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Scotland’s outdoor sports industry, already suffering from one of the wettest summers on record, could be further hit by event cancellations, including downhill races such as the Ae and Dunkhill races.
For the first time in 14 years the Scottish Downhill Association (SDA), a not-for-profit organisation responsible for Scotland’s National Downhill Series, are considering cancelling the popular annual fixtures due to lack of entries.
Derek Ball, vice-chairman of the SDA told BikeBiz: “Ae and Dunkeld are usually two of our best events with entrants from across the UK and Ireland. Until recently, places in our races were in great demand and a typical 300-capacity race would sell out in less than 30 minutes. For the first time ever we will have to consider canceling these events due to lack of entrants.
"We know times are tough for everyone due to the recession and the weather, but we need the support of the mountain biking community to secure the future of this series. If you don’t care about a bit of mud, but do care about Scottish downhill biking we need your entries now.”
Scotland has been named a mountain biking ‘Global Superstar’ by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), and in 2011 alone the sport contributed an estimated £139 million to the Scottish economy.
To enter Ae or Dunkeld races register online with British Cycling:
www.britishcycling.org.uk/events
Race dates:
Dunkeld 11/12th August 2012
Ae Forest 8/9th September 2012
