VRD kicks off mountain bike racing season Wednesday with first short track event in Eagle

The Vail Recreation District (VRD) will kick off its 2012 mountain bike race season this week with its first Spring MTB Short Track race, one of four short track races taking place this spring.

The first race will take place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 25 at the Eagle County Fairgrounds in Eagle and will offer participants up to 20 minutes of intense racing around a short track loop.

Race-day activities begin at 5 p.m. with day-of registration, which will last until 6:30 p.m. The first race of the event begins at 5:30 p.m. for kids ages 8 to 10 years, followed by a race at 5:45 p.m. for kids ages 11 to 14 years. Adult races will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the Beginner Category and continue with the Sport Category at 6:25 p.m.

The final race, for bicyclists in the Expert Category, will begin at 6:50 p.m. Costs to participate in the races are $5 for kids and $12 for adults. Registration for the entire Spring MTB Short Track Series costs $15 for kids and $40 adults.

The short track races will take place on a short, dirt loop, with adult participants completing as many laps as possible in 20 minutes with an average lap taking approximately two minutes to finish. The length of time for the children's racers is five minutes for ages 8 to 10 and 10 minutes for ages 11 to 14.

An after party will be held at Dusty Boot in Eagle following the race for all participants and spectators. All racers will have the chance to win raffle prizes and adult racers will receive a free Bud Light. Unlike the seven races the VRD has planned this summer for the Athletic Club at the Westin's Vail, Beaver Creek Mountain Bike Race Series, the Spring MTB Short Track Series will not award prizes or points for individual racers or teams.

The Spring MTB Short Track race series will continue May 2 at 4 Eagle Ranch near Wolcott, May 9 at Maloit Park in Minturn and, the final race, May 16 at Beaver Creek. All races begin at 5:30 p.m.

Sponsors of the 2012 Spring MTB Short Track Series include the Athletic Club at the Westin, East West Resorts, Vail Valley Medical Center, Beaver Creek Resort, Bud Light, Apex Dental, Central Rockies Mortgage, Honey Stinger, Howard Head Sports Medicine and Dusty Boot.

Preregistration for the first MTB Short Track Race as well as information about VRD's action-packed lineup of spring and summer mountain bike activities is available by calling 970-479-2280 or clicking here.