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im gonna give the gulfcoast sandblasters harescramble a go on sunday. the course will be some grasstrack and 10-15 miles of woods. should i race the 200c class or the beginner class. if any of the seasoned racers have any tips id appreciate it.

thanks,,sluggo

sluggo - I'm not a seasoned racer by any stretch - 'been years since I've raced anything - but I'll say "Godspeed".

Make us proud and tell us how it goes!!

Go at a consistant fast speed never over your ability. Do not pay too much attention to the guy behind you until he gets real close. Don't let him control your bike. Raise your left hand and let him pass on the left if you can. Crashing hurts and takes a lot of energy out of you and breakes things. Look far ahead and always be ready for the guy in front of you to crash cuz he will be payin too much attention to you or over-riding his ability to stay in front of you. Drink often during the race. Drink a big ol gator aid or power aide 1 hour before the race (pre-hydrate). Avoiding serious crashes is paramount. I did not do that the first 3 times out and didn't finish. Everytime I backed down a little and stayed within my ability I finished all 4 or 5 laps and the bike was in one piece. I run them like an enduro only with no clock and I go as fast as I can on the easy fast places.

class really won't affect your riding, but if you want to feel better about your self you should ride beginner. I wish i did on my first race. i race vet c (over 30), there were more sand bags than a new orleans flood. i could have sworn i saw John Dowd and Esra Lusk in my row. The top Vet C rider was within 15 sec of the race winner. you won't know what class you are in on the track, i personally was just in gogogogogo mode. Don't be afraid to stop and do let people pass.

Pace yourself, learn the track on the 1st lap. Do a beginner class. When coming into a new section or out of a turn LOOK AHEAD BEFORE YOUR GET ON THE PIPE!!
I am wearing a cast for close to 3 months because I DID NOT DO THAT. ITS A LONG RACE & SOME GUYS WILL FLY & BURN THEMSELVES OUT. So its better to treat it as a FAST TRAIL RIDE & you will gain on others because of their exhaustion. I mix 1/2 Gatorade & 1/2 Water. Also, Loosen................Arms, Legs, Back

And YES.. You will have AA, A & B riders dropping class for contingency moneys

Same stuff as everyone else said.
I find it nearly impossible ti ride my own pace the first lap, ending up with arm pump early and having a hard time recovering. If I can get through the first three miles without overdoing it, I'm usually O.K.
That's just me, though.
The laps are around 9 miles, as I recall, and you'll end up running three laps.
If this is your first HS, run the Beginner Class. That is what it is for.

The Sandblasters HS is usually pretty good, but the course is rooty where it is old trail, and rooty where it is new trail. Most of it runs in a pine forest with fairly sandy soil. Did I mention lots of roots sticking up all over?

They have the best Enduro every year, in my book. Canceled last year due to Katrina, and maybe this year also, we'll see.

We have some good riding over near Mobile, if you are interested. We've got a 20 mile loop of single track. When you can make it three times around non stop, you're close to ready for an Enduro


Anyway, with Luck, Safety, and Reasonable Speed you'll do just fine

Karl