The stator went out in the race Rhino this past weekend. It was not running well for practice and on Saturday, a friend of mine helped me out immensely by tearing into the motor to see what was the problem while I was out sweeping. After calling every bike shop within 75 miles, I was out of luck for finding a stator. What to do? I put the blue Rhino through its paces and managed a podium spot. You never know what can happen in a race!
45 minutes before the race I came back to the trailer and started pulling the panels off the Rhino, the driver harnesses, and adding my number plates; it was lucky I had extras. It wasn’t going to be the smoothest or fastest ride, but I needed to salvage some points. I’m not only racing to win a Class 3 Championship this year, but I want that #1 plate again next year – and that’s a points race between all 3 classes. This far into the season it wouldn’t be right to just give up and say, “Oh well.” I rolled up to the 3rd line feeling a bit underpowered without my Weller motor, but at least my riding gear matched.
Classes 1 and 2 took off down the start and into the MX, and then Class 3. As the flag rose into the air I punched the throttle like always and took off – albeit at the back of the pack. The plan was to do a lap, see how the stock Rhino fared, and decide from there. Well after one lap on cruising speed (that’s really all the faster you can go) I decided to keep going and finish the race. The MX at Straddleline is fairly tame so I wouldn’t have to worry too much about the jumps and turns. The Off-road was cake because we were all too big to fit through much of it without needing a deforestation permit. The biggest challenge was the WORCSX section. This is where I missed my LSR/Elka set-up the most. I was still running Maxxis tires so getting traction was no problem, but I didn’t have the clearance to smoothly get over much of the WORCSX section and had to take it much slower. Things that the Elkas would have soaked up became jarring – I’m glad I wasn’t in a stock Rhino seat!
Anyway, I motored along at a steady pace for the whole 45 minute race. Turnout was not great as Washington is the farthest round compared to other rounds (versus Phoenix for those of us that live up here), but it wasn’t terrible either. Class 3 had 4 UTVs and due to attrition I placed 2nd. I am still in the points lead and on track to get the #1 plate again for 2011. In August, pro WORCS rider Tim “TPQ” Shelman is having a race at Straddleline. The TPQ All Out is a one day event August 14th at Straddleline and includes Bikes, ATVs, and UTVs. I’m going to order parts and race the TPQ and at the end of September head to Glen Helen. Last year I was unable to take my Rhino to Glen Helen and instead went to sweep all weekend. This year I’m looking forward to competing there. It will be a new experience. I’m betting on some exciting racing and a good turnout for the UTVs.
See you at the track!
-Jeff