Chuck Vincent Racing

I just got done telling by brother-in-law, who attended his first hare scrambles ever (as a spectator); the first race of the year is always harder.  Lots of new people in your class, lots of one-race-a-year woods worriers to get in the way, even the expanded pre-season training I have been trying to keep on did not fully prepare my body for the punishment that is Monticello.

First race without an easy button turned out to bite me in the end at the very start, three kicks is always two kicks to many, and being at the tail end of 40+ riders into a 5 foot left hand turn in black out dust conditions is always an adrenaline pumping experience, not the way to start a 2 hour event.  I caught a break and saw a fellow racer in the dust and just followed Trevor though the cloud, and once out of the confusion, put the hammer down on the fresh 300 engine and picket up 5 spots before the funnel into the woods.

First lap went great, I was really happy with the speed I was carrying, and kept passing bikes the entire 9 miles.  And wow, am I a supporter of the mile markers every ½ mile.  Not only are they helpful for layout and sweep riders, but as a racer, I was able to remember more of the track, where good lines were hidden, and when I can wick- it-up and still not get in trouble as fatigue set in.

Second lap was all about oscillating between pushing the edge to make up time, and maintaining energy because doing the upside down math from my fender card, this thing could go 4 laps.  Where I usually stop for a splash of fuel and a cold drink at the conclusion of lap two, I was in a zone from mile marker 8 on in.  I figured I would take a gamble that I would lose a little speed on lap three and the fourth would not come to fruition.  Using all this logic, I know a lot to think about then dodging trees pined in third gear; I sped past my awaiting pit crew.  After the pit area, on the long dusty field where I easily found the throttle stop in top gear, is where I first noticed my rear brake was fading completely out if I braked long into a sandy berm.

Going thought he scoring, the nice woman told me 45 minutes lest on the race clock.  Ok, more quick math, last lap was 38 min, this could still go 4 laps, maybe passing up fuel will cost me?  I the third lap I had to yield to a few faster riders, I hope they were fast vet riders starting behind me and not others in my class, but fair is fair, I was not going as fast and it was rude to slow them down.  I was also not running out of steam, bumping into trees, looking behind me way more than anyone should.  Smelling burning transmission fluid, I was briefly worried about clutch failure, but nothing could be accomplished by worrying, I did make sure not to lug higher gears for a few miles to better my odds of finishing the race.   Getting tired and riding more the pipe in third gear let to more brake dragging and a few places I felt the pedal bottom out.  This was weighed on my mind, without any water crossings, the one saving grace of really hot brake calipers; I was slowing down more than I wanted to.

Again at the 8 mile maker it my energy spiked for the last mile and blasted though the field section and approached my pit crew with gas can in hand.  Slowing down, I heard exactly what I wanted to hear, “If you can make it to the tent, it’s over!”  This distance, about ¾ of a mile of sandy, dusty wide open field separated the pit area from the finish line (scoring tent).  This caused a few people to stop for fuel when they were 2 min from the end of the event.  Having Debo in the pit was life saver, he knew what I was thinking and I rounded the turn to head out to the filed section.  100 feet past the pit, bike dies.  Wow, I can only laugh as I quickly hit the reserve setting on the petcock and start kicking.  Ugg, that was a long 15 seconds, bike fires to life and with a few other riders coming in behind me, I just want to stave off losing any positions this close to the end.  I was able to use the power of the KTM 300 to keep those riders behind me until I was safely into the no-passing zone leading up to the tent.  Last lap was clocked in at 38 minutes, not sure how I missed the fourth lap but I was quietly relieved I did not have to push for another 9 miles.

All said and done, I was happy with the day.  I was feeling under the weather all morning and was worried I would lose my drive early on and just end up trail riding the event, but was able to push all three laps and I was rewarded with a solid 5^th place finish.  I will take the points and roll the momentum into next week when we visit Arkansaw MX Park for round 2.

Visit my Posterous Blog for all the photos from Monticello including Debo, Zambon, Trevor and Kelly “two eyes” Vincent!