Fist GNCC race yesterday at the Mountaineer in Summersville, WV. This is also my first post on this forum.

I ran the 1st yr Racer 25+ class on my 03 Z. I have a lonestar axel set at about 48 1/2 inches (from tire to tire) and Dura Blue wheel spacers that put my front at 46 inches. Unfortunately, I'm running stock suspension with fronts set at one notch from max. The rear I turned up the preload about one turn and thought I slowed the rebound down but I got beat to death by the seat. This bike was very agile without the wheel spacers and axel but now its like trying to steer a tank. I double checked my alignment and had my toe in perfect. By the 2nd lap my arms we done. I work out 3 times a weak and can bench over 300lbs, but this race beat me down.

I went wide on a turn and found a boulder hid in the weeds that took out my right tie rod and sent me over the hill about 10ft. 30 minutes later i managed to get it back on the trail and limp to a very friendly riders pit that helped me somewhat straighten it. I managed to finsh the second lap and thought I could at least make 3 when my left tie rod mysteriously bent. This is the second time I've bent my tie rods. I'd love to race again but to be competitive and not get so beat up will take alot of money in aftermarket parts. I might be better of running the stock class but there seems to be alot of competition in that class. I still managed a 10th place finish with only 2 laps comlete. I was in third at the start and the end of my first lap.

Has anyone else had similar problems with hard steering?

Muscle mass will not help you much racing GNCC's. Lifting weights doesn't do much for your arms on an ATV. You need to get out and ride at a racing pace often and the arm pump will go away. When you race you use muscles you never thought you had.

I am guessing the wheel spacers while making the quad more stable, are also making it steer harder. For GNCC racing you want to stay as close to stock width as possible so you can go through tight trees faster.

Also loosen your grip when you get a chance so your arms/hands can rest a bit. Shocks and steering damper will help you out as well.

Yep, your right. I learned a valuable lessen. I also know what monkey butt is too. I've already ordered some after market tie rods to replace my banannas.

Thanks.

I have some pictures I want to upload if I can. I'm still very new to this forum and the rules.

Later.

Unless your a patron you cant upload them from the site.You have to host them somewhere else and then ya can post them.

I dont know how to do it,being a patron its much easier is all I know!

Here I will tell you step for step on how to do it. Let me know if you need any more help with it
1: http://www.photobucket.com <(go there)
2: Click on on "sign up free"
3: set up yoour account by providing the info they ask for.
4: Once you get all signed up and you get to your photo page click on browse.
5 It will come up with you hard drives directory.
6: Chose the file/pic you want to upload to the site and press open. Then press submit.
7: Your pic will show up at the bottom. Along with your pic there will be three choices down bottom for posting (URL, TAG, and IMG) Highlight the link that says IMG. And press Ctrl C (to copy the link)
8: When you are here on the reply or new thread screen where you type. Press Ctrl V to paste the link. It will show up as [IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/something something.btmp [IMG] make sure there is a space between each pic you want to post. once you hit reply your pic will show up on the thread.

Thanks. I'll try that this evening, I've got dial-up so Ill probably be up all night trying to do it.

Check tomorrow to see if it worked.

Later.

yeah i had my first XC race AMA district 6 at pine grove... wooo was that crazy, not only a workout, but wrecks/mud/some places too much dust was an issue, it was even muddy, or the wooded party was dusty as hang, and very dangerous, i flipped my quad through woods and keith little almost ran my ass over, but I've seen alot of blasters in the creek as well, very dangerous, First lap i was in 4th, hit a tree, got shooken, than couple other little crashes, not mutch but i do beleive first time is always an experience! especially about 30 mins a lap :) and a 6 lap race

They are fun though!! I'm going to try moto-cross next on july 25th. If I have 1/2 the fun of cross-country it will will GREAT! Yes I eat frosted flakes.