The second annual SMP Shanghai Showdown exploded out of the SMP Skatepark Thursday 6th October 2006. Coinciding with the National public holiday and "Moon" Festival, the event had a great holiday vibe to it. Thousands of spectators crammed the bleachers and standing areas.

This year 3 separate areas of the park were to host competitions: the Street Plaza, the 150' wide, 13' transition SMP Vert Ramp and the biggest concrete skate bowl in the world the Mondo Bowl. Plus the SMP FMX ramps were positioned ready for action right at the entrance.

After the opening ceremony, first up was the Local Chinese Skate Street Comp. Four athletes pre-qualified the week before for the finals. All riders were visibly nervous, but received great support from the local crowd. A great result for 19 year old SMP rider Wang Hui Feng taking a Bronze medal against seasoned competition. Results:
1. Jonny Tang
2. Wang Ming Jun
3. Wang Hui Feng

Next up was the Local Chinese BMX Street Comp. Riders were able to take advantage of the repositioned 5' quarter pipe and 8' concrete transitions and banks and take to the air. Results: 1. Liang Le Min
2. Chen Hao Feng
3. Zhong You Cai
4. Zhang Wei Kang (unable to compete due to injury)

After the BMX comp, the SMP International FMX crew led by Luke Cole, and supported by Brett Sutherland and Joel Brown revved in to action. The FMX ramp was set in position, and the crowd gathered, only to see the boys u-turn and make their way in to the Mondo Bowl! FMX bikes in concrete skate bowls?! This has only been done once before on a 250cc bike - and that was at the SMP Shanghai Showdown 05! Not content with carving the 15' walls, the boys hit the lines over the top of the full pipe, getting air!

As the FMX boys demo'd, the international BMX Street competitors warmed up. Koji Kraft, Dennis McCoy, Joe Rich and the legendary Mat Hoffman - in a rare competition appearance. Koji Kraft dropped a massive 360 backflip over the hip, but it still was not enough to beat the ever-green and ever-consistent Dennis McCoy. Koji did however perform his signature move after his second run: "breakfast to pavement".Results:
1. Dennis McCoy
2. Koji Kraft
3. Joe Rich
4. Mat Hoffman

As soon as the BMX guys (and Koji's breakfast) were cleared from the course the Skateboard Street competitors started their warm up. Returning champion Dayne Brummet along with Josh Evin, Willy Santos and Chris Senn were this years invitees. Simultaneously the FMX boys kicked back in to action, this time back on familiar territory - SMP's infamous FMX ramp. Jumping 30' high Luke, Brett and Joel sprayed the 3rd floor VIP deck with exhaust and wowed the crowd. Back in the Street Plaza, dared by the crowd to attack the 15 stair marble hubba, Dayne Brummet rode in to history as the first person to do the stairs in a comp, and also successfully defended his title, winning both the Street comp and the Best Trick comp. Results:
1. Dayne Brummet
2. Josh Evin
3. Chris Senn
4. Will Santos

Best Trick:
1. Dayne Brummet
2. Chris Senn
3. Willy Santos
4. Josh Evin

After being torn up by 5 successive comps and looking none the worse for it, the Street Plaza was allowed to rest. The FMX crew roared again in the background whilst Bucky Lasek, Rune Glifberg, Pierre Luc Gagnon, Sandro Dias and last years champion SMP's own Neal Hendrix warmed up for the Vert Showdown. SMP's monster vert ramp had a 1000 seat bleacher sitting on the top of it - and there was still spare space! At 150' wide, featuring a hip, loveseat and 2 massive roll ins this ramp earns it's reputation as the world's biggest, and the world's best. The free flowing style of Sandro Dias allowed him to come to terms with the metal monster the best. Results:
1. Sandro Dias
2. Bucky Lasek
3. Neal Hendrix
4. Pierre-Luc Gagnon
5. Rune Glifberg

No rest for the wicked, the Skateboard Vert Best trick comp got underway. Bucky Lasek "Nollie Flip Slob Grab Transferred over the roll-in" on his way to victory. Results:
1. Buck Lasek
2. Neal Hendrix
3. Pierre-Luc Gagnon
4. Rune Glifberg
5. Sandro Dias

Pulling double duty, Koji, Dennis, Joe and Mat warmed up for the BMX Vert comp. Mat Hoffman showed why he is the king, not only taking out the comp, but also best trick. Koji slammed hard and needed help off the ramp, but not before laying down a hard earned Bronze medal in the comp and Best Trick. Results:
1. Mat Hoffman
2. Dennis McCoy
3. Koji Kraft
4. Joe Rich

BMX Vert Best Trick:
1. Mat Hoffman
2. Dennis McCoy
3. Koji Kraft
4. Joe Rich

As the FMX boys broke through the air once again, all athletes caught their breath and headed to the Mondo Bowl - the Final Showdown. All athletes, skate street, skate vert and BMX were invited to a 20 minute Mondo Bowl Jam Session Best trick Extravaganza. Bikes boards and bodies flew in every direction. Simon Oxenham, skatepark designer and builder extraordinaire showed just how much he lives the life and joined in the madness, showing he just doesn't build 'em. Simon and the Convic crew did an amazing job constructing the SMP Skatepark and building a fine home for the SMP Shanghai Showdown.

Make sure you keep checking www.smpskatepark.com to see air dates and DVD availabilty of the SMP Shanghai Showdown 2006, so you can catch the action in full colour for yourself. Mike, Jason and the Whyte House Productions crew will be bringing pictures to a screen near you soon.

Thanks to Sean Nicholls, Dave McKay, Shaun Hogan, Tom Steel, Clare Zhang, Gina Jiang, Clement Tsang, Dave Duncan, Aaron Randolph, Sasha Steinhorst, Mark Losey, Boone Rogers, Octagon Australia, SESA, New Jiang Wan City, Chen Tou, Trinity, Whyte House Productions our sponsors and of course the SMP crew. See you for the SMP Shanghai Showdown 2007!