VC Grand Prix

[Luke Hebert]

Are any of you doing the Virginia City grand prix this year? Has anyone done the Virginia City grand prix? I’m considering entering this, and I would like to get some advice. How long is it, what kind of tires, what are the speed ranges, how technical is it etc…

Beta 430RRS 2017

[Kurt138]

Hey Luke, I haven’t done the VCGP but I was just talking to Steve Sletten about it. He did it one year. Based on what Steve told me, you need to consider the dust and logjams at the hill climbs due to the very large number of riders. I have done a few XC races in the past and one thing I remember is that if you are in shape and can keep a solid pace you can do well. I believe the VCGP is 4 hours long – that is a long race. Folks that aren’t in really great riding shape may get arm pump or just plain gas out in the first hour. Endurance is more important than raw speed for a race like that. If you can get onto your 4th (or 5th!) lap just before the 4th hour rolls over you will probably be in contention for a class win. Much easier said than done of course.

BTW, I am planning to try the BattleBorn MX series this year if you want to come ride with me. To me MX is more fun than XC, and vet classes are generally pretty mellow (I’m old). I will be riding a KX250 (two stroke) but will miss the first couple of races – had to send my cylinder out to get re-sleeved. Hopefully I will be doing all the BBMX races from May to the end of the season.

Rides: KLR650, KX250

[Luke Hebert]

Thanks for the info, Kurt. I have done some long hare scrambles in the past, and you’re definitely right about endurance. I have no intention of winning anything, I just thought it might be fun to get out there and see if I can finish it.

Four hours would definitely test my limits. I could do two hours pretty hard last season, but I haven’t been riding much. I really need to get out there and train if I want to do this.

Beta 430RRS 2017

[Luke Hebert]

I’ll be honest, MX scares me. I did some practice MX in my youth, but I can’t even imagine hitting sixty-foot doubles anymore. My son really wants to get into it, but I need to get him an MX bike. (He’s nine and about 85lbs). Maybe we could come out there with you and get a lay of the land, who knows maybe I’ll get inspired.

Beta 430RRS 2017

[Kurt138]

Hey Luke, yeah, we could all have a look at MX together. I haven’t raced for 20 years, but I am motivated to get a little excitement back in my life. Way back in the past I raced C and was promoted to B. I dunno, they might put me back in C class again to start over.

I don’t have a bike put together yet…my shock is at RaceTech and my cylinder is at LA Sleeve. Once I am riding again I will probably put in a lot of practice laps at turn tracks in Moon Rocks before I hit the race tracks.

If I hadn’t blown up my KLX650 I would try the VCGP with you in the dual sport class. That bike was my beater – perfect for that race.

However, for my next dual sport I want more comfort and some highway ability. I’m looking at a KLR650.

Rides: KLR650, KX250

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