Yes we went racing last weekend. Of course we won ! It may have been the magic sweatshirt. Round 2 of the OMRA GP series was put on by Northwest Offroad Racing Assoc at the Prineville Adventure Park, March 23, 2013. In prior years this race has been held several weeks later, and battling severe dust was an issue. This year we just had to drive over ice covered roads so we could huddle up in 23 degree weather while waiting to race! The dirt however was just-right moist, making for excellent racing conditions. The 50 Expert group got off the line around 10 after various delays (and after the sun had pushed the temps above freezing). Pretty much all the best riders were there for this event, but it didnt matter. Mark took a commanding lead on the first 30 minute loop, after starting in the back of the pack. Seems that some guys got a bit lost shortly after the start and lost quite a bit of time, however it didnt make much difference because Mark continued to stretch the lead by a couple minutes per loop all the way to the end. This was terrain close to home for Mark and an excellent course for the mighty 310R. We are still running stock engine and exhaust while we wait for the FMF header and a chance to download the 'open' pipe map. Mark wasnt the only BMP guy to do well. Nelson, in his second expert race dueled with the second place 50 Expert pack until he got diverted into the weeds during an attempted pass ..... its tough to get around a couple of crafty old guys. Great ride and improving fast. Tim Troffer showed up on his 165 WB in blue and yellow livery, and the new guy Paul soldiered to the end with a flat rear tire and got 2nd Beginner...felt a little squirrely he said :-) Thanks to BMP in Salem , Watson Performance Suspension , Zip-Ty , Motosportz, Husqvarna NA It gets lonely out front all by yourself....
Had a great weekend , Nora and Omra did a great job on the event. I raced both days and think i did a little better on Sunday. I have a long ways to go but had an amazing time . I cant wait for the Monkey Butt. Oh and Mark was flying through the course.
The dirt conditions were perfect for this event however the ambient temperature kept my finger tips numb for at least the first hour of the race. Like Oregonsage said I was in a pack of three for second place and we rode about a lap and a half that way until I got a little off course and fell behind a little more. On the last lap I missed a corner and saw another 50ex go by me, thats when I became determined not to finish last (or what I thought was last) so I wicked it up and caught this rider. We were pretty even on our pace and I finally found a place to get by him and that was on an uphill two track that had a rocky right lane, I had to take it to go around so I pinned it and got the pass. After the end of the race he pulls up beside me and said "man you blew by me on that uphill, what size is that?" It's a 310 I absolutely love this bike, now if I could just hone my skills to challenge Mark a little. The guy is remarkably fast Thanks to Bill's Motorcycle Plus and Husqvarna NA!
I have no doubt that we will be seeing some 1-2 Husqvarna finishes in the 50 Expert class soon. Ive seen guys get bumped up who were already on the ragged edge in the Amateur class...this happened last year, and then there are the guys who just need the better competition to help them step up. You are obviously in the second group.
This is when you say its a 301 .... Mark pulled an uphill pass on Chuck's big bore KTM at Eddieville the week before.....those little X-Lite beasties fly.
