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All content © Bob MuIIins |
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Nate Ferderer - Full Gas Sprint Enduro Series, Round 1 I left the subzero temperatures of Minnesota to race the opening round of the Kenda Sprint Enduro Series in Gaston, South Carolina. The temperatures were much warmer in South Carolina, mid-sixty highs over the race weekend. The soil conditions at HRD Complex (the race location) are mostly sandy. The sprint enduro format goes like this: there are two tests, each about 3 miles long, and racers sprint each test 3 times a day while the times are accumulated throughout the days to determine an overall winner. Test 1 was a bit faster than test 2, “cross vs enduro” tests. Test 1 took me approximately 6 minutes and test 2, 8 minutes. The tests were run in the reverse direction on day 2. Beginning day 1, test 1 didn’t start well for me; I was trying too hard and had two crashes. I soon found out that I couldn’t make mistakes. The results showed mere seconds separated positions, every second mattered. By lap 2 I settled into a groove and started to have a lot of fun. Unfortunately at the end of test 4 I made a rookie mistake, I ran out of fuel. I underestimated the fuel needs for the 3 mile tests; I guess that is why it’s called the “full gas” enduro. It took me approximately 20 to 30 seconds to switch my petcock to reserve and get my bike restarted. Day 1 I placed 3rd in open A and 26th overall. Day 2 started with light rain and humid air. I made a jetting change and my 300 ran well for the conditions. Running the course in the reverse direction was weird on lap 1; the corners were not ‘natural’, by lap two they were much better. I was having a great time on my 300; it was a blast to power out of the sandy berms. By mid-day the course was starting to get rough and challenging, but I kept improving my test times. I improved my test results throughout the day and the final lap was my best of the weekend. I finished day 2 2nd in Open A, 10 seconds behind the leader. I also improved my overall score and finished 19th overall on the day. I had a lot of fun at this race, it was great to try a new racing format and I was happy that I increased my speed as the event went on. Round 2 is in July in Indiana, I am going to consider racing that event and possibly the entire 4 round series. I am staying in South Carolina this week to prepare for round 2 of the National Enduro series next week, round 2 “The Sandlapper” Sunday 3/1/15 in Pelion, SC. Thank you to my supporting companies
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