For the second consecutive event, Mother Nature treated downhillers to delightfully tacky (yet refined) dirt on the typically dusty, rock-strewn and sandy terrain of the Shimano Winter Series in Fontana, California. Despite what seems like a decade’s worth of rain having fallen on the Southland in recent weeks, resulting in winter’s standard issue flash floods, mudslides and rage-inducing traffic jams, the Fontana dirt was once again a racer’s paradise.
    In recent years, handfuls of World Cup downhillers escape their winter weather to do some runs at the Shimano Winter Series. Round two had the Athertons in attendance, with Gee narrowly beating Eric Carter by less than a second in pro downhill. This past Saturday at round three Chain Reaction/Intense Cycles racers Matti Lehikoinen and 2007 Junior World Champion Ruaridh Cunningham rode in practice, while 2009 US National Champion and SoCal native Aaron Gwin once again competed on the course that kicked off his career.


Each race, the Southridge crew lays out new courses. The past four or five downhill tracks have been some of the best in years. Round three’s course was divided into pro/expert and beginner/sport sections, with the tracks joining about halfway down. Photo: Ryan Cleek


After 50 pro men downhillers descended the course, Eric Carter edged out Aaron Gwin for the win by about a half-second. Photo: Chris Wood.
Look for your photo on Chris’ Winter Race Series Gallery.   


Southridge Park is nestled away inside the Inland Empire.  Photo: Ryan Cleek


Rumors of Jet Ski races to be held in the parking area now known has Lake Fontana have yet to be confirmed. Photo: Ryan Cleek


The team KHS train features new riders Chris Heath (front) and Blake Carney (back) with team manager Quinton Spaulding in the middle. Blake was racing a prototype 7.5-inch-travel bike with a Manitou Dorado fork. Photo: Ryan Cleek

 
After dropping anchor in Lake Fontana, the Gorton’s Fisherman made time for a few downhill runs. Photo: Ryan Cleek


“Big House” had a good weekend with two podium results. Rich finished third in super d and fifth in downhill. Photo: Ryan Cleek


After spending time in Colorado, Yeti racer Aaron Gwin returned home to California for some Southridge downhilling, to check out Anaheim Supercross  #3, and visit Fox Racing Shox. Photo: Ryan Cleek


Bryson Martin rails one of the tasty berms en route to ninth in junior expert downhill. Photo: Ryan Cleek


Curious as to what happened to that sweet left-hand berm which disappeared before your race run?  Photo: Ryan Cleek


Kevin Aiello sends it in practice.  Photo: Emily Duke


Although the downhill course had incredible traction on race day, intermittent rains during Saturday’s practice made some sections sloppy.
Photo: Ryan Cleek


Luke Wronski rolls the top section of the pro/expert course. He would finish fifth on race day in expert men 19-26. Photo: Ryan Cleek


Logan Binggeli looked fast all weekend. His race run was good enough for seventh out of 50 pro racers. Photo: Ryan Cleek


It’s a little known fact that Foes Racing once produced a Pauly Shore signature model. In Fontana it’s not uncommon to see downhill bikes of yesterday from SoCal brands like Foes, Intense and Turner. Photo: Ryan Cleek


Complete results for Southridge Winter Series #3