HARD ENDURO SUMMER

midway point for me in the Southeastern Extreme Riders series (SEER) formerly known as American Hard Enduro (AHE). I am still running the Silver class and currently head into the last 2 rounds in 7th. Our travels have all been related to these types of “Hard Enduro” racing.

Kurt- Where have the races been and is the platform similar to Harescramble or Enduro?

Austin- The races are typically throughout North Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia and Kentucky. All in the mountain regions. I ran Tennessee Knockout, an AMA Extreme Championship race and The Kenda Battle of the Goats as well additionally. Most races are 3 hrs checkpoint styled and similar to Hare Scramble races just with much more difficult terrain hence the term “Hard” or “Extreme” Enduro.

Kurt- So what is the allure to this style versus MX, Hare Scramble or even GNCC?

Austin- Well for me I am not the best at running wide open. I like the style of conquering the terrain, some of which seems impossible even as I walk it but then the race happens and you find yourself getting after it. I came from hard units in the Army and afterwards and love the challenges. Honestly it reminds me of combat to an extent. You prepare for this unknown challenge and soon as you hit that first hill comes all your planning goes out the window. It’s very much about having a base strategy and remaining calm and thinking through the strategy of the race. I remember the first time I got shot at in Iraq. I jumped on the wrong side of a barrier and all my thoughts of what I thought would happen went out the window. The more you do it through the more you build a foundation of keeping your head together while under stress.

Coming back into racing in 2021 has been a lot of work for so many teams, companies and families. We are all so fortunate to be able to do this sport of riding around on our dirtbikes and every race track not only has unique terrain and challenges but usually a good story or two to tell of a camping moment with friends and moto family. In catching up with the riders of FTR in and around the Florida areas today we catch up with Austin Lasure and his family and race team FCS Racing to find out what they did over the 2021 FTR off season.

Kurt- Austin how are you doing these days?

Austin- Hey Kurt, I am doing well. Enjoying the summer days here in Florida and we have done a fair share of traveling these past few months.

Kurt- What kind of traveling?

Austin- Well this summer was the

Kurt- Are the bike setups quite different from our normal Hare Scramble setups?

Austin- Actually this is one of the biggest differences. Hard Enduros typically demand a gummy tire, super soft suspension and several items to protect the bike from rocks and other objects that can damage the bike and end your race. I joke but my 300 XC rarely sees 4th gear. It’s about technique and endurance. Averaging 180 heart rates for 3-4 hours puts so much stress on your mind and your body. You start really making every movement count.

Kurt- Anything else new happening in the team with FCS Racing?

Austin- Absolutely! Over the summer we picked up a few new sponsors that have tremendously helped us to make races and improve on and off the bikes. Central Florida RV Center in Apopka whom I have used for years for purchasing RV’s and the work on them took us up on an offer and has been amazing supporting our Motorhome and the RV’s of team members. Central Florida Powersports is non stop supporting us in parts and thank goodness we have a great mechanic and suspension specialist with Kyle Turnis over at Moto4Play. We partnered with HBD Motografx now and have been working hard with them on all the canopies, shirts, gear and kits to meet race needs. We signed Landon Lynn as our premier AA rider again and are super stoked to have that hard working guy back on our roster. Travis Dorff has been training throughout the summer with Matt Karwat from 2020 Mx Goggles who is a super fast moto dude and Derek Haile has been out every weekend working to get ready for B Class in FTR.

Kurt- Last Question, any goals for the upcoming season with FTR?

Austin- Our goals are primarily tobe on the box in our respective classes. We do this for fun but we also take it quite seriously. Make no mistake we want those wins. We are having a great time meeting new people and making connections throughout the region. I plan to be more of a support role. I’m not in FTR for the racing aspect right now with heavy focus on hopefully stepping into the Gold or Pro class of Hard Enduro in 2022. I also have 2 boys that will be in FTR soon in 2022 as well and I am working with my oldest to prepare him properly for racing. I want to see the team cohesion grow and thrive to better ourselves with every race, challenge and adversity. Whatever comes our way we are ready!

Kurt- Well thanks for the insights and if anyone wants to contact Austin Lasure team manager of FCS Racing you can reach him at austinlasure5@gmail.com or connect with them on Instagram under handle FCS_Racing_Official Thanks so much Austin for your time and we look forward to see all those red white and blue shirts and kits running around at the races!

Dayton Neff airs it out at the Coyote Revenge Hare Scramble last January

Photo by Mariah Lacy