Today, Sunday Feb. 28 was absolutely gorgeous with temps a little chilly. Arriving at 8:00am at the parking area one could notice the chill in the air and the anticipation evident on the faces of the Family Riders present.

Let us back up a bit. Due to sending their entry in way early the team of Kenny(HUSB), Gil(KTM), Zack(KTM) and Jason(KTM) landed on Row 21.

However the procrastinating primarily Honda Team (and one KTM)of Rooster(would not ride the Berg due to possible oil spill as big as the Exxon Valdez), The Garden Gnome (riding the flame out Honda), Smooth Ron (riding KTM of course) and the Clemson Kid (riding an underpowered foofoo bike) failed to send their entries early. A call to Uncle Marv however made things right. After selling his soul he sweettalked the row assigner at the Sandlapper to please take care of his buddies. Result? Buddies assigned to Row 16 just a mere 2 weeks before the event.

There was just a bit of smacktalk as we pulled in the parking lot primarily directed at the Rooster and Rooster giving more back. Well, ya’ll know how he is, need we say more?

There wuz a throwdown a $5 bills and a challenge issued by Row 16 to Row 21. The challenge was to take the top 3 riders out of the 4 on each row with the lowest 3 scores taking the bills. Ah, but no. Row 21 wasn’t having any of that. Row 16 has stacked the deck. Ain’t no way we can do that said Kenny. Maybe with a handicap said Kenny. Rooster bantered back, well how bout we spot you 10  points? Nah, ain’t gonna that either. Well the challenge fell thru and everyone was on their own.

The temps warmed up a bit and all left the starting line. After the end of the second section flat #1 occurs on Roosters bike(Honda). Claiming foul, he was carried back to the start where he fixed the flat and motored on. Just before the end of the 3rd section word came that the Clemson Kid (foofoo bike) had died on the trail. Got rid of Rooster (Honda) and back on the trail and proceeded to try and find Clemson Kid(foofoo bike) who finally got bike cranked and motored on after houring out in that section of woods, but road the rest of the race not to be deterred. In the meantime, found most of the crew sitting at the 7th check awaiting the start control. Well guess what? Now the Garden Gnome (Honda) has a flat. Is there something going on fishy here?

2 Hondas and 2 flats? That’s weird. Did Row 21 decide to take the challenge and I didn’t know about it? Hummm. Garden Gnome fixes his flat and motors on as well. Now finally I can do some spectating and picture taking.

So here’s the results: Row 21 should have taken Row 16 up on the challenge cause if they had they would have taken that paltry sum of money and had bragging rights until next year which is the most important.  In the end, Ron(KTM), Zack(KTM) and Clemson Kid (foofoo bike) brought home the wood to keep the time honored tradition of at least one FMRC member getting a trophy. Needless to say, Row 21 absolutely waxed the braggerts on Row 16 since there was only one on Row 16  that wasn’t DQ’d. Remember Smooth Ron(KTM).

One note: Kenny on the Berg was seen eating mustard (it gets rid of cramps) before heading out to the last section of woods. Finally being able to get out and take some pictures that guy on the Berg came past us a couple of times yelling “I need more mustard”!! Oh yea Berg Man, the Monday fixerupper is Motrin and take about 6 of ‘em, but don’t forget Tuesday morning now.

I think all had fun. Awesome trail and pure fun. Who knows maybe the challenge will be thrown down next year. I think it oughta be a tradition at the Sandlapper. By the way, if a few of you had your ears burning, yep there was some smacktalk about you not being there.

Sandlapper oughta be a club race next year with more teams, whatchasay?