Alan Westerfield's Big Bluff Race Report (2007)
"The Green Goblin "

Race Report: Kentucky Off Road Hare Scrambles Series (KORHS) - OMA - Round 11
Rider: Alan Westerfield - Bike 7th Place Overall
Bike: 08 Kawasaki KLX450 #4

The end has passed. I can honestly say that I have a peaceful feeling and am completely content with the racing action that took place this year in the KY Championship Series and the OMA races that I participated in. Today we ended both series with a real party. The track made certain to challenge even the best riders and promised to hone the skills of all those who had troubles. I would like to thank the landowners and all the organization that goes into making both series happen. As I strolled through the pits….there are very few faces that aren’t friendly or familiar; and I couldn’t go anywhere in those same pits without seeing someone that I would consider a friend. It’s a great feeling to be involved in a sport where for the most part….everyone gets along and are genuinely happy to be enjoying themselves.

I knew this track was going to be one of the tightest races that I have been in. I had doubts about my abilities and physical stamina since I was riding the “Green Goblin”. She is a KLX450R that is a demo model from Gateway Cycles in Mt. Sterling, KY. Thanks to Rick Hollenkamp for letting me showcase her abilities. I have been on 250F’s for a couple of years; but have owned nearly every type of motorcycle and have liked 95% of them. This bike is quiet, tractable, fast, and very plush. On the downside it is just a bit more girthy than what I am used to; but she hides her extra tonnage well.

Off the start I hit the button and gave a swift kick to get going. I was in the top three for the first two turns; but the downhill made me back off just a bit since I wasn’t quite sure how the suspension would react to high speed g- outs. Shortly thereafter Kalib Russell took a tumble and I was somewhere near the top 4. A couple of miles in I made my first of many mistakes by falling over and letting several riders by. I tucked in behind and no one was getting away in the tight trees. Smack-Smack-Smack; you could hear everyone’s bark busters doing their jobs. My bike was super stealthy, but still had plenty of power for the open sections and put power to the ground in a sensible fashion. I almost killed myself on the moto track at the end by trying to jump something that wasn’t meant to be jumped- it could have been ugly; but somehow she stayed straight and true. This course was superb for those who were looking for a challenge; but still had alternate ways around anything really tough.

To be honest by lap two I was feeling a bit tired already, but by lap three I was learning how to ride the 450 at a quick pace. I learned to let the bike do the work and not to try to throw it around too much….just go with the flow. I was enjoying the technical uphills because this machine just really tames them down. I felt better and better every lap on the bike and actually started to charge. I caught riders here and there over the course of a few laps. On lap five I was battling with my friend Johnny Robbins as we came upon a KTM. Johnny made it around safely but I completely took the guy out trying to take the upper line. It was my friend Eric Fitzpatrick and he didn’t look too happy. I felt terrible about it….and may have felt even worse if he had of gotten a-hold of me at that moment I told him I was sorry and rode off. I looked for him after the race to apologize but couldn’t find him, so next time I see him maybe he won’t punch me out. I’ve figured out that the faster racers are just that- faster racers . . . but you gotta watch getting into it out there on the course because who really knows if that C rider your lapping may have won a tough man competition the week before?? Anyway for the most part everyone was really cool about letting traffic by and I always tried to yell out a thank you after yelling to let them know I’m there.

I finished in 7th place and I was content with that. Thanks to Moose Racing and Fastway performance. All in all I am thrilled with the race and the year as a whole. Thanks to my friends Derek Spangler, Matt Crouch, Jake Fiddler, and especially Tracy Bachman for hanging out with me and going to the Bad Boy facility on Friday. It was a funny experience because this time we gave the kids rides on the back of the bikes. I picked a 300 lb muscle head with tattoos all over him. He was all bad and tough and everything, but when he got on that bike and I accelerated in 1st; he let out a scream like a girl and almost squeezed my chest protector through my ribs! It was a whole new experience for these city kids to ride on the back of a dirt bike- they LOVED it. I had a blast and you guys are great. As for the Green Goblin- a great stock motorcycle. Very raceable right out of the box but I may be in the market for some stiffer springs and a noise maker so I don’t have to yell to announce my arrival. Until next time……Alan Westerfield

Alan Westerfield, #4