Family obligations kept me out of the saddle since June. I really wanted to race in this past weekend's National Hare n Hound, but I hadn't even thrown a leg over a bike since LDS and there wasn't time to go through my 250 to get ready. But I was itching to get back out there. Heard that Rescue 3 was short handed so I asked if they needed my help. They did, so I did quick prep on the 449 and loaded her up Sat night. Sunday morning I was escorted by the Harvest Moon until dawn. Arrived at base camp for a perfect desert morning. Got some much needed saddle time and had fun for a good cause. Feels good to be back out there. Don't forget to drop a couple bucks in the jar at your race sign ups to give back to your first responders that volunteer their time and skills to help downed racers.
I sure do miss the so cal desert. There's not much like it. When I was growing up my dad was actively racing d37 and those are definitely some of my best memories. Not worth going back for me though. I get a great mix of all riding up here in northern Nevada with almost no restriction. I'll always miss it though. Hopefully one day I can make it out to the husky memorial since my dad passed last year (die hard husky guy). I plan on taking his 79 390 out to it. I imagine that'll be one of my last rides out that way anyways.
Good pic of the start, Rescue 3 has been out there since the early 70's if not before, they do a tremendous job. Although the lineups have shrunk quite a bit it's still a thrill when the raise the banner and all you hear is kick starters clicking, calm before the storm. In the 70's the Experts and amateurs started together, the line up must have been 1/2 mile long, same with the novice start. What a blast back then, lots of open land to rotate races on. Glad to have been a part of it.
Might not be a bad idea to reach out and ask NHHA if D38 can apply to host races. We lost 2 rounds out of state where one was changed to New Mexico but round 7 just plain got scratched. Big 6 has made its way to D36 turf too.
They started huge rows like that all the way up into the 90s..... It was fun.... nothing like getting a killer jump ( which I did a lot) and have Smith, Ashcraft, LR, Hallgath, Zitt, Willis, Bauman come flying by..... I'll never forget the race my 430 lit perfect and somehow I beat Smith to the preferred line at Means.... I led the dang thing overall till about 5 miles from the end of loop one.... pretty sure I finished like 20th Overall after I shot my wad trying to hold the leaders back.... As a 17 yr old punk I was so tired after 3 loops I couldn't even load my bike.... it was game over....
Some of the best riders on the planet came out of those D37 desert races, sounds like you did good 904 if you could lead the first loop for that long. I remember the 2 Dans' riding the first 4 stroke Huskys, mid 80's, 510's I think.
I never rode enough in a year for a single digit open number.... had a few top 5s and usually hung out around 10-15 overall... hard series back then....I was the self described king of whoops.... lol
