Catalina GP.... Any current Huskys?

[Chayzed Pilot]

Someone with the hiccups uploaded that film.

Hard to believe it's been going on for over 50 years....

There's some old vids from 57 on YouTube.

The race has not happened since 1958. It has not been going on for 50 years. The first race was 1951 and ended in 1958.

 

[Chayzed Pilot]

There was a light rain Saturday before my race. It was cool, about 65. Overcast. Weather could not have been more perfect.

You noticed that I didn't mention it eh? Hmmm.

Let me start by saying it was my first race, EVER. And the lowest class to enter was B, AND Iwas on the biggest bike there by far. I've never really hit a jump before. Everybody was talking about how it was 'just a trail ride' and to take it easy and yada yada yada.

Then I'm sitting at the line and there are a bunch of pro photographers running around filming like 4 different guys next to me. One of whom is the editor for dirt rider mag.

Then a bunch of guys start walking out stomping down dirt clods trying to get better traction for the launch. So I was kind of FREAKING OUT****************************************

I survived the first turn, and a lot of guys didn't. after that maybe 5 guys just BLEW by me. But then I noticed I was holding my own and sticking with the guy in front of me. I even actually passed a couple guys. Holy crap I might actually be able to do this.

Then I realized I was not yet through the first lap, and I was freaking TIRED. And so then I crashed. (3x) and was REALLY tired.

Then I bounced wildly out of a triple, and kinda sorta flew into the crowd. Yep, I was almost "that guy" that killed the Catalina GP forever by killing a spectator. Fortunately they ran out of the way quickly though

In the end, there were two guys on my butt and one guy passed me at the very last bit, because I sort of gave up and didn't want to crash.

I pulled in and it seemed like there were a lot of guys after me, but I can't believe I beat **all** of the LWT bikes. I ended up 50 out of 51. (with maybe 7-8 DNF's) But I really think my transponder may have missed a lap. OTOH, beating one guy out of the last two would be right... so I really dunno what to think. But I think I gotta try this racing thing again to find out

Bottom line though is that I think in all honesty it was one of the best days of my life. Absolutely fantastic. If they do it again, everyone should sell their children or do whatever it takes to go.

The spectator who helped me back on track was an ADV'er who saw one of the stickers on my bike and he posted up this AWESOME picture of me:

So how cool is that!?

Not to rain on your parade, but I am trying to figure out how you even were accepted to participate in the event. This was a resume required event to race. Were you somehow not quite clear in your application as this was your first race? Alot of folks werent' accepted because they were not at that level. You stated this was your first race and had never done a jump before.

Also is this you on the D37 message board. http://www.district37ama.org/forums/showthread.php?t=42120&page=2

It's a great thing you were able to race and had a good time but something isn't quite right IMO.

 

[Coffee]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNyxj0L1U3Q&feature=player_embedded

Dudek still rips, those wider roads get very thin when the speeds go way up.

Interesting!

I was curious how the course was, thanks!

 

[xymotic]

Not to rain on your parade, but I am trying to figure out how you even were accepted to participate in the event. This was a resume required event to race. Were you somehow not quite clear in your application as this was your first race? Alot of folks werent' accepted because they were not at that level. You stated this was your first race and had never done a jump before.

Also is this you on the D37 message board. http://www.district37ama.org/forums/showthread.php?t=42120&page=2

It's a great thing you were able to race and had a good time but something isn't quite right IMO.

I was COMPLETELY honest on my app. In the section where it asked for finishing positions, I said "I HAVE NEVER RACED" on the app.

I also gave links to my ride from LA to Yuma, and the ride I did with Mike Kay from LA to Cabo San Lucas. AND, not-for-nothing... I wasn't last.

 

[ioneater]

Aaron, that's awesome stuff, man! Way to drive on. That looks like an former Air Force vehicle with tons of room for.........stuff I've still got your GPS mount safe and sound if you decide to come back to the great wet NW.

 

[skid]

probably got accepted because he was from oregon. Promoters of such an event always like a little long distance flavor. I'm from NH with limited competition experience ...bet I could have got accepted

 

[XLEnduroMan]

Excellent xymotic!!! Happy to read you got to race your 610. Looks like a blast! Never raced either. Did the app. ask for what bike you would be riding? If so I bet that 1 word showed your worthiness, that word HUSQVARNA. So is your next bike a TE 449/511?

 

[xymotic]

Excellent xymotic!!! Happy to read you got to race your 610. Looks like a blast! Never raced either. Did the app. ask for what bike you would be riding? If so I bet that 1 word showed your worthiness, that word HUSQVARNA. So is your next bike a TE 449/511?

LOL, yes it did ask what bike.
I think my next bike is a 310... or maybe a wr250r or something (heresy I know)

If they made a smaller 'race' bike with a HD service life like the 610 that would be the bike for me. I do like that 449 though

 

[XLEnduroMan]

I have ridden the '08 TE 250/310 and it is a blast. Good power, wheelies with the best of them. An x-lite 310 sounds like it will be an even better bike. You would have chewed up the competition on 1. Get a '08-'10 TE 510 with the efi maybe? They are REAL light, espically in the front end as the front tire seems to be in the air most of the time.

 

[xymotic]

I have ridden the '08 TE 250/310 and it is a blast. Good power, wheelies with the best of them. An x-lite 310 sounds like it will be an even better bike. You would have chewed up the competition on 1. Get a '08-'10 TE 510 with the efi maybe? They are REAL light, espically in the front end as the front tire seems to be in the air most of the time.

Yeah, I rode ioneater's 510 at the Oregon C.H. get together and it seemed to have a defective front wheel too. 'they all do that" I guess.

I **REALLY** liked that bike.

 

[WoodsChick]

I think my next bike is a 310... or maybe a wr250r or something (heresy I know)

Excellent! A smaller lighter dirt bike will take your riding to a whole `nother lever, for sure Much easier to find the outer limits of your talent on one of those rather than on a 610


Nice van, too! We have a `95 GMC Vandura and it looks exactly like yours on the inside. We got it with 12k miles on it and it's got over 100k now and it's been a great vehicle. Just make sure your petcocks don't leak when transporting your bikes or it'll give you a headache




WoodsChick

 

[xymotic]

Oh, and get yer elbows up

Eh! Eh! Look at them elbows! I was like 5 or 6' in the air... & never had 1 lesson!!!

(before you gimme crap about being cheap I did buy this pic. I just like the "Proof" better It's PROOF I was there dammit!!!

 

[XLEnduroMan]

That pic shold go in the splash screen rotation. It's not every day you see a 610 hitting mx jumps.

 

[Coffee]

That pic shold go in the splash screen rotation. It's not every day you see a 610 hitting mx jumps.

This would be where to post it so it gets the proper attention. Obviously the word 'proof' may or may not be desirable - depends on what the selection committee wants (not me).

http://www.cafehusky.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3740

 

[robertaccio]

That pic shold go in the splash screen rotation. It's not every day you see a 610 hitting mx jumps.

Xymotic, get the originals up and up that Catalina GP thing is super cool.

PS rmember 610s can jump, just gotta be a little mindful of the machine.

safe launch and land table top at "The Ranch" in Anza, Ca

 

[BILLF]

Great pic.

Me and my guys love GPs,glad to see you made it and had a blast.Again great pic !!I love GPs ,they give you time to bounce off a few things and get settled in for just fun.billf

www.billshusky.com