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Pinkbike.com is proud to introduce the 2008 Fluidride Cup.

March 20, 2008

Published by fluidridecup


After months of obtaining feedback from racers and careful deliberation, Fluidride, Hurricane racing, and NDub productions have teamed up to create the ultimate race series in the Pacific Northwest. Combining two of the most well respected race venues in the PNW, the series consists of six races over six months. With four of the six races counting toward the overall "CUP", any rider wanting to give the series a go should have a crack at the overall titles.

The Pacific North West has one of the largest Downhill scenes in the Nation, and after losing the WIM series in 2005, has had very few racing options. This is where the Cup comes into play. "Offering a chance for so many new riders in the Region to come out and give DH, and Dual Slalom racing a go, was one of our biggest reasons for creating the Cup" Says Fluidride owner Simon Lawton.

Port Angeles “Dry Hill” sits in the rain shadow of the Olympic mountains, which means it gets a bit less rain than other areas in the Pacific Northwest. NDub productions, along with the Olympic Dirt Society have been busy making some of the best trails anywhere in this area, which offer a mix of bermed turns, lush rain forest single track, and wide open lines with some big jumps. There is truly something for every category at this event, from the beginner friendly ‘White Knuckle' to the very technical ‘Pro Course', as well as several other tracks which offer great flow; no two races at this venue will be the same.


Lars Sternberg Attacking the Upper Section

Mt Hood has been offering some of the best racing in the country for over twenty years. While there are fewer tracks to choose from than in Port Angeles, the tracks offer a huge amount of terrain diversity from top to bottom, in addition to stunning views of Mt Hood at the starting line. The 1400′ plunge starts near the tree line at just over 5,000 feet on broken shale through scruby trees. From there, it's into Cannonball, a mix of very rough jeep road, sweeping turns and a tricky rock garden sometimes thrown in for good measure. Exiting Cannonball, riders have a few seconds of fire road to get their game together for the single track to come. Beginners enjoy sweeping turns; sport riders have a mix of great open European style single track along with some rock; while pro riders go on to some off camber rock sections leading into the Deck Drop to steep epic NW style fall line single track through the woods with natural features and gaps sure to test riders of any skill.


In addition to Downhill, Mt Hood will be offering Dual Slalom racing for the first time in a decade. Long live Dual Slalom!

Fluidride guarantees $500.00 to the pro mens DH winner at each event and at least $200 to the winning Pro woman in the DH category. Payout goes to the top TEN fastest times of the day, regardless of category. Petr Kakes of Hurricane racing has used this format for the last decade and has proven it to be a successful proponent to help groom the faster Experts into Professionals.


Everyones a winner

Dates are as follows:
FRCup 1
Port Angeles
April 4th - 6th
FRCup 2
Mt. Hood
May 10th - 11th
FRCup 3
Port Angeles
June 5th - 7th
FRCup 4
Mt Hood
July 12th - 13th
FRCup 5
Port Angeles
Aug 22nd - 24th
FRCup 6
Mt Hood
Sept. 27th - 28th


Pinkbike.com Profile for all things related to the 2008 Fluidride Cup-http//:fluidridecup.pinkbike.com

Forum Thread about the 2008 Fluidride Cup Race series: http://www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=25829

Please check out The FluidRide Cup's Website too to learn more about the shop behind the race series.
  • + 3 props
flag bmxracer62 (March 25, 2008 at 6:37) (Below Threshold) show comment
dude was gettin a little squirly
  • + 1 props
flag nlitworld (March 25, 2008 at 6:52) (Below Threshold) show comment
Yeah, this series is going to be awesome. There's always a good turnout for the Hood races as well as the keg after the race, so hopefully it gets even better this year. Bring on the Dual Slalom!!!
  • + 1 props
flag udogguy (March 25, 2008 at 6:59) (Below Threshold) show comment
That's a chunky spot to slam... definitly nice save.

Sounds like an awesome series.
  • + 0 props
flag sinnerSLO (March 25, 2008 at 9:54) (Below Threshold) show comment
That was a nice save, I will crash 100%
  • + 2 props
flag m3hl (March 25, 2008 at 9:59) (Below Threshold) show comment
Introduce? pinkbike doesnt sponsor this? what is being introduced?
  • + 0 props
flag brule (March 25, 2008 at 10:14) (Below Threshold) show comment
We're going to be at all events covering the races and writing stories on each one. We will be promoting the racing in your area, so I guess that's a good introduction
  • + 0 props
flag sgsrider (March 25, 2008 at 13:06) (Below Threshold) show comment
that's awesome brule...way to get some exposure to the race scene in the pac nw. I think this will really get dry hill out there in terms of exposure. the crew @ ODS has done some really killer trailwork out there since a few years ago when mosely left. it is some killer riding and for the peninsula, it is fairly accessible to everyone. the pinkbike guys could just hop on the victoria ferry to pa and be there in a few hours.
  • + 1 props
flag northwestdhdad (March 25, 2008 at 11:00) (Below Threshold) show comment
HELL YEAH! This is going to be a fun year! Last years events and photos can be found here, here and here.
  • + 0 props
flag sgsrider (March 25, 2008 at 13:04) (Below Threshold) show comment
this is going to be an awesome season...too bad i can only get the day off for some of the races. i will try to make it out to the dry hill races on the 6th, but i don't know about any of the mt hood races. working sales 5 days a week and on saturdays sucks. lol.
  • + 0 props
flag dher0521 (March 25, 2008 at 14:29) (Below Threshold) show comment
is pink bike going to give prizes to winning riders?
  • + 0 props
flag happystinkyman (March 27, 2008 at 16:34) (Below Threshold) show comment
What about Willamette Pass? Randy has stepped down as promoter and the 'Pass has taken over, why not make this a series with 9 races at 3 venues rather than 6 at 2 venues....not wanting to draw the S. Oregon or N. Cali riders ow what?
  • + 0 props
flag CaptainBLT (March 27, 2008 at 20:35) (Below Threshold) show comment
well, seeing as Fluid Ride is based in Seattle and now Issaquah WA, is it such a surprise that they don't want to have an event a full day's drive away?
  • + 0 props
flag fluidridecup (March 31, 2008 at 22:57) (Below Threshold) show comment
OBRA has that series, this one is run by USA Cycling.......

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