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Little Raccoon Enduro
Appalachian Dirt Riders
ACES Round 5
Wellston, Ohio
May 26, 2013
By Heather Wilson
The Little Racoon Enduro / ISDE Qualifier photos are available by emailing me directly, due to the photo account being maxed out on memory for the time being.
Bench Racing
Overall: Sam Evans
Sam Evans (KTM) has spent most of his childhood racing. “I started racing local motocross when I was eight,” he said. “My first big race was at the GNCC in Georgia 10 years ago. I enjoy the woods racing. The enduros are a little slower pace, but I really like them.”
Although he enjoys the enduros, he said he doesn’t like the “stop and go part” of it. “I’m accustomed to racing for hours straight and not really the short sprints,” Evans said. “ACES always seems to provide great trails, and it really does help me with my sprints, which overall helps my speed even in the cross country racing.”
Due to the ISDE format, the special tests were shorter. Evans said he couldn’t afford to make mistakes. “There wasn’t a whole lot of time to make up for mistakes if they happen,” said Evans. “I made some big mistakes passing riders, which cost me a lot of time. Other than that, I really didn’t have any regrets. It was a lot of fun and a great ride.”
He would like to thank his mom and dad. “Dad works very hard every day just keeping my bikes running.” He would also like to thank Appalachian Offroad Motorcycles, Genuine Dirt Racer Suspension, Fly Racing, Ride PG, Thornhill Auto, Mohr’s Tire Farm, Dunlop tires, Leatt, EVS, Balzout, Worldwide Chiropractic, Silkolene, FMF and Outlaw Motorsports.
Overall A: Ricki McAtee
Ricki McAtee (YAM), said enduros have been a way of life for his family. His dad used to race and that moved him to start riding enduros too.
This is his first full year of competing in the enduros. “I only raced probably four enduros before this year,” McAtee said.
“I like the fresh trails and hanging out with my friends having a good time,” he said. “What I don’t like the most is the road riding part. It drives me nuts, but I guess it is just part of it.”
Keeping fit for McAtee is comprised of going to the gym at least three times a week. “I almost have no choice, because my wife is a fitness freak,” McAtee said.
“It was important not to make any mistakes during the test sections, or, if you do, make them as small as possible. “I wish I wouldn’t have been three minutes late for a check on the first day… thanks to Ronny Jarvis.”
He said his bike worked great thanks to the GMR parts.
Winning isn’t everything to McAtee. “I just started riding again to have fun and spend a little more time with my dad. He loves to be at the races,” McAtee said. “Although this is my first year, I’ll definitely be back.”
He would like to thank his dad. “Without him, I would have never known what riding was. He’s supported me 110 percent, no matter what.”
He would also like to thank his wife for shoving him out of bed every morning at 3:30 a.m. to go to the gym. Additionally, he would like to thank James Giddings at GMR. “He can fix anything,” said McAtee.
Overall B: Hunter Ayers
Hunter Ayers (YAM), traditionally a GNCC competitor, wanted to try something different, so he tried his first enduro at the ISDE Qualifier hosted by ACES.
Not knowing what to expect of the enduro, Ayers thought the race was good. “I like the breaks in riding that the enduros have, but I don’t care for all the blacktop roads,” said Ayers.
His training regimen consists of riding his dirtbike and bicycle.
Ayers said he only started riding about five years ago.
He said there were a lot of unexpected obstacles on the trail. “A tree hit my head and knocked me clear off my bike,” said Ayers.
Ayers had a great run for his first enduro. “I may try more enduros,” he said.
He would like to thank Jesus Christ for keeping him safe, JDP and Jay Downhour for great suspension. He would also like to thank the Hardcore Racing team and his friends and family for their support.