Race Report: SixSixOne Mini Downhill 1 March 2015

The SixSixOne Mini Downhill series is something every UK rider should try at least once, it’s not just about the race, but everything that comes with it; the people you meet, the personal goals, the atmosphere and the feeling that comes with pushing your limits on your bike. With the third round done and dusted and one round to go in just two weeks’ time, now is the time to enter and get ready to race.


Corkscrew was the chosen track for the third round with 280 riders turning up to test themselves come race day. The track was taped Saturday and a few riders took the opportunity to get some extra practice in before the race on Sunday. Corkscrew offers very little in terms of line choice but this doesn’t necessarily make it any less fun or lacking challenge, there are a few line options throughout the track for those looking to save time and it’s equally good for those who just want to enjoy a quick blast against the clock.

Master Women winner, Lindsay Hanley

Riders dropped into the track from a jump at the top of the forest, taking either a tighter inside line or sticking right before a sprint to a small jump over roots and a table. Once riders cleared the table it’s on to a super fun section with twists and turns, compressions and jumps before hitting a rooty corner and a few small drops before the fire road. The track is one of the shortest in the forest with an average time of just over a minute from top to bottom. There was time to be made up top with plenty of opportunity to put some cranks in, but the bottom section served up enough tech to be a challenge with a few line choices - this is partly what makes Corkscrew such a great track, it has a good mix of features in one small serving.
It’s great to see such a mix of riders and plenty of young talent turning up to race. A few of the young guns put down impressive race times and there is an increasingly growing number of young riders turning up and getting introduced to racing early on thanks to organiser, Chris Roberts allowing riders as young as ten to race in Rippers. There is also a good number of female riders in attendance at every round, with 17 women at round three in both Senior and Master women. The mini downhill series encapsulates getting out on your bike and having fun with your friends, trying to beat past times and gauging what level you’re at if you’ve spent the winter training hard, and it also provides an opportunity for riders to gain points early in the season before heading to the likes of Pearce Cycles Downhill, British Downhill Series and other European rounds.

Senior Men winner, Daniel Maxley

The series is always well organised with things flowing well throughout the weekend, although the race is on Sunday riders have the opportunity to practice the day before and pick up number boards on Saturday afternoon to avoid a rush come race day. The race venue has everything riders and spectators may need, from Café to showers all on site. The Forest of Dean also offers plenty of accommodation in the surrounding area for those travelling to race. With the recent addition of an extra carpark for busy race days and weekends, there is plenty of space for people without the worry of parking. The series offers prizes for the top three in every category as well as a free uplift for the winner of each category from Flyup Downhill. Although there is a relaxed atmosphere, racing is what you make it, you can turn up and ride for enjoyment just as much as you can gain points and gauge where your competitors are at, the Mini Downhill offers something for everyone.

Junior Men winner, Charlie Hatton

There was some close competition in round three, with just milliseconds separating a few competitors. The day started dry with the track running nicely, the forecast threatened rain in the afternoon and for once it was right, as the afternoon came so did the weather - starting with hail it gradually turned to rain and the track changed to a mix of wet roots and slick mud. For most riders their second run was slower due to changes in the track and fatigue but a few managed to post the same time if not a little faster, missing the afternoon rain. The fastest time of the day came from Wideopen Mag rider, Charlie Hatton, local or not his time was impressive, taking the win in Junior men with a 49.68 seconds, 3.92 seconds faster than Tom Davies in second place. In Pro-Am men, Ieuan Williams finally got his win with a storming first run and a time of 50.60 seconds, 1.56 seconds ahead of Zac Blackwell in second. Veteran men was won by Pete Little 54.47s, 2.72s ahead of Ian Bray in second place. The senior women’s category was won by Suzanne Lacey with a time of 1:00.59, 3.88 seconds ahead of Aston Tutt and Master women saw Lindsay Hanley take another win with a time of 1:08.11, winning by over six seconds ahead of Alexandra Wohlgensinger in second. Racing was tight in senior and youth with the top riders posting close times, a few riders were lucky and managed to avoid the worst of the weather, leaving the likes of the pro-am category and the senior men to contend with the wettest conditions, testing them further. Spectators lined the bottom of the course for the best action seeing riders tackle roots and a tricky finish sending them out onto slick mud that could cost precious seconds just moments from the finish line, there were a few mishaps, but nothing too serious and most people got down with no issues cheered on by friends and family beneath the trees.

Senior Women winner, Suzanne Lacey

The next round is on 22 March and will be the final round of the 2014/15 winter series in the Forest of Dean, with the possibility that there will be no summer series held in the Forest this may be your last chance to race downhill there until next winter. It was another great race and it’s not hard to see why the Mini Downhill series is so popular with riders, see you at round four!

Pro-Am Men winner, Ieuan Williams

Results

Pro-Am Men

1. Ieuan WILLIAMS - 50.60s -
2. Zac BLACKWELL - 52.16s 1.56s
3. Roger VIEIRA - 53.34s 2.74s

Ripper Boys

1. James WILSON - Wolfpax Riders - 1:06.09 -
2. Connor SMITH - Lichfield City CC - 1:06.65 0.56s
3. Daniel COPE - Team Skene - 1:07.98 1.89s

Senior Women

1. Suzanne LACEY - 1:00.59 -
2. Aston TUTT - 1:04.47 3.88s
3. Maddy BROWN - Pedalabikeaway 1:06.46 - 5.87s

Juvenile Boys

1. Morgan TYRRELL - 56.25s -
2. Chris CUMMING - 58.77s 2.52s
3. Luke WILLIAMSON - 1:02.25 6.00s

Youth Boys

1. Jordan BEIGHTON - Kreek Racing Team - 53.81s -
2. Jake GASKELL - Team Skene - 54.17s 0.36s
3. Seth BARRETT - Pedalabikeaway - 54.96s 1.15s

Master Women

1. Lindsay HANLEY - 1:08.11 -
2. Alexandra WOHLGENSINGER - 1:14.24 6.13s
3. Emma BRADLEY - 1:14.89 6.78s

Junior Men

1. Charlie HATTON - 49.68s -
2. Tom DAVIES - 53.60s 3.92s
3. Will HART - 53.92s 4.24s

Senior Men

1. Daniel MAXEY- 53.28s -
2. Matt LYNN - Supernova Cycles 54.32s 1.04s
3. Liam JONES - 54.56s 1.28s

Master Men

1. Ricky DORRINGTON - 53.56s -
2. Jay SHAW - 54.75s 1.19s
3. Jim DAVAGE - 55.59s 2.03s

Veteran Men

1. Pete LITTLE - 54.47s -
2. Ian BRAY - 57.19s 2.72s
3. Guy THERON - 58.31s 3.84s

Hardtail Men

1. Steven JONES - Malvern cycle sport - 55.92s -
2. Ben JONES - 58.01s 2.09s
3. Daniel WAGSTAFF - 59.97s 4.05s

Full Results Here
Photos: Mark Evans & Nick Bartley

www.minidownhill.com

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MENTIONS: @nakedracing

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