Letter of the Week: Playing the Underdog on a Yamaha YZ 125

I am writing to get your opinion on a problem many riders and I have been faced with. I am from Arkansas and race the Arkansas Hare Scramble Championship Series. Last fall, I bought a new Yamaha YZ125. Two weeks afterward, I got news that our series had combined the light and heavy classes into one Open class for each experience level. I ride the light class because I like the challenge of using a small-bore MXer for off-road use, but racing against a 450 powerhouse is a little too much to handle. It gives anyone with a big-bore a huge advantage, and the rest of us are left with nothing but despair. I just wanted to know if I was the only one who finds this decision a little unthoughtful. --Randy, Conway, AR

This past weekend I rode a Vet series motocross race on a 144cc two-stroke for the specific purpose of beating someone on a 450. I, too, enjoy the challenge of winding up a lightweight, underpowered MXer and thoroughly take glee in watching the vet crowd drop their helmets to their chests as the ring-dinger passes their loud, open-piped four-strokes. It was a great feeling when I looked back at them! Don't worry about your club's decision. Just work a little harder and beat some 450s! It won't be easy, but it will be worth it. Besides, you always have the "but I'm on a 125" excuse to fall back on if you get beat. You have the best 125 ever made. Use it. --Jesse Ziegler