KENTUCKY OFF ROAD HARES SCRAMBLES ROUND 11 Big Hill, KY I’ve always enjoyed Big Hill as it has a little bit of every type of terrain KY hast to offer. From hard pack to mud to loam to rocks, hills, creeks, roots, single-track, two track…. With the recent rain Ky has received in the last month, this was sure to be one tough race! For the first time this season my big Husky didn’t start right away, so it was last into the first turn for me. I didn’t mind because I knew that the trail would be hard to read as it was covered with a nice layer of wet leaves that covered hidden treasures that were sure to grab your front wheel sending racers into a nice soil sample session. I laid back and let everyone else find all these little nasties. I picked off a few people in my class and a couple others that started in the rows in front of us. On lap two like so many other times this season, I ended up in a battle with my stiffest competition and good friend Dave McWilliams. For the next 4 laps we must have swapped positions at least 15 times. We always have a great time battling each other. We bump elbows, holler, drag race the fields and have a good ol time! This works out great because we get into our own little world and start picking people off before we know it. However, we could not catch our class leader Roger Spires. He was gone! My hats off to him, that’s the best I’ve ever seen him ride! My last lap didn’t go too well, I’ve been fighting the flu for almost two weeks and it really hit me half way through lap 6. I was right behind Dave when I made a small mistake and went down. Picking up the bike took the last of my energy. I went down 2 more times after that, I was exhausted. Dave was long gone; I rode the best I could to make it back to the checkers. The track was pretty hard but a lot of fun. I enjoy small bottlenecks like the deep creek crossing and steep hill climbs like we had at this event. Just makes things a little more interesting. I finished 3rd in class and 7th overall for the day. Not exactly what I was going for but not bad considering how I’ve been feeling lately. I must say that this season has been EPIC! Just about all the tracks this year have been some of the best I’ve raced on in 25 years. A huge thanks goes out to the Hollenkamp and Gartman families, Kent Anness, Jesse Smith, all the sponsors and everyone else that has made this great series happen! I can’t wait till next season starts again. Jeff Stoess #102 Husqvarna TXC 510 Sponsors: GateWay Cycles/KORHS, Tire Balls, Elka, IMS, Decal Works, House of Horsepower Suspension, Fasst Company, Spider Grips and Rick Hollenkamp Special thanks to Jesse Smith for the pit duties.
Nice report and cool pic. Looks like nice conditions. How do you like the HOH suspension? Also, do you not run a skid plate for a reason?
The forks work great, best setup I've run to date! Shock is still stock. Actually that pic is from another race, this one was pretty wet and slick with one creek crossing that was about 32" deep.
Great work Are you planning on any special modifications for next season? Something that get you closer to the front? Aside from any physical ill's, like tire choice, add on's, etc., secret setup tips you wish to share.
I finished 2nd for the year in the class, I battled close all year with first place but he just came out on top. It wasn't the bike at all, it's the best race bike I've had in 25 years of HS racing. No real secret setups, it's bone stock other than the slight fork revalving and little things like Flexx bars and Tire Balls. Unfortunatly my sponsor want's me to switch brands for next season. I have to give it back in a couple weeks and pick up the new color. I'm really gonna miss those Husky bucks!!!
Sorry to hear you have to change brands. I've enjoyed your race reports. Best of luck in your new season. I'm happy to hear the bike did great
Carl's dropping Husky isn't he? He said something that insinuated that the last time I was in to see him. I bought my WR300 from him this past spring,...dang, no dealer now.
No, he just want's me pushing the green bikes now. I made Cycle News.... http://www.cyclenews.com/regional_events/read/hare-scrambles/2009/11/01/091101-Kentucky-Off-Road-Hare-Scrambles-Championship-Series-Event11
Okay thanks,....good news. That Cycle News quote and pic are cool!,... So what are you gonna do,....modify a KX450F for off-road?
I'll just revalve the suspension, add my Flexx bars, handguards, skid plate and Tire Balls and be ready to go.
Yeah,...I was thinking about the 19" rear wheel, but with the Tire Balls pinch flats will be a non-issue anyways.
