I'd think that the wide open spaces between the knobs and low knob profile (especially off centre) would work against those being a good mud tire, regardless of the direction of tire rotation.
If you compare that to the XR mud tire, there's just not much to provide bite on the XR-1. Even the XR-3 has a closer knob spacing and a higher knob profile to provide more edge in the mud for better traction.
Low tread tyres like the Bontrager XR-1 aren't really suited to mud. They can be useful if there are occasional muddy sections (because the shallow tread will clear quickly as soon as you're back on harder terrain again) but for sustained mud you need a tyre that has more bite, something with taller tread blocks that can dig in and give traction, along with side blocks that will still grip whilst cornering.
A tyre that works quite well in Cotswold mud is the Specialized Ground Control. It's more of an all round tyre than a dedicated mud tyre, which often comes in handy. Mud tyres with tall tread blocks (eg: the old Panaracer spike tyres) can sometimes be a bit squirrelly on hardpack and rocks and often don't roll well either. Unless it's constant mud they can be overkill for many situations.
I realize they are not mud tires. Last year I was in a mud race (at same location as this 'Sunday). It seemed like no matter what tire riders used - they packed up solid. I run 'skinny & light' 2.00's so at least my tires did not pack up mud against frame and fork
Odds are it will not rain day of race - Trails will be muddy though, I am sure
Last year it rained 'perfectly' at start of cat 3 race. I raced cat 2, 1.5 hours later
I bought a set of Maxxis Beaver 2.0s before this season on a whim.
I regretted it the first race as they were sitting unopened in my shop. Then we had 4 mud races in a row. They were 100% worth the money. Killer mud grip and zero slip when on the pedals. Only issue I see is delicate sidewalls. I was extremely nervous racing in the mud at Tanasi, TN. Especially when descending the Thunder Rock Express.
Point being, just pony up for a proper mud tire for the rear. Itll be worth the money guaranteed!
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