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Dave & Lindsey Pearce
6th November 2005 - James
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Any riders who live anywhere near the Midlands will have heard of the Pearce's.
They've been running events in the area for just over 10 years now, and have been involved with the FC in building new tracks, keeping existing venues and trying to push DH and XC in a big way.
Not only that - they host some of the best events around. Take the National Championships at Bringewood this year, the track was the best ever at Bringewood, the uplifts were spot on, no timing problems, we had a proper pit area and they even organised the weather!
We wanted to find a bit more about it all. We tried to keep it short because Dave & Lindsey are busy people! Here goes..
Why did you start organising events ten years ago? What started it all?
We started organising events to promote our shop and cycle team. We had helped Ludlow CC do a couple of XC events but the big jump into major events came about when Bruce Johnson from BC contacted us because a NPS had been cancelled at Mansell Lacy, Hfds and he wanted to know if we would be prepared to do something at Hopton.
What were the numbers like to start with?
DH numbers were low and XC very high at first, but there has been a significant change around in recent years.
When you’re looking for a new venue, what are the key things?
Elevation of hill and what natural features there are. Needs a good area at the bottom for race village/parking. Good uplift track and easy access for First Aid. Good access by public road.
What do you think is the state of downhill now, is it good or bad?
State of DH is now good. Riders take it much more seriously. There are more good organisers now who are not just out to make a quick profit. Also good to see so many young people coming into the sport.
Did you expect that ten years later you’d have 300 people turning up to race on a freezing cold day in winter?
No! Amazed at people's willingness to get wet and cold!
What’s the secret behind the uplifts? They always seem to be running perfectly where other races suffer badly.
Not skimping on uplift - guage how many tractors to riders, keep safety in mind - use the right kind of trailers. Good relationship with local farmers.
If you weren’t running the shop and the races, what would you be doing?
Because our life seems to be built around organising races/uplift it would be difficult to think what else we might do! (LP says would always give travelling the world a try)
If you could have done one thing different so far in 2005, what would it be?
Would have held this year's National Champs XC on a different weekend - never had such a wet race ever!
What can we look forward to in 2006, in terms of races & venues?
2006 Winter series- hopefully with new course at Hopton and a new 3rd venue. Involved with Midland Series - new venues for this.
What involvement with the Forestry Commission do you have?
Very much involved with FC, we work very well with them.
What’s the support like from the FC in new venues and races?
Support from FC for venues and races is good. They have a lot of input and suggest venues, like to know any feedback so can improve etc.
How much of your business in the shop is from downhill?
XC still the major part, split maybe 60/40 xc-dh
If you could change anything in downhill, races, bikes, whatever, what would it be?
Would be interesting to explore changing the category system - maybe look at ability, rather than age - how they do it in MX.
Do you have much hassle from riders at a race? What would make your life easier?
Riders are loads better than they used to be. I think they realise that we are on their side, prepared to listen to what they say and adjust accordingly (if constructive). Having all riders pre-entered would make life so much easier, seeding/race times/number of tractors for uplift could all be sorted out before race day. We organise racing in our spare(!) time and the more you can get done before race day, the better. You'd be surprised how people complain they are wrongly seeded on the start list yet only entered that morning!
So there you have it. I suggest you should definately check out PearceCycles.co.uk for all the latest info on tracks and races, as well as superseries.net for info about the Midlands Super Series!
Big thanks to Lindsey & Dave Pearce for agreeing to do this with us, go have a look in the shop if you're ever in the area, its like Aladdins cave for bike bits!
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