Alan Westerfield's Big Hill - Bear Mountain Race Report (2006)

Race Report: Kentucky Off Road Hare Scrambles Series (KORHS) - Round 10
Rider: Alan Westerfield - Bike 1st Place and 2006 Series Champion
Bike: 05 Yamaha YZ250F #7

Big Hill by: Alan Westerfield

What a great day for a race! Perfect ground conditions, temperatures, and an awesome course awaited us at the final KORHS race. I knew it would be a good old fashioned dog fight between Marty and myself, but didn't foresee Loupie Lambruno (aka-the Italian pony) showing up for a piece of the pie. Loup is a fresh graduate to full size bikes and has an insatiable appetite for massive doses of throttle. I can't wait until he gets a girlfriend, a license, and all that jive; maybe that will slow him down.

Marty grabbed the Mountain Mud hole-shot award and set a pace for the rest of us clowns. He was riding very conservative so I figured I would stick around and try to take him out towards the end of the first lap. Marty and I have a history, and he knows I am not above kicking him in the knee for a nickel. Finally, he made a bobble, giving me the lead. I picked up the pace a bit, hoping to conceal my lines and pull a bit of a gap, but Marty was like stink on poo. We stuck close for the first several laps, changing positions often and relinquishing the lead to Loupie once. I stopped for gas on one lap, realizing I forgot where I put my can and forgetting to ask someone to help me fill. That was a time consuming mistake that let Marty get a decent lead. With a fresh tank of fuel, I kicked the turbo in and caught back up to my competition. I knew he would not be easy to pass. His pace was quick, but I had a special line picked out through a muddy crossing. It was a risky maneuver, as the bank I had to climb was nearly 90 degrees and 10 ft high. Luckily, it worked and I was once again trying to put lappers between us. It could have been lost on one of the last up hill sections though when a lapper did a floppy bodied maneuver in which, with feet dragging the ground by the rear wheel and rear end falling off the fender, he dumped the clutch, doing a sideways wheely type think right into the line I was committed to. The impact was substantial and it certainly made me wobble, but I did not go down. There was much rubbing and contact made while passing that day. Some of which may be because, since I use my bike to trail ride on public and private lands; I use a quiet muffler. After getting used to being silent for a while, I realize that I like not being deaf. I try to make up the difference with yelling but some bikes are so loud, they wouldn't hear a train behind them. Coming into the finish, Marty was right behind me. I didn't get the checkered flag right away so I went an extra lap- just for fun. My end result proved my hard work paid off. 1st overall and a series championship.

The course was what an off road race is supposed to be. KORHS did an outstanding job marking, scoring, and putting the event on. Thanks to all who have sacrificed to make this idea a reality. This year was all about overcoming some adversity and rolling with the punches. I'm grateful to God that I was able to complete this year with no injuries and that I was able to meet and become friends with so many people. This is the stuff memories are made out of.

A big thanks to my buddy Pat at ATEK racing. He has a regular job too but always takes time out of his schedule to try to help me with suspension. Thanks to John at Mid State Motorsports in Cookeville, TN for helping me with parts, bikes, and everything else. Thanks to Moose Racing and Fastway for their commitments in 2007. Its been Great.

(PSST.. Marty.. I'll get you the 100 bucks I owe you for letting me win. Its just…. I'm low on funds right now because I'm trying to help my brother out! I'll pay you when he straightens up, but it could be awhile because he's hunchbacked! ….. sucker.)

Alan Westerfield