Bryce Gartman's Saddleback Race Report (2008)

Race Report: Kentucky Off Road Hare Scrambles Series (KORHS) - Round 5
Rider: Bryce Gartman - Bike 2nd Place Light C - 9th Overall
Bike: 08 KTM 200 XC

By: Bryce Gartman

Going into Round 5 of the KORHS series I had abnormal confidence of bringing home a win. I'm guessing its because I have ridden at saddleback so much, and also the fact that I have started training for the first time, and had confidence that I would be able to let it all hang out for 2 hours straight. I never knew that training was so important in racing motorcycles but my buddy in Texas explained to me the importance and how it can make or break a race. So I hired him as my personal trainer and things started from there. The kid knows what he is talking about when it comes to fitness.

Anyway's, the night before the race was decent I had about 7-8 hours of sleep and that was enough to get me going the next morning. This year I decided to invite all my buddies from Shelbyville, KY to come out and race for there first time. It worked, I had about 5-6 "newbies" show up and they loved the racing scene. There were three TT-R 125's, a YZ 85, and an RM 85 all representing S-Ville. They all had a blast and finished pretty decent for there first woods race. After there race it was time for business. I headed back to my trailer to get geared up and get focused.

Once I was all suited up I headed to starting line and picked my line for the start. At the start I baked in the sun for about 20 minutes before it was time to go racing. I got her first kicked and headed into the first turn only to see a white blur flash before my eyes, and I thought for a second that this white blur was gonna get the holeshot. But I guess white lightning didn't see that we turned left not straight, because I watched him (Stenburg, I think) do a 007 move under the ribbon surprisingly not even touching the ribbon. At least that's what it seemed like. After that rush I headed into the woods in first and tried to observe the track for lines and just tried to ride smooth. It was working for a while as I passed several riders at a time just barely squeezing by on the tough and technical trails of saddleback. The interesting thing was that this track was like all new trails to me, I had hardly rode any of the trails that were in this race, so the advantage I thought I had wasn't so great after all.

I rode the whole entire race battling back and forth with my compadre Cody "Mudmaster" Hardesty and he ended up getting the best of me. Taking home the gold and leaving me with the silver. It was definitely a hard fought win and I am very proud of him for stepping out of his comfort zone and just totally railing. We rode so hard that we took home 8th and 9th Overall! Definitely a huge accomplishment for our racing careers. I had a blast the whole race, I just wish I could have pulled off the win, but there's always another race and another time.

I had a blast on the endurocross section of the course witch I accidentally skipped on my first lap due the confusion of all the ribbon. My dad did really good building it the week before the race. Thanks Dad!

I'd like to thank some of friends and family and some sponsors for the awesome race this weekend: Jesus Christ for keeping me safe, My dad for taking me, my mom for washing my gear and just being my mom, my sister for going out there and cheering me on, my friend/trainer Beau Otto from Texas for getting me in shape, Moose Racing, Scott Goggles, Kenda Tires, Decal Works, Cycle Gear, and of course Greg and everyone at Commonwealth for keeping me on the track. Thanks everyone.

See you at Big Hill!