A world-class downhill mountain biker with a flair for the dramatic is bringing his action-packed sport to a local venue this weekend.
Neko Mulally is best known for finishing fourth in the 2014 downhill mountain biking world championships after his bike's chain snapped just seconds out of the starting gate.
While there is no guarantee that such jaw-dropping feats will be on display at the TTC Gravity Park in Marion County this weekend, spectators can expect to see riders flying down 900 feet of elevation at speeds of 30-40 miles per hour.
"If you want to see some of the best high-speed, big jumps, big rock mountain biking, world-class stuff this weekend, this is the place to be," Gravity Park President Troy Roberts said.
The 6-year-old trail park has hosted races before, but Sunday's race is the first in the three-race Downhill Southeast series organized by Mulally.
Amateurs are comprising part of the 50-plus competitor field, and a handful of professionals from around the country, like Mulally, are using the series as a warm-up for international events coming later this spring.
"A lot of people, even if they're just at it for the fun of it, are anxious to get out and ride right now," said Mulally, an Asheville, N.C., resident who has trained at the Gravity Park in recent years. "That was kind of the whole premise of putting the series together. It's more about people riding and getting some bike time they might not have had during a long winter."
Racers will cover the mile-long course one at a time, starting at 10 a.m. Sunday, which is competition day. But there will also be a festive atmosphere at the finish line today, when racers are expected to complete practice runs.
California-based Mountain Bike Mania will be in town to film the race, and Oskar Blues Brewery is providing a couple of complimentary coolers of beer for participants and spectators at the finish line, where a disc jockey and announcer will pump sound into the action.
"It should create a good vibe for a Saturday afternoon, and the weather looks good, too," Mulally said. "So hopefully, some spectators will come out."
The TTC Gravity Park is on more than 650 acres and features seven trails with a variety of features. Anyone can ride for $10 throughout the year.
The trails are also used by the National and World Trials dirt bike facility. TTC stand for "Trials Training Center."
Roberts said he considers the park a Chattanooga-area attraction.
And it's one that more people will know about now that Mulally's race series is utilizing it.
"Me and Neko (Mulally) have become good friends, and he approached me with this idea," Roberts said. "And it's looking like it's going to go really well."
Contact staff writer David Cobb at dcobb@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249.