Written by Gabi Murray-Roberts.

On Thursday 31st of March the 2nd official “OUTLAWS” race was held. These races were originated by Stuart ’disco’ Barnard who described the race as an urge to satisfy the “fizz-lust” and he couldn’t be more accurate, ever since the first outlaw race down in Kirstenbosch and the High Rising Rising Downhill Xtreme fresh in their memories, the guys have been fizzing badly for another “OUTLAWS” race. I’ve taken it on myself with the help of some other fizzers to continue the ‘legacy’ of the outlaw race (find us on facebook “OUTLAWS” )

Thursday morning it was decided that a race had to be done, frantic messages and wall posts went out on facebook and ou’s started bubbling in their seats for the evening that awaited them.

8pm at the stone church… it’s on… of course 8pm became 8:30… 9:00 as it does round here in the skating community, a ‘miscommunication with the time’ was claimed … SURE! Either way the turnout was great, we had some groms who pulled in to session the second part of the hill from the Stone church and a few spectators who helped out with shuttling and spotting.

14 fizzers in total were keen on racing, but everyone was frothing to get the first run in as the guys changed wheels, tightened their trucks and suited up… some in leathers just to feel that added race fizz.

Andrew Du Toit from KD plumbing kindly supplied our shuttle. Skaters piled into the bakkie and clung on to the back as they headed up to Kirstenbosch top gate entrance. Two practice runs were done, 7 guys at a time cruised down the first straight, a nice fast run with some heavy air-braking required before the first left handed hairpin to get through safely and avoid the pole which had to be protected with a hay bale.

“YOH it’s daaaark… I was k*king myself”.

The finals had some interesting situations too with a rider trying to overtake heading into the wrong lane, hitting a cat eye and giving the rest of us chills to watch – STAY IN THE LEFT LANE – rule #2 of “OUTLAWS”.

Next up the right hander at the stone church, riders have to remain very focussed as the road has not been closed to traffic. Being an Outlaw race this is just one of the things you’ve got to factor in; there are no marshals or closed roads, only spotters and each riders regard for their own safety. After the right it’s a long fast straight to the finish, tuck hard and you will shnel at 60kms/h. This is where the guys pushed for their positions because with this hill its anyone’s race up until the last left hander, then over the bridge and into the wide right hander to the finish line by the ‘Witches House’.

4 man heats were done with guys drafting each other to make 1st and 2nd place to go through to the next round until we ended up with a final of Mike Upham, John Upham, Reece Trout and Alex Duss.

The guys pushed hard off the start line but at the end it was a neck and neck race between Mike and Reece down the last straight. Mike took the win followed by Reece, Alex then John as they crossed the finish line which had to be moved from the ‘Witches house’ to just after the bridge as the blerry women chased us away – stop your scratching!!

The race was a huge success, no major accidents and the cops only pitched up after we did the last run.

For a race that was decided on the day everything went off perfectly, thanks to Reece for helping me out with structuring the race and Andrew from KD plumbing for shuttling and the other spectators who helped out. Finally, to Flexfit headwear who helped out at our 1st “OUTLAW” race. They weren’t able to be at this race but were still more than happy to sponsor prizes for the ou’s, big ups Flexfit for your continuous support in this sport….

Oh and not forgetting the floating trophy made by ‘Disco’