I just returned to the US from a tremendous European racing adventure.  Competing in the FIM Veterans Motocross championship I was able to secure the over 50 title.  I also had the great opportunity to race classic Twin Shock events throughout the UK and France.   With rumblings of a Dutch invasion I was lured to the 2008 MTA World Vet Championships November 1 at Glen Helen in a quest for the top 50+ riders in the world.  Todd Huffman of motocross files kicked off the weekend Friday night at the Monsters of Motocross fund raiser to honor ’82 World Champ Brad Lackey.  Look for a release of “No chance to win” with the multi talented Bob Hannah as he spoofs the ’75 Battle of New Orleans in “One Chance to win” of www.motocrossfiles.com. 

Enter the rabbit.  Pierre Karsmakers aka the Rabbit was the target of US riders in the ’75 500 championship.  Fast forward 33 years, Pierre’s  younger brother Toon Karsmakers armed with a good sense of humor had a good laugh at Pierre’s expense hanging out with the Legends of US motocross.  By the time the weekends racing rolled around, however everyone was referring to Toon as the Rabbit.  Someone even wrote in “The Rabbit” next to his name on the posted entry list for all to see.  We suspect Glenn McGovern was involved.  As we prepared for the first 50+ moto I heard Toon exclaim, “Say Rabbit one more time!”  No longer the kind and generous host I had in Holland, (Toon let me use his Honda for the FIM Veterans with CAS Honda helping in Lommel, Belgium).  No longer easy going, when the helmet went on Toon was transformed into the Dutch assassin!  Even at 55 Toon is blazing fast!  Toon was arguably quicker than Pierre, but always in his shadow for all those years.  Four Dutch National titles could not remove Toon from the long shadow cast from the first European Motocross star in the US,” Lucky Pierre”.  Throw in a dash of Dutch pride and the desire to show his bride (Rian) who has never seen him race (just Toon telling her how fast he was) and you have a recipe to create the insanity of the Dutch assassin!  To even the playing field www.DICKSRACING.com set up the suspension on my www.MPCKTM.com ’09 450 KTM XC  as well as preparing a Dicks suspended 450 CRF Honda for Toon.  Add to the drama new 40+ rider and sponsor Don Safranek of Wert-Berater.   Ever optimistic concerning his evolving riding skills Don insisted on entering the steep challenging terrain of Glen Helen.  Don’s not really sure why he decided not to turn at the bottom of the Talladega downhill that proceeded to launch him off the berm splattering him down on the hard infield.  Hearing that Don was OK resting at the local hospital with a morphine drip, my focus returned to the first moto and lined up on the other side of the start box to the Dutch assassin.  No more than 10 feet out of the gate I was slammed hard by a Dutch scud missile!  Wow, was that KarToon?  OK game on!  Surprise performance from Idaho rider Don Grahn had him in the lead as I closed in on Toonski, making my move on the rough downhill to move into second.  As I went into the lead a lap later my KTM began to wobble with a flat rear tire.  My own fault, in my haste did not make time to install the Tubliss system that would have allowed me to prevent any flat.  I tried to salvage points but she was getting sideways everywhere.  Toon found new life as I dropped out and when Grahn left a small door open the Dutch assassin pinned it in a proclaimed un-intentional take -out move that dropped the stunned Idaho rider with a mouth full of Glen Helen dirt with just a half a lap to go.  Grahn picked it up to finish 4^th and immediately came by the pit with a huge tire mark on the side of his bike picking dirt out of his teeth, claiming dirty riding tactics by our Dutch guest.  I got the mild mannered wood worker calmed down, but he still had a flame burning for Mr. Karsmakers in the 2^nd moto.

 

I had about 5 messages from Safranek but there was nothin I could do and figured he was in good hands at the hospital.  I had my mind on the drama of the 2^nd moto as Dick began stirring the pot feeding Toonski with a plot to take the OA.

As we lined up for the 2^nd moto, Dick had a gate prepped next to Toony.  I looked at Dick and said “Dude” he ain’t gonna get a second chance at a repeat missile attack!  Even though I had won both motos on Saturday,  I was armed with a fresh tire and out for redemption.  Only problem was that new tires don’t hook up on cement start gates.  Dick said I looked like Don Garlett when I smoked it off the gate to a mid pack start.  Buried in the pack I looked over at the downhill to see Grahn move into the lead with the Dutch assassin in tow.  I was impressed with the clean polished riding style of Japanese rider Isao Ida as I reciprocated with a clean pass into 3^rd , having aggressively moved through the pack to stay in touch with the leaders.  Isao and I had been catching  a suddenly  safe riding rabbit who was in position for the OA.  As I was making a passing move down went the Dutch assassin and I barely missed the rabbit as he went face first into the moist dirt.  I had time left to reel in Grahn and turn in a comfortable win.  As a result of my win, the Dutch assassin received the OA as he recovered to a 4^th.  Everyone had a share of the glory and it was a cap off to a great weekend with one of the best track preps I’ve ever seen on the Jody Weisel designed course.  Toon is still talking about the great time he had and promises his return with more backup from his Dutch countryman in 2009! 

On another note I’m excited about heading to Baja for 3 days of pre-running  the course with Desert legend Jack Johnson.  Jack had secured me a position on the much sought after Chris Haines 50+ team.  This year the famous desert event is a loop out of Ensenada.  Score has a cool course map on www.score-international.com.    Jack has kept my chosen sections top secret so as not to tip off the competition!  Five riders comprise our team.    548x Chris Haines, Dana Point, Calif./Scott Pfeiffer, Costa Mesa, Calif./Craig Adams, San Clemente, Calif./Chuck Sun, Las Vegas, Honda CRF450X and new addition is long time WA desert legend Rich Binkley.  I will post any new info when I find an internet hook up in Mexico.  Plan is to bring it home safe!