High Gear Racing: Working Hard to Bring Michigan Downhill into the New Millennium

Article adapted from Michigan Sports and Fitness Magazine - August 2002

 

High Gear Racing Promotions, Inc. (commonly referred to as HGR) was founded in the Fall of 2000 by John Frucci, in an effort to re-vitalize the Michigan Downhill Racing Scene, and to improve his own riding.  With the help of Michigan Downhiller Chris Kring, High Gear Racing has done just that - and then some.

 

“We found ourselves going to the NORBA Nationals, and races at Plattekill Mt. in New York, and were just totally floundering.  We knew that that the bar had to be raised locally in terms of course construction, so we could train effectively to compete nationally.  What better way to do that, than to start a company, build your own courses, and put on your own races?”  says Frucci.

 

HGR essentially has two components:  

  • Mountain Bike Race/Event Promotion

  • Mountain Bike Rider Development (via its Race Team and Sponsored Rider Program)  

These two components of HGR fuel each other, and have proven to be a high octane mixture over the last 2 years; allowing for the highly successful development of both ventures over that time.

 

High Gear hosted their first Downhill event in the Summer of 2001.  Their first event attracted over 20 riders, TV coverage, and yes – 1 ambulance.

 

“We decided that we had a potentially good venue in Kalamazoo (Z2) to host the 2001 NORBA State DH Championships, so we said let’s go for it, ” states Chris Kring.  The event attracted nearly 100 participants (and nearly twice as many spectators) and showed Midwest riders that you don’t always have to travel to the coasts to have challenging downhill and dual slalom, fun.

 

Building on their 2001 success, High Gear came out with guns blazing for 2002, which included a full on downhill assault of Boyne Mt. and re-visits to their popular Kalamazoo venue.   The High Gear Boyne Course was voted as the Rider’s Favorite Course, in an Arm Site Poll (www.thearmsite.com), and Z2 (Kalamazoo course) continued to provide challenges and excellent spectator opportunities within minutes of downtown Kalamazoo.

 

In conjunction with the 2002 NORBA State DH Championship held at Boyne Mt., HGR co-hosted a charity Single Speed event to benefit Michigan Youth Cycling.  The event was  labeled “The Great Lakes Single Speed Championship” and utilized the most challenging terrain Boyne Resort had to offer.  The event was a enjoyed by all and opened the doors for HGR's expansion into Short Track and Cross Country Events, and has prompted a 2nd Annual GLSS Championship for 2003 to take place at Searchmont Resort.

 

To date, HGR has hosted 6 highly successful NORBA DH events and doesn't plan on slowing down in the future.

 

For 2003, HGR  brings a new venue to Midwest riders:  Searchmont Resort in Sault Ste. Marie, ON.  

 

Only 5.5 hours from Kalamazoo and Detroit, this mountain will provide the basis for the evolution in Midwest Downhill that HGR has spearheaded over the last 2 seasons.  September 20th and 21st, of 2003, bring the NORBA AMBC Series to Searchmont, which will prove to be the biggest cycling event of the year in the Midwest.  

 

HGR plans on making Searchmont the focus of its efforts in 2003 with 3 other race events including a joint NORBA/Ontario Cup Event, multiple non-race Free-ride weekends, and skills clinics to the picturesque Western Ontario mountain.  Kalamazoo race fans won't be left in the cold with a 3rd return to the "little hill with a whole lot going on" in 2003, as well.

 

Currently, HGR Riders are tearing it up on the National Downhill and Dual circuits. 

 

Junior rider Ryan Mulder, is currently one of the top Junior downhill and dual slalom prospects in the country, as is Women’s Expert Class rider, Stacey Osburn.  Master Semi-Pro downhiller, John Leslie signed with HGR for 2002-2003 and is looking forward to improving his 3rd Place Master’s World Downhill Championship result from 2002.  Chris Kring has steadily moved up the ranks of the Master’s Expert Field and John Frucci is currently ranked in the Top 100 of the Senior Expert Class, Nationally.

 

So next time you’re at one of High Gear's events or the NORBA National races, stop by and say, “Hi,” to the guys and girl of High Gear Racing.  Make sure you sneak a ride on one of their bikes too.  They’d  be more than happy to let you check them out – as long as you have fun doing it.  

 

Hit Counter