T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 51 James Dabill
T&E News P 52 DESIGNED FOR YOUR JOURNEY M i l lv i l le I I | Developed for the weekend warrior, the Millville II has also proven to be capable of winning at the highest levels of off- road racing. With a few AMA Off-Road Championships in the books, now it’s your turn to give them a spin. For soft-to-intermediate conditions, they’ll provide the edge you need to fight for the checkers. RYDER LAFFERTY UPHOLDING THE FAMILY NAME SANDLAPPER NATIONAL ENDURO KendaTire.com Photo: Shan Moore
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 53 Made in USASKID PLATES FOR ALL BRANDS• Exceptional quality and durability.• Billet Aluminum Mounting Hardware.• Manufactured from CNC machined 5052H32 aluminum alloy for strength and light weight.• Protects those vulnerable engine cases, covers and frame rails from the elements without being bulky.• Vents in the wings let air flow through and mud fall out.• Forward lap blocks front wheel roost from packing between plate and cases.• Holes to let you drain your oil without removing the plate.• Built in foot peg mount coverage. $99.95
T&E News P 56The 3rd Yamaha 250F2015 Yamaha WR250FBy Don Williams making his way to the top of the outstanding racer capable ofPhotography by Kelly Callan podium in the AMA Supercross satisfying the competitive urges 250SX East class. of anyone looking to seriously 2015 is a big year for Yamaha compete in enduros or cross-in the 250cc off-road division. Off-track, the YZ250FX is huge country racing.The YZ250F is a highly regarded news, bringing full-on racebikemotocross and supercross capabilities to the off-road That leaves the long running,weapon, with Jeremy Martin world, something we haven’t but completely updated forwinning the AMA Pro Motocross seen from Japan in some years. 2015, Green Sticker and EPA-250 championship last year and Reviewed last issue by Jess friendly WR250F. It’s a bike that McKinley, the YZ250FX is an we’ve been familiar with since
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 571998, but this new version is If you’re a hard charger, you on the FX and you get excellentmuch more competition ready, will definitely prefer the suspen- terrain feedback. However, it iswhile still fulfilling its unspoken sion settings of the FX to the more fatiguing to ride the FX onduty as a do-it-all trail bike. WR, though keep in mind that rocky or root-infested terrain, the WR has the same spring rate as you will feel under siege at The WR shares many dimen- as the FX, and a slightly softer lower speeds. If you’re the typesions with the FX, but it’s defi- rear spring. of guy who is on the gas at allnitely a softened up motorcycle. times and is in top-notch shape,Although both the WR and FX With the firmer damping, you the FX suspension will suit youhave the high-end KYB SSS forks ride much higher in the strokeand KYB shock, the WR’s damp-ing is set up for more compli-ance and lower speeds. The WRgets the same engine as the FX,though it is retuned to meetthe compulsive needs of thetailpipe sniffers in governmentoffices. Yamaha puts the newrugged all-around Dunlop Geo-max AT81s on the FX, comparedto the soft-to-intermediateterrain older Geomax MX51s onthe WR; both bikes have 18-inchrear wheels. All is not a downgrade for theWR, as it gets a USFS-approvedspark arrester, a radiator fan(something we would installon the FX), a skid plate (plastic),basic enduro computer, andlighting. As a result of this extraequipment, the WR weighs ninepounds more than the FX andcosts another $100, which is agood deal. Yamaha positions the WR250Fas an enduro/tight-trail bike, forriders midway between “casualriding” and “aggressive riding/race condition”. That is a fair as-sessment based on our testing,and whether or not the WR isthe right bike for you comparedto the FX is dependent uponyour realistic evaluation of yourown riding style and needs.
T&E News P 58better. However, don’t dismiss hard on the 250mm front disc’s ing particularly unsettling. If youthe WR if you ride at a more predictable four-piston Nissin like to hammer whoops and hitmoderate speed. caliper and the front end dives. triples, you’ll think it’s too soft, That is the price you pay for though you wouldn’t have been With compliant KYB suspen- being escorted softly through thinking about a WR if that’ssion, the WR is a pleasure to ride nasty conditions and keeping how you ride.for hours in technical terrain. your arms jolt-free.The WR suspension takes the The best news is that youedge off of the obstacles, yet With a softer shock and lighter are starting with high-end KYBstill allows you to steer the bike damping, the WR’s rear KYB Speed Sensitive Forks and awith confidence. Yes, there’s ex- feels good most of the time. big-piston KYB shock. If you’recessive suspension movement There’s a bit of squatting under dissatisfied with the stock sus-at times, such as when you pull hard acceleration, though noth- pension and available adjust-
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 59
T&E News P 60ments, you can simply send the have that sort of instantaneous be visually noticeable to the ca-units off to a reputable suspen- power with the WR, so you’ll sual observer, though the ridersion shop and have it sprung find yourself hitting more rocks will feel it significantly. Someand damped to your personal and roots than you would on riders may want full YZ power,preferences. the FX. while others will be satisfied with the FX’s delivery, or some While the suspension changes Thanks to the fuel injection, combination of those. Keep inare obvious, the motor reca- the WR is never boggy, but it is mind that the WR has a differentlibration is where you will feel on the doggy side. Once you clutch setup, so you will needthe biggest difference. Where get up to the midrange, the dif- to go to stiffer springs and theas the FX jumps at the crack of ference isn’t particularly notice- YZ plates. As a bonus to keepthe throttle, the WR has no such able for most riders. As it revs the e-start’s battery topped off,intentions. In meeting EPA re- up into five figures, the 250cc the WR has a generator thatquirements, the off-idle throttle mill moves forward aggressively puts out 160 watts at 5000 rpmresponse is considerably slower. and progressively, yet always (about 70-percent higher than controllably. the kickstart-only YZ250F), so One of the great things after-dark riders can run decentabout the FX is that you can Like the suspension, the WR’s illumination.blip the throttle and move it motor can be retuned to YZalong the tops of obstacles, as specs if you’d like. While it may Overall, the morphing of thewell as jump through whoops technically invalidate the bike’s Supercross-ready YZ250F to thewith confidence. You just don’t Green Sticker status, that won’t
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 61WR250F is a successful one. The 2015 Yamaha WR250F Specificationsaluminum frame is nearly iden-tical and provides outstandingly Engine type: Liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke; 4 titanium valvespredictable handling with the Bore x stroke: 77.0mm x 53.6mmlower-power WR motor. The Displacement: 250ccergonomics are spot on, and Compression ratio: 13.5:1the embedded-graphics plastic Fuel delivery: Yamaha Fuel Injection Keihin 44mmfeels and looks great. All the Ignition: Transistor Controlled Ignitionhand and foot controls operate Transmission: Wide-ratio constant-mesh 6-speed; multiplateas intended, and never was a wet clutchshift missed. Suspension Front: KYB Speed-Sensitive System; inverted fork; fully adjust- The ratios in the six-speed able, 12.2-inches of traveltransmission are excellent, and Rear: KYB fully adjustable linkage-assisted single shock;you never wonder what gear 12.4-inches of travelyou should be in. Compared to Brakesthe old five-speed WR, 1st gear Front: Hydraulic single disc brake, 250mmis the same, with 2nd though Rear: Hydraulic single disc brake, 245mm5th lower, and the new 6th cog Tiresis about nine-percent higher Front: 80/100-21 Dunlop Geomax MX51than previously found on a WR. Rear: 110/80-18 Dunlop Geomax MX51This is a great help on wide- L x W x H: 85.2 x 32.5 x 50.4 inchesopen roads and in the California Seat height: 38.0 inchesdesert. Wheelbase: 57.7 inches Ground clearance: 12.8 inches At first glance, one might Fuel capacity: 2.0 gallonswonder why the WR250F exists Wet weight: 258 poundsin concert with the YZ250FX. MSPR: $7990Actually, if anything, the exis-tence of the YZ250FX is the oddone. While you can fairly easilyconvert the WR250F to a neartwin of the YZ250FX, you can’tget the Green Sticker and EPAcertification into an FX. Regardless, we’re very happythat Yamaha now has threeoff-road 250cc four-strokes, andeach has a distinctive personal-ity that is likeable in differentways. While the 2015 YamahaWR250F may be the least-sexyof the 250s, it probably is theone that will work best for themajority of riders, if they hon-estly access their needs overtheir wants. n
T&E News P 62DeLong Sandblasts SandlapperAndrew DeLongKenda AMA National Enduro team a big win at the Sandlap- and sandy trail. However, theRound 2 per National Enduro in Pelion, sandy based single-track usedMarch 1, 2015 South Carolina on March 1st. for the event wound up being inPelion, South Carolina near perfect condition in most Cold temperatures and a places, not counting the ex- Andrew DeLong turned heavy rain storm moved into tremely wet first test, and whenthings around from his eighth the Pelion area the night before DeLong finished the openingplace finish at the series opener the race and hovered overhead test he was sitting at the top ofin Sumter one month before until mid-morning, leaving the leader board despite suffer-and brought his Rockstar En- most of the parking area and ing a couple of tip-overs. Thisergy Husqvarna Factory Racing some of the transfer trails a bit was definitely a good sign for muddy, as 720 riders lined up to the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna do battle over 77 miles of tight
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 63In His Own Words... Factory Racing rider, to wind up on the ground a couple of times Andrew DeLong talks abouthis big win at this year’s and still be leading at the event.Sandlapper national enduro... “It was just one of those days It was a pretty good day today. I actually made a lot of mis- when everything clicked,” De-takes falling over and losing the front end because of the wetness Long would say after the event.of the ground, but was able to get up and flow and hit my lineslike I wanted. All my corners flowed pretty good today which I In all, DeLong won four of thewas pretty pumped on. six tests and beat out defending GNCC champ Kailub Russell by Actually in the second test my bike got stuck in-between two one second short of a full min-trees and I couldn’t get it out for like 45 seconds I would say. I ac- ute to take the overall win.tually did pretty good in that test. It was a good day. Just one ofthose days where everything sort of clicks. I had a point to prove “I felt like I had a point tobecause I don’t like getting 8th. This is where I want to be. I know prove,” said DeLong. “I wasn’tit’s tough leading and everything but I’m glad that those guys got happy at all with my ride into experience what I experienced at the first race. It’s good. We’ll Sumter, and I feel like this iscontinue going and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season. where I want to be – on top ofIt feels good to get it back. the podium – and I was able to make it happen.” Just being able to read the trail made a big difference. This onethe ground was a little bit more exposed and the trail was good. Russell, on the other hand,I was able to read it and adapt to it pretty quick. I don’t know was not happy at all with hishow it was for the 21A guy but it was probably a little bit better. ride despite some impressiveStew rode pretty good today and Kailub did, so it must have been times in several of the sections.pretty good. Just a solid day. I’m really pumped to put my bike Though he didn’t win a test alland the Husqvarna back on top. n day, the FMF/KTM rider didn’t have any crashes, didn’t get lost, and was the most consistent of the remainder of the field. Russell finished the day with the second fastest time in three tests and three times he was third fastest, but he was still not happy. “I just had a steady and consistent day but I’m not too happy with it at all,” said Rus- sell, who was top American at last year’s ISDE in Argentina. “I felt like I rode really good but I didn’t get any test wins, so there’s something wrong with that. It was a long day and to ride as well as I did and be as far off of Andrew’s pace as I was in that last test is pretty disap- pointing. Andrew rode really
T&E News P 64 Kailub Russellwell today, he was really consis- the series where he finished Four-time series champtent and going fast but I still feel ninth. The N-Fab AmPro Yamaha Russell Bobbitt turned in aI was going really fast so I’m just rider won two tests and finished consistent ride, but suffered akind of searching.” the race just over a minute be- mechanical problem in test two hind Russell. that cost the FMF/KTM rider a One thing that Russell was couple of minutes, leaving himpleased with was that his “This is a lot better than 16th in the test. Other than thatrunner-up finish moved him ninth,” said Baylor. “I was way one test, Bobbitt battled backinto the points lead, seven off the pace in the first test; I and forth with Baylor for thepoints ahead of DeLong after think Andrew got me by about final podium spot.two rounds. two minutes in there and I was about a minute-and-a-half off of “It wasn’t exactly a smooth “I’m just going to go to Texas Kailub, so it wasn’t looking good round,” said Bobbitt. “We hadand see how it goes,” said Rus- at that point,” said Baylor. “I was a problem with the bike thatsell. “Hopefully I can get this able to pick up the pace in the probably came from me hit-thing figured out.” second test and then I won the ting some water and I lost a lot next two tests, so I was starting of time getting it fixed. From Grant Baylor rounded out the to gain on Kailub but I just ran there I tried to get back up topodium, and like DeLong, was out of time.” speed after that and I slowlymaking amends for a disap-pointing ride at round one of
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 65made up ground but Grant was it around in the next few tests by DeLong and Steward Baylor,putting on a good charge but I and come away with a decent tied for second with 43.just didn’t sting a complete day finish.”together.” In the Rekluse Expert-AA class, Steward Baylor, the point round one winner, KTM rider Brad Bakken rounded out series leader coming into the Zach Hayes, turned in anotherthe top five, the N-Fab AmPro race after winning the opener stellar rider to win the class andYamaha rider 36 seconds off of in Sumter, South Carolina, rode also finish 13th overall. “I didn’tBobbitt’s overall time. the Sandlapper in a lot of pain get arm-pump this time,” said after having surgery three days Hayes. “And I think that helped Australian off-roader Josh before to repair a broken col- me to build a lead in the longStrang, a recent convert from larbone. His doctor plated the first section.” Second went toGNCC competition, finished up bone and inserted 12 screws DirtWise/Maxxis/KLIM’s Drewin sixth, but fully admitted that to hold it in place on Thursday Higgins, while third was N-Fabhe is still getting used to the afternoon and Baylor refused AmPro Yamaha’s Ryan Belue.enduro format. any pain pills to keep his head clear for the race. Over 720 riders entered the “I had a couple of tip-overs Sandlapper enduro, second inbut nothing major,” said Strang. “I’m just happy to come away number only to last month’s“I had goggle issues all day, I with some points today,” said record 825 riders at the Sumter,think a lot of people did, but I Baylor. “I just tried to be mind- South Carolina round.lost my goggles every test and ful of my limits and ride within Sandlappper Endurothat’s frustrating. Some tests I those and try to get all the March 1, 2015felt good and some tests I felt points I could.” Resultsreally bad, and I’m not too hap- 1. Andrew DeLong (Hus)py that last test; I lost quite a bit Baylor added that he plans on 2. Kailub Russell (KTM)of time, so we’ll keep working.” skipping the first two rounds 3. Grant Baylor (Yam) of the GNCC series so he can 4. Russell Bobbitt (KTM) Beta USA’s Cory Buttrick heal up and be ready for the 5. Brad Bakken (Yam)turned in a solid performance next round of the Kenda AMA 6. Josh Strang (Hus)for seventh. The Ohio rider fell National Enduro Series in Texas 7. Cory Buttrick (Bet)in test one, but made up for it on March 22. 8. Steward Baylor (KTM)with some good times later in 9. Trevor Bollinger (KTM)the day. “I’m going to concentrate 10. Chris Bach (Hon) n on the national enduro series “I felt like we finished the day this year,” said Baylor. “I like thispretty well, unfortunately I had series and I still think I have aa fall in the first test and got off chance to win it.”on the wrong foot,” said Buttrick.“In the second test, the Ohio Baylor’s MotoTech/FLY Racingrider snagged his gear shift KTM teammate Trevor Bollingerlever on a tree and bent it back finished right behind Baylor inbehind his footpeg and had to ninth, while JCR Honda’s Chrisride the entire 10-mile test in Bach rounded out the top 10second gear. just nine seconds ahead of AirGroup Racing Husqvarna’s “Unfortunately test two was Ryder Lafferty.a long one, and it was a veryfast test, so running it in second With two rounds in the books,gear was definitely the best way Russell leads the point stand-to go, but we were able to turn ings with 50 points, followed
T&E News P 66Stu Baylor Rides Sandlapper With Broken Collarbone dislocated my foot, got back from that, then got the flu. As soon as I got back from that I broke my collarbone. It’s been a real struggle. I knew as soon as I hit the ground this is it, this is the season. It’s amazing what some guys out the Sprint Enduro because You kept it quiet.will go through to stay in a I didn’t want to do anything We went back home and justpoints race. After winning the stupid. I was just playing after told everybody down there thatopening round of the Kenda the moto and I was just going it was a dislocated shoulder.AMA National Enduro Series, out back around my track that They could obviously see some-Steward Baylor crashed while I had laid out and just looking thing was wrong. My shoulderpracticing on a local Moto at some new lines. I was about was under my chin. It was a re-track and crushed his collar- to start the next moto and I was ally bad break and the surgeonbone on the THURSDAY be- trail riding. I was standing up was really concerned aboutfore the Sandlapper. Stu kept around a second gear corner, a it. He actually had to find thethe news on the downlow, complete 180-degree sand turn. biggest plate they can make forand rode the event anyway, Don’t really know what hap- a collarbone. It took 12 screwssalvaging points by finishing pened but the front tire stuffed where normal clavicle injuriesan amazing eghth. and I just went over the bars. take five to seven. It was de- It was a simple crash, a stupid stroyed. On Thursday afternoon Here’s a conversation we crash. I knew as soon as I hit we got all that squared away.had with the Tech KTM rider the ground what happened. I You refused pain pills?after the events. immediately started punching I couldn’t take any pain the ground and I was pretty ag- pills. I knew it’d mess with How did this happen? gravated. my head coming in. Even still Last week I was just riding whenever they put you out itand I had just got done doing You’ve had a tough time messes with your lungs. Anda 45-minute moto. We were with injuries lately. I was sick before this so I wasdown riding in the sand. I had really struggling today. I thinkbeen sick all week before so I sat Yeah, the last few weeks ever if I would have had a little more since Sumter’s been rough. I wind there at the end of the test I could have done a little bit more. I’m happy to come away. Somebody was watching out for me today because it could have been all over real quick, just
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 67one mistake. That’s the main keep it quiet. I didn’t really want just because I was in so muchthing, eliminate the mistakes anybody telling me not to race. pain. It was pretty bad. We’veand know what you can do and I didn’t want all the talk. I didn’t had a rough last couple years. Iknow your limits. That’s where I want to hear everybody’s side of thought this year was going totried to ride today and get the it before the race. I just wanted turn around and then I’m rightpoints I could. We’re going to to come in and get what points I back in an operating room.sit out the first two GNCC’s and could and save it until Texas. Luckily I’ve got a lot of goodobviously focus on the Endu- doctors and obviously I’ve gotros this year. It’s where I stand That was Thursday that you somebody looking out for mea better chance of winning. I had the operation? up above. I’m just psyched. Ihaven’t told anybody - you’re can’t wait until Texas. We’re notactually one of the first people Thursday afternoon, so it going to miss any rounds ofthat knows other than family was right about 60 hours after NEPG this year and really focusand a couple people that no- operation, that’s when we on that championship. nticed the tape and a couple little started the race. It was tough.things. We’ve been trying to There were points out there where my vision would go away
T&E News P 68Sandlapper Talk:What the top riders said aftere theSandlapper National Enduro Parts of the course were good from the rain. It was nice and good sand berms and all that, and then other sections were pretty slick and clay-like with roots. It was a good mix. I don’t think the rain really made things worse except for a couple deep water holes. It was all right. RUSSELL BOBBITT - 4th JOSH STRANG - 6th Daniel Milner - 12th Kind of another not exactly It was all right. I had a couple It started off a bit rough. Ismooth day. Kind of similar to of small crashes but nothing had a few crashes in the firstthe first round except this time major. Just trying to get used test, but other than that it’s justwe sort of had a little problem to this format, the trees and learning I think. Each round’s awith the bike that could have the tracks. I had some goggles bit of a learning curve. I wouldmaybe came from me hitting a issues today, I think a lot of peo- like to be a lot further up thanbunch of water, I’m not sure. I ple did. I lost my goggles every I am right now, especially I’velost a lot of time in that second test. That’s frustrating. There’s been playing around with thetest, I believe. I managed to get some sections I feel good and 450 and also this weekend Ithrough the test, though. We other sections I feel really bad. rode a 250F. I think the 250Ffixed it and from there I tried Not too happy. That last test I suited me a lot better in theto get back up to speed. Each lost quite a bit of time. I felt like tighter stuff than what the 450test I kind of plugged away a I was going all right, but obvi- does. INAUDIBLE we get on aposition here and then the next ously not. Keep working. 250 and that’s the plan hope-test made up another position. fully and keep looking forward.I think then Grant was putting I haven’t rode a 250F since laston a good charge and he rode year in Endurocross back in Aus-really well the last half of the tralia. We rode 250F. These newrace and moved up into 3rd. I 250F’s are unreal, the power.wasn’t crashing or anything but They just keep pulling. They’rejust didn’t string the whole day definitely good bikes. I thinktogether again. Just have to they’re real suitable for the tightkeep going. conditions out here. I’m trying to adapt to living
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 69here in the States, but it’s cold, day turned around. A little bit look forward to days like todayit’s real cold. I’m struggling with unfortunate, right off the get-go that are pretty tricky and techni-that, especially when we first I took my shifter and wrapped it cal. It is what it is. Either waygot over. I’ve had a cold pretty behind the foot peg. I rode the we’re still good, still healthy andmuch since I’ve got over. I’ve rest of the test in second gear we’ll come back even better.had the sniffles and a runny and unfortunately it was a long GRANT BAYLOR - 3rdnose from being so cold. It one. Ended up running her inactually snowed down at the second gear for about the next Today went all right. First testfarm the other day. It was pretty ten miles. Really tried to be nice I was way off the pace. I thinkcrazy to see. We only get snow to it. Really tried not to hurt the Andrew got me by like twoback in Australia up on the bike. Unfortunately that test minutes in there. I was prob-mountains where we go skiing. was very, very fast with a bunch ably a minute and a half off ofIt’s pretty cool to see it down of fields, but we got through it. Kailub or so. Second test I wenton the flat and we were playing Lost a good bit of time unfor- through third fastest and pickedaround a bit in the snow back tunately. But from there on the up the pace a little bit. Goggleshome. It’s cool. Everything here day went pretty well. I was really were fogging up really bad butin America is the same as Aus- happy with how I finished the everybody was having the sametralia but that little bit bigger. last couple tests because I sure problems. Third test I won it byIt’s definitely good fun here and know I rode the best I could. about 10 seconds over Rus-I’m looking forward to the next Either way just a little bit of bad sell Bobbitt I believe. And thentwo years. luck. You’ll have days like that. It the fourth test I won as well. just happens, and unfortunately I started gaining a little bit of CORY BUTTRICK - 7TH it happened to us today. time on Kailub. I think I had a It was okay. We finished the minute to make up on the lastday pretty well. Unfortunately It was weird. Of course there two tests. I was charging butthe first test didn’t go that well. were a lot of places you felt like he rode good, everybody rodeI had a fall early on. It was just you were the best rider in the good and I ended up with 3rd.one of those things. I didn’t world because you had really, Can’t complain.ride very well in that first test, really good traction. You couldso I really wasn’t happy. I knew basically ride without taking I’ve been pretty good on thethat we were definitely going your feet off the pegs. Then bike. As soon as I jumped on it,to have to get the job done there were other spots that the KTM, is was actually a littlein the second test to get the were just greasy, which is to be bit faster. It turns really good. expected. I think for the most I’m really comfortable on the part it was pretty mushy really. I think there was still just prob- ably enough clay underneath a lot of the sand that you really just feel like you’re robbing power. You always felt like you were twisting or you weren’t go- ing nowhere. It wasn’t too bad. I really, really like days like today and I felt like it was a little bit of a bummer that we couldn’t capitalize on it because I really
T&E News P 70More Sandlapper Talk:bike. The guys did an awesome and to not get any test wins and comfortable going faster. Thejob with the suspension. I’m to be as far off the pace in the slow stuff, I don’t know if it’s justloving the Kenda tires and ev- last test that I was it was pretty a lack of motivation or just thaterything’s working really good. disappointing. Andrew rode the test links itself. I’m not sure. IAt Sumter I was just… I think I really well all day. He was really felt like I did a good job of keep-made the wrong tire choice. It consistent and going fast. I still ing myself in check and tryingwasn’t working for me. Just had felt like I rode really well so just to charge the whole day. I didn’tan off day. I’ve never really been kind of searching. feel like I let myself get compla-too fond of that place anyway cent and just start riding aroundbut just wasn’t my day I don’t think the format’s really out there. I felt like I really an issue or anything. Obviously pushed everywhere through all I do really well in the sprint the tests. There’s still something enduros and good at ISDE and missing... n that’s pretty much the same deal, just a lot faster and I’m KAILUB RUSSELL - 2nd Started off pretty good. Thefirst section was really prettylong and it was really slick andreally wet. It seemed like it wasthe wettest one of the day. Itwas so long we caught most ev-erybody in the test. The trail waskind of hard to read towards theend. I just had a steady, consis-tent day. Not too happy with it,really. Didn’t get any test winsand felt like I rode really good.There’s something wrong withthat. I’m going to definitely dothe next one and just go fromthere. Pretty frustrated. It was along day and I rode really well
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 71Mullins Still Waiting overcome. I’m not going to lie; it’s been a tough nine months Charlie Mullins, the 2010 bump. That was on my right since I did this whole thing.National Enduro Champion and wrist, which is the dislocated2011 GNCC champ, has been on wrist, and he looked at both of “I’m just kind of trying to staythe sidelines since injuring both them and he ended up doing a in it and stay motivated. I thinkof his wrists about nine months bone graph on my left wrist. I’m getting close where I thinkago. The FMF/KTM rider felt his it’s going to work and I feelwrists were in good enough “Currently it’s healing but it’s confident. It’s just being patientshape to ride at the end of last just going really slow. He did the and taking the time to let it fullyyear, but he reinjured one of bone graph and put two screws heal. I really don’t know thethem at the Ironman GNCC and in it so he gave it the best op- timeframe when I’ll be back,further aggravated both at the tion for it to heal. Then on my but when I do come back I’ll beISDE in Argentina. right wrist, just after the first ready to be fighting for a win. surgery it felt really loose and It’s just going to take time and We spoke with Mullins at this just a lot of bone on bone grind- we’ll see how that goes.”weekend’s national enduro in ing and popping. It just wasn’tSouth Carolina and he spoke right. It wasn’t able to last three Mullins also talked about theabout his progress with the hours in the GNCC. He ended range of motion in the wristinjuries and when he expects to up doing a partial fusion on it. that was fused.return to the track. He had to take my scaphoid bone out completely and cut “Basically the partial fusion, “Basically once I got back from a couple bones and he stapled the range of motion-wise I thinkSix Days, I met with a very high- them together, cut a bunch of it’s going to be okay. I had myend hand specialist down in cartilage. It was a lot of trauma wrist braces measured up andCharlotte,” said Mullins. “Basical- to that wrist. everything. All my stops on myly my scaphoid, I re-broke it at wrist brace I’m able to meetthe Ironman GNCC. I broke the “It’s been three months since those where I previously had it,screw in half. I didn’t even crash the surgery and I’ve been going and I was able to make it workor anything; I just hit a braking to therapy quite a bit and doing then. Just going off that gauge what I can to get it healed. The and how far it’s come in three fusion is all healed; he said it’s months the range of motion, I all-good; it’s just working past think it’s going to be okay. It’s the scar tissue and getting my obviously going to be limited. range of motion and everything It’s not going to be a full func- back. tioning wrist, but therapy thinks it should be okay long-term. It’s “I think long-term, big picture, just getting past the soreness once my scaphoid heals and I and working through it. I think get my right fused wrist back it’ll be just fine.” to where I feel it’s competitive I think it’s going to take a while to Mullins added that his doctors pick up where I left, but I think thought they might be able to there’s some promise where I clear him to ride in six weeks, don’t think my career is ending but Mullins wasn’t as optimistic or anything like that. It’s just a and said he thought it might be pretty tough hurdle I’ve got to as late as May. n
T&E News P 72A TOUGH ONE!Walker Wins Tough One Graham Jarvis (L to R), Jonny Walker and Alfredo Go- mez grace the podium at the Tough One EnduroTough One Extreme Enduro ing also topped Hell’s Gate three win wasn’t easy. My plan was toMarch 8, 2015 weeks earlier… try and get a good start, whichGreat Britain I was able to do. After that I justPhotos Future7Media Jonny, a first win at The Tough managed my lead. It’s great to One. How’s it feel to have finally finally be able to get a Tough Jonny Walker has contin- won a major extreme enduro One win.”ued his winning ways in 2015, event on home soil?claiming victory at The Tough A lot of riders suffered withOne extreme enduro. Topping Jonny: “I’m really pleased with arm pump in the early laps, butthe event for the first time ever this result. Graham [Jarvis] is you seemed to be able to pushhaving lead from start-to-finish, a hard guy to beat, but I really hard from the start…Walker is now two-for-two hav- wanted to keep things rolling on from my Hell’s Gate win. Jonny: “It’s always hard going Conditions were night and day from cold to full-speed straight different to that race, but this away. But I guess the run to my
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 73 JOnny Walkerbike warmed me up. Maybe also gap and stayed out of trouble You were also in action in theracing the SuperEnduro events during the final hour so every- Barcelona Indoor Enduro, howhelped, as there’s not much thing was fine.” was that?warm-up with indoor races. LikeI said I just tried to not make What was the track like this Jonny: “It was great. Notmistakes, which having got a year, did you prefer the drier the result I’d hoped for finish-good start was a little easier to conditions? ing fifth but a really enjoyabledo. I felt pretty good from the event. It was good to get backstart.” Jonny: “I was ready for what- on my 250cc four-stroke ahead ever the conditions were going of this weekend’s SuperEnduro You lost a little time mid-race, to be really. It was much nicer final round. That’s going to bewhy was that? than the cold and snow we an important race for me after had at Hell’s Gate, but not what my issues in Brazil. I’ve got some Jonny: “I didn’t read my pit everyone’s used to at Nantmawr work to do…”board properly. I thought it said Quarry. When things are drier it Results – Tough One 2015last lap, which thinking about makes some of the climbs and 1. Jonny Walker (KTM) 13 lapsit there’s no way it could have the rocks a little easier, but it 2. Graham Jarvis (Hus) 13 lapsbeen, and I slowed down a little. was still tough. It was still easy 3. Alfredo Gomez (Hus) nThe board said something like to make a small mistake and for‘1 lap till final hour’. It wasn’t too that become a bad lap. I wasmuch of a problem as I still had pleased that I only made onea good lead. I managed that mistakes.”
T&E News P 74Wiesenfels Tops BlackJack EnduroChampionship Round 1DIRTWISE/MAXXIS/KLIM/ GNCC Team rider Josh Wiesenfels blasts through a slick turn in test one of theBJEC at Zink Ranch on his way to first overall.BlackJack Enduro Series pionship was supposed to be ascended up the hill from theTulsa, OK a two day event, but Mother pits and onto the race course.March 14-15, 2015 Nature had other plans with What lay ahead of them wasBy Jon Shoalmire 1.46 inches of rain falling on the 84.3 miles of trail, some of it thePhotos by Andy M. Stevens/ race site in less than 12 hours on same trail used during the 1994Yellow Wood Photogrpahpy Friday evening causing the Tulsa International Six Days Enduro. Trail Riders to cancel day one of It was a muddy day on the the race. But Sunday the racers Josh Wiesenfels got out to anhistoric John Zink Ranch on were greeted by sunny skies early lead over Oklahoma nativeMarch 15th. The first round of and flooded cow pastures as the Tony Joiner, winning tests 1 andthe BlackJack Enduro Cham- participants, some from as far 2 and not caring in the least that away as Idaho and Mississippi his rear brake was not working. After swapping his rear
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 75 brake system during the first gas stop, Wiesenfels extended his lead even more, eventually besting second place Joiner by 4 minutes, 38 seconds with third place going to Arkansas’s Zach Ingram some six minutes behind. The BJEC has gone to an NEPG format for 2015 with many 2-day long races and large Pro class purses in an effort to draw top riders and new participants and it certainly seems to be working so far with 261 en- tries for the event, the highest turnout for a BJEC non co-sanc- tioned in recent memory. For more information about the BlackJack Enduro Champi- onship visit www.blackjackenduro.org John Burnsgaard (above) goes through a turn full slide during test one. Stillwater Powersports rider Tony Joiner (left) rips through a turn on his way to second overall.
T&E News P 76 Arkansas Pro Zach Ingram hammers through a slick corner earlu in the race on his way to third.Dick Lane gets Stphen Van Zant’ssheet marked while Ausin Benoy(4E) waits for the row to start thetest,
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 77 Dick Lane works with the check crew to get Josh Wiesenfels on his way to a first place finish for the day.Charlie Sparks of New Blaine , AR heads into the small but solidtrees at the Blak Jack Enduro.
T&E News P 78
www.ossausa.comwww.ossausa.com
T&E News V. 50 Issue 3 March 2015 P 81
Search
