WET TIRES OF FIRE.
November 19, 2009

Over the weekend Red Bull held their annual "Tires of Fire" long skid competition. There was a lot of chatter amongst the riders in the days leading up to the day, especially given the previous year's result, with a winning effort and an unofficial world record 270m (885ft) skid. This year however, with the event moving close to the downtown area, Red Bull could only obtain a 200m road closure for the event, with a 50m run-up to the start point.

Unfortunately for the competitors it started to bucket down during the start of the competition. Riders wondered if it made it easier or harder, but all agreed that it made the competition a little harder in the run-up, with a few riders losing traction and speed sprinting towards the start mark. While the wet road enabled the riders to slide a little further towards the end of their attempt, it was hard work for them keeping the bike in a straight line with the weight shift from a sprinting position to a NtoS (nuts to stem) skid.

Incumbent champion and local messenger Ken White returned to defend his '08 title, and laid a solid benchmark at about 140m on his first attempt. Was quite impressive watching him take off in a sprint heading towards the start point and he managed to keep his rig on the straight and narrow.

The lone female competitor Tabitha (left) also managed a great effort - as Jenna Makgill, previous women's CMWC champion watched on.

The podium.

1st place (centre) = Ken White (185m / 606ft)
2nd place (left) = Max Ginger (148m / 485ft)
3rd place (right) = Conrad Smith (121m / 396ft) (AY YO CHECK OUT HIS TEE YOHEI!)

Here is a ten minute edit chopped up by Red Bull, part of which aired on national station TV3's "Nightline" news program over the weekend. "Pash the asphalt".

Naturally, it wouldn't be a fixed gear event without some reference to a sausage fest of sorts. Luckily for us, Jeff is an expert at drawing penixes. No beef.