Marty Michels' Salt River Run Race Report (2007)
Race Report: Kentucky
Off Road Hare Scrambles Series (KORHS) - Round 4
Rider: Marty Michels - Bike 5th Place
Bike: 07 KTM 450
You could not ask for better weather for racing at the latest KORHS
round this past weekend in Mercer County. I believe that had us all
fooled as the race turned out to be a battle of determination. The location
was awesome and the track was great. Since rain has not been as plentiful
in Northern Kentucky over the past few weeks I was expecting some dust
and dry hard packed conditions. It's funny how much different things
can be 80 miles south.
From the time I turned onto the main drive of the venue I was greeted
by puddles and saturated ground, needless to say my tire choice was
way off! I made the best of the situation and looked forward to riding
my new bike and getting some things sorted out on it. Before I go
any further I just want to say that it was good to be back on my
trusty ole' KTM 450 XC.
For those of you who saw the head start I gave everyone, my day did
not start that well. On a muddy day you can't give guys like Alan,
Paul, and Broc any type of head start. Now that I mentioned head
starts, I think Paul should be giving us one! (Just a thought) To
make matters worse I put it into idiot mode when I hit the trail
and that is rule numero uno when it is muddy and super slippery.
Do not go into panic mode!! Well I can preach all I want, but I am
the worst at practicing what I preach.
Once I finally got going and stayed off the ground which was about
half way through the race, I began to start paying more attention
to how I was riding and the lines I was using. I was getting so disoriented
out in the cedars because you could not look up and pay attention
to where the trail went and the next thing I knew I was going 20
feet in the wrong direction. I am fairly sure I was not the only
guy or girl out there asking, how did I end up way over here? Anyhoo,
my race was fairly boring to talk about really. I rode by myself
all day and as soon as I thought I might be making up some ground
on Al and Broc I would do something dumb like fall over or take a
bad line through the cedars or get cleaned off my bike and loose
all the time I thought I was making up. It was a sub-par day to be
a tall guy. Notice how I left Paul out of the equation there? He
is on a different planet than us mere mortals!
I brought the new steed home in one piece and broken in. I think
I apologized to my bike at least 100 times on the way home, but now
I guess the ole' girl knows what she is in for now. No better way
to break 'em in than to race 'em. It was another frustrating and
disappointing day, but I made it home in one piece as well, except
for the huge gashes in my arms. My jersey looks like a bear got a
hold of it and can't wait to see the look on my girlfriend's face
when I ask her to piece this one together. I got acquainted with
my 450 again and could not be happier to be back on a big 4-stroke.
The track had a good mix of everything and was laid out very well.
It is a shame that the weather did not cooperate better earlier in
the week and the days leading up to the race. All in all, good stuff.
I would like to thank the land owner for the hospitality in letting
us race on their very nice farm. I would also like to thank the KORHS
crew, you all keep getting better and I could be prouder to be a
part of this series. Thanks to all of the spectators who cheer us
on and keep us motivated Keep it up, I am looking forward to the
next one and hopefully the race for second will be a lot more entertaining.
Maybe, Paul won't show and we will get to race for the win.
Congrats to everyone who finished that one. It was tough.
Till next time!!
Marty Michels
Thanks to my sponsors:
Maxxis Tires, Rex's Cycle Shop, KTM, House of Horsepower, Dirtricks.com,
Enduro Eng., SRC, Tireballs, Devol Eng., Answer Racing, Berik, Scott,
MotoXtremes, Clarke Mfg., FMF, All-finish Concrete Const., Caywoodslawn.com,
No-toil, Decal Works, Motosportz Steering Stabilizers, Tag Metals |