Steve Leivan - 30-39 A - Rd 2

EVENT: Round 2 OMA Nationals; Millerstown, KY; May 3-4

RACE BIKE: Yamaha WR250

RESULT: 1st +30 “A” – 19th Overall

PRE RACE: I didn’t get to do my regular routine the week leading up to the race since I was having issues with my ankle, but I did get to spin a few miles on my bicycle and that seemed to help loosen things up. My ideal plan was for the race to be held under perfect conditions so that I could keep my feet on the pegs and keep from doing any further damage. The “feet on the pegs” plan seemed to be out the window when we arrived about 4 pm on Saturday and saw a sloppy parking lot and several stuck vehicles. Oh well, at least it was “a plan”.

Kole Henslee, Andrew Smith, Shannon and Tanner Kenworthy, and I got signed up and checked out part of the trail to see how muddy it actually was while Dad got stuff unloaded and started cooking up his “famous potatoes”. The course didn’t look bad at all but we knew it was soft and it would probably get rutted. The start area was an awesome grass track on a hillside that was just too, cool. I could have done motos out there all day.

RACE: All of the “A” age classes were on the third row, which meant about 25 bikes or so. I got a decent jump and was up to third within a couple of turns. My little thumper was hanging right with the two strokes in front of me and I was able to get to the inside and take the lead entering the woods. When the trail got to those woods, it was fresh cut trail for what seemed like a long time. It was already very rutted from the 45 or 50 bikes on the rows ahead of me and I just tried to be steady and stay on two wheels.

It wasn’t long at all and I was catching some of the riders from the row ahead of me (Open A and Lite A). It took some time to get through them in the tight stuff but then the trail opened up a little and there was some room to get by. I caught a big group of guys going down this really bitchin’ creek bed and got by them. I caught up to Kole about halfway through the lap and he had already pulled his goggles off. He let me around and I just kept after it and tried to memorize the trail and keep passing guys.

When we got to the grass track start area again, I could see Andrew and he let me by going into he woods. By now, the ruts were much deeper and there were lots of alternate lines forming. My plan from there on was to pick really smart lines and not get stuck. I figured if I could do that then I would have a good day. That is pretty much how it went, too. There was one time about lap four or so that I had to throw my bike up a creek bank when a guy was stuck in the best line. I got going quickly and that was really my biggest trouble other than sticking my foot down one time and screaming like a little girl.

In the end I was able to get another class victory and another top 20 overall. It was a really tough event – quite a bit more difficult than the Tennessee round was.

NOTES: The rest of the crew did well and brought home trophies. Andrew was 6 th Lite A, Kole was 8 th Lite A, Shannon was 2 nd +40 B, and Tanner was 3 rd 14-15 110cc. Andrew had his day made when he won a new helmet.

Mullins won the overall by 50 seconds over Whibley. Garrahan rode a YZ250F to third.

These OMA courses are what off-road racing is to me. Gusse really gives us a challenge and gives us plenty of true single track and true virgin trail. They aren’t chopped out two- track trail where you just have to pin it and slam your way through the whoops. They require good technique and precision and some trail smarts. Like I said “its’ what off road is”.

We are going to skip the next round in Ohio since it falls on Memorial Day weekend and we have a huge get together at the farm. So the next round for us will be Iowa in June.

Foot? Sore, but better I think.

TOP 5 +30 A: 1. LEIVAN (YAMAHA); 2. McWilliams (ktm); 3. Hopkins (KTM); 4. Garetson (Suz); 5. Coultas (YAMAHA)

NEXT RACE: May 18; Round 5 Missouri Hare Scrambles; Jamestown, MO

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!