Rausch Creek AMA National Race Recap!!!

Round #6 of the AMA National Harescramble Series was held this past Sunday at Bear Valley, PA – home of Rausch Creek Trail Riders. The race course was moved from the original spot to the opposite end of the 10,000 acre trail park. Anybody that knows what it’s like to ride in this area, it doesn’t matter if the track is 100 miles in any direction, there are going to be LOTS of rocks; and Sundays National was no exception.
The weather forecast was calling for thunderstorms in the afternoon but after some short drizzle in the morning by the time we were gearing up the sun burst through the gloomy clouds. The humidity didn’t feel all that bad but the sun gave off enough heat to keep you constantly sipping your camel back.
You could tell what kind of reputation Rausch Creek has just by the number of riders that showed up to race. The long tough brutal challenging course has slowly cut down the number of racers over the years. This year was especially obvious when there were only 6 Pro’s on the front line and the only factory pro was PA’s Barry Hawk.
I got a great start, second up the hill and second into the woods. I made it a point to get a good start and keep a good pace early on because I knew that the track was going to be tough - especially over a 3 hour period. The first lap was exactly what I expected it to be, rocks, rocks, and more rocks. The course was laid out in a horseshoe type loop that weaved up and down the mountain side for about 11 miles. The worst part about the track was the enormous uphill that was around the 7.5 mile marker. I came around the corner and saw about 30 bikers sitting at the bottom of the huge hill. It was straight up for about 300ft and there were big rocks scattered throughout and not to mention the other 15 guys stuck on the hill trying to get up it. There was no way to get around it, even though you could hear guys just pinning the gas and spinning the rear tires in the surrounding hillside. It was absolutely the most ridiculous section of a track that I have ever encountered in my racing years. I know that it was a national race and a nation should be hard, but it should not be unrideable. If a Pro like Barry Hawk can’t even make it up, without the help of 5 guys pushing his bike half way up the hill, then how are the rest of the riders suppose to make it up!? And there was no morning race for the amateur riders so all the beginners were expected to make it up a hill like that? After the first lap barely anyone was making it up and then people were taking another path and guys were riding backwards on the trail. How is the scoring not going to be messed up with spots like that on the track? The whole organization of the race was poor and I don’t see how Rausch Creek can get another national race next year.
Other than that ridiculous hill Noah D. and I had a good time racing back and forth. We somehow found each other out on the trail and stuck together until we got to that hill every lap. I felt good and just wanted to keep a good pace through the day and try not to repeat what happened last year. Remember I had heat exhaustion and I was stuck up on the mountain – not fun. There were a couple spots out on the track that were just dangerous and it was basically you were going to make it through or you weren’t. Even though it was an 11 mile loop there were only about 4 spots where you could rest for 10 seconds or so. The track just beat you down and it was a matter of who could keep their bike running the longest.
When I last came through the scanner I was in 5th Place, and since the scoring and track was all messed up, on the final print out they have me in 7th, which doesn’t even matter because there is nothing I can do about it. I rode well, made little mistakes and kept a good pace and that was enough to make me happy.
DHaggs. Sr. didn’t have such a good day either. He was taken out by another rider within the first 2 miles of the track and he was stuck for a good while when he went off a ledge which put him in a off-track bolder section. He made it around the rest of the track and then he hit the huge ridiculous uphill. He made it up his first time and then called it quits when he came back around to the pits. He still pulled off a good position coming in at 13th Place out of a full line.
AMohar race his Quad in the afternoon race. He made little mistakes but he didn’t let the track get the best of him. He managed to push hard for the 2 plus hours and even though he had a slow start he came back to pass half the field and take home an 11th Place for the day. He looked impressive out there for 3 laps.
Special thanks to Jimmy and Dave for making the long trip on their Harley’s; despite the fact that the forecast showed rain. They got to see some good racing and even a good chunk of the track when I took them on a hike to see the huge uphill that nobody could make it up. We ended up getting lost and after hiking all that way we never did see the hill.
And thanks to Jimmy B for making it out and getting back to his trackside photographer picture taking.
Now its summer break so take some time and enjoy the weather – see you in the fall!
I would like to thank my sponsors for all of your support: DHAGGSRacing, MSR Racing, Scott Powersports, Kenda USA, T.M. Designworks, DP Brakes, Scott USA, TAG Metals, Decal Works, Twin Air, IMS Products, Elf Oil, FMF, Cycra Racing, Regina Chains, and MotoSport

Rausch Creek AMA National Video Starts!!!

Rausch Creek AMA National Pics!!!

The Harley's DID NOT Enter the Race....But they did get Dirty!
DHaggs Jr. on the Start

DHaggs Sr. on the Start

Jr. Sr. and Mohar on the Start

DHaggs Jr. #925 Second into the Woods!

DHaggs Sr. #099

#925 HillClimb

AMohar #831

#925 Blurry

#099 Crowded HillClimb

Noah D. and DHaggs.... Almost a Collision!

Would you be able to Race a Bike over Hills like This!?!?

Pictures By: DHaggs Jr. - AMohar - Jimmy B

AMA National Race INFO!

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