Northland Motorsports/Precision Concepts Race Report; 24 Hours of Glen Helen

Bike:

Kawasaki KX450F

Riders:

Robby Bell

Taylor Robert

Steve Hengeveld

Ty Renshaw

With one last WORCS race and Baja Looming on the Horizon, the 24 Hours of Glen Helen almost seemed like a speed bump on the way to the other races. What bike to use?, what riders?, was all decided just before the race. One of Robby's race bikes got the nod. It would be a true test of durability as this bike had several hard races on it. Another question was lights. We have never run more than short stints with lighting on this bike. By the end of this event, we were going to learn alot.

Everything started off well. Robby got the holeshot and began to pull a lead on his first three laps. For the next several hours, we maintained the lead with everyone putting in solid lap times. At about the six hour point, we had a chain adjuster issue. This required a pit for repairs. Then an hour later, The front brake hose we were testing slipped out of it's clamp. Another pit for repair. We lost the lead for the next few laps. Then we took it back and led till night time came. At our major pit for wheels, lights, brakes, etc., the brake pins we were testing jammed in the rear caliper. It took several minutes to get this fixed and we were now back to second.

During the night, we held second for several hours, only a few minutes from the lead. Then we had our biggest problem of the event. after a crash, we began to get a small coolant leak. A radiator hose split.

Three laps later we were in the pit for another repair. After some hose clamp issues, we lost over thirteen minutes. This ended up being the final straw that hurt us. It would take a major problem on the part of the leaders to get back in it.

When the checkered flag came out, we crossed in second. It was not what we came to do, but it got us the Endurance Series Championship.

This was our first year going for this title, and it's a good feeling to claim this trophy.

A few notes about the race. Robby pulled the fasted lap times of the race while Taylor was a close second. Then at night, Taylor took the fastest times with Robby second. This is remarkable as Taylor had never ridden at night before this event.

Steve rode great, especially when you consider this was his first time ever racing a Kawasaki. Ty was solid as usual and got faster as the race went on. Everyone was up for every ride and never once complained. It was a true team. I have to give the energizer bunny award to Taylor as he finished the race with one of the fastest times of the whole event.

While I'm bummed about not winning, it proved a very valuable test for Baja. The bike ran perfect, Even when it was low on coolant. It never over heated. The Baja Designs lights were amazing. Not only were they the best lights we've ever run, but they worked flawless the whole night. The bike is the same one that won the six hour and the twelve hour, a true durability test! The problems we did have are already being addressed. There were twenty minutes of pit repairs that we know now how to avoid.

The next race up is the Mesquite WORCS round ten. We will be at full strength. Jamie is back from the ISDE where he helped the US World Junior Team to third overall on the Podium. He was also the top American on day six, earning him a Gold Medal. All this as a Rookie!

Taylor and Robby looked strong at the twenty four hour, so it should be game on!

Also congratulations to Joe Hengeveld and Northland's Business Class Team on their win. And also for having Tim and Lupe Gomez cook their awesome burritos.

And a special THANK YOU to Donna,Steve,Mark, and Katie Harstine for all their help all night. Awesome pasta Donna! Diane for the great scoring. Roger Wooder and his crew for their help. And then there's Phil Valdez. Without his tireless efforts, these races would not be possible. He is the best mechanic in the business!!

Thanks for all the support, and I'll have a WORCS race report next week.

Bob Bell