In January, RE ZRO® returned to the US alongside Dead Good Race Team for one of the toughest tests in flat track racing, the Cory Texter Promotions Winter Throwdown in Florida. Now in its third year at the event, the team arrived with more riders, more experience and a clear objective. To show that UK flat track talent can compete at the highest level on unfamiliar ground.

Ten riders and five crew members made the trip, racing across eight classes during a week that ran from early mornings through to late nights. Before heading south, the team stopped in Georgia at Southern Training Facility, a private MX and flat track compound used by the Deegan family. Under the lights, riders adapted to the grooved US-style track surface that differs significantly from most UK venues. Support from Parker Racing and pro riders Chad Cose, Bradon Pfanders and Declan Bender helped the team dial in quickly.

From there, it was straight into race mode in Callahan, Florida. The Winter Throwdown opens with a 1v1 shootout format that brings together some of the strongest riders in the sport. While the UK riders narrowly missed the cut for this class, they still outpaced several US Pros and gained valuable track time ahead of two full days of racing.

Across the main event, conditions were relentless. Long race days, cold temperatures and heavy dust tested both riders and equipment. Despite this, Dead Good Race Team riders reached Finals in Open Expert, Premier Expert, Women’s, 30+ and Novice classes. Highlights included Jamie Kimber finishing fifth in the Women’s Final and Jack Bell becoming the first UK rider to make a Winter Throwdown Expert Final.

Throughout the week, riders were protected by the EVS F1 Pro chest protector featuring RE ZRO® armour. Designed for high impact environments, the F1 Pro combines lightweight construction with consistent performance in cold and variable conditions. This kind of racing is exactly where RE ZRO® materials are proven, not in isolation, but in real competition with real consequences.

RE ZRO® Head of Marketing Jake Tindall was trackside throughout the event.
“Watching the Winter Throwdown trackside really underlines what these riders are dealing with. Long days, cold starts and no margin for error. Seeing our armour used in that environment, by riders pushing hard on unfamiliar tracks, is exactly why we do this. It is real world validation, not lab theory.”

For the riders, feel and comfort are just as critical as protection.
Jamie Kimber said, “The armour just disappears when you are riding. It stays flexible, even in the cold, and never feels restrictive in the races or long days between motos. You know it is there when you need it, but you are never fighting it on the bike, which makes a huge difference over a full race weekend like this.”

Team manager Rory Milton praised the collective effort across the week, highlighting how the riders adapted session by session and delivered personal wins alongside headline results.

The Winter Throwdown remains one of the most competitive flat track events in the world. Leaving Florida with multiple Finals, historic firsts for UK riders and clear momentum into the season ahead underlines how far this team has come.

RE ZRO® is proud to support Dead Good Race Team as official protection partner, backing riders who are willing to test themselves in the toughest environments and push the standard forward.

Best results

Sam Neville
Friday 30+ Final 11th
Saturday 30+ Final 9th

Danny Williams
Friday Novice Final 12th
Saturday 30+ Final 7th

Skye Adams
Friday Women’s Final 7th
Saturday Women’s Final 10th

Jacob James
Friday Open Expert LCQ 4th
Saturday Premier Expert LCQ 5th

Adam James
Friday Open Expert LCQ 4th
Saturday Premier Expert LCQ 3rd

Jamie Kimber
Friday Women’s Final 10th
Saturday Women’s Final 5th

Max Inman
Friday Novice Final 11th
Saturday Novice Final 10th

Nicole Miles
Friday Women’s LCQ 5th
Saturday Women’s LCQ 5th

Jack Bell
Friday Open Expert Final 8th
Saturday Premier Expert Final 11th

Leon Bennett
Friday Novice Final 7th
Saturday Open Am LCQ 3rd