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749
Joined
11/19/2010
Location
Soddy Daisy, TN, USA
Edited Date/Time
9/13/2015 10:45pm
Although this is a MX site, maybe someone can give me advice on hare scrambles. I'm usually an MX rider, but a club (SORCS) is having 3 hare scramble races in the next 6 weeks all less than an hour from my house so I'm gonna race them. I have done a couple in the past and had a blast but always stopped for gas and lost a position or two doing so. The first one is next weekend and I'm trying to plan.
I have a 2013 RMZ250 with a stock tank. Race is 2 hours with 4 laps on a 9-12 mile loop.
Any advice?
I have a 2013 RMZ250 with a stock tank. Race is 2 hours with 4 laps on a 9-12 mile loop.
Any advice?
WORCS used to run 2 hours and we couldn't go the distance with bigger tanks even.
You might as well stop on your second lap for a splash... Maybe ask some locals at the race for advice?
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Depending on the bike, and skill level, gas duration will vary obviously. But, there is absolutely zero chance you will make it 2 full hours on a stock or over sized tank. In my almost decade of doing off road, even the slower stuff in the tress in Washington, we would never go more then hour+15/20 min with an over sized tank. This is at pro pace, but even still, I would never try going more then that.
Only ran out of gas twice ever, once at my very first WORCS race, and one later that year less then a min from the finish line. Went 7/8 years after that without ever running out of gas.
BB
All of my experience comes from two strokes, but I think you should pit up. Losing a position is better than a DNF.
On the YZ250 with a stock tank I've run out in a two hour hare scramble in Southern Oregon. I would say it was a good mix of 60% quad size trails, 20% single track, 15% tall grass on rolling hills and 5% fire roads.
If you don't have a big tank, pit up as close to the half-way point of the race as you can. You might be able to make it with a 3+ gallon tank.
On a typical motocross track my YZ125 will run out of gas after about 45 minutes at a B class pace.
The YZ250 is somewhere in the 30 to 40 minute range on a track.
I think it really depends on the type of course and level of rider as some indicate it can't be done, but where I race I normally don't have to.
If you plan on stopping have a small gas can with 3 litres max ready to go. Cover the spout with a rag or something to keep dust out. I can normally pit myself in about 15-20 seconds.
B rider, KX250F stock tank.
As I've gown older I can now get up to 142 miles out of a KTM 3.2 tank on a DS ride by riding taller gears, being smooth and carrying speed. Been on lots of rides that when we stop for fuel my bill is the less of anyones
After the guy filling with fuel is done, the first guy puts the cap back on while you click it in gear. The whole thing shouldn't take longer than 20 seconds if you have a couple buddies willing to help, even less if you have a quick fill tank.
For the drink, drill a hole in the top of a small water bottle (usually 8-12oz) just big enough to stick a clean rubber hose through to act as a straw. Put a zip-tie around the hose under the cap to keep it from pulling out, make sure it goes all the way to the bottom of the bottle. As you are getting gas, they hand you this bottle, hold it with your mouth/teeth after the pit stop and you are able to drink on it until it's gone then drop it. Very normal in GNCC's, just about everyone in the afternoon uses this method to get cold fluids and/or supplements in their system.
Pit Row
I only ran outta gas 1 time in TORCS, it was last lap of a 90 min race, and I lead the entire race. Such a bummer, but I bought an oversized tank before the next round for sure!
either that or slap a 3.5 gallon tank on and skip all the pits and go for the glory
Gas was everywhere. I swore I would never do that again.
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