This past weekend Team Off Camber Racing went separate directions and represented their team and sponsors at two different venues. Mandi Mastin headed east to New Lisbon, New Jersey for the first of 2 qualifiers for the International Six Day Enduro that will be held in Serres, Greece September 1-6, 2008. Randy Mastin went south to Millerstown, Kentucky for the 2nd round of the OMA Series.
The International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) is one of the most prestigious off road races in the world. It is sometimes referred to as the "Olympics of Off-Road". Each year the race is held in a different country. Typically, there are around 500 racers and up to 50 different countries that participate in the event. For each country, it is important to send your best off-road racers to represent you country and try to win top honors of the event. The event is 6 days long, riding between 125-175 miles each day and competing in various special tests throughout the day.
Each year, the AMA holds a number of qualifiers to determine who will go and represent the United States. This year there are 2 qualifiers and your best score at either event will determine the selection process. The AMA will take 34 riders to Serres, Greece to represent our country; 6-World Trophy riders, 4-Junior Trophy riders, 3-Women's World Trophy riders, 3-Senior riders and 18-Club riders. Last year was the first year in history that the ISDE and the FIM recognized a women's class and awarded a trophy. Respectively, the USA Women's Team brought home the trophy and is looking for a repeat again this year.
The Women's class proved to have stiff competition this weekend, with reigning Women's WORCS Champion Maria Forsberg in attendance, along with 2007 ISDE medalist Annel Allen, and 2007 winning Women's World Cup members Mandi Mastin and Lacy Jones, along with Sarah Neff. The first day was set up to ride 75 miles of trail and to compete in 4 special tests. At the end of Day 1, Team Off Camber's Mandi Mastin held the lead by 90 seconds. "I felt really good day! The tests are awesome, I had a blast riding today and can't wait for tomorrow! Although tomorrow is supposed to be a little longer...so I will have to just make sure that I ride smart and try not to make to many mistakes."
Sunday turned out to be a beautiful day, forecasters called for thundershowers in the morning and rain throughout the day, but Mother Nature held out and the day was perfect with partly cloudy skies and 70 degree temps. As Mandi had said, the organizers made Day 2 a bit longer for the riders. There were about 100 miles of trail and 7 tests throughout the day. Team Off Camber/Pro Moto Billet/Fastway/Yamaha rider Mandi Mastin went on to win Day 2 with the combined win for the weekend. Mandi's response to the weekend was, "I really enjoyed the riding year this weekend. The club did a great job of laying out the course and the special test. I'm really happy to get the win this weekend, because it puts me in a good position for the team selection and now I don't have to drive to Idaho for the other qualifier!"
After two days of racing this was the overall scores for the Women's class:
1st-405 Amanda Mastin 2:05:23
2nd-403 Maria Forsberg 2:08:26
3rd-407 Lacy Jones 2:10:19
4th-406 Annell Allen 2:22:07
5th-404 Sarah Neff 2:31:08
For Randy Mastin, the weekend didn't go as good. Mother Nature wasn't as kind to the people in Kentucky and rain dumped on the course Friday night. At the start of the race on Sunday morning, Randy was looking very excited and ready to race. Randy seems to do well in the tougher, technical races, maybe due to his age and years of experience. But this weekend, his race was cut short due to mechanical failure. On the first lap, about halfway through, the bike locked up and seized. Randy will get the bike fixed this week and will be ready to go for the upcoming weekend.
The next race for the Off Camber/Pro Moto Billet/Fastway/Rekluse/Yamaha team will be this weekend in Millfield, Ohio. It will be the 6th round of the GNCC Series. If you're not able to come, check out the GNCC website at www.gnccracing.com and you can tune in to Live Timing and experience the race right from your home! The event should be full of fun and intense racing in all classes!
Off Camber Racing would like to thank all its sponsors; Pro Moto Billet and Fastway Performances, Klim, Rekluse, Yamaha, Maxxis, Bel-Ray, Dirttricks, Clarke Mfg., EBC Brakes, Works Connection, FMF, Steahly Off-Road, Scott, PG Graphics, Regina Chains, Factory Connection and Championship Powersports. Without the help of all these companies and the great people behind these products, our team would not be able to keep going out and winning every weekend!