Last Thursday at the Sea Otter Classic bicycle event, NHS and Road Rider hosted an invitational downhill race on the famed Laguna Seca Raceway. The IGSA sanctioned event was both a throwback to the 1981 Laguna Seca event but it looks like it might become a permanent stop on their tour with so many riders and organizers wearing big smiles throughout the day.
Downhill veteran and NHS President Bob Denike mans the shuttle.
At the bottom turn before the finish line.
NHS’ Connor Welles, one of the contest organizers was psyched.
Local Monterey pro Zarosh Eggleston entered and was running pretty well by day end against guys that do this all the time. Here he is early, try to sort it all out.
NMen legend Randy Katen, course official.
Racers coming down the course under the iconic bridge during practice.
Lots of bumping going on during practice.
At the top corner, there was a nice gallery going on with media, local celebs, industry icons, and skateboard fans.
The heckle section featuring David Freil.
Mofo, Joe Brook, and Greg Smith paparazzi.
Legendary SF hill bomber Noah Peacock giving it a go.
Blackhart got in the shuttle and was ruling the corners
Emmanuel Guzman showed up!
George Powell and Rich Novak shooting the shit.
Jack Smith and Jeff Kendall
These guys were here in 81; Mofo, Katen, and Tim Piumarta.
NHS sales staffer Brook killing the other shuttle van.
Zarosh and Brook lookin like they just got married… Oh wait, they did!
Blackhart was psyched!
At the bottom of the course, everyone was slapping fives.
These guys have been to a few races in their day; Jamie Hart, Don Bostic, and John Hutson, once the fastest human on a skateboard.
Which does not go unnoticed by today’s downhillers.
Here with Biker Sherlock.
Results:
1. Kyle Wester
2. Andrew Mercado
3. Graham Buksa
Here is some video coverage from the event at ThrasherMagazine.com
