't have to get a rental car!

Henry

[Gary Fluitt]

Fly into Denver International Airport.

It's about a 2 hr. drive to the hill from the airport casue the airport is basically in Kansas.

There are shuttles from the airport to Breckenridge. I think the shuttle is about $50. My guess is it's cheaper to rent a car if you are more than 1 person in your party.

The place to stay on the cheap is the Fireside Inn in Breckenridge. It's a youth hostel sort of affair. It was taken over by slalom skaters last year and was quite the scene last year I'm told. I will try to get a deal set up with them and post a number here.

Gary