Fresh off the plane from North America’s World Cup rounds, Central Coast’s Jack Moir won the elite male category at Coffs Harbour. At only 18 he challenged an impressive field of racers including the likes of Ben Cory, Brad Kelly, Rick Boyer and the current series leader, Graeme Mudd.
Mount Coramba, high above the picturesque coastal town of Coffs Harbour, was the racing arena for the second round of this year’s RedAss NSW/ACT Downhill State Series. And it was pumping with 200 racers who have praised the local Coffs Downhill Club for maintaining and setting up the almost 3 kilometre track that features tight corners, log drop-offs and massive tabletop jumps. With over 300 metres of elevation it is one of the longest rides in this year’s State Series and it was young Jack Moir, who with 3:28.40 clocked in the best time in the Elite Men’s final run.
After an overcast training day on a dry track in perfect conditions on the Saturday, it turned out to be a turbulent Sunday for the downhill racers at Mount Coramba. About half-way through the U19’s seeding run it started to drizzle and with the Elite Women battling on a slippery track, most of the Elite Men completed their seeding run in rain. The heavy shower lasted not even half an hour, however, long enough to make most riders having to throw their tactics and line choices out the window to make it across the finish line.
With more than 30 riders from Queensland at the start, the top podium positions in both Elite categories and the U19’s were claimed by racers from New South Wales.
Young rider shows outstanding form
With Jack Moir from the Central Coast it was an only 18-year old racer who was able to handle the constantly changing track conditions on Sunday the best.
“I can’t believe how long I was able to stay in the hot seat after my first run, which was more than four minutes! The track was very greasy in my final run, but it was not raining and I had good visibility”, said the beaming winner at the finish line, relaxed after anxiously watching the clock and a good 18 riders who where not able to beat him in the final run.
Fellow Lusty Industries-racer and racing team manager Rick Boyer finished in second place and RedAss Mexican Food-racer Joe Vejvoda (Bredbo, NSW) claimed third. Vejvoda was the one rider among the top three seeded elite racers who was able hold onto his podium position – second in the seeding Tim Cox crashed and rolled across the finish with over three minutes gap and also Graeme Mudd became a victim of the moody spring weather in Coffs, finishing 11th .
Elite Women uniform decision
After a slippery seeding run the Elite women decided against a second run and their first run was declared as the final race result: Michelle Crisp from Eastwood (NSW) finished first, ahead of Sarah Booth from Medowie (NSW) and Jo Fox from Penrith (NSW).
Brent Smith leads U19’s
With a second win, Sutherland Shire-rider Brent Smith won the U19’s race and has extended his series lead by 80 points to Andrew Crimmins (Bredbo, NSW) and Joel Willis (Lithgow, NSW), who came also second and third, respectively, at Coffs Harbour.
“The RedAss Downhill State Series is the optimal training ground for me,” said Brent Smith after his winning race run, planning on attending overseas races in Canada and New Zealand in the coming months as well as maintaining the State Series lead.
Martin Wisata from organisers Rocky Trail Entertainment said, “It’s exciting to have so many well-known downhill racers at our start lines and to see young racers living their dream of travelling to and racing at some of the most exciting mountain bike destinations in the world – including here at Coffs Harbour!”
He added that one of the main objectives of the RedAss Downhill State Series was to provide young riders a platform to prepare for the National and International racing scenes and to provide those up and coming riders with a professional racing atmosphere as well as local media attention.
Next round - Lithgow
Round 3 of the RedAss NSW/ACT Downhill State Series will be run in Lithgow in August and then be heading to Canberra’s Stromlo Forest Park in September and to Thredbo’s downhill mecca for the final round in November. The State Championship event will be hosted by the Central Coast Ourimbah MTB Club on 6 October 2012 at Ourimbah State Forest near Wyong (NSW).
Results Round 2
Elite Male
1. Jack Moir, Morisset Park, NSW
2. Rick Boyer, Newcastle, NSW
3. Joe Vejvoda, Bredbo, NSW
Elite Female
1. Michelle Crisp, Earlwood, NSW
2. Sarah Booth, Medowie, NSW
3. Jo Fox, Penrith, NSW
U19 Male
1. Brent Smith, Woronora Heights, NSW
2. Andrew Crimmins, Bredbo, NSW
3. Joel Willis, Lithgow, NSW
Detailed results are attached, for more information, visit www.rockytrailentertainment.com
View attachment A41-2_2012Rd2-Final Results.pdf