One Industries Mini Enduro - Haldon Race Report
Chris Roberts' infamous Mini Downhill has been one of the highlights of the Southern English downhill calendar for the last few years. So when we got wind that Chris had got his teeth stuck into planning a Mini Enduro, we got quite excited at MoreDirt…
Last Sunday saw the first running of the One Industries Mini Enduro run by Naked Racing off the bottom of the M5 at Haldon Forest in Devon.
There was a whole lot of unknowns before race day with riders not quite sure what to expect from both the format or the trails that would be used for racing but entry numbers were healthy and some Mountain Bike royalty even made the trip from Wales in the form of Dan and Gee Atherton along with GT factory Racings latest Youth recruit Taylor Vernon.
One of the main talking points from the first ever One Industries Mini Enduro was the weather… Despite Mother Nature unleashing her worst , 150 riders braved the rain to race!
Here’s what 6th Place finisher in the Senior category Greg Berry made of the 3 timed stages…
Stage 1 started at the top of the old quarry run, ideal for the first run as it is right by the main road through Haldon, so riders changed and warm from the practice could drop right into race runs feeling fresh. A flat pedaly section started of stage 1, with a few nice flowing berms and not too many boggy sections. The stage then exited the dark part of the woods into a more open and fast section with a few nasty placed roots to catch you out and then down a fast couple of straights to the cliff drop (thankfully not used). The track crossed the fire road and drop into what is now called the black section (previously red/berms), quite beaten up with some gnarly rocks in the top and some nasty braking bumps in the bottom half. Stage 1 was easily the most physical and the small incline at the end definitely did not help the lungs!
Stage 2 was the shortest of all three and started off with pedaling your way through the brush before dropping into one of the old downhill runs or 'left hand dark woods' I believe it's known to the locals. This section features a pretty steep gully that from plenty of rain water and heavy braking has become incredibly rutted, A pedal jamming 1 foot deep in places. After coming out of the rut the track dived into a some boggy flat sections before crossing over the blue trail heading down to a newly built table top and straight sprint to the finish line.
I believe stage 3 was the least favourite of the day, this was apparent after I watched Gee struggling to go anywhere pedaling out of the gate. This lead to some fun tight switch backs before a real hard going boggy traverse across the open hill side, keeping your feet on was key else you would be scooting. The middle section was tight and flat, a few odd bits to catch you out, certainly less muddy than the top and bit to come. The bottom section was wild, simple as that. The mud was slick and corners were flat, from what I heard there were plenty of two wheel drifts, tape breaks and slide outs. There was a bit of something for everyone!
No word yet on when and where the next One Industries Mini Enduro will take place but what we do know is that everyone who took part had a fantastic day on some of the best trails Haldon has to offer. The Mini Enduro is here to stay...
If you missed out on our interview with Chris Roberts yesterday to get his opinion on how things went catch up here...
Check out the results from each class below...
Pro-Am
Gee Atherton - 6:01.0
Dan Atherton - 6:13.4
Taylor Vernon - 6:42.5
Senior
Joe Buck - 6:59.7
Matthew Snelling - 7:14.3
Rich Gardiner - 7:17.2
Master
Martin Astley - 6:54.9
Kye Forte - 7:05.2
Joe Finney - 7:12.9
Veteran
Richard Webster - 7:26.2
Andy Saddler - 7:35.6
Lee Sampson - 7:40.9
Super Vets
Christopher Waddup - 9:38.2
Robert Williams - 10:35.0
Graham Paramenter - 12:59.0
Open 13-17
James Keen - 7:57.5
Finley Clay - 8:00.9
Oliver Watt - 8:04.7
Hardtail 13+
Paul Mackie - 8:05.5
Chris Lamley - 8:13.3
Brett Stabler - 8:35.5
Women
Fay Cunningham - 9:42.9
Ruby Miller - 09:47.3
Helen Burgess - 09:56.2
You can check out our full photo gallery from the event here...
Photo Credit - Chris Davison
Latest news
2026 Scottish Downhill Association Series Dates and Venues AnnouncedNew Spot: Abergele Pump Track
New Spot: Cadishead Pump Track
Watch: Down For Life - 30 Years of Bicycles & Dirt
Watch: Matt Jones returning to oversee the reconstruction of Woburn Bike Park
Popular news
Review: Shimano Saint PD-MX80 PedalsRockshox Announce 2014 Sid, Revelation, XLoc and updates to the Monarch
Review: Maxxis Ikon 26x2.35 Tyres