VERMONSTER 4X4 - Bradford Mud Races - September 2014



Kevin, Seth, Steve, and I headed to Vermonster to watch some racing.  We arrived around 10:30AM.

It was mostly sunny, dry, and in the low 80’s.  No real breeze so standing or sitting in the sun was hot.  We brought coolers with drinks, food, and snacks.  There was a lot of dust as well.

Some safety changes that I saw.  Crushed clay stone was put between the trench  and the drag race lanes.  A lot less mud to deal with which made it a bit safer.   Spectator safety is top priority so the cable guardrail was replaced by concrete barriers.  The big tires on some of the trucks would potentially make the cable ineffective.  The concrete barriers make it harder to see trucks moving through the trench but provide better protection in case the trucks come out of the trench.



The monster trucks started with a couple laps and jumps.  One thing that was different.  CrushStation (Lobster) did a couple wheelies down the track.  It was impressive but no idea how he could see.  All the monster trucks had big engines with a couple in the 2000 hp range.

Drag races with different classes of trucks went on all day.  Mid-afternoon we moved to the pit area and over to the starting line of the drag racing lanes to watch the monster trucks.  I can tell you when two 2000hp trucks line up and the light tree goes off … it’s VERY LOUD …

We stayed near the starting line for the Hill & Hole also.  The Hill & Hole is a timed race that has 3 hills (or small jumps) and holes filled with mud and water.  They looked pretty deep and were large enough that they couldn’t be jumped over.  Airborne … Splash … mud flying … continue to the next one, etc.  … continuing on to the finish line.  We saw a couple great runs, some not so great, and a couple break downs with parts flying or breaking.

The trench wasn’t as deep as in years past.  Each truck makes 2 runs.  Early on quite a few trucks completed the course.  As the day progressed the trench got deeper in several spots so fewer trucks made it to the end.

Rock crawling was at the far end.  We watched a couple jeeps really get banged up trying to complete the course.  Several got lifted off with the help of the backhoe.

We had a good time and enjoyed the day.

Go to: "Search This Blog" at the top of my page and type in Vermonster to see past posts.

AMA Pro Hillclimb - 2014

Kevin had finals on the day of the hillclimb.   I decided wait until he finished so he could go with me.  I picked him up at 10:45AM for our 80 mile drive.  I figured we would arrive shortly after noon.

When unforeseen events happen it can really mess things up.  CONSTRUCTION ON THE HIGHWAY !!!  Three lanes of traffic going to one with no way to get off the highway onto the back roads … NUTS.  We ended up arriving at 1:20PM so we pretty much missed the first run.

The AMA Hillclimb is one of the destination rides for “Laconia Motorcycle Week” in New Hampshire and it’s my 4th year attending.  There were many more motorcycles this year than in years past so it's increasing in popularity.  Nice to see the hillclimb is becoming more popular.  

I saw some very sharp spectator motorcycles parked in the lots.  I would have liked to walk around and take pics of them but we were so late to the event I didn’t get the chance.  Next year.

This year there were motorcycles parked where the pits were in years past.  I think the pit area was too small making it difficult to view the bikes.  I think the riders deserved more space to move around also.  The pit area should be bigger next year.

The track was a bit different this year also.  From the starting line, if fast enough, the rider would jump a moat to a flat section.  If not fast enough would have to ride through to the flat section.  Quick charge to a steep hill that slowed everyone down.  From there, fast acceleration up the main section to the final jump.  The riders went airborne from that jump landing on the last section crossing the finish line and over the top.

Kevin took up a position by the starting line.  Rocks and dirt would hit the backstop.  Kevin saw his shop teacher talking to some of the riders.  His teacher originally built one of these motorcycles and sold it to one of the current riders when his son retired a few years back.  It was a great experience for Kevin having him as his shop teacher. 

I decided to move around a bit and headed to the top of the hill. I liked getting pics of the riders charging up the main section of the hill.  They passed me, rocks and dirt flying.  Turn, duck, cover the camera … not necessarily in that order … 

I noticed the top of the main section tapered off a bit so the riders weren’t getting as much air as last year from the last jump to the finish line.  

At one point I moved to get a different angle of the last jump.  I was standing where I couldn’t see the riders coming but I could hear them.  

I set up about 20 feet away when James Green crested the jump.  It appeared at the last moment his bike kicked out from under him as he went airborne.  He slid off the back of the bike … off the pegs … onto the back fender, then to the ground.  

Fenders are a requirement on these motorcycles for 2 reasons.  They throw so much dirt and rocks because of the cupped tires or chains.  It helps keep the rider safe in case of an accident.  

You can see by these pics the rear fender kept James from receiving a serious back rub from his chained rear tire.  That would have hurt … 

EMT’s were there to help.  After a few minutes he was able to walk down the hill by his own power.  Could have been much worse so glad he was ok.

I moved down the hill a bit to take pictures going up the steep hill and charging up the main section.  Kevin spent most of his time near the starting line.

We had a great time and will be back again next year. 

Go to: "Search This Blog" at the top of my page and type in AMA Hillclimb to see past posts. 














R.I.P. Colin Krenzul  #170

 

 

Todd Libhart passed away following an accident during the last hillclimb event this year.  RIP Todd.