The Second Annual Dirt Diggers MC Team Race ran on a 160-mile course in Spangler Hills, near Ridgecrest, California. With four loops, approximately 40 miles each, riders were able to choose between switching with a teammate from the same class and skill or opting to Iron Man the 160 miles. Either choice would be especially exhausting.
Over 20 riders chose to Ironman this race, such as Jordan Gamboa winning the Heavyweight Expert class and coming first overall in the Ironman division. Austin Porter won Lightweight-II Expert, Michael Oetzell won Lightweight-II Intermediate, and Cordis Brooks winning the 60+ Masters Expert class. There were just a few Ironmen to tackle this course.
Gamboa was mentally and physically ready to iron man the 160 miles, holding the lead the entire race up until the 4th loop when the team of Ty Davis/Brandon Wright caught him. Wright had an awesome start off of the bomb, coming into third overall when he handed the bike off to Davis, who wrapped it up with an overall win. Davis shared the popular opinion with other riders that the second loop was by far his team’s fastest. Davis/Wright planned to use the first loop to get a feel for the unpredictable terrain while the rest of the race was full throttle!
Ironman Austin Porter has been training with H.E.L.L. Training, which he says has ultimately prepared him for finishing the entire 160 miles. The best part about iron-manning this race, for Porter was the feeling of knowing that he completed the entire 160 miles alone while still finishing first in his class.
Kevin Dejongh and Trevor Hoffman held a solid lead on their class while Nic Colangeli and teammate Cody Hayes came 2nd in class for Lightweight-I Expert.
In the Women’s class, teammates Stephanie Jones and Ashlee LaCharite were a perfect pairing of skill en route to first place in the class. Hana Hintz with teammate Marissa Honeyman took second overall for the Women, but were sure to compliment the hard work Dirt Diggers put into the course to make sure it was smooth and fast-paced.
Desert MC’s very own, Ronald and Jean Hetherington, both in their ’70s, ran two loops following each other throughout the course. After the first loop, Ron was ready to call it a day but his wife Jean dragged him back on the course. “We will not quit!” she joked. The couple had many positive things to say concerning the course, the club, and fellow racers on the course.
With such a favorable turnout, engaging course, and welcoming crowd, every racer is no doubt looking forward to the third Annual Team Race in 2018!
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