New course promises loads of fun (pic: Luke Webber)

Following a successful debut of race promotion in 2007, XC racers James Hampshire and Nadine Spearing present the Mammoth Midlands XC Series, with a little help from their friends at round one on 30 March.

The biggest news for 2008 is an exclusive course in Hanchurch for race use only. Local elite Yeti rider and trailbuilder Martyn Brookes has been mapping out an extraordinary route minutes from the M6 with stunning views across heath land into Stoke, before diving into a labyrinth of singletrack buried undercover in the woods.

The five mile course will present a great opportunity for licensed riders to pick up their first British Cycling points just two weeks prior to the opening round of the new British National Series - something to think about if it's a good grid position you're after at the races.

The big ace for this new course is the fun factor. If you like loamy woodland singletrack, thrilling high speed descents and weaving through trees, this event will be right up your street. Martyn has even gone out and deemed it “the best course of the year by a long way” and if it stays dry I'd have to agree. Don't take my word for it - check out the videos here and see for yourself.

Following the obligatory fireroad bash and a brief climb, riders will enter the first singletrack, before opening out into a couple of berms and small rock passes. Cutting through deep bracken leads to the perimeter before the best challenge of all; the big dipper.

If the videos, words and photos have inspired make sure you enter today. Pre-entries are filling up fast on XCRacer.com and there are limited places available.

Note though that race day parking is not in abundance so if you can, carshare. With responsible use this is a superb race venue that can be developed for years to come - without the enthusiasm of Lord Stafford this would not be possible so we request you only ride here on race day. In return for using his woods the Landowner has asked for a donation to be made to a local charity. Therefore a collection will be taken for parking.

Hanchurch Woods is situated to the South West of Stoke-on-Trent and minutes from junction 15 of the M6. The event arena is off Drayton Road and will be signposted from the A500/A519 roundabout. Parking is situated at the event site and at the adjacent car park and will be marshaled on race day.