The '05 "Big Ten Inch" XR-50 Hare Scrambles is history and I hope everyone who made it had big fun. I know I did laying it out (and since no one's attorney has contacted me yet to file suit) I guess we'll do it again next year.

With entries this year almost 4 times what they were last year, the event is growing and it was absolutely proven that if someone is silly enough to spend a lot of time laying out a trail for pit bikes someone else is silly enough to come try their luck riding it.

This year's trail was about 2 1/2 times longer than last year's and in many ways much more challenging as well. One rider referred to it as a long trials section which is kind of what I had in mind -- entirely rideable but challenging.

Already I have some ideas for next year's trail to make it even longer and the ride down the rocky creek bed might start deeper up the ravine if I can figure out a way to get a trail back there. Regardless, as in past years there won't be any logs to jump and I'll have all the slapper branches cut out of the way so you'll be able to focus on your riding on not dodging limbs.

The real heroes of the event in my eyes were the guys riding "Stock 50's". With crude suspension and no power, these ironmen gave a whole new definition to the term "Monkey Butt." Because of their incredible performance they will have their own traveling trophy next year (yet to be named), At this point I'm going to define a "stock" 50 as a Honda Z/XR/CRF-50, Yamaha TTR-50 or similar "clone" displacing under 50cc, 10" wheels or under, automatic clutch, using the stock open cradle frame and upper fork assembly (spring/grease forks like stock, can be modified with springs, lower leg mods ect.) This class will not only be cheap but will absolutely showcase who the real riders are!

The "Modified 50 Class" will be for 4-stroke bikes with open cradle frames and max wheel sizes of 10" rear and 12" front. Aside from that anything goes!

Again, there will be a "Support Class" for 4-strokes with wheels up to 17".

To give the Stock 50 Class a better shot at winning the overall next year, they will get a 2 to 3 minute head start over the Modified 50 Class and the Modified 50 Class will in turn get a 2 minute start over the "Support Class" (17" bikes).

The scoring mess of this year won't be repeated, even if I have to buy a multi-million dollar scoring system to insure this.

These are just preliminary plans and are subject to change -- feel free to offer your suggestions for next year.

-- The Ol' Woods Rat The Ol' Woods Rat Email