National Harescramble / Round #8 PA Series

Round # 8 of the Pennsylvania State Harsecramble Series was held at Tower City in Good Springs, Pa this past Sunday. This event was also run in junction with the National Harescramble Series. Local top pro-riders such as: Hawk, Raines, Williamson, DuVall, and Rogers were all in attendance. Conditions at Tower City are so treacherous that the once held GNCC series no longer renewed their contract to hold races at this venue. You know it’s not a good sign when a course worker stops to notify riders before the race that this years track was twice as last years. The Good Springs National is not only dangerous and challenging, but a true test of survival. Considering that I recently got married and enjoyed my honeymoon extensively, a three hour national race was not my way of easing back into competition after my three week hiatus. Despite a delay at the starting line, I did not hesitate to take on the challenge that lie ahead for I knew that I needed to earn points that would help my placement in this overall season. I got another great start, probably within the top five in the first turn, but as we rounded the second turn we headed into a tight single trail for about a mile. The two miles that followed that turn were probably the most technical in the overall eight mile course. Throughout the race, there was a problem with bottlenecks in the course due to the track going diagonally off camber up the side of a mountain. Since many riders were stuck on the exposed boulders and tree roots, it was challenging to find a way around these obstacles on such a vertical hill. After completing the first lap, I had a good feel of the track layout and knew that the biggest struggle would be the first three miles of each lap. While I was ascending the challenging mountain on that portion of the course, I made a conscious effort not make any mistakes and focus on just getting through the most difficult part of the track. Throughout the remainder of the race, I felt good, my body wasn’t cramping up; however, my mind is another story. Having been off for three weeks prior to this, I found myself overriding my body limits. This made it that much more difficult on such a demanding track to persevere and push ahead. Regardless, I gave 110% and kept a good pace until I could go no more! With my body spent and my mind exhausted, and after a long two and a half hour battle, the results showed nothing! I was listed not in 250B class, but rather placing 9th in 250A! Placing 9th in 250A at the National Event sounds great to me, but after letting the event staff know that I was in the wrong class, I headed home to nurse my beat up body and to get mentally and physically ready for the 2nd half of the season. DHaggs Sr. decided to run the event and he succeeded in his goal when he managed to go above and beyond his normal two-hour routine. He placed a respectable 8th in Senior B Class. #099 was proud of his efforts and hopes to never see a course this treacherous again! Racing resumes in two weeks on August 11th in our neighboring town of Skippack for Blue Comment MC Club 2nd annual harescramble race. We look forward to seeing all of the same race fans from last year, and some new ones wouldn’t hurt either! I would like to thank my sponsers: DHaggs Harescramble Racing, MSR, Scott USA, TAG Metals, Scott Powersports, Kenda Tires, Twin Air and Pivot Works!