Parker 250 in Arizona 2010

[firstturn]

POG Members score a first in their class and are celebrating as I speak.  I will let them give you the details as I do not want to steal their Thunder.  Members are Ric Emmal, Tom Flores and several time national Champion Larry Perkins.  As Larry has said the older you get the more you appreciate each ride.  Thanks Guys for your Great efforts.

Uncle Ronnie

Ron Carbaugh

[cubfan1968]

Way to go guys!!!!!

Rod Whitman
Omaha, Nebraska
1972 Six Day (Rider)
1972 Six Day (Project)

[Larry Perkins]

The Parker 250 was a tough and fun race with a reality check tragedy thrown in.  Our bike; a 2010 KTM 150, ran flawlessly.  It ran great all day and never even got a air filter change.  The course had some good high speed stuff but also had some WICKED whoops for miles and a very nasty rock section from Race mile 55 to Race mile 65.  That 10 miles was a hammering.  Sore legs, back, and kidneys this morning.  

I rode the first 83 miles starting out constantly facing the early morning sun and battling the dust.  Vision was sketchy and I went way too slow too often but just couldn't go blind into the dust.  I gave the bike up to Tom Flores who rode spectacular in his first desert race ever.  Tom was a trooper and rode the next 110 miles where he gave the bike over to Ric Emmal who took it to the finish the last 56 miles.  We had to do a weird rider change split because we had to pit ourselves.  Ric gassed me once and Tom twice and then did his rider work.  A true blue team player and a workhorse.  Good job by both my team mates.  All total we did it in about 7 hours.  We won 125 Expert and I think we were the only small bore to finish the race.  The little KTM is a great bike and a tough little workhorse.  It so reminds me of the 125 Six Days.  A tough, torquey, screamer bike.

The tragedy came too close to home.  We set up our pit Friday afternoon and set it up beside a family that was camping in the pits so we had someone to watch things.  There was the whole family next to us and the Father and Son were both racing Ironman class.  A little over 50 miles into the race the Dad was pitched from the bike and suffered massive head and face injuries.  There was medical help to him within minutes but they were not able to revive him.  I have done this a long time and know that at desert speed it is always a minor mistake away from a disaster.  It is just always a reality check when a reminder is dropped that we are all mortal and that we all will one day leave here.  The good part to this tragedy is that Steve(The Dad) died doing what he loved.  Hopefully his family will one day realize that and it will outshine the tragedy of the day.  Perhaps it is a good day for us all to call our Dad or Son and tell them we love them.

Despite the tragic circumstances The Desert Monkeys had a good time and we look forward to round 2 of The Best In The Desert Series in Laughlin, Nevada the first part of March.  Any volunteers to help pit?

Thanks as always to those that helped to get us there-Our families, my dear friend and Brother Ron Carbaugh, Marcia Beyer with McNicol Racing, 417 Powersports, Ski Shack, and Al Buehner from Buehner Supply.  And thanks to POG for the space to tell our race stories.  Casey Folks made a big deal about our Penton connection at the awards ceremony which was real cool.

Larry P

[Charles Gresham]

Glad you had a good time, terrible about the Dad.. Thoughts and prayers sent to family... It sure makes you think about just how dangerous racing can be, and how to be as safe as possible...

1974 250 Hare Scrambler

[rob w]

Ric, Tom, Larry - Great ride Guys !

[garrettccovington]

Glad to hear about the win, Sorry to hear about the loss.  That DUST is awful.  Trying to see if my work schedule will be clear to help you pit for the March race?

G

72 six-day

[Larry Perkins]

We would love to have you with us Garrett.  I am going to call you about the Barstow deal when I get home and we can chat about Laughlin.

Larry P

[socalmx]

Glad to hear that you guys did so good. A small bore in the desert is always a blast because you just let it sing and hold on. I have raced in the desert for over 30 years now and know what you mean about getting hurt. My two cents worth is to wear the most expensive and best protective equipment you can. A full face helmet,Leatt brace,body armour/chest protector, elbow/shin pads, and good knee brace/pads all go a long way in protecting you. As we get older, we can still fly thru the air as well as a youngster but those landings sure are tougher.

[garrettccovington]

Look forward to hearing from you Larry.

G

72 six-day

[sixdazed]

Thanks Larry and Tom for being great teammates,here's hoping the rest of the year is this much fun(for the most part)-It was a great weekend except for the horrible tragedy.Such a nice family,though no consulation,at least he died doing what he loved.
   Garrett,If i'm not mistaken Laughlin will not require a remote pit so we are probably ok there.The following one in Mesquite,the Silver State 300,we may need some help though-much appreciated if you can swing it.Or just come up for Laughlin,hang out and have a good time[8D]
    Also a Big Thanks to Brother Ron for his advise,wisdom,and support,and the rest of the fine POG folks that help encourage us old guys get to rekindle the fire a bit.
                                        Ric

ric emmal

[garrettccovington]

I guess these are the WORCS races.  I can go to their web-site and get the dates and locations to check with work?

G

72 six-day

[Larry Perkins]

Garrett,

I am racing the WORCS races solo and they are just an hour which requires no gas stop.  I am also racing the Western Hare Scrambles Series solo and will take on gas there.  That schedule is on the AMA website.  The team thing we are doing is Best In The Desert and their website is bitd.com.

Larry P

[garrettccovington]

OK Good now I can check dates and times for your west coast races.
If you don't have my email its [email protected].  I think I still have yours.  The invite is still open for Barstow.



72 six-day

[firstturn]

Ric, Tom & Larry,
  I may try and make Mesquite if my schedule will permit.  I am very excited about your results, but keep in shape and get the bikes where they will finish every race.

Ron Carbaugh

[Larry Perkins]

Ron,

As my Grandpa used to say, "You have a place at our campfire anytime."  You let us know anytime you can come and we will make sure you are taken care of.  We hope to have great bike prep everytime.  Your advice from all angles is always appreciated.

Larry P