Alan Westerfield's Clay City (MPOR) Race Report (2007
"The Birth of White Lightin"

Race Report: Kentucky Off Road Hare Scrambles Series (KORHS) - Round 1
Rider: Alan Westerfield - Bike 1st Place
Bike: 07 Yamaha YZ250F #4

By: Alan Westerfield

I had painted a picture in my mind of this race the week before. I could see sunny skies and 50 degree weather. Naturally, mother nature decided to wreak havoc on my picture and turn it into a frosty day. The ice build up on my spokes and helmet indicated that the weather mans’ 40 degree prediction was a farce. My 2007 Yamaha YZ250F had exactly one half of a tank of fuel ran through her before this event. I have had her in my garage for several months now, but she was just too pretty to ride. I wanted a holeshot more that ever, not really to win the race, but to keep the other riders from throwing mud on her shiny new white plastic. The holeshot didn’t work, but I was still somewhere around 3rd in the Hvy A class. Just as I expected, the riders showed a complete lack of respect for my new ride as they hocked buckets of goo onto my front fender and number plate. I know Marty was laughing and enjoying himself a little too much.

To make matters more complex, I hadn’t received my new smith roll- offs and only had some laminated tear offs. On my second attempt to pull one, I ripped off the whole set, making my bare goggles a bulls eye for any piece of flying debris.
I stopped on lap one to get fresh goggles. They were soon tarnished after catching back up to the pack. At the end of lap two, I stopped and got another pair. My pit man, Bub Nicewinter, is also my hero. The guy makes himself available for gas stops, goggle stops, and would probably have a hot dog waiting if I ask him too. At the start of lap three, the score machine showed me in 5th place. I had fueled early, had fresh goggles, and the mud was starting to tack up some so that I could maintain clear vision; and that’s when I decided to go for it. I worked my way through the pack into second place by mid lap 3. Brock Sims was out front away from the other guys so I put on a charge and caught up to him. A slick line up a rutted hill put me into the lead, but the kid refused to go down without a fight. I sprinted hard to get away, but he was glued to my rear fender. Soon, I had some breathing room but not enough to stop sprinting. I began lap 4 in 1st place and continued a quick, smooth, pace. At checkpoint 2, I found Brock, who I still thought was behind me. I stopped briefly as he told me his clutch had expired. This let me relax some as I was able to complete the remaining lap and cruise in for the win.

The race was a success. KORHS and the MPOR facility did an outstanding job hosting our first round. It is a relief to start off the series in the right direction. My bike worked flawlessly thanks to Moose Racing, Pro Moto Billet/Fastway, ATEK, and especially to my Pit Man Bub. I would not have finished this race if he had not took it on himself to accommodate me with fresh goggles and gas to keep me going. He went above and beyond and I am very appreciative of his efforts. I certainly hope everyone found thier way out of the woods ok. There were several bikes with mechanical failures and even a few cold, less than happy bike owners; but nothing a hot shower and a McDonalds value meal can’t take care of. See you next time.

Signing Off!
Alan Westerfield