Qualifying Photo Report: Strait Acres Slalom Invitational 2021

 Agreed. Problem is manufacturers don't like it because bikes/bike styles are pretty much sorted...big BMX bikes. No droppers or crazy geometry to keep "expanding" (love my dropper ony trail bike). One can even do it on a cheap Rigid DJ

 @bman33: All us amateur DS punters ride our trail or enduro or DJ bikes - Manufacturers don't run things. I ride a size Large 170mm enduro bike that seemed huge to me in 2015 and now feels perfectly small for DS racing. There are really only a couple of major DS races a year on the West Coast anyway, so run what ya brung.

 @suspended-flesh: I have seen that lately (last few years) with most slalom races I have been to in the mountains states and southeast..."run what you brung." That said, for the most part a smaller, quicker/simpler bike is the best for the format. That said, no reason you can't race them with any type of MTB you feel comfortable on, but manufacturers know the 'Pros' will be riding smaller bikes with basically sorted geo and components, firmed up suspension that don't need some radical updates on a year or by yearly basis. A new trail bike is VASTLY different performance wise from 15 years ago. A competitive slalom bike or DJ from 15 years ago would be pretty competitive today with good tires.

 @bman33: I agree with you. This is strange.

 that's Team Big Bear Timing for ya (they rule BTW)

 New Fox Rampage Pro.