Beer Ranch East Race Report

[jgordo]

Love the 'clarity' Ryno!! And why didn't I get a ride on that cart Sunday??? It was always full of 1100 riders!!!

[Rhino]

There was a kid in the second race, either a 900's or 1100's. He was sitting up next to a tree with a worker. The worker said he thought he might have broke his leg. Any word on this kid? I hope he is all right!.

Ryan
2007 Honda crf250x #965

[blister]

I'll contribute. As the only one of 18 in the Vet40 class to DNF...why not!!? Life is full of highs and lows and sometimes all of those are experienced in the same day, as well. My video pretty much sums up my day.

Early rise, great drive watching the sunrise, pre-race excitement and camaraderie, good start (2nd around the big tree left turn and into the woods), crash before one mile into the course, knowing immediately...denying it...and then slowly succumbing to the reality that something is really jacked-up in my right shoulder, getting slower and getting passed, then just trying to stay out of the way, wondering how do I get out of these woods, 599 Brian North coming to my aid and sticking with me all the way, the long ride home pondering this sport of off-road racing....and not to forget the best part of telling my wife "Uh, well, uh, I kind of maybe, uh, well..uh, injured myself again".

https://youtu.be/9LJlddx5OVc

The crash: Just ridiculous! See the video. I think that was like a 2 inch diameter twig I lost it on? Although, it was at a slight angle across the path and it was a little greasy there, I guess. Still can't believe I hurt myself. I've had way worse spills with just bruises. Everything went perfectly wrong right there.

Coolest moment of the day: I pulled up on the line and looked to my left down two bikes. Vet40 points leader, Jason Schupp, #1044 was there staring at me. Words were exchanged..."Jason", little head nod..."Chad", little head nod. Yep, we were ready to race!

The course: I really did enjoy it on my one practice lap. Dan and crew, thanks for all of your hard work.

My injury. MRI today shows complete rupture of one of rotator cuff tendons and partial of a second. Surgery next Friday, 6/17.

#599, Brian North: You Da'Man! Thanks so much for sticking with me and helping me out. I'd probably still be in there without your help, dude. Thanks a ton.

Well, I thouroghly enjoy this sport. Every part of it...nearly. It seriously is the most fun thing I have done aside from time with family and things like that. However, this past year or so may be telling me something. My body just doesn't seem to be very tolerant of it anymore. I will definitely miss you guys.

I asked for a bubble-wrap suit for father's day.
Chad

[Bridgebuilder]

Dang Chad I wondered where you ran off to and noticed you dnf but hadn't heard why . Hope for a speedy recovery.
I've never done a race report b4 . As I can stand around and talk about these races for hours on end to people that could probably care less. BUT I CAN'T TYPE FOR SH$T !
So this will be short lol
Lined up in between Matt Keith and Todd Sexton . Dan dropped the board and off we went I could see a blur of orange off to my left and twisted the throttle little more and just verily cut him off to go left into the woods to get the hole shot . Around mile 3 Todd passed me so I chased him until the 3 way hill he went left I thought straight over the top will cut him off . Well I didn't make it had to push last 10 yards up it ( hard work for old guys ) so off I go again hearing a bike behind me and pretty close to scoring I tip over on a little root and see 1021 go by but Devon is a nice guy and asked if I'm OK . Said yep and we are off again . So 2nd through scoring . Then thinking Todd is half a lap ahead of me by now but no here he goes around me again. I chased him a while again but rt b4 mile 2 a little root turned me upside down again. More guys ride by .
This trend continued for 4 laps where I followed Todd through scoring he was 5th I was 6th we only missed checkered flag by seconds . Off we go for final lap he got hung up in mud puddle somewhere i made a pass in the puddle and then passed me rt back and I somehow found a wide line and took back fifth . He was stuck on my back tire so I figured better go for short steep last crossing instead of going long safe route and luckily it worked . I finished 5th. Isn't my best finish of the year but I felt like I worked harder to get it .
Looking forward to this weekend.

[orangecrush]

Dan, I think it is a generation thing. That us vet guys write more about our races than others. It maybe that other racers can only read, but not type.
Oh there is some new riders taking your advise. They are starting to come out of the woodwork.

Keep up the good work fellas. The gals should be posting as well. What's the sport like from your angle?

[Gibber]

Chad,

I remember that tree root. It was a little tricky since it was so greasy. I sure hope you heal up good and quick.

I was kind of thinking about your 2nd thoughts about racing. I agree that the age thing is catching up to us. I am pretty sure this will be my last year of chasing the points. As you know, in 2013 I was injured real bad and spent a week in the hospital. I am sure if that happens to me again by the time I get out my wife will have sold all my equipment and used the money to buy a boat!

That being said, I was thinking next year I would cherry pick a few races then help out as a worker or sweeper from time to time just to be able to stay connected to the series and all the friends I've made.

Well, you seem to have a talent making video. Why not come out and video the races? You would still be involved, people would dig your videos and you could race the ones you felt comfortable at. Just a thought.

As for Orangecrush, I agree. I would like to hear from more of the younger guys and gals. I know there had to be some kick butt racin' up there. And I bet there was a ton of handlebar banging in the 900s as well. Anyway, let us all know how your races went and what you thought of the course. Like Dan says, it helps the promoters and property owners adjust and improve the races.

I hope Mike Walline gets well soon too. I had no idea you had injured your knee when I talked to you after the race. Sorry dude. Let us know how things go.

Last but not least, I too would like to know the status of the young man who may have broken his leg. I came up on him just after the sweeper had gotten there and he looked like he was in some pretty serious pain. I sure hope he is okay.

See you all Sunday. Installed my new Rad Guards last night. Bleeding brakes and adding the finishing touches to the Rocket ship tonight so I can hopefully burst Gordo and Flyin's bubbles. I will be huntin' Spooner too so it should be another awesome day at the "BEER RANCH"!

[gcat7]

I'll chime in from the 1000's...

Was looking to start with a bang and could have sworn I had a full bike length jump on everyone when the board dropped, maybe I was dreaming. However as soon as the front wheel came back to earth ..poof - flame out, rolled by the tree second to last. First thought- oh man, this isn't good and that was how the day went. Lap one I managed to pass a lot of folks went by one fellow a little to hot and missed "S" coming from the hi speed grass area. After I creamed the log and hit the throttle, that vertical vine decided I needed to slow down and planted me square into the dirt. While staring directly into the sun I heard Matt Keith roost by "saying you ok dude? a simple wave & all was good. Fished lap one without further error in 6th I think it was. note to self: "not bad considering my start".

Then it happened, I found Bill for Lap two. Everyone knows Bill's a racer and passing him without killing us both is a effort in futility but 3/4 lap I finally pushed by him. All was good until I found that same root Chad did and pin-balled off two trees and wound up squirming like an upside down turtle with the bike on top of me. Another fine sole stopped and asked if I was ok ...again the simple wave and off he went. At this point with 2 hard off-bike adventures this day was going nowhere. crossed lap 2 in 8th I think...

Lap 3 felt good racing right along, passed a few classmates, lap the was going great, 5 laps...no problem...until I missed the "hard" trail marker...yes the one with the hill & stepped rocks. About 1/2 way up I found the rock I made friends with on the practice lap and introduced him to my hip. After a few oh %$$**%$r's was able to right the ship. Everyone knows picking up a bike on a hill takes all the fun out a hare scramble. I swore my heart & brain were going to explode at that point. I'm pretty sure if I had a heart condition, Forrest Gump would have had to drag me out of the woods. After using up all of the oxygen the Lord placed in the woods that day, I was able to catch a glimpse of all the 1000's guys I busted my arse to pass earlier go by. I was done for a miserable 10th place finish.

Overall still a fun race and if Dan was short-handed is didn't show. Thanks everyone!

PS: At best, 5 hour energy drink only lasts 30 minutes

Greg

[vetteracer77]

I had no idea you had injured your knee when I talked to you after the race. Sorry dude. Let us know how things go.

Thanks Gibber. I hope to get back to riding and racing as soon as possible.
I actually left before the race ended. You must have been talking to my brother Chris. He's a older but skinnier version of me. I left the "762" works bike with him so he could haul it home.

I hope to make it to a few of the closer races. I have a 5 year old that raced his first at Big Springs. He's been begging to do it again. I may need some help with escorting him if the track allows.

[Gibber]

That's funny. I think now you're right. I have a hard time recognizing guys without their gear and bikes!

Well, I hope for a speedy recovery and if your boy needs an escort there wont be a problem getting that worked out.

Are you going to have him there this weekend?

[vetteracer77]

Are you going to have him there this weekend?

Not this weekend. We live in McPherson so we'll try for Carbondale and Melvern. We don't have a camper so the far away ones are hard to get to by 8:30.

I was just going to put my Trans Am up for sale so we could get a camper so that we could make it to more races. I guess that will have to wait.

Good luck to the 700 club this weekend!!!