pahusky
Husqvarna
Pro Class
I know the cat is out of the bag, but I had to do a proper race and year end report.
Before leaving for the last two rounds I spent a lot of time in the garage...
The bike was prepped and ready; shipped down with some co-racers on Wednesday. We flew into Nashville and rented a car. Having been to the location before we kind-of knew what to expect. Was not quite sure how the rain had affected the area.
Being a double header race weekend the bikes were to run on Friday and Sunday. One of my main concerns was breaking something on Friday that was not available in the area. The nearest Husky dealer was over 5 hours away. Ended up with one offer of taking a bike along for parts and having other offers of WR's a couple of hours in either direction from the track if I needed parts. I would have all day Saturday if need be...
Heading into the first race on Friday Andy had a one point lead for the championship and with the throw-away races the only way to lock it up on Friday would be with a win.
They had about an 11 mile loop setup for the morning race. Good level grass field for the start...after 2 turns they crossed a creek and headed out for a couple of miles of new terrain and cornfield before crossing back thru the creek and hooking back onto the normal track. The creek was not that deep and had a pebble/stone bottom. Not to bad... It was going to end up a 5 lap race.
On Friday the track was tacky/heavy mud and pretty deep in spots.
As the flag dropped Andy somehow ended up 3 kicking his bike, don't ask me. Last off the line and last to cross the creek heading out. But before the next crossing heading back he had moved up to 2nd and was hot on the trail.
1/2 hour later he came thru right on the competition's rear wheel. On laps 2, 3 and 4 Andy had the lead. I'm not sure what it was all about but Andy 'hit the wall'. Just no energy, no fight, he was done mentally. Andy ended up 2nd for the day. The championship points would now be tied with the winner taking all on Sunday! The competition had ridden into 5th overall and Andy was 12th...all things considered a good day for both of them.
The weather cleared up nicely over Friday night; Saturday and Sunday were fantastic days. Saturday was spent doing some damage repair on the boy's mental state...he was really down on himself. I let him go...he was beating himself up enough for three people. The bike faired well on Friday...busted the front off the right radiator shroud. FAR did not have one and it certainly did not seem worth a couple hour drive. Threw on a new set of tires, cleaned up and rewired the grips, fresh filter and the spare FMF TC2 that we brought along. The stock silencer welds broke at the pipe inlet. General going over...I was satisfied it was ready for battle.
Sunday morning rolled around and the boy looked to be in race mode. I like it! Relaxed, focused and not real nervous... He dressed early, handed over the spare goggles and gloves. Been drinking water all morning, camelback filled up, topped of the gas and to the line early. Take the stand to the line, pick your spot and throw the bike on it and go look the corners over...standard stuff.
Fairly light turnout for his class, 13 bikes on Friday and only 12 on Sunday. The way the rules are written, if there is a tie for the class championship going into the last race; throw the points out, it's who does the best between who's tied.
Andy knew he had at least a 15-20 second edge on the competition; they have to stop for a splash of gas. They started the class way in the back again; going to be lots of passing. When the flag dropped Andy managed to 2 kick the bike this time, not good. I think he got to happy with the trigger finger. Same scenario; one of the last to the creek and second when they crossed back over, right on the competitions tail...Here we go, It's on!
This time the track was over 12 miles. It would be a 4 lap race, 1/2 hour+/- lap time. First lap thru Andy had 1st place with a 14 second lead. On laps 2, 3 and 4 his lap times would stay consistent; 9 seconds was the biggest spread in his times. He was absolutely cranking the bike, pinned the whole time and not bothering to look back. Looked real aggressive but in control...
The Husky gurus were in from California and hanging around FAR's pits. When Andy headed out on the last lap with a 40 second lead I walked over and invited them to the finish line to see if Andy and the WR could pull it off. When Andy hit the motocross track and had 2 minutes to the checkered, the only comment I remember hearing was ''Well he certainly pushes to the end". At the flag he had pulled a 1 minute, 7 second lead. Class championship locked up! Never seen a bigger smile!
The guys hung around and congratulated Andy before heading back to the pits. I, of course, told Andy 'awesome ride' and must have had a smile on my clock. I told him he had to have finished high in the overall...That's when Hanna, the one announcer girl that knows Andy, called me over to the scoring trailer. She looked at me with a little smile and said "he just overalled it''.
Icing on the cake...
Link to overall - http://www.racer-results.net/results/gncc/2011/overall.asp?e=83&r=5&s=4
With Mom, the Team Manager...
The goal for the year was two national tiltes...misson accomplished.
Link to GNCC final Points - http://www.racer-results.net/results/gncc/2011/seriespoints.asp?s=4&c=48
It's been a long year, a good year...Andy and I have been very happy to share it with you. I'm not sure this would have gotten done without the Café. Thanks to Wally, Darin and the rest of the diners at the cafe for their support. water racer, jbankes and smoke229 thanks for the spare/parts bike offers for Tenn.
We will not make the AMA banquet in Vegas, but will be attending the GNCC one in Morgantown, W Va. If you are there please look us up.
We've been talking to Husky about next year. I sure would like to hang around with you guys and gals for another year...even if it is in the 4 stroke section...It's been fun.
Link to Husqvarna's National Race Report - http://www.dirtrider.com/community/staff-blogs/husqvarna-celebrates-victory-at-loretta-lynn-s-gncc
Big Thanks to the sponsors...
Toy Tech Cycles, KB5 Industries, Cycra Handguards, Gaerne Boots, One Industries, RK Chain, Wiseco Pistons, EVS Sports, Montana Motoz and the good people at the Cafe...
Before leaving for the last two rounds I spent a lot of time in the garage...
The bike was prepped and ready; shipped down with some co-racers on Wednesday. We flew into Nashville and rented a car. Having been to the location before we kind-of knew what to expect. Was not quite sure how the rain had affected the area.
Being a double header race weekend the bikes were to run on Friday and Sunday. One of my main concerns was breaking something on Friday that was not available in the area. The nearest Husky dealer was over 5 hours away. Ended up with one offer of taking a bike along for parts and having other offers of WR's a couple of hours in either direction from the track if I needed parts. I would have all day Saturday if need be...
Heading into the first race on Friday Andy had a one point lead for the championship and with the throw-away races the only way to lock it up on Friday would be with a win.
They had about an 11 mile loop setup for the morning race. Good level grass field for the start...after 2 turns they crossed a creek and headed out for a couple of miles of new terrain and cornfield before crossing back thru the creek and hooking back onto the normal track. The creek was not that deep and had a pebble/stone bottom. Not to bad... It was going to end up a 5 lap race.
On Friday the track was tacky/heavy mud and pretty deep in spots.
As the flag dropped Andy somehow ended up 3 kicking his bike, don't ask me. Last off the line and last to cross the creek heading out. But before the next crossing heading back he had moved up to 2nd and was hot on the trail.
1/2 hour later he came thru right on the competition's rear wheel. On laps 2, 3 and 4 Andy had the lead. I'm not sure what it was all about but Andy 'hit the wall'. Just no energy, no fight, he was done mentally. Andy ended up 2nd for the day. The championship points would now be tied with the winner taking all on Sunday! The competition had ridden into 5th overall and Andy was 12th...all things considered a good day for both of them.
The weather cleared up nicely over Friday night; Saturday and Sunday were fantastic days. Saturday was spent doing some damage repair on the boy's mental state...he was really down on himself. I let him go...he was beating himself up enough for three people. The bike faired well on Friday...busted the front off the right radiator shroud. FAR did not have one and it certainly did not seem worth a couple hour drive. Threw on a new set of tires, cleaned up and rewired the grips, fresh filter and the spare FMF TC2 that we brought along. The stock silencer welds broke at the pipe inlet. General going over...I was satisfied it was ready for battle.
Sunday morning rolled around and the boy looked to be in race mode. I like it! Relaxed, focused and not real nervous... He dressed early, handed over the spare goggles and gloves. Been drinking water all morning, camelback filled up, topped of the gas and to the line early. Take the stand to the line, pick your spot and throw the bike on it and go look the corners over...standard stuff.
Fairly light turnout for his class, 13 bikes on Friday and only 12 on Sunday. The way the rules are written, if there is a tie for the class championship going into the last race; throw the points out, it's who does the best between who's tied.
Andy knew he had at least a 15-20 second edge on the competition; they have to stop for a splash of gas. They started the class way in the back again; going to be lots of passing. When the flag dropped Andy managed to 2 kick the bike this time, not good. I think he got to happy with the trigger finger. Same scenario; one of the last to the creek and second when they crossed back over, right on the competitions tail...Here we go, It's on!
This time the track was over 12 miles. It would be a 4 lap race, 1/2 hour+/- lap time. First lap thru Andy had 1st place with a 14 second lead. On laps 2, 3 and 4 his lap times would stay consistent; 9 seconds was the biggest spread in his times. He was absolutely cranking the bike, pinned the whole time and not bothering to look back. Looked real aggressive but in control...
The Husky gurus were in from California and hanging around FAR's pits. When Andy headed out on the last lap with a 40 second lead I walked over and invited them to the finish line to see if Andy and the WR could pull it off. When Andy hit the motocross track and had 2 minutes to the checkered, the only comment I remember hearing was ''Well he certainly pushes to the end". At the flag he had pulled a 1 minute, 7 second lead. Class championship locked up! Never seen a bigger smile!
The guys hung around and congratulated Andy before heading back to the pits. I, of course, told Andy 'awesome ride' and must have had a smile on my clock. I told him he had to have finished high in the overall...That's when Hanna, the one announcer girl that knows Andy, called me over to the scoring trailer. She looked at me with a little smile and said "he just overalled it''.
Icing on the cake...
Link to overall - http://www.racer-results.net/results/gncc/2011/overall.asp?e=83&r=5&s=4
With Mom, the Team Manager...
The goal for the year was two national tiltes...misson accomplished.
Link to GNCC final Points - http://www.racer-results.net/results/gncc/2011/seriespoints.asp?s=4&c=48
It's been a long year, a good year...Andy and I have been very happy to share it with you. I'm not sure this would have gotten done without the Café. Thanks to Wally, Darin and the rest of the diners at the cafe for their support. water racer, jbankes and smoke229 thanks for the spare/parts bike offers for Tenn.
We will not make the AMA banquet in Vegas, but will be attending the GNCC one in Morgantown, W Va. If you are there please look us up.
We've been talking to Husky about next year. I sure would like to hang around with you guys and gals for another year...even if it is in the 4 stroke section...It's been fun.
Link to Husqvarna's National Race Report - http://www.dirtrider.com/community/staff-blogs/husqvarna-celebrates-victory-at-loretta-lynn-s-gncc
Big Thanks to the sponsors...
Toy Tech Cycles, KB5 Industries, Cycra Handguards, Gaerne Boots, One Industries, RK Chain, Wiseco Pistons, EVS Sports, Montana Motoz and the good people at the Cafe...
Sure hope Husky steps up and rewards an up and coming young guy that has speed, works hard, and wants it.
