Fueled up and on the starting line, I talked to all the usual suspects about what was waiting for us. I actually heard everything this time. The music didn't seem as freaky, the rider meeting was actually absorbed and my nerves were less frayed. "Ten seconds!" The flag was up and they're off! I delayed a second to let the favorites get up front. Using the awesome power of the Rotax engine, I quickly reeled in the guys I could hang with and began passing. Going into the woods, I was running in fifth. The track remained packed for the first half-lap, with the Unlimited class and faster first-time racers beginning to catch and pass me. Hear their engine and let them pass-that was part one in my New Plan. Part two was finishing.
As the field began spreading out, my confidence, as well as the fun level, ramped way up. I was again passing the occasional rider but still rolling well within my limits. First checkpoint-cool. Got passed, passed a few, second check, enjoying the awesome course, and here comes the pit area. "Hey! There's the start/finish!" One lap completed and I'm having a blast. The second lap let me focus more on the machine and terrain we were covering. The IRS was affording me the ability to sit, thus conserving energy. Even on the numerous nasty hills, the power, coupled with having 4WD, allowed for effortless fun.
The New Plan was working.
I was enjoying the course (trail) with 125 of my new friends. A new entry was added to my plan: go really fast when possible and take it easy when needed. I knew, at the beginning of the third lap, that my race was going well when I actually noticed my stomach growling. I was also imbibing from my drink system in the double- and triple-X sections. Hey, we were going slowly there anyway. I had hooked up with Jason White at the end of lap two and decided to ride with him the rest of the race. I wasn't out for points and figured I'd observe him and maybe learn something. As we got scanned at the end of lap three and tore off into the fourth and last lap, I realized that I might just finish this thing.
A third of a lap later, my nerves got a jump-start when the low fuel light came on. Then it went off. It jumped from two bars on the gauge, back to one and then the light was back. "You've only got nine miles left," my inner optimist chimed in. "HMF is partially responsible for the fuel shortage. The Rotax V sounds good stock. With the aftermarket exhaust on, its symphony is intoxicating. So I'm throttling to hear the exhaust note (more often than I should). No sweat."
That's when I smelled coolant and saw some puking out of the radiator cap. "Oh, hell no! I'm finishing this thing!" The coolant would only seep on the hills and there were enough water crossings to help cool down the machine. "I'm not stopping now...unless I run out of gas." Time to adjust the New Plan. For the rest of the race, the WFO throttle periods were sedated to half throttle. I kept White in sight and cruised the rest of the Showtime course. As the factory semis/pit area came into view, it was time to haul again. I pinned the throttle (for the entertainment of the crowd, mind you) and rolled the last mile to the checkers praying the fumes in the tank would be enough to finish this race. I motored up to the final scan without a sputter. Mission accomplished! Seventh in class and my first complete GNCC in the can. White was waiting for me after the finish line. I hoped he wasn't irritated that I'd been tailing him for half the race. We shook hands and he thanked me for pushing him as he's coming back from injury. I explained that we were doing an article and I was just out there having fun. We talked for a few minutes and headed to our respective pits. You meet the nicest folks on the GNCC!
The Can-Am crew was waiting as I eased into the pit area. Congrats and handshakes for finishing were doled out. After thanking them and leaving the mud-covered Outlander with them (this factory stuff can get addicting), I headed to DB's boxvan to change. DB, Gary Hazel and Nylander were eating "winner's stew" since Burleson had won his class. I ate a bowl, changed and loaded up for the trip back to Tennessee. Driving out of the pits, up the long gravel road to the pavement, I got behind a slower truck. I punched the gas and tore around him. Yes, it's in me. I'm hooked on racing! "I've got to stop this. It's a long trip home, and I have to get out of race mode," I mumble to myself. Two weeks until the next round and I can't wait!
The moral of the story? If at first you don't succeed, there's always the next race.
A Few Facts and Tips for the First-Time GNCC Racer
Get there early on Friday. You'll need to register and go through tech.
You must be a member of the AMA or ATVA to compete. I recommend the ATVA for obvious reasons.
Bring a buddy to help you pit-he's there to hand you spare goggles, fuel and moral support.
Equip yourself with tear offs. If you don't have any, buy a set or two. Trust me on this.
You are not as fast as you think you are. Pace yourself. The goal is to finish the race.
The ladies are faster than you are. Deal with it.
Again, pace yourself. Two hours is a lot longer than you think.
Ride your own race. Ultimately, you are racing the clock.
Halfway through the first lap, the crowd will thin.
Be mindful of faster riders coming up behind you and let them pass.
Make sure you have a drink system. You'll need it.
Above all, be safe and have fun!
Check out the 15 Tips to Start Racing story (on page 56) for more ways to have fun competing.