NWRHouston.com

DBuck · Quote #1 03-02-2010

I posted this up on the "other" site, but here it is for your viewing pleasure.

Thanks for the new section Vertigo!

I'm copying and pasting this from another board, so my apologies if you don't understand it all. CLiff notes are at the bottom.

First race ever on dirt was FANTASTIC! It was quite the learning experience and I'm sure the outcome will be a little better in the next round.

SO, here's the run down. First off, I corner worked all day @ GSS (local Houston area race track) on Saturday, in the sun with no sunblock...awesome, so naturally I'm feeling a bit worn out from doing nothing....race home from GSS, load up, and hit the road.

Since I missed Saturday's practice session, I decided I may try the "parade lap" before the race on Sunday morning....well, that got skipped cuz I was making last minute adjustments to the bike and myself (adequate stretching, hydrating, meditating, what have you). Get to the starting line and realize I left my gloves on the tailgate...damn it! Hurry back, get back in time for the start...okay, here we go! Green flag drops, I kick the bike over (it's a dead engine start-I assume for safety's sake), drop a gear and I'm off....HOLY SHIT! I'm 3rd out of 11 off the start line....only 2 kids on little KTM's in front of me...no sweat! YEAH RIGHT! End up crashing about 3 minutes into the race going down the side of a creek into rock bottom creek bed, hang a left and damn the front tire washes out....damn my knee hurts now!(time to invest in knee guards) I end up losing like 4 or 5 positions EASILY in that one crash. Pick up the bike, get it started about to haul ass to catch up and I see my phone laying in the rocks...wtf? Who brings a cell phone to a dirt bike race? My dumbass. SO, I drop the bike, go get my phone, hop back on, and get going again. Ended up crashing like 6 or 7 times the first lap, only 3 times the second lap. (keep in mind, one lap is 12 miles)

Learned a few things in this first race...

bullrock (3" type rocks) doesn't provide grip at all, especially when wet.

don't bring your cell phone to the start line.

trees that have a diameter of more than 1 1/2" will not bend, nor move out of your way...lol

don't go ballz to the wall 1st lap when you haven't seen the course yet...take your time, ride a brisk pace, step it up the second lap. (actually, I should have known better and treated it like an endurance race)

All in all, it was a FANTASTIC time. I ended up with a 4th place finish out of 11 people. Not too bad considering I was fresh to the course and this was my first sanctioned event. The terrain was INCREDIBLE...almost felt like Red River (where they hold the Redbull Last Man Standing Competition) rather than Sam Houston Nat. Forest....the course made SHNF look like baby trails. I can't wait for the next one!

RESULTS

http://www.moto-tally.com/TXORR/Resu...1&OC=C30&vT=LT

One thing is for sure though...you can't compare this sh*t to dragging knees through Turn 1 at your TWS. Apples to Oranges, both provide me with a natural "high", but I honestly can't give one more props than the other...both have pros and cons. I dig the racetrack more than the woods, but my wallet is already singing songs of joy over the $$$ I am saving. lol

Here's the website for the series....

http://www.texasxtremeoffroadracing....ge/7370235.htm

next race is March 20-21 @ Middleton, Texas. Not sure if they (the folks who run the series) will let me run the Saturday Over 30 C or D Class race in addition to Sundays Open D race (I'll be 30 in 3 months). I was tired at the end of the race, but I think I'm capable of running two one hour events over both days...we'll see!

Cliff notes-

finished 4th out of 11 in my first race

body is sore, but in one piece

can't wait for the next one!

Dbuck

Here's some pics. I was busy racing, so only a couple.

CLEAN BIKE....check out them sexy # plates.

Quick look down "pit road"...aka CAMP