From: wfo-bob [wfo-bob@email.msn.com]
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2000 9:18 PM
Subject: The Tweetybird Chronicles

Virginia Championship Hare Scrambles Series, Round 6, The “Landshark”

A weekend of “Race Strategies”

My son, Bobby and I decided to make this race even thought things are getting pretty hectic on the Outer Banks where our businesses are. Bobby had missed two races and even though he is leading his class by a wide margin, he didn’t want to have another “throw away” (you’re allowed three per race year). He has a sprained thumb, but figured he needed to get some points, just in case.

Since this race was in the mountains, we decided to head over to Joe Jessee’s farm and spend Saturday night and hook up with some riding buddies from North Carolina.

That night while we were sitting around the camp fire at Joe’s and bench racing (actually it was too hot for a fire—but you get the idea), we started talking about race strategies. Finally, Sam Chalk says, “The riders always say the same thing about their race strategy: ‘I just tried to ride smooth and ride my own race’, or, ‘I just concentrated on riding the track, and didn’t worry about anybody else’. And the mechanic always puts up ‘breathe’ on the pit board—that’s his race strategy,” he added.

This prompted Randall Parker to ask Bobby what his race strategy would be for the next day. “Get the holeshot, right?”

 Bobby said, “Well, it’s a little more than that. I always really concentrate on the start and try to get into the lead as soon as I can. Then I try to build a cushion on the second place guy. From then on I put it on cruise mode.” “Oh yeah,” he added, “since I can barely grip with my left hand, I’ll be willing to settle for second place or just get some points.”

 Since you guys know I always have a race strategy, some of which I formulate after the race begins, this plan of Bobby’s sounded like the real deal.

 Those of you that have been following these chronicles know that I broke my leg three weeks ago, so my role for this race would be that of “pit dad”, take pictures, and when not doing those things—sit in the shade and drink beer—the last of which I’m fairly accomplished at doing.

 On the way over to the race the next day I read the email I had printed off about the race. The land had been recently clear cut and the club had had their hands full trying to set up a course. The e-mail said that we could expect rocks, stumps, stumps, and stumps. Since we’ve never raced this course before, and it was going to be hot and humid, just getting some points sounded more and more like a good plan.

 On the starting line I walked around and talked to some of the riders I knew. Robert Hawks was there with his brand new KTM 400 EXC. I got him to let me throw a leg (the one with the cast) over it. Man, does it feel light and flickable—this has got to be one great bike! I asked Robert if he wanted me to do ahead and drop it on the ground and get it scratched up for him. He said, “don’t ride the ruts!” Robert always says this, even when there aren’t any ruts, like today.

 I walked on back to the Senior B (+45) class, my usual class, and naturally all the guys were glad to know that my leg was broken and I wouldn’t be able to ride. No, no—not because I’m faster than them—because I wouldn’t be trying to brake-check them in the first corner or out on the trail (the “Domino Strategy”), or holding them up as I worked my way back.

Senior B (+45) on the Starting Line (#555 is Bob "Follow me to Hooters" Blake)

On the starting line I talked to Berndie Lunsfort for awhile. Of course, he was ragging me about my new motorcross “boot” and didn’t I need two of them instead of just one. Then we started talking about race strategies. Berndie’ strategy is to get a “decent” start. He said, “If I get the holeshot or even just a real good start, I end up pumping up, wearing myself out and making mistakes trying to stay in the front. It’s a lot easier to catch people who are getting tired (I should know, he always catches me) and just try to ride loose and at a good pace.” Another good race strategy.

The Main

As usual, it was a dead engine start but Bobby put his Tweetybird Racing/Corolla Watersports Rentals/KTM Sportmotorcycles 250 EXC into the lead after the first turn and wheelied (literaly) his way into the woods. So far, his plan of getting a good start was working perfectly. He put the second part of his plan to work by opening up a good lead and then put his next part into effect by going on cruise control. When he passed me in the woods ( I was sitting in the shade drinking beer), he was standing up going through the turns, and looking pretty relaxed.

   Bobby on the 250B starting line

On the last lap, disaster struck. He was cruising down a stump-infested trail and he flat-tracked through a turn only to have the rear tire catch an unseen stump which pretty much stopped all forward momentum and threw him over the bars—at speed!

 I guess you know by now that people don’t really pray when they are about to die, don’t you? Scientifically, it’s been proven that the first thing they do is say, “oh, shit!”

 After proving the theory, Bobby’s next response was to tuck and roll. When it was all over, apparently he had uttered the correct response to the motorcycle gods because other than having his bell rung and having a sore spot everywhere his chest protector wasn’t—he was OK. By then, the second place rider had passed him and he figured he’d put the last part of his strategy to work and settle for second place points. He said that every time he hit any kind of bump the rear wheel would smash into the bottom of his “bent-in” muffler assembly. However, he keep up a good pace and soon he was on the rear wheel of the first place rider. He found away around the first place guy and ended up winning his class again!

After the race, I drove (which severly limited my post race drinking) because Junior was complaining about his ribs really hurting  (one week later he sneezed and finished breaking his ribs). Anyway, I’m driving and he starts reading the latest “Dirt Rider” on the way back.

 “Dad,” he exclaimed, “listen to this! Dirt rider says that Vuillemin’s race strategy is the same as McGrath’s—“Focus on the start, sprint until you open a comfortable lead, put it on cruise control and know when to settle for second’. Those guys stole my race strategy!”

Bob White

’99 KTM 200 (sitting forlornly in the garage)

Riding the +45 class with a 40 year-old’s race desire and 57 year old body