The 2^nd Round of the 2009 Winter League brought us to IMBRCs new track in Ballinascorney forest just west of Dublin.Ballinascorney proved to be a fast but technical track and was a true credit to the amount of work IMBRC put in for their inaugural downhill race.Un-official practice was on Saturday with most of Flow Racing turning up to practice lines and get a feel for the course.On Sunday we had an early rise to be at sign on for 8am and practice beginning on the muddy track at 8.15 all the way through till 11 when the race runs would begin.The weather was kind to us up until the end of the 1^st race runs when it turned nasty with heavy down pours and icy conditions which resulted in some riders opting out of their 2^nd race run.This is how our riders faired.

Under 14

Adam Tarbett was the lone Flow Racing rider in U14s who was looking very quick throughout the day.With a crash in his first run the little lad got up,brushed himself off and continued on to take 3^rd with a time of 3.04 in his 2^nd run.Adam is continuing to show improvement and is a serious threat in U14s.It is only a matter of time until his foot is sercurly fastned on the top spot of the podium.

Under 16

Dan Sheridan was representing Flow Racing in U16s and put together a solid run to take 2^nd place.After only cruising down on his 1^st run and to be in 2^nd place is simply amazing.This kid has got serious talent and is the future of Irish Downhill in my opinion.When I saw him on course I could of sworn it was an elite rider blasting down the track with his sheer raw talent and speed.The NPS better watch out because Dan Sheridan will be taking no prisoners and Flow Racing will be there to back him up.

Super Vet

With only two competitors in Super Vet it was a matter of what order would they finish,Karl Thomas from Epic took the top spot with the older of the Sheridans,Tom,taking 2^nd.It will be an interesting season ahead as these two battle it out with a bit of friendly rivalry.

Senior

The Senior catagory was vacant of Flow Racing riders this time as myself and Rayhaan are having bike technicalaties at the moment but rumour has it we will be back for the next round in Cloon.Myself and Ray will be double-teaming to show our competitors what Flow Racing is all about...kicking some sweet ass.

Master

Two of our riders signed on into the very competitive and fast catagory.Fran Kearns came out of early retirement to get back into the saddle once more and blast down the hill for Flow Racing,he took an impressive 14^th place on his new shiny Santa Cruz V10.Fran is an ever improving rider who is a valuable credit to the team.A special tribute must now be paid to the one and only calm and collected Damien Duggan (DD) who took his first ever podium with an amzing 2^nd place by only 15^th of a second,Double D was flying in practice and pulled out all the stops in his race run to take his first ever podium,it is only a matter of time now until Damien is consistantly on the podium.Congradulations go out to him from all at Flow Racing.

Junior

The two Gavins were on hand here to battle it out in the ever-competitve Junior catagory.Gavin Carroll took 1^st place for Flow Racing with a time of 1.29,this rider is an absolute animal on the course and never gives up with his ever lasting determination.Gavin Kelly took home 3^rd for Flow Racing just 3 seconds off the top spot.In his first year as a Junior Gavin looks set to be a menace as he just keeps getting faster and faster on his Turner DHR.All i can say is thank god he is on our team!

Elite

Elite was packed to the brim with Flow Racing Riders,all of them baying for blood and wanting victory on the day.David Kennan took 10^th place with a puncture and also with him being exhausted from over-training the weekend before,bad luck for David who is in his first year of Elites and is looking forward to being a dangerous risk to his rivals throughout the season.Karl O'Sullivan was the man to watch this weekend,riding his little hard tail throughout practice and the race was just mesmerising to watch,nobody knew how he was staying on it and how quick he was able to go,he took home and very well deserved 7^th place.The elder of the Wolfe brothers Ger was back for his first race of 2009 on his 4X bike, which seemed to pay off on the more pedally bits of the course.Gers winter training regime is looking to be paying off for him and his determination and drive is as high as ever as he placed 4^th on the day.Seanan O'Riordan was aboard his Steel Pony for Flow Racing and put together a very fast first run to take 3^rd overall,even in muddy and gloopy conditons ya cant stop a Steel Pony from galloping on.Top honours in Elite went to the youngster of the Wolfes Dan who,even with illness and only competing in one race run,came down the hill quicker than anyone else on the day.After placing 2^nd two weeks before at Round 1 Dan was determined and hungry for the win,he knew what to do and executed it with style and speed,taking yet another win for Flow Racing.

All in all a very successful weekend for Flow Racing with an incredible 8 podiums overall.The next round will take place in Cloon hosted by EPIC and looks to be another great and competitives days racing.Until then keep the training up and the results coming in.See ya all in two weeks time,

over and out.

Luke Beattie