2004 GNC Round #6 Muddy Creek

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The Weather started out beatiful early in Sunday Morning, but right after pro practice the skies opened up and rain moved in. Many of the racers headed back to their pits to start preparing for the Muddy race that was yet to come.


Curtis Sparks and Jeremiah's Father work on preparing the YFZ for the muddy conditions.

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Site Sponsor T&T Racing attend most of the GNC races, so you should headed over and say "Hi."

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Dustin Wimmer and his EAST Coast ATV YFZs.

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Lonestar Racing Pit Area

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Lonestar Racing's Keith Little is the lucky rider that get to drive such a incredible racing rig.

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John Natalie Jr. and Michelle Reiser don't let the rain stop them from watching the Amateur racing.

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The Track was built between two hilside and literally was cut into the side of the far hill. It had several elevation changes and was pretty easy to watch almost the entire race from one location.

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Another view of the track from the 1st turn off the start

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Mark Baldwin and Tim Farr joke around before Tim heads out for his parade lap before the start

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Lost Creek Cycle / Rausch Creek rider Jason Dunkelberger had his YFZ all taped up to keep the mud from packing up his radiator.

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Jasmin Plante's 450R broke down during Sunday Morning's practice and had to be towed back to his pits.

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Jasmin wasn't able to get his 450R ready for the race and had to switch his YFZ.

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Gilbert Attix heads back to the line after his Parade lap.

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The racers line up for the first Moto as the morning rain stopped right before the start.

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Dana Creech lined up to with his broken thumb along side of Doug Gust, Nate Frees, and Jeremiah Jones

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Moto 1

The Start!

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#53 Kory Ellis and #4 Tim Farr battle for the holeshot heading into turn one with Doug Gust, Tavis Cain, and Joe Haavisto right behind them.

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#191 Dustin Wimmer, #19 Jason Dunkelberg, and #52 Dana Creech rounding the 1st turn.

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A few turns into the race, Tavis Cain had taken over the lead with Tim Farr close behind in 2nd.

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Doug Gust squeezed past Kory Ellis and took over the third spot.

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Kory Ellis was back to 4th holding off #12 Keith Little and #2 Jeremiah Jones

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After a 4 laps, Tavis Cain remained out front with Tim Farr following his every move.

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Doug Gust began to close the gap between him and the top two riders.

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Kory Ellis was running strong in 4th

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The Top four riders seperate themselves from the rest of the pack.

Tavis Cain and Tim Far out Front with Doug Gust about four seconds behind them with Kory Ellis several seconds behind Gust.

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Jeremiah Jones was back in 5th and was on the gas through the sloppy conditions.

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Keith Little sails over a kicker in 6th place

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Joe Byrd, Dana Creech, and Jason Dunkelberger get caught up heading around a turn leaving Dana and Jason sideways on the track.

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Halfway through the race, Tavis Cain continued to the lead the race over Tim Farr who had dropped back several seconds behind Cain.

Tavis Cain remained almost mud free half way through the race which was one of the benefits of staying out front.

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Tim Farr on the other hand was coated in Tavis Cain's Roost.

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"Digger" Doug Gust turned his Yoshimura LTZ400 in excavator plowed his way through the mud. He quickly closed the gap on Tim and and passed him on an off chamber turn. Tim Farr went wide and got slowed down in the soupy mud, which allowed Gust to power his way around the inside and take over the 2nd spot. Gust Removed his Goggles and set his sights on Tavis Cain.

Check out the traction ripple on his Rear Tire.

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Jeremiah Jones continued his run in 5th place behind Kory Ellis

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Keith Little was still in 6th place.

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Jason Luburgh was in 7th place with John Natalie Jr. all over him

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John Natalie Jr chasing after Luburgh

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with only a few laps to go, Tavis Cain continued to lead wtih Doug Gust right behind him heading through the Rhythm.

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Doug Gust follows Cain with Tim Farr, Kory Ellis, and Jeremiah Jones all seperated by only a few seconds.

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As the leaders head the other direction off in the distance, Matt White, Jasmin Plante, Dustin Wimmer and Gilbert Attix battle for positions.

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By the next lap, Doug Gust made the pass on Tavis Cain and took over the lead!

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Without Goggles, Doug Gust went on to Win the 1st Moto:macho

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Tavis Cain put in an incredible race and finished 2nd!

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Tim Farr held on to third with Kory Ellis finishing fourth. Jeremiah Jones rode his way to a fifth place finish

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Keith Little rode his YFZ to a 6th place finish

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Jason Luburgh was able to hold off the hard charging Natalie Jr. and gave John a Thumbs Up for a great race between them.

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Poor John Natalie Jr definitely payed the price of not getting a good start and was covered in mud.

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Doug Gust After his 1st Moto Win!

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Tavis Cain stands out in the rain after his great finish to watch some of the racing action.

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Kory Ellis cleans himself up in the trailer while his mechanic cleans up his quad.

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Dave Gibson, East Coast ATV, also lends a hand to John Natalie Jr and gets his YFZ ready for the next Moto.

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K&K ATV's Joe Haavisto

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Shortly after the 1st Pro Moto ended, the raining really started coming down again. I felt sorry for the amateurs that had to race in sure poor conditions.

The rain became so intense an hour before the Pro 2nd Moto that the riders were called down to a riders meeting to see if they want to race the 2nd Moto. Several of the riders wanted to race, so the 2nd Moto was a go.

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The Team Suzuki crew sits under their easyups waiting for the rain and wind to ease up.

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about 15 minutes before the 2nd Moto, the rain finally stopped once again. Team Suzuki's Pat Alexander installs some foam on Doug Gust helmet to prevent the mud from building up.

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John Natalie and his father prepare his starting gate for the 2nd Moto. There wasn't going to be a parade lap because of the tracks muddy conditions.

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Team Suzuki prepares the gate for Doug Gust

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Dana & Skip Creech wait on the line together

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Joe Haavisto lines up for the muddy race

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Jason Dunkelberger decided to switch to a more aggresive XC style RazrII front tire for the nasty conditions.

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Pro Moto 2

The Start had Jeremiah Jones, Nate Frees, Tim Farr, and Joe Byrd battling for the holeshot into the 1st turn

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#7 Joe Byrd got pushed off into the soupy mud, which slowed him down and allowed the rest of the pack to pass him.

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Meanwhile, Nate Frees and Tim Farr continued to rub tires trying to take over the lead several turns into the race.

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The rest of the pack were running close together and covering each other in mud.

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Gilbert Attix was near the back of the pack

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Jasmin Plante was back to last after getting a slow start.

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By the 2nd lap, Tim Farr had taken over the lead.

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Nate Frees was still running strong in 2nd.

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Jeremiah Jones was running in third when he got off the main line and into the deep mud and water which brought his YFZ to a stop. Jones watches the leaders fly by as he watched in disgust.

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John Natlie Jr. got a better start the 2nd moto and was already up to 6th place.

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A few more laps into the race, Tim Farr remained the leader and developed a cushion between him and Nate Frees.

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Doug Gust was once again on the hunt for the lead, and made the pass on Nate to take over the 2nd spot.

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Nate Frees had dropped back to third place with John Natalie Jr. closing in fast.

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John Natalie Jr had his sights set of Nate Frees

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Out of no where, Dustin Wimmer started passes the top riders like they were sitting still. He worked his way past Byrd, Natalie Jr, and was working on Nate Frees as he charged to the front of the pack.

Dustin's East Coast ATV team definitely had the right setup for the muddy conditions.

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Nate Frees looks over to see Dustin Wimmer passing him through the Whoops section and moving into third place.

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Joe Byrd followed John Natalie Jr who was now back to 5th place.

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Keith Little was in 7th

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Tavis Cain, Jason Dunkelberger, and Kory Ellis rounded out the top 10

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Jones watched as his chance to try to catch up with the points leader Doug Gust slipped away and even his 2nd place standing was in jeopardy.

It was sad to see such a talented rider stand on the side of the track :(

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With the race almost half over, Doug Gust began his charge after Farr.

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Dustin Wimmer continued to close the gap on Farr and Gust.

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John Natalie Jr made the pass on Frees and moved back into 4th place.

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Half way through the next lap, Doug Gust passed Tim Farr and took over the lead!

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Doug Gust started pulling away from Tim Farr in 2nd place.

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The biggest surprise of the day was Rookie rider Dustin Wimmer was now within striking distance of Tim Farr.

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John Natalie Jr himself had also caught up with Wimmer and Farr as they headed through the Mechanics Area.

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Donald Lysinger came in for some new goggles, which is something you are more likely to see at a GNCC than a GNC.

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Doug Gust extended his lead over Farr to around 10 seconds with only a few laps to go, and Doug Gust played it safe and slowed down for the rest of the race.

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Dustin Wimmer continued to put the pressure on Tim Farr:macho

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Doug Gust went on to easily win the 2nd Moto and Win his 5th consecutive GNC race, which was probably the 1st time that this has been done. It is even more impressive considering he is the only racer on a LTZ in a track littered full of trx450R and YFZ quads.

I wonder why many of the other riders haven't started wondering if they are running the best quad to win on? The Team Suzuki / Yoshimura LTZ is definitely the fastest machine on the track. I can't wait to see what Suzuki has in store at the Dealer show in June.

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Dustin Wimmer never was able to make the pass on Farr and finished third in a very impressive Moto. Congratulations Dustin!!

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Here is what Dustin looked like before the race, what a difference.

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John Natalie Jr rode hard to a 4th place finish the 2nd Moto and finished the day 4th overall

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Keith Little finished the day 6th overall behind Dustin Wimmer

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The muddy riders wait as the scorers figure out who where the top three overall riders and verify the positions of the riders on the 2nd moto.

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Kory Ellis looked awesome in practice, but the muddy conditions didn't lend themselve to Kory and he finished 7th overall.

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Jason Luburgh was his usual cheerful self after the race even though he was covered in mud.

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Dana Creech thinks if only things could have been different?? Dana has been plaqued with problems this season, but he never gives up. He continues to race even though his thumb is broke with makes it very painful to hold on.

I admire him for his determination, and I wish him a speedy recovery.

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Duncan's Tavis Cain grinned ear to ear after hearing that he finished third overall:D It was exciting to see him make it on the podium!! Great racing Tavis:macho

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It is great to see Doug Gust do so well after all the years that he has been racing in the GNC Series. I grew up watching Doug Race, and it is great to see such a nice guy be on top of his game.

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Top Three Overall - Doug Gust, Tim Farr, and Tavis Cain celebrate on the Podium.

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I have more pictures to come of the Pro Racers from Practice when they were recognizable and some of the Amateur racing action when it wasn't raining.

[jcv400ex]

Excellent coverage Harlen!!!! Congrats to Wimmer and Ironman on strong finishes!!!!

[Knips178]

Great coverage!

Is it me or is wimmer's exhaust pipe reeeeeeeeeally short?
The first few pictures of this post has one of him and his two yfz450's and the one he's standing by has a shorty exhaust, anyone know what that is?

[YfzinJay]

I enjoy reading your comments and such, but I don't understand why a network channel doesn't try and air ATV racing. They try plenty of Pilot shows and they are shortly cancelled after airing. Why won't they try to air ATVing?

[Admin]

Originally posted by YfzinJay
I enjoy reading your comments and such, but I don't understand why a network channel doesn't try and air ATV racing. They try plenty of Pilot shows and they are shortly cancelled after airing. Why won't they try to air ATVing?

ATV Sport is working hard on making your comments a reality on the Outdoor Channel. For those that don't get cable, I try to do the best I can to recreate the race story with pictures and text. I am glad to see people enjoy the fruits of my labor :D

Originally posted by Knips178
Great coverage!

Is it me or is wimmer's exhaust pipe reeeeeeeeeally short?
The first few pictures of this post has one of him and his two yfz450's and the one he's standing by has a shorty exhaust, anyone know what that is?

That is a TC racing modified super trapp exhaust. I"d say once they start enforcing DB readings at GNC like they are at GNCC races those pipes will be a thing of the past since they are super LOUD.

[Ryan]

Awesome coverage, Harlen..... I relize now why they call it muddy creek :eek2: .

[KILLAQuad]

Farr was running Stock tires out there in the 2nd moto... thats y he didnt spank everyone.......:D

J/J.......... congrates to all especially the OL' DIGGER..... way to go...

Its cool to see the MX guys have to put up with the crap the XC guys go though all the time.......... Its neat to see how they handle and adapt to the DRAMATIC changes to the course.....

Great coverage once again Harlen........ :D

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The stock tires worked great on the start from what I heard, but just didn't provide the traction that Tim needed during the race. I don't think we will be seeing Tim on Stock Tires again for a muddy race.

[AtvMxRider]

Originally posted by EXriders Admin
ATV Sport is working hard on making your comments a reality on the Outdoor Channel. For those that don't get cable, I try to do the best I can to recreate the race story with pictures and text. I am glad to see people enjoy the fruits of my labor :D


Your coverage of the races Harlen is second to none. You do an excellent job and Thank you:) .

[KILLAQuad]

The stock tires worked great on the start from what I heard, but just didn't provide the traction that Tim needed during the race. I don't think we will be seeing Tim on Stock Tires again for a muddy race.

That was kinda funy seeing someone of his Rank and unlimited resources running STOCK tires in a race (wheels as well) ....

That was just a little bit of a Reality check..... the Stock wheels are some of the best wheels you can buy and the Tires arent that BAD either.......:eek2:

[lukester720]

Great coverage Harlen! Your coverage is always the best. Thanks!

[kgbg]

Very well done.
Congrats to Digger, Farr and Cain.
I am proud to have a Z as well as my 450R!

[Aussiequadrider]

Great coverage Harlen,
What is the idea with foam on the helmet?

Thanks, Geoff.

[mx69sx]

i see myslef man am i soaked

[quadchick3]

man what a great weekend that was, i dont think ive ever been in that much mud before. Harlen the pics are freakin awesome! I really liked how u took shots of the pros faces and the rigs

[sparky450AR]

Originally posted by EXriders Admin
Doug Gust went on to easily win the 2nd Moto and Win his 5th consecutive GNC race, which was probably the 1st time that this has been done. It is even more impressive considering he is the only racer on a LTZ in a track littered full of trx450R and YFZ quads.

I wonder why many of the other riders haven't started wondering if they are running the best quad to win on? The Team Suzuki / Yoshimura LTZ is definitely the fastest machine on the track. I can't wait to see what Suzuki has in store at the Dealer show in June.


It's not the suzuki, honda, or yamaha that wins. It's the rider, aftermarket setup, and team, that wins the races. Plus the Z with stock suspension setup is the same frame structure as the 400ex, which is a great machine. But when you start throwing roll, and elka aftermarkets on it, its niether a 400ex or a Z400. Now if your talking motor wise, I've heard the suzuki factory can build a mean motor, i know a guy that actually sent his motor to SUZUKI and they built it out to a 450 for him. I thought that was pretty cool.

Thank you! and
Great Coverage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)


Oh btw, get any movies of this one!??:cool:

[BlueZ440]

Great Coverage..I'm glad to see that Doug is still kicking everyones ***** on his Z..:D

[NTPracing22]

haavisto was running stock rears in the 2nd moto as well. I'm glad to see him out there giving it his best, hopefully he'll get some better finishes later in the season.

good coverage harlen

[Scottie Mac]

Originally posted by sparky450AR
It's not the suzuki, honda, or yamaha that wins. It's the rider, aftermarket setup, and team, that wins the races. Plus the Z with stock suspension setup is the same frame structure as the 400ex, which is a great machine. But when you start throwing roll, and elka aftermarkets on it, its niether a 400ex or a Z400. Now if your talking motor wise, I've heard the suzuki factory can build a mean motor, i know a guy that actually sent his motor to SUZUKI and they built it out to a 450 for him. I thought that was pretty cool.

Thank you! and
Great Coverage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)


Oh btw, get any movies of this one!??:cool:

I totally agree. The rider makes the difference. A perfect example is this... Gust RARELY ever gets a holeshot. In fact, he is usually 4th to 5th at the first turn, but half way thru the race, the old man is always in the lead. He is a machine, simply the best in the world right now. It takes timing AND A BAD MOTOR to pull the holeshot, but once you round the first turn, it is 90% rider. Gust is one of the few riders who consistantly passes people as the race goes on. JJ, Farr, Natalie, Little, Wimmer are all top notch riders, and Gust has worked his way around them all this year. That is a true testiment to his ability!

Scott

[jcv400ex]

Originally posted by sparky450AR
Now if your talking motor wise, I've heard the suzuki factory can build a mean motor, i know a guy that actually sent his motor to SUZUKI and they built it out to a 450 for him. I thought that was pretty cool.


Suzuki can thank Tom Carlson for the motor. Yosh copied it to a T.......head design, piston shape, etc. You can actually order a "TC Racing" z450 piston directly from Wiseco. I just had to say that, because I'm only 10 miles from Tom and it pisses me off Suzuki and Yosh are getting all the publicity when it was Tom that developed that motor last year.

But all the motor in the world wouldn't matter to Doug Gust. Just like the others said, he is a machine! The way he picks off riders kinda reminds me of McGrath back in the days.

[400exTN]

Originally posted by jcv400ex
Suzuki can thank Tom Carlson for the motor. Yosh copied it to a T.......head design, piston shape, etc. You can actually order a "TC Racing" z450 piston directly from Wiseco. I just had to say that, because I'm only 10 miles from Tom and it pisses me off Suzuki and Yosh are getting all the publicity when it was Tom that developed that motor last year.

Are you sure? I thought the Yoshi motor was a stroker and TC's was a bore job.

[sparky450AR]

Originally posted by jcv400ex
Suzuki can thank Tom Carlson for the motor. Yosh copied it to a T.......head design, piston shape, etc. You can actually order a "TC Racing" z450 piston directly from Wiseco. I just had to say that, because I'm only 10 miles from Tom and it pisses me off Suzuki and Yosh are getting all the publicity when it was Tom that developed that motor last year.

But all the motor in the world wouldn't matter to Doug Gust. Just like the others said, he is a machine! The way he picks off riders kinda reminds me of McGrath back in the days.

It seems like credit is rarely given where it is due anymore.


I was reading an interview with doug that DW did, and it sounds like we are gonna be putting up with this fire crotch on his suzuki for awhile. He said he was at the track and a 50 year old man on a dirtbike flew by him, this is what inspires him to keep racing. Gust said he has no plans to retire. I'm glad though!

[Scottie Mac]

Originally posted by jcv400ex
Suzuki can thank Tom Carlson for the motor. Yosh copied it to a T.......head design, piston shape, etc. You can actually order a "TC Racing" z450 piston directly from Wiseco. I just had to say that, because I'm only 10 miles from Tom and it pisses me off Suzuki and Yosh are getting all the publicity when it was Tom that developed that motor last year.

But all the motor in the world wouldn't matter to Doug Gust. Just like the others said, he is a machine! The way he picks off riders kinda reminds me of McGrath back in the days.

That "TC Racing 450 piston" is a big bore, the Yoshi IS a stroker.

Takes a lot more than a big bore on a Z400 motor to get it to run like the 450s from Honda and Yamaha, especially when set up the right way.

Scott

[400exTN]

Originally posted by Scottie Mac
That "TC Racing 450 piston" is a big bore, the Yoshi IS a stroker.

Takes a lot more than a big bore on a Z400 motor to get it to run like the 450s from Honda and Yamaha, especially when set up the right way.

Scott

I agree most big bores will not run with the 450r or YFZ. The Yosh stroker is as close as it comes.

Here's another interesting point about Suzuki/Yosh 450 stroker. Maybe things have changed now but as of last year the general public can buy the stroker kit but NOBODY can get the same head work as Doug or Yokley. I'm not knocking the stroker it's awesome and about to get the kit myself.

[jcv400ex]

No, there was stroke in Tom's motor also. I think it was 2mm. Might not be as much as the Yosh kit, they might have made some adjustments, but it's based on Tom's motor.

Brandon summers, GT thunder owners son has a 400ex that is now a 450 stoker and Laz said on the dyno it pumps out more HP than a piped YFZ or TRX450....:eek2: :eek2:

He's been in the top 5 on holeshots several times in the 16-24 GNCC class and it's full of new yammis and hondas..

[sparky450AR]

Originally posted by Rico
Brandon summers, GT thunder owners son has a 400ex that is now a 450 stoker and Laz said on the dyno it pumps out more HP than a piped YFZ or TRX450....:eek2: :eek2:

He's been in the top 5 on holeshots several times in the 16-24 GNCC class and it's full of new yammis and hondas..


That only makes since to me....Make our 450's strokers and we will call it even.

[JrdSHIFT450r]

anyone know what that sponge is doing on some riders helmets ?????????:huh

[sparky450AR]

Originally posted by JrdSHIFT450r
anyone know what that sponge is doing on some riders helmets ?????????:huh

yeah, i was :huh about that too. Maybe jermiah likes spongebob squarepants:confused:

[Fred55]

It keeps hte mud from packing on top of your head.

[quadchick3]

wouldnt the sponge just absorb water and weigh as much as packed mud on the top of ur helmet though?

[JrdSHIFT450r]

yea i think that would make it heavier and more soaked i woudl spray my helmat wit wd40 before i go out so it slips off thats wierd i never seen that before im ogi gto check it out my next national

[mxdave28]

watch the dirtbike nationals...they do it all the time and it does work

[NTPracing22]

Originally posted by Rico
Brandon summers, GT thunder owners son has a 400ex that is now a 450 stoker and Laz said on the dyno it pumps out more HP than a piped YFZ or TRX450....:eek2: :eek2:

He's been in the top 5 on holeshots several times in the 16-24 GNCC class and it's full of new yammis and hondas..


I wonder how reliable it is :confused:

[lukester720]

Fot you guys arguing about Gusts motor, there is a interview with one of the head guys from Yosh and he goes into great detail on the engine setup Gust is running. They give a actual number for the stroke of the quad and also say that its pushing 55 to 56hp. It also says no extra special headwork, anyone can get this kit. :eek2: BTW don't shoot the messenger, just by the mag and look for yourself.

[jrdcrf419]

hey you guys should fele bad for me i had to go out it the raain and the mod you dam pro racer