Urban X 2012 - Off-Road goes inner city for the first event of this year

2 weeks ago I was stood covered in carpet fluff and dirt looking across the first track I have ever built outside of my local club environment. The track was set to stage the first round of my very own race series called Urban X. 88 drivers arrived early the next day at the central Birmingham venue to race and socialise in a fresh new space, never before used in the Midlands off-road racing scene.

The Custard Factory complex in Digbeth Birmingham is located approximately 300 yards from the city centre shopping malls and attractions, and boasts wonderful food and relaxation facilities a stones throw from the race track. Racers who booked in to enjoy this first round of the planned 4 round annual series were greeted with a bright red carpet and polished floor surface, that incorporated a challenging corner table-top and fast flowing chicanes and straights.A really fast lap pace of 8.4 seconds! was set by Team Losi racing legend Darren Bloomfield during practice that lifted the bar for both 10th and 16th lap times across the event.

I was truly blown away by how many racers came to visit this new venture and I am extremely grateful for all the love and support that the scene has shown this new concept. As many of you will know already, organising a large scale race meeting is a massive responsibility and potentially complicated task with some really unique challenges. I enjoyed every single minute of this, my first venture into off-road race meeting promotion. Check out the collection of photos below taken during the day. Thank you to every single person who contributed to making this first Urban X a truly awesome event. Stay tuned for more very soon :)

TLR 22 pops over the springy 'sleeping policeman' and gets ready for the slippy

C4.1 and TLR 22 hit the slippy and battle for the line off the first kicker ramp

It was great to see the relaxed community feel in the pit area during the event. Phat Bodies own Si Osbourne chats with his fellow racers

The micro racers really loved the track lay-out. ORRC's Dave Williams pushes around the rumble section with his mini 8ight

Most 10th 2wd racers were running mid-motor cars but we still saw a few traditional lay-outs at Urban X

The red carpet provided good grip levels for most racers and had a certain Xmas feel about it :)

The rostrum seemed just nice for our 8 driver heats

Local legend Andy Mountford ran a nicely set-up X6 in 10th 2wd

I really can not wait to set about organising my second round of Urban X. A BIGGER track, more challenging features, and another great city-based venue with easy access and top class facilities will await those who fancy some indoor carpet thrashing in early spring 2012.