My KOH/rausch creek experience

[BIGWOODY]

Everyone else is, so I'll jump on. Sam Wingate our Buddy Austin and I all took the trip from NC to the race. Got there late Weds. night. It was cold, rainy, not very good weather. As the enclosed trailers continued to roll in and the badass rigs began to roll out, I was beginning to feel a bit out classed. I sipped a beer or two and crawled in the back of Wills trailer to go to sleep.
We woke up Thursday to a nice steady down pour, fog, and again shitty weather as a whole. We decided to pre run the course, I quickly figured out this was going to be a race about who finished, not so much where they finished. I had wheel studs work loose and completely egg shape the hole in a fairly new walker evans wheel, that sucked. Mark Watson who had ridden up with Travis left camp after our pre run and rounded up the few parts we needed to fix the wheel stud problem (Thanks again Mark). We went to the drivers meeting and I spent the rest of the evening prepping my rig for Friday. I crawled in the back of Travis's trailer and went to sleep. Woke up Friday morning to a much better looking day. Loaded up and headed towards the starting line, again feeling a little outclassed by some of the rigs that were there. As the race was starting they announced who you were and a little about you, when asked what my intentions for the day were I responded by saying "I just want to finish". It had become a personal goal of mine to just complete the race, being in the top ten would be nice but I really wasn't expecting to be.
Lap 1 started and I was off, went through the high speed stuff and got to Jotters to find a traffic jam, my personality is one of not wanting to piss people off, I found I was going to need to get over that quickly or I'd be at the back of the pack all day. I worked my through the traffic and decided to pull the winch and get the hell outta there. Having a co-driver would've been nice for winching but screw it I figured I could handle it. After clearing that area it was on to the next log jam at the next climb, again I opted to winch and not risk breaking anything. I don't have super bling 300m shafts or even high dollar joints (spicer 806's), so I figured we weren't on a trail ride, can't just run back to camp and throw a shaft in if one breaks, be careful. Got through that section and was off again. I pitted after hitting the high speed area again, I was concerned about my wheel studs and figured taking 5 minutes in the pits to check them, top off fuel wasn't going to cost me too much time and would certainly give me peace of mind. I was off again I winched both ledges again, I was feeling my age (pushing 40) but the adrenaline was keeping me going. I ran two more laps, passed lots of peeps that were broken. I felt I had to be doing half way decent based on the amount of people I passed. I pitted after another 2 1/2 laps and was greeted by Sean Rose's mother, Mark Watson and Kyle, Was handed a sandwich,water and two goodys powders. They check everything on the buggy, refueled (only used 6 gallons) and I was off again. By this time I was trying to concentrate on not crashing or breaking. I made both ledges without cable (it was drying out) and was rolling along pretty well. My race really was sort of uneventful...I never rolled, never crashed, never broke, just kept at a good consistent pace. I wanted to pee my pants a couple of times but was able to hold off till the end.
I was really shocked to hear I had finished 4th, I never expected that. One thing I have noticed over the past several weeks in preparing for this race, XRRA, UNFcross, etc.. was I wasn't liking the stress of preparing. Now don't get me wrong, I've had a great time racing and loved the competition. However, I got out of racing cars and bikes years ago because the stress it brought on me. I got into wheeling because it was such a stress relief to be on the trail with friends having a great time. The racing seems to be adding the stress back. I'm not 100% sure I'll be at JV to race, I need to do several upgrades to my buggy for that and we all know that cost $$$$. I've got a kid coming in a month, a house I'm renovating,and the expense of going out there is one I might not be able to bare, but we'll see. I had a great time doing this and really want to thank the people that helped me: Chase @ east coast gear supply, Billy @ Alliance hose and tube, Mark Watson, Travis Watford, Kyle,Will Carter for trailer floor space, Jims Garage for building a buggy that can be beat to death and not break, My wife for encouraging me to go, Woodlee for some advice that calmed my nerves, and everyone else involved in putting this race on.

[mudtruck44]

Congrats on your finish! I had no idea who you were when I was reading the race results. I didn't connect it with your screen name until yesterday.

[wngrog]

Originally Posted by BIGWOODY

The racing seems to be adding the stress back.

You 100% nailed the reason I don't compete. Every time I get into something competitive, I over do it and burn out. Wheeling has been the longest running past time I have ever enjoyed and I don't want to mess it up.

Hold off on making that call for JV. Your buggy would be great as-is for that race. The best part about making the commitment to go to KOH 10 is going to Johnson Valley to wheel.

It is worth the trip alone.

You earned the spot to start the race. Split up the driving with Travis or something to lower the cost and the stress, but make it to the race.

You will not be disappointed.

Great job on RCQ!

[74_Chevota]

He is going to JV....he just doesnt know it yet.

Seriously though, we have a gooseneck and a dumbass (me) to drive it across the country.

[Droopy]

Greg, you're going to Cali. You earned the spot, you deserve to be there. You've already shown you can play it smart and finish in the top 5. Do it out there as well. We're all rooting for you.

We went out this past year and split the fuel with some crazy kid called Sam. It really helped out splitting the bill out. You'll go and you'll do well.

The rig is fine like it is.

Stress is part of it...it sucks, but it's part of it. Kim was sick the night before the race because of the stress. When you do well and accomplish something, the feeling is priceless and conquers that freaking stress.

[DOUG38S]

Greg it was awesome watching you race and seeing you get it even if it was while I was fixing my junk and you were zooming by.

Wifes will get over it and the house will be there when you get back from JV. The trip alone is worth the ride. I go to race and trailride. Having no expectations is what makes it worth it.

[DocRocks]

Congrats on the finish and thanks for the tow back into the pits.

Man, I hear ya on the stress. My biggest source of stress is self induced. I can't stand showing up for something unprepared, which is what I did for this race..... and as it usually does, it cost me big time.

Keep it fun if you can. You made one hell of an accomplishment finishing the RCQ and you earned a place in the big show.... don't count yourself out of that one yet. The KOH 09 race was honestly for me, the experience of a lifetime. "It's that daymn big man"

Great job!

[86rocktoy]

Congrats on the finish now you just need to teach travis how to drive

[EasyXJ]

Originally Posted by 86rocktoy

Congrats on the finish now you just need to teach travis how to drive

You can't blame Travis for his wheels up action. Will was rolled over and you know he has a 5K magnet attached to his rig

Now on to the important shit. Greg, pull the string out and go race the big race. We'll be out there whether we're racing or not and we've got a great group of guys that really know what their doing out there for support. Hell, I bet we can talk Mom into making you a sandwich or 2.

[chris demartini]

Congrats on the clean race and qualifying finish.

[ne14jpn]

Greg,

I didn't connect the buggy being white and blue with your s/n either. I remember watching you down at WV Jambo last year. Congrats on the finish & great race. You deserve that spot in Cali.

[broncolou]

Let it all set in.....You did something pretty damn good that 30 some other people couldn't put together. Great job.

[BamaSahara]

Nice work Greg, I feel you on the stress part. I think you should go once and take it all in. It is an epic experience. After you come back you will realize it costs too much to do it every year and trail ride too!! Plus the hard part is done, qualifying!!!

[yield2me]

Dude, show up out there with a nice solid rig and it will do fine. Proven rigs with an experienced driver is what gets it done out there....you have both!!

It is a blast, and treat it like you did RCQ...."Trail ride with my friends"!!!! Because that is what it is all about.....There will be enough of us NC boys headin' that way, we can support each other and have a damn good time. I wouldlove to add Johnson Valley to my list of places I have wheeled with you clowns!!!

See ya in a few days....Rob