I was out for the final round of the 2012 GNCC season, at Loretta Lynn's ranch a few weeks ago. Last time I was on my bike, other than a quick ride the week prior to the race, was back in July. Almost forgot what my 2011 TC449 looked like. Anyhow, I signed for the 10am trailrider class, which is scheduled to go for 2 hours. After 1hr 36mins, the race was done!! I must have gotten the last lap flag at the 1hr mark or something. Still managed a 4th place finish, only missing 3rd by half a second. My question is why would they stop the race a good 25 minutes before the scheduled time? Although I would not have caught up to the winner had it gone on longer, I would have been able to snatch a 3rd had I not pitted for gas. Not complaining, but just trying to get my act together for the next race as far a pitting and pacing myself not to burn out!
http://www.gnccracing.com/pages/rules/amateur-rules See rules, I don't know the answer, but I assume they had the laps timed to keep the main show on schedule, if you went back on a white flag lap the course would have been full of riders after the inside of 2 hours passed. They would have been clearing trail, pushing back the main event. What were lap times for you guys? There would have been riders still on the last lap til almost the 3 hour mark no? Way past the scheduled 2 hour time frame. They gave the winner the checkers, knowing if he went back out for white flag lap they and all the unlapped folks behind would have been way past the 2 hour mark. (did you guys get lapped, that'll do it too) RN PS good on you for getting out there and doing it!! PPS I just looked at the AM OA on the GNCC site you guys did 3 laps the OA winners did 4 you guys got lapped and they called it at 4 for lead lap guys to keep the AM race within 2 hour limit, that should be the answer. http://www.racer-results.net/results/gncc/2012/class_list.asp?r=13 the beauty of transponders, you can getdown to nuts and bolts analyzing your scores/laptimes/comparing times etc.
I did get lapped by a few of the top riders, but not that many. Guess I just missed the mark. My best lap time was 29 minutes. Maybe next time I'll sign up for a class that's a little higher up on the start schedule. Oh well...
The trail rider is the last row in the am race correct? If this is the case could the first row have started 24min (or there about) before your row started?
Yes, the trailrider class is the last row to start. Although I don't believe there's a 24 minute gap, being almost the 20th start line or so does give us a major disadvantage for timing. Bottom line I think, trailrider is for the casual, non-competitive riders, I'd be more suited for a Super Vet or Vet C class or something. Any idea on how long the TC449 can run before needing fuel? Do the top AM riders stop for fuel?
Normally the top AM riders dont need to stop for fuel as most have oversized tanks. I stop once in 3 hrs and the only GNCC I did on the TC449 it didnt need much fuel around the 1 1/2 hour mark.
My buddy Mark Patterson who overalled a few of the AM races because he runs a RMZ250 which has a small aluminum tank.
