With the 2016 Showdown at the Loops (June 21-25) scheduled and ready to go off, we were able to catch up with event organizer, “Deano” as well as Skate School Santa Fe owner Joe Lehm and chat about their history with Maryhill and how they plan to make this year’s Showdown one for the ages.
A pack of rippers raging down the Loops. Photo credit unknown.
Both of our friends Deano and Joe have been involved in skating this road nearly from the jump. In fact, the two of them initially met at the first EDI race at Maryhill back in 2001 where they were simply participants. Merely four years later they had become the event organizers under Joe’s TimeShip Racing. At the 2006 North American Championships presented by TimeShip, Deano convinced Joe to include the entire length of the road which may not sound revolutionary, but up until this time races at Maryhill had always started about half way up the hill at the “Green Gate”. With this simple initiative, the longest and by far most technical downhill skateboarding race course of the time was ready to push skateboarders to their limits while also pushing the limitations of downhill skateboarding itself.
Joe Lehm rocking some “aero paddles”. Photo and year unknown.
Since these early days of showcasing the hill’s potential, it has now become almost mandatory to see at least one event per year on the calendar that is set to run at this Mecca of Downhill. This year’s list of events, including the multiple Maryhill Ratz freerides and the upcoming Showdown at the Loops promise to touch heavily upon the historic roots they are based on while at the same time adding many new and exciting offerings to help cater to all skill levels as well as all genres of our art form called skateboarding. As stated, the IDF certified Showdown at the Loops race is going down June 21-25. In the first days of the event there will be plenty of time allotted to dial in your line before timed qualifying runs take place later in the week, which only adds to the overall riding time experienced at this event. There is a large $10,000 prize purse that will be divided up between the various divisions making it well worth the time invested in practice runs.
Bustin Boards will also be on-hand stirring up the pot with the latest installment of their “Skate Everything Project” and set to be an epic 2×4 Chinese Downhill Race that is a winner take all race for $500 in cash. This fun and playful event is designed to promote fun, playfulness and also remind us as skaters to no take ourselves too seriously. This pop-up event promises to push everyone to call on all of their skateboarding skill sets as well as widen their collective smiles. See flier below for details. Make sure to be prepared with your very own 2×4 set up as outlined below in their flier for your chance at potentially pocket some crispy green bills and of course have a blast! Keep your eyes peeled on the Mary Hill Ratz page for any further details or announcements that may arise before the actual race date.