Razorback
04-29-2002, 08:40 AM
I entered my first race ever this weekend and had a blast. It was a mx race with the TQRA (Texoma Quad Racing Assoc.) I have rode quads for less than two years now and have only done trail riding, albeit some very agressive and technical, but nothing like mx riding. I rode on my first mx track to practice last week and absolutely loved it, so I decided to enter the race.
I entered in the amateur and 4 stroke open classes and finished 10 out of 15 and 13 out of 16 respectively. Not very good finishes, but not dead last, and I didn't crash or get hurt, which was my main concern going in. I had intended on riding real safe and just staying behind everyone, but when you get in the middle of all those quads the adrenaline just took over. I was hitting some fairly big tabletops and doubles that I didn't intend to, but I just got caught up in the moment and didn't even think about what I was doing. It was so much fun.
Some observations from my first quad race (either to attend or to be in):
I don't think quad racing is near as big here in Texas as it is in the northeast, so I was quite surprised at how many trick quads there were. Lots of big, expensive trucks and trailers, filled with quads I normally only see in magazines (and in the readers rides on exriders.com of course :) ). I've been around rodeo folks a lot, and the quad racing scene is very similar to how much money and time people put into the sport. I was very impressed by all this.
I talked with several of the riders and everyone was real friendly. It really is a group of people doing something they love and supporting a great sport. Riders were very serious during the races, but before and after, people were just great to talk to.
The pro riders are unbelievable! TV and video give you no idea of how good and fast these guys really are. The best pro there was a guy named Johnny Hale. He pretty much smoked the rest of the field, but all the pro riders were just amazing to me. During intermission, Johnny did some freestyle tricks and it was awesome, things I had only seen on Huevos before.
Aftermarket shocks and extended a-arms and axle are my first order of business before my next race. I bottomed out several times and beat my body up a little, but everyone I talked to said that the shocks would make a world of difference. I think I want to get +2 a-arms, and to save on money, just get spacers for the rear to start out with. Also, I'm looking at Elka or Works shocks for the front, leaving the rear stock for now. I have to keep within a certain budget for now, so I know there are better solutions, but any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated.
Anyway, sorry for the long post, but I'm pretty stoked after the great time I had this weekend. I've got some video of the pro race that I will post later. I've been on exriders.com for over a year and really appreciate all the tips and information many of you have provided.
I entered in the amateur and 4 stroke open classes and finished 10 out of 15 and 13 out of 16 respectively. Not very good finishes, but not dead last, and I didn't crash or get hurt, which was my main concern going in. I had intended on riding real safe and just staying behind everyone, but when you get in the middle of all those quads the adrenaline just took over. I was hitting some fairly big tabletops and doubles that I didn't intend to, but I just got caught up in the moment and didn't even think about what I was doing. It was so much fun.
Some observations from my first quad race (either to attend or to be in):
I don't think quad racing is near as big here in Texas as it is in the northeast, so I was quite surprised at how many trick quads there were. Lots of big, expensive trucks and trailers, filled with quads I normally only see in magazines (and in the readers rides on exriders.com of course :) ). I've been around rodeo folks a lot, and the quad racing scene is very similar to how much money and time people put into the sport. I was very impressed by all this.
I talked with several of the riders and everyone was real friendly. It really is a group of people doing something they love and supporting a great sport. Riders were very serious during the races, but before and after, people were just great to talk to.
The pro riders are unbelievable! TV and video give you no idea of how good and fast these guys really are. The best pro there was a guy named Johnny Hale. He pretty much smoked the rest of the field, but all the pro riders were just amazing to me. During intermission, Johnny did some freestyle tricks and it was awesome, things I had only seen on Huevos before.
Aftermarket shocks and extended a-arms and axle are my first order of business before my next race. I bottomed out several times and beat my body up a little, but everyone I talked to said that the shocks would make a world of difference. I think I want to get +2 a-arms, and to save on money, just get spacers for the rear to start out with. Also, I'm looking at Elka or Works shocks for the front, leaving the rear stock for now. I have to keep within a certain budget for now, so I know there are better solutions, but any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated.
Anyway, sorry for the long post, but I'm pretty stoked after the great time I had this weekend. I've got some video of the pro race that I will post later. I've been on exriders.com for over a year and really appreciate all the tips and information many of you have provided.