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SMC Straight Creek race more than a straight-up challenge

Shauna Farnell

DILLON – A few riders might get wet in the third event of the 2002 Summit Mountain Challenge (SMC) Race Series tonight at Straight Creek in Dillon.

The race is a dual time trial, both uphill and downhill, with four separate finish lines depending on the race category. Three of the four involve crossing the creek.

“The first year Straight Creek was used for the race was two years ago,” said SMC organizer Jeff Westcott. “Then, it was a straight-uphill climb. Last year, we thought, what a cool opportunity to time the downhill portion and do a combined thing. It’s a good idea, but a difficult thing to do.”



The Straight Creek race is tricky for organizers to pull off because there is no cell phone or radio communication possible along the course, which parallels Interstate 70 heading up toward the Eisenhower Tunnel. Thus, organizers said compiling race results is a time-consuming process and it’s possible that results won’t be available until Thursday following the race.

Racers will begin in the uphill race with a LeMans start and will be released individually for the downhill portion depending on the order they finish the uphill segment.



The race begins at 5:45 p.m. Race-day registration is $18 per rider and will close at 5:30 p.m. The post-race party will take place at the Backcountry Brewery in Frisco. For a course map, directions to the starting line or more race information, visit http://www.mavsports.com.

Shauna Farnell can be reached at (970) 668-3998, ext. 236, or at sfarnell@summitdaily.com.


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