Weekend Warrior Team Wildcat!: HYR Glen Helen 24-Hour Race

Taylor did some quick math in his head. Was this his last ride? Could he celebrate? Too close to call, too many variables. Taylor chooses to remain in his gear ready to do his part if called upon.

Following the repair, O'Harra sets out, happy to see the sun rising over the horizon. Having ridden twice in the darkness with exceptional difficulty seeing at night he was elated to be able to make out the few smooth lines that the morning revealed. But he was also shocked when seeing the track in the light. Wholly braking bumps, ruts and whooped-out straight-a-ways!

Recalling observations from the pit crew that the endurocross section was now passable for humans, he once again chooses to challenge the obstacle. By 6:30am his body was worn out as he tackled the tires and logs. It wasn't pretty, but he got over and completed his last two laps. As the water tower at the top of Yamaha Mountain came into view signaling the approach to the end of over 4-1/2 hours of suffering a smile came across his face, the test was almost over. As he thankfully handed off the bike to Carpenter he sank into the lawn chair and enjoyed a well deserved cold beer. 1st Team Wildcat! finisher of the 10th annual 24 Hours. Time: 8am.

Carpenter completes his final lap without incident thanks to the sunlight and finding the clean lines it revealed. Endurocross section completed, he hands off to Looper.

Both Looper and Brown completed their laps, very happy to not be riding in the darkness.

As Cass headed out on his final lap, Taylor paced anxiously. It was 9:10 am and if Cass came in on time Taylor would have to go out once again to face a course that had seen over 1000 bikes pass by.

He really would have been happy to crack open a coldy and not go out again. But he was part of a team! He would pull his weight and do his duty.

Sure enough, Cass completed his final lap without incident and handed the bike over to Taylor at 9:40, He would have to face the nightmare again.

As Taylor set out, the rest of Team Wildcat! and their world-class pit crew began to celebrate the completion of this monumental test of man and machine. They migrated up to the finish line to meet their anchor man Taylor, armed with the obligatory champagne shower.

If you ever get the chance to race the 24 hours, BE the last rider. It is an experience you will never forget as you are greeted by a massive crowd cheering your accomplishment and showering you with malt beverages as you cross the finish line. You actually get to see a checkered flag after 24 hours!

Even though Taylor had to endure the course one last time, he was all smiles as he was greeted by the entire Wildcat team. The beer coating complete, Team Wildcat! headed to the pits to bench race a job well done.

While they did not win, they felt very satisfied to have finished without injury or catastrophic mechanical failure. For those who have tested themselves in this event, you can truly understand what an accomplishment it is to finish. There are few things more challenging than motivating yourself to suit up and head into the darkness at 3am onto a track you know will completely test your abilities and endurance. The feeling of accomplishment is overwhelming, comparable to the Baja 1000 and other well known endurance tests.

Honda Yamaha of Redlands, Lori Yarnell and the entire Glen Helen crew put on an outstanding race that is a MUST on the "to do" list of any racer!

Every member of Team Wildcat! went home with a profound feeling of accomplishment for being part of something special. A full team effort from all those involved, from racers to pit crew, they tested themselves and their machine to the fullest extent. Neither they nor their alma mater won on that day, but all went home satisfied.

See you in 2009. Team Wildcat! welcomes all challengers!

Special thanks to our sponsors without whom this would not have been possible:

Dirt Rider and Jimmy Lewis
Pro Moto Billet/Fastway
Baja Designs
Decal Works
Renthal
Dunlap
RG-3
Shift
Fox
XBrand Goggles
KBC Helmets
Rockstar
Racks Inc. Custom Fab brackets
Zak Speed chest protector and water system
Race Rigz
Taylor Creative
Cyclops helmet lights

And special thanks to the best pit crew ever who stayed up all night and kept Team Wildcat! running: Leonard Finley, Andy Brown Sr., Steven Brown, Paul Dean, Greg Brydle, Katy Carpenter, Brianna Taylor

They were the true hero's!!!!

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