Phil Denton Engineering and Team USA arrived at Farleigh Castle for the MX Vets des Nations better prepared than ever before, but as anyone involved in racing knows, the best laid plans can and often do go awry.
The team suffered a minor disappointment on Saturday morning, as Doug Dubach decided to concentrate on the EVO classes which meant he would not be using one of the bikes for the Over 50’s Twinshock. However, as it later turned out, the spare bike came in very handy!
The Under 50’s Twinshock class were the first out to practice, with Todd DeHoop clearly loving the CR480, clearing the up hill double on his first lap out and setting a blistering lap time.
That was followed by the EVO des Nations practice, as Todd took the 1986 CR250 out on track for it’s first ever competitive use. His out lap was a joy to watch – fast and smooth. The Phil Denton crew watched him disappear into the woods on his first full-timed lap, but panic soon set in as he didn’t re-appear out of the other side. They soon went in search of the missing rider, and found Todd at the bottom of the steps, with a marshal, both trying desperately to remove what looked like a couple of hundred feet of rope that was wrapped around the rear wheel. As it transpired, a slower rider had moved over on him as they went up the steps, pushing Todd into the ropes as he passed.
The rope had derailed the chain, which as is usually the case, had then bunched up around the gearbox sprocket. Fortunately the case saver had done it’s job and the crankcase wasn’t damaged but the gear lever was jammed down into the frame and the gear change shaft was bent. The bike was now stuck in gear and that was that, it’s weekend was over. Todd was totally distraught as were the rest of the team. The frustration of not being able to fix it was almost too much.
With the ’86 now laid up for the weekend, Team USA were looking at being a man down for the Evo des Nations. Fortunately, the 1980 CR250 twinshock was not being used, so Todd elected to ride it and try to salvage some points for the team. A tall order on a bike that, as good as it is, should be totally out classed by the EVO 500 machines that make up most of the class. Todd would also have the added handicap of having to start from the second gate, all the way back in 58th position, as he had been unable to post a qualifying time.
The first race of the day, the Under 50’s Twinshock, went according to plan with Todd, on the CR480, getting the holeshot and extending his lead on every lap to take a dominant win, the Battlecross X30 tyres from Bridgestone performing superbly on the bike.
The first EVO des Nations race was eighth in the programme, and by that time the weather had changed and the heavens had opened! Todd battled through the pack, in appalling conditions, up to 19th, A small fall heading into the final lap saw him drop back to 21st at the flag. Racing was cancelled for the rest of the day once the first block had been completed due to the conditions.
Sunday saw better weather, but the track was still very sloppy! Todd was out first in the Under 50’s Twinshock. Again, he got the holeshot and pulled out a good lead as the X30 tyres dug down for grip, setting the fastest lap of the race in the process. Unfortunately on the third lap he slid off and was unable to re-start the bike, seeing him credited with 22nd place. The track was still pretty bad for the second of the EVO des Nations races, but Todd again pushed through to take 22nd.
Heading into the final block of racing the track had finally dried out and was in pretty much perfect condition. Todd again had a took the holeshot, leading all the way to the flag in the Under 50’s Twinshock – the 2 wins and 22nd place putting him 6th overall.
Todd’s performance in the final EVO des Nations race was amazing. He rode the wheels off a bike that on paper was very much inferior, but he pushed all the way up to 13th place, even passing team mate Doug Dubach in the process. Unfortunately, while trying to make the pass for 12th in the fourth lap he dropped the bike. Even with the quick restart he was back to 25th, but in the final 2 laps he fought his way back to 19th.
Congratulations and commiserations both seem to be in order for both Phil Denton Engineering and Team USA this year, but with such a promising showing despite the various issues, we’re sure they’ll be back next year even more determined.
You can find out more about the Bridgestone Battlecross range here.
