FMHSC.com

Just bought a KTM 500 EXC and was wondering how it will do in Hare scrabbles. I am 49 years old and have not ridden a dirt bike in 20 years, what class should I enter?
Thinking bought going to Melvern tomorrow.

Thanks,
Tony

We will guide you at sign up.

Tony,
Did you test the 500 at Melvern? I ride an exc 450 and love it for hare scrambles. I would recommend the vet 40 class. I just got started this year, myself. I have met some great guys in the vet 40 class and overall within the fmhsc group of racers. Look forward to meeting you, too.
Chad.

No, I chickened out, was going to go and just watch, but started some overdue chores on my home, so did not even do that, but I am trying to work up the nerves to do Carbondale, Also if I don't have to work, I will try to do Saturday practice at Inman MX track to get used to my new bike, I'll pretty much just be riding over the jumps but its more seat time. I hear the Vet 40 class is really fast, How did you finish blister?

Tony,

The best advise I have gotten for this crazy hare scramble stuff came from the late / great Iron Mike Stanfield at Collins in 2012. It was my 2nd race and my first after crashing at Milford (hurt my shoulder pretty bad but nothing broken but my pride). I was so excited the weeks leading up to it but the day of I was scared to death. I had my oldest daughter and one of her friends with me to watch and could not back out. On the way back from registration I ran in to Mike who is the one who got me in to this and I told him how nervous I was. He told me not to worry, run my own race at a pace I was comfortable, have fun and finish. Nothing more. I did and came in last.

Although I was injured messing around in my backyard without my gear I have not been seriously injured racing and I am lucky enough to be in 4th place in the points in the Vet 40 Class. Although I am not sure if I will be able to hang on to it at Carbondale.

Chad is right. This is a great group of guys and gals that for the most part really do care about all riders and most of all we are having fun. The big thing is not to let yourself be pushed in to out riding your ability. I think Chad may have done that once or twice.

It sucks coming in last but after a while you kind of get it figured out and before you know it you are competitive. I think the best thing about the Vet 40's is although we are very competitive and pretty close in ability we all realize we have mortgages and are racing for a plastic trophy. "IT"S FOR FUN"! You really should come out. Last race of the season, get to know some of the guys and maybe get in on some off season rides before Collins next Feb. or March.

See you at Collins!

Everyone has varying degrees of nerves before the race starts. Once the sign is down and 2 seconds later your in the woods and you can calm down. If your really a novice try the 900's but like Gibber said we 1000's really run hard and are pretty even steven in overall speed and abilities but ALL of us know it's for fun. Seriously I'd rather battle someone all day back and forth and loose, than get a fourth or third place finish and not see a classmate all day.

The 1000's class remembers we have families depending on us and mortgage payments and don't forget about the real world stuff while racing. I came into this race crazed maniacs and adrenaline junkies back in 08. Ran a couple of races with my buddy and I got hooked. Let's not forget about all the cooking out (you haven't lived till you had Tim Haney's shrimp or a glass of Flipper's home made beer), frisbee throwing and BSin on Saturday or Sunday before and after the race. It's really a racing family. Folks are happy to help out with tools, parts or advice. You'll find the the best people you'll ever meet at a Forward Motion Race.

Don't be intimidated, go to sign up and we will help explain what the best class might be for you. Sign up, just line up, ride the course and have some fun. Remember when we race it's a well marked course, everyone going the same direction on the trail (well except for Todd Sexton and myself sometimes), dangerous areas are marked, the trail has sweepers should you need assistance (well for anyone except Ed sometimes), and last but not least if you should need help - EMT's are on the ready at a moments notice. By the way it's ok to have a suspension on your bike so you don't have to ride a pogo stick bike like the Gibber does!

We do get to gabbing and hype things up between races to keep the juices flowing but we all truly watch out for each other out there. At least come on down and check it out, then after feeling it out decide what you want to do then.

Either way...It's all good!

Dennis

I saw a bike at Melvern that was racing and had turn signals on it and was wondering if you made the trip. There is also a 1200 class in this series, known as the for fun class. No points, no pressure, I think it is a one hour class instead of two hours, starts behind the juniors.

You'll be fine. I raced several races on a KTM 530. As long as you don't have to pick it up much We all started somewhere. Most of us are obsessed with the idea of racing and being around racers. However, passions aside, we are just out there to have fun and test ourselves. I've never met a person at the race who wasn't helpfull and positive to talk too.

I'm not fast but I still pick most of my vacation days around race weekends. I've payed cash several times for guys to work for me at the fire station during races. I've invested thousands of dollars in fancy equipment that, so far, hasn't made me any faster if you are prepared for that kind of lifestyle than signup and pick a line. I've never heard of anyone who wasn't addicted after their first race. So choose wisely.

Thanks guys for all the words of encouragement, I am looking forward to Carbondale, what's the course like?

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=c ... carbondale

Try this link. It is a Google search for FMHSC Carbondale. There are some different videos of the course.

Some tight woods, some loose gravel and hill climbs in the old quarry and some fast open stretches along the parking area. I like Carbondale. Can be pretty dusty though.

Good luck!