With the exception of a few ATV Rodeo events over the summer, the local XC race that I attended yesterday was the first real race for me and lil yellow P650 (dubbed the "Killer Bee"). I'm pleased to report that I was able to finish the race with no mechanical problems from the quad or physical problems from my out-of-shape body.

THE COMPETITION
In the utility class, there was just me and 2 Honda Rincons. One was pretty well modded (works shocks, pipe, ATR tires, etc.) and the other was bone stock. The modded one is driven by the current utility division points leader and a friend of mine who I introduced to XC racing last December. I've raced this guy 2 times (last Dec and Jan) on my former P650 and have yet to beat him...(he's a heck of a nice guy by the way).

THE COURSE
The course was approx 7.5 miles long and included a small MX section with one double and one tabletop. This area proved to be one of the very few areas with wide-open straight-aways (which is were my P650 shines). Approx. 80% of the course was tight woods. When I say "tight woods", there were at least 3 spots where the PUCKER FACTOR was pretty high (if you know what I mean) b/c I was never quite sure that my fat quad would actually squeeze between the trees! lol Otherwise, this course was basically flat with no significant hill climbs or decents.


THE CONDITIONS
Mid to high 90's and VERY, VERY DUSTY. It was impossible to see the course at times when following people closely thru the woods...AT times, I could just barely see the quad ahead of me bouncing around all over the place and all I could do was wonder what kind of obstacle he was going over b/c I could not see the course at all!


MY STRATEGY
I've ridden on my competitor's modded Rincon a little bit and it definitely seems to handle tight woods much better than my P650...however, my quad is clearly faster on the straights. With that said, my strategy was to win the holeshot, stay ahead of everyone on the MX section and beat everyone to the woods...where it would be FOLLOW THE LEADER for most of the wooded sections (no safe places to pass). I didn't want to be behind anyone in the woods b/c of the heavy DUST factor.


***MY RESULTS
Won the holeshot, including beating a piped KFX 400 that lined up with our class b/c he was the only one racing in his class. To be fair, I just barely beat the KFX to the first corner, but it was a great feeling when I did! After being in 2nd to the modded Rincon for a short time at the end of the 1st lap and beginning of the 2nd lap, I held on to win my class after finishing 4 laps. The heat and dust was BRUTAL, but the Killer Bee and my old body held up during the race.


MY IMPRESSIONS of THE KILLER BEE
With the motor mods I've done to my quad, I can see a slight decrease in power at take off (but its still powerful enuf to win the holeshot) whereas it has a significant improvement at mid-range (which is where I'm at for 95% of the race). Overall, I'm very pleased with the power it had during the race and will continue to use this set-up for future races.

I'll post a link to pics later.

Happy trails...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]