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Riding Styles => XC => Topic started by: bushwesl on May 25, 2022, 07:43:58 PM

Title: 2022 D14 ATV XC Series
Post by: bushwesl on May 25, 2022, 07:43:58 PM
I competed in my first ever racing experience as part of the D14 ATV XC series here in MI last Saturday. I made a post on TRX250R grown up owners FB page, but for those that don’t have FB, I figured I’d share here as well.

Being this was my first time, I entered into the C class. I ended up taking the holeshot and 2nd in C class, and 7th overall of ~35 riders.

It was an absolute blast! I’ve always wanted to try racing, but it took until 36 to make it happen. I wish I had tried sooner… I’ll definitely be back, showing that a guy from 85 and a 250R from 86 can still be competitive😁

https://vimeo.com/713878783
Title: Re: D14 ATV XC - Round 1
Post by: croat1 on May 25, 2022, 07:58:44 PM
Congratulations and thanks for sharing!  Please keep us posted on future races.

Joe
Title: Re: D14 ATV XC - Round 1
Post by: The norm on May 25, 2022, 08:06:48 PM
Awesome job!
Title: Re: D14 ATV XC - Round 1
Post by: 2ndmoto on May 25, 2022, 09:18:16 PM
Very nice. Looks like a well prepped track. A bit of MX and xc.
Title: Re: D14 ATV XC - Round 1
Post by: bholzgen on May 26, 2022, 06:16:39 AM
Pumped for you Wes.  Congrats again!!
Title: Re: D14 ATV XC - Round 1
Post by: bushwesl on May 26, 2022, 09:34:06 AM
Thank you all for the kind words!

2ndmoto, the course was at The Fredneck Ranch in Frederic, MI. It was the coolest terrain I’ve ever ridden - a mini MX track (the one you see in the video), a national MX track, and then a mix of trails and tight wood sections across their 300+ acres. It was an absolute riot and tested all of a rider’s skills. I’m not sure the length of the course, but our races are 90 minutes + 1 lap. I ended up with 5 laps whereas the A riders were at 6. The A riders amazed me. Once they lapped me I tried to keep up. No freaking way. The speed that they were able to bomb through the trails and tight woods was unreal. I can only imagine the ability of the pro level GNCC guys.
Title: Re: 2022 D14 ATV XC Series
Post by: bushwesl on September 06, 2022, 08:59:54 AM
These next few posts are a bit delayed...

Here’s some pics from the 2nd race at Bundy Hill Off-Road Park. There were polar opposite riding conditions on this course - where it was dry it was so dusty to the point you couldn’t see and where it was wet in the woods there were quad engulfing sized water holes. Thankfully I was able to avoid submarining the R in the water holes. Others weren’t as fortunate. I was able to get the holeshot and hold the lead the entire race.
Title: Re: 2022 D14 ATV XC Series
Post by: bushwesl on September 06, 2022, 09:25:27 AM
My third race was back at the Fredneck Ranch. I didn’t get the holeshot, but I blame that on poor line positioning. We initially lined up, where I was positioned where I wanted to be, then we had to move everyone back where I was squeezed to the furthest outside location. Oh well, I still finished 3rd for the day.
Title: Re: 2022 D14 ATV XC Series
Post by: bushwesl on September 06, 2022, 09:30:21 AM
The D14 XC 5th round (my 4th race) was yet again at the Fredneck Ranch. It’s the last one there for the year. I took the holeshot and 2nd place. I personally felt better than I ever have - stamina, strength, fatigue, etc. Apparently working out and eating better is helping🤷🏼‍♂️ That said, I’m still slower than the guy that consistently beats me…😏 The R ran great, but my skid plate broke and one of my pipe springs popped off. Easy fixes. I think the engine is starting to get a little tired, unfortunately. I need to run a compression test to know for sure. I’d really, really like to make it through this season without having to rebuild as there are only 2 more races left.
Title: Re: 2022 D14 ATV XC Series
Post by: croat1 on September 06, 2022, 09:51:53 AM
Wes, great job.  Thanks again for sharing

Joe
Title: Re: 2022 D14 ATV XC Series
Post by: The norm on September 06, 2022, 02:28:03 PM
Great stuff Wes!
Title: Re: 2022 D14 ATV XC Series
Post by: Tbone07 on September 08, 2022, 09:21:14 AM
Well done! XC racing is fun as hell. Haven't raced a GNCC since 2018. Gotta get back into it!
Title: Re: 2022 D14 ATV XC Series
Post by: bushwesl on September 11, 2022, 10:32:32 PM
Well, I’m dropping off the engine this week to DBC Racing for a rebuild. It’s really hard to start and get/keep running, and I can roll it over with my hand. I hope it’s a quick turnaround and I can be back in the game for the next race.
Title: Re: 2022 D14 ATV XC Series
Post by: havinnoj on September 12, 2022, 09:18:03 PM
That's a great looking R and congrats!
Title: Re: 2022 D14 ATV XC Series
Post by: Tbone07 on September 14, 2022, 10:59:14 AM
Well, I’m dropping off the engine this week to DBC Racing for a rebuild. It’s really hard to start and get/keep running, and I can roll it over with my hand. I hope it’s a quick turnaround and I can be back in the game for the next race.

DBC racing is a good shop. They'll do it right for ya
Title: Re: 2022 D14 ATV XC Series
Post by: bushwesl on September 21, 2022, 09:11:31 PM
DBC racing is a good shop. They'll do it right for ya
DBC Racing is better than good, Blake’s the man! I dropped my engine off last Monday and just picked it up tonight - a 1 week turnaround. We ended up doing a lot more than just rebuilding the top end. He split the cases and replaced the gaskets to fix a small oil leak, put a new clutch in, and replaced the counterbalancer bearing. It should be good to go for awhile now. Thanks to DBC Racing, I’ll easily make it to the next race on Oct 8th.
Title: Re: 2022 D14 ATV XC Series
Post by: bushwesl on October 19, 2022, 09:50:24 PM
Even though DBC Racing took care of me in time for the Oct 8 race, I unfortunately had to miss it. I was, however, able to make the last race of the season this past weekend at Valley Trail Riders in Bentley, MI. VTR did an awesome job with the course and the overall management of the race. It was a true woods course and the scenery was amazing with the fall color change here in MI. It sure was muddy, though. Not the best pictures, but these are what I have.
Title: Re: 2022 D14 ATV XC Series
Post by: bushwesl on October 19, 2022, 09:54:17 PM
A couple more pics.

I finished 2nd in my class and 10th overall for the day. The ol’ 250R with a fresh engine ran great😁

As far as overall points, I finished 3rd in my class, just 3 points behind the 2nd place guy. Had I made any of the 3 races I missed and finished, I would have easily taken 2nd overall. Showing up consistently is key, something I look forward to being better at next year. Speaking of next year, I think I will move up to B class or 35+ Vet, depending on what some of the other guys end up doing.
Title: Re: 2022 D14 ATV XC Series
Post by: The norm on October 19, 2022, 11:18:11 PM
Awesome Wes!
Title: Re: 2022 D14 ATV XC Series
Post by: croat1 on October 20, 2022, 02:58:13 AM
Very cool Wes.  Once again thanks for sharing.

Joe
Title: Re: 2022 D14 ATV XC Series
Post by: The norm on October 20, 2022, 12:08:35 PM
It's tough seeing a beautiful R so dirty lol. I'm very confident that you have already scrubbed it up and have it back in show room shape lol.
Loren
Title: Re: 2022 D14 ATV XC Series
Post by: bushwesl on October 20, 2022, 12:39:07 PM
 Thanks, guys!

I know what you mean, Loren. It was a little hard going into the first race knowing how badly I was going to thrash on a completely rebuilt machine. At the end of the day, it’s what they’re for, right? I can always rebuild. At least that’s what I tell myself😊

I’m still working on the cleaning process… everything has been power washed with the plastics and skid plates removed, now I just need to go through a final detail job before putting it up for the winter.
Title: Re: 2022 D14 ATV XC Series
Post by: The norm on October 20, 2022, 02:35:46 PM
Yeah it's why build and rebuild and rebuild these iconic machines! I have been on many different quads over the years and I can't say I have ever been on one that makes me smile like my R does.