Virginia City Gran Prix Race
2008-04-26
On Thursday my buddy Mark Jolma and I loaded up his
RV and motorcycle trailer with all our bikes, gear and food
and we hit the highway. We headed South and our destination
was Virginia City, Nevada – home of the (in)famous
Virginia City Gran Prix.
We drove to LaPine, took a Left and then through
Silver Lake, Summer Lake, Paisley and Lakeview Oregon.
Then we crossed the border into California and through
Alturas, Honey Lake and finally to Reno. Now it was 10 PM
and we had been on the road for 7 hours. Mark wanted to
play some Blackjack so we stopped at the Mega Casino
by the highway. I didn’t play, but instead decided to
“Supervise” and have a couple "Barley Sodas." 
Mark at the Casino >>>
Umm, BEER. >>>
Friday
We woke up on Friday morning and it was a bright sunny day.
Pics of RVs >>>
Jason “Spanky” Spengler’s Toy Hauler and Bike >>>
Main Street - Virginia City, Nevada >>>
Lot's of Harleys around here 
Pics of Friday's Ride
On Friday Jason "Spanky" Spengler wanted to go for a
ride to get used to the terrain so we hit the hills. This
place is GNARLY. Very rocky with steep hills everywhere
and ATOMIC MOON DUST that is blinding! 
After the ride we went back to camp and decided to go
to the “Bucket of Blood Saloon” for a Bloody Mary and
some Beers. 
Bucket of Blood Saloon >>>
g
The view was a little “fuzzy” after a few beers >>>
Saturday
It's Race Day! YEAH!!! OK, before the race we have to set
up our pit area with a tent,
chairs, gas, water, food, etc.
Pit Area >>>
Mark hauling the gas and cooler in his little red wagon! >>> 
Crazy truck! WTF? >>>
Vintage Iron >>>
It's 10 AM - Time to RACE!!!
The starting line is on MAIN STREET in Virginia City.
I was #243 = WAY back in the pack.
We got to the starting
line about 5 minutes before the start and had to ride on
the wood sidewalk to get up to our line >>> 
The starting line >>>
Just after the Start there's a HARD LEFT turn.
“Git outta the way buddy, or I'll SLAM you into the Brick Wall!” >>>
Then you “pin it” down the steep hill and catch some air!
People bounce off the Brick Building in that pic, and then
fly down the downhill street catching air going down the
hill. I usually skip the bouncing off the building stuff and
just go for the PHAT Air. (er somethin') >>>
Nice style! >>>
Here's me getting HUGE air >>>
OK, quit trippin' I was landing! GEEZ ;-)
Steve Brown setting up to make his move and try to
pass me >>>
I actually did get
a really
good start.
After the downhill
street we had a
hard left
into
the dirt.
It was VERY DUSTY
and nobody
could see
what
was in
front of them. I just
“Rambo’d” through the
thick
dust everyone was kicking
up even
though I could hardly
see
anything. That got me
out
in front of the guys
in my row but I was lucky I didn’t
hit
a rock and crash!
This race has the reputation of being the ROCKIEST and
NASTIEST enduro in the West. Only OUTLAWS and
CRAZIES need apply. Check out the terrain in this video…
After the start and some SingleTrack went down a STEEP
downhill SingleTrack that was almost a 45 degree angle
down. Here’s me attacking the hill Rodney Smith style… 
Notice the aggressive stance. Sitting down - Brakes ON! >>>
Oops! Face Plant! Digger. >>>
Here's Jason “Spanky” Spengler >>>
Steve “High Roller” Brown. (This dude won a lot of money in Reno!) >>>
After some trail racing, we got to the first hill. This hill
was littered with big softball and basketball sized granite
rocks and the whole pack of racers got stuck in a giant
“Bottle-Neck.” Dust was everywhere and we were all
stuck on this Rocky Road. Guys in front would try to take
off up the hill and spin their rear tire sending rocks flying
though the air at the other riders (me) down the hill.
It was like someone was standing at the top of the hill
chucking baseballs at you! 
Click the Helmet Camera icon below to see a teaser of the race.
This video footage brought to you by Spanky via his helmet cam:
Click here for 2008 Virginia City
Gran Prix helmet camera video
ROAD RACIN’ After some more hill climbing, rock dodgin'
and canyon
running we jumped onto the paved road. It was
about 5
miles
of twisty back-road that was blocked off from
other vehicle traffic.
I cranked the 2-Smoke up 73 MPH passing
a bunch riders here.
But FREAKING' "Spanky" Spengler with his 4-Speed Yamaha
YZF 450 passed me WFO! I tried to pass him back, but we got to
the dirt section and he was GONE! Yes, Spanky can ride!
PIT STOP: Near the end of the 2nd lap I needed some gas.
I hit the pit and the
crew gassed me up. I slammed some
water down my gullet and I was off to pass some
more riders.
3RD LAP: OK, it's the 3rd lap and 3+ hours into the race
and
I’m
getting tired going "break-neck" speeds and all. I started getting
visions in my head and I sensed someone was talking to me...
"BEER. Luke you need a beer. Use the
Force Luke and get to the Pit NOW ."
FINISHING: The
last part of the 3RD lap ended with a road-ride
right into town so I wicked it up to 70 MPH flying passed the
spectators who were waving and cheering.
Whoa! Slow down cowboy - there's a 90 degree right turn!
I hit the brakes and flew around the corner. Then it's a series of
3 step-up jumps with some corners thown in. A woman is
spraying the dirt with water to keep the dust down for the crowd
of specators. I pull in the clutch, grab the throttle and BRAAAPPP!
Throw a little roost in the air as I cross the finish line.
After I crossed the finish line I cruised into the pit and got off the
bike. Steve's wife Lisa gave me a beer and I was so hot and
thirsty that I just guzzled it. Then the
exhaustion set in and I fell
asleep for about 10 minutes in the chair.
All in all I had a great time. It was an awesome weekend with
plenty of sights
to see and one tough dirt bike enduro race.
The End
Tune in next time for more riding fun coming soon…
