Hollister Hare Scrambles

Leading up to the race at Hollister Brian and I were riding as much as possible.  Josh McLevy and his friend Nate came out from Connecticut and were staying with us so we showed them around and had a couple of extra practice partners for the week.  I have been feeling much better and my injuries have healed so I was trying to cram as much time on the bike as I could and get comfortable.  

Saturday hosted the Formula 100 race, old timer and the C races.  It was foggy in the morning which made the traction absolutely perfect.  In the Formula 100 race many of the top racers had practice at the G Brothers Fund-raiser, with Criag Hill taking the win, followed by Paul Wanger, and Terry Miller.  Al was racing in the Super Senior race but had some trouble right off the start and got into a big pileup.  He got banged up a bit and his bike was twisted up, but he managed to get back into the race, although a couple of rows behind.  Ken Cosmo wasn't so lucky and had his silencer completely ripped off the bike along with his side panel, forcing him to watch from the sidelines.  Kurt Wilcox ran away from the rest of the field on his KDX 200 for a big win and the opportunity to meet the trophy girls along with Eric Von Urf who came in third.  In the C race, BC boy Jason Vincent was going fast as usual and was running in second.  The night before he tried to straighten his radiator and put a small hole in it so during the race he had to stop every lap and fill it with water.  He still managed to finish 5th overall in the C class.

For the pro race on Sunday there was a strong field for the first National Hare Scramble of the year.  Fred Andrews, Chuck Woodford, Jason Raines, Josh Mclevy, Doug Blackwell, Shane Watts, and Cole Caukins all made the trip from the east coast for the first round of the series.  On the start Chuck Woodford grabbed the holeshot, followed by Cole Caukins.  The 300 KTM got off the line well and put me in third place on the start, one of my best starts ever.  Brian was right behind me 450 4-stroke, much better than last year.  Shane Watts didn't have as good as luck on the start.  He had a good start going but was hit in the first turn and went down then the pack ran him over.  His leg was hurting and the medical crew wanted to take him away but he talked them into straightening out his bike instead and got back on for a lap.  Brian and I made our way past Caukins on the first fireroad, then I let Brian by and had him drag me along.  About three miles into the race we got a bit lost.  I followed the two in front of me and when they went through the bushes to get back on course I followed them and fell over in a big poison oak bush.  The bike didn't stall but I got passed by a bunch of guys.  Soon after Brian made his way into the lead.  Fred Andrews made his way into second and hooked onto Brian's back fender.  After the off camber section of Elvira Brian fell over in the trail.  Fred ran over Brian's bike and took over the lead.  A couple of corners later Fred fell over and Brian returned the favor.  Fred caught back up to Brian and the two pulled a lead on the rest of the field.  Halfway through the second lap Brian finally shook Fred and opened up a lead.  For the first two laps I was pumped up and had a hard time charging.  After a couple laps I loosened up and started to feel pretty good.  I had a good race going with Craig Wesner for the third lap and battled back and forth with him a little bit.  Brian felt really comfortable on the 4-stroke and had an easier race than any of his other Hollister wins.  Brian was coming into the finish of the race and when he came into view of the finish he hit a false neutral and crashed in front of all the spectators.  He bent his hand guard down and had to straighten it out and get the bike started   He got going, went around one turn and got the checkered flag for his third consecutive Hollister victory and his fourth total.  Fred Andrews finished second and Russ Pearson was third, resulting in the same podium as the year before.  Andy Grider had a good ride for fourth, then Jason Raines, Doug Blackwell, Chuck Woodford, Robbie Zimmerman, and Brian Spearle.  I finished in 15 but was actually pleased with the way I rode for most of the race and improved throughout the race.  It was good to race again and I had a great time out there.  Brian is stoked with the win and this year is determined to win the championship. 

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