My First
MX
Race.
By: Joshua Schucker It all started at Ashcraft Run in 2019. My family and I pulled into the pits late Saturday afternoon in preparation for the next day’s cross-country race. Of course, I had known that there was a motocross race earlier that day, but for some long-forgotten reason, we were only able to make it later that day. I wasn’t terribly concerned with missing it either, I was a woods racer anyway. Out of curiosity, we took a walk up to the grass track that evening just to see what it looked like, and it certainly looked like a good time. It didn’t take long to begin hearing the hype surrounding the awesome time everyone had as we met up with folks in the pits Saturday and Sunday. Seeing the pictures on social media afterwards was enough to convince me that we should make it a priority to give it a try in 2020. Going back to my early days on dirt bikes, and carrying on until now, I’ve never ridden an actual motocross race. I’ve always considered myself a decent trail rider first, and when I do race competitively it’s as a mid-pack hare scramble type guy. The closest I’ve come to motocross is backyard tracks and the times a cross country heads onto the MX sections at certain venues. And, speaking of my early days… what a better way to try motocross than to dust off my trusty 1989 KX250 and let it rip! I’ve owned this bike for nearly thirty years, and it hasn’t gotten much use lately, so this is perfect! I might as well go over it during the whole COVID lockdown to make sure it’s ready, right? Well a quick once over turned into a tear down, some new plastics, tires, suspension rebuild, and top-end with cylinder re-plating, which incidentally, everyone else must have thought lockdown was a good time to tinker as well. A backlog in plating due to high volume forced a scramble the week before Ashcraft Run. Thankfully, I managed to assemble the engine and get a bit of break-in completed before the event. So, the bike is ready, I’m signed up for Next Gen 250 B, race four on today’s docket. As race three roars into the first turn, we line up at the rubber band start, I’m feeling excited and a bit nervous. I pick a decent inside line right next to fellow cross-country rider, Brian Schwien, on his equally cool 1990 YZ250. In no time at all we are staring at the board turning sideways and it’s time to go! The rubber band flies and I pin the throttle trying my best to emulate my childhood hero Jeff Ward. At least the ‘80s Kawi looks the part. But, wow, these guys are flying! It’s been years since the KX was my everyday ride, I’m just a tad tentative, and the previous night’s rain had the track a bit slippery. I settle into a comfortable back of the pack position and try to get some confidence built up. Schwien is right there with me which gets the competitive juices flowing. Cranking 28
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Photo by: Kate Jorgenson
through the turns and getting a chance to really open the throttle on the straights, we are running head-to-tail. I am typically a reluctant jumper on bikes these days, but the main jump on this grass-track was so smooth I found myself letting off the throttle less and less each lap. Letting off is not an option anyway. Schwien is still on my tail playing the part of Bradshaw in my 20th century fantasy, there’s no room for error, this is awesome. Five laps of intense battling, I cross the line ahead of Brian and far behind the rest of the pack, but no matter. He and I are pumped at the intensity of the cat and mouse action throughout the moto. I shouldn’t be surprised, but am, at the amount of energy spent in the short duration of the moto. Exhilarating for sure, and anxious for the second moto to begin. Conditions improved dramatically throughout the day and the traction in moto two was far superior to moto one. Improved confidence, traction, and familiarity with the track were sure to help his time. Brian and I settled into the rear of the field, but our speed was synced yet again. This time, Schwien got in front of me early on and I got to spend the entire moto pushing, looking for lines, trying to out-brake in the corners. A remarkably different perspective than being chased, but the intensity, adrenalin, and excitement are right on par. There are plenty of opportunities to push a competitor and attempt passes in the woods. The concepts are obviously the same: out-brake, pick a better line, get power to the wheel quicker, patience versus aggression, but the feeling on the MX track is different. It’s accelerated and constant, shorter laps give you a chance to study lines repetitively and decide where and when to pounce, but there is overall less time to act. I chased that Yamaha the whole moto and when the white flag flew, I knew I had to make a move. Putting the pressure on Schwien as best I could, we made our way halfway through the last lap. I pushed too hard into a 180-degree left hand turn and washed the front tire, nearly going down. Bradshaw, er, Brian is getting away, putting several bike-lengths on my green machine. I regain composure and try my best to close the gap. I don’t have any idea what actual position we were in, but I had already decided that to me this was for the overall. One last ditch effort in the final turn was not successful and Brian had taken moto two. Exhausted and thrilled with the experience, we congratulated each other on an amazing experience. Will I be back on an MX track? For sure! I may not be a regular, but the entire experience was wonderful and satisfying. God-willing, you’ll see me on the grass track at Ashcraft Run next year. Until then, I’ll see you in the woods!
AMERICAN HISTORIC RACING MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION
AUGUST 2020
