16th Annual Southridge Challenge
November 18, 2007

Report by Dylan Dean
Photos by Dylan Dean, Monique Spaulding, Heather Zaragoza


With the rest of the country starting to settle down for the winter, southern California is still going strong with their final race of the year.  The 16th Annual Southridge Challenge took place this past Sunday in Fontana, California (the first stop in 2008's NMBS series).  With the temperatures in the high 70's, you couldn't ask for a better setting (considering it's in FONTANA! haha).   

Regardless that the weather in So Cal was downright beautiful, I was a little surprised to see how many people showed up to the event!  It must have something to do with the tremendous love & support for TARA LLANES!  Don Jackson, Southridge promoter, announced earlier in the year that a portion of the proceeds would go to Tara recovery fun (www.tarallanesroadtorecovery.com).  A great jesture by both Southridge & those who participated!

Another site to see what the return of the true TEAM HOUSEMAN!  Big House's little bro, Gary Houseman, made his return to racing after a long hiatus.  Decked out in Rich's Yeti & Fox gear, Yeti bike & Monster Energy Helmet, Gary snuck by many who simply though they saw his big bro racing down the track again!  Even having been off the bike for well over a year & not having raced since his Syndicate days, Gary looked good on the bike!  He blasted through the rock sections w/ ease & punished the corners!  He admitted that he suffered on the wall, but stated that no matter if he was in shape or not, that wall was gonna hurt!  Gary finished a respectable 11th place for the day.  Keep your eyes open for Gary during the winter series... he might just pop in from time to time!

Down to racing...  so much racing to go over, I'll just let the photos speak for themselves.  Needless to say, Cody Warren (C-Dub Racing) threw down!  Cody spent countless hours w/ his moto buddy Aaron Gwin, doing run after run after run!  Seems someone is having a bit of fun & getting ready for '08!


Pro Men DH Results
1. Cody Warren - C-Dub Racing
2. Waylon Smith
3. Aaron Gwin - C-Dub Racing
4. Ben Furbee
5. Rich Houseman - Team Yeti/Fox/Sponsorhouse

Pro Women DH Results
1. Michelle Rivera
2. Lisa Reinhard - Amp'd / Intense
3. Stephanie Gaudreau
4. Christina Hirst
5. Nancy Harris

Semi-Pro DH Results
1. Ely Woody
2. Jonathan Buckell
3. Preston Moore
4. Steve Busher
5. Aaron Potter


For the rest of the results, check out Southridge USA.
 

Crowded shuttle lines made walking up the hill a little more appealing
 

Cody Warren OWNED the course!  1st place finish with force!


With no wind, the course turned out to be one of the dustiest in ages!


Although riders commented on how fun the sandy turns were,
you had to pay close attention to the rock garden

Ben Furbee recently jumped to the Pro ranks... with a bit of a surpise! 4th place for the PINNer!


After a several year hiatus, Gary Houseman made a surprise
entry in the Pro field - 11th place.

You could practically watch the entire course from the shuttle road!


Rocks Hurt

Waylon Smith loves the number "2"...  #2 number plate, 2nd place finish


Evelio Suarez was a busy man this weekend, in between practice & racing,
reppping for Nema, SDG, Iron Horse... he escorted people to the hosptial!


Some riders were able to muster up enough energy for the flat sprint to the finish...


...others weren't so lucky!


Pro Men's DH Podium


Pro Women's DH Podium


Semi-Pro DH Podium
 

The crew of Southridge USA.  Thank to them, we've still got racing in southern California!