get your buzz on

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They say things come in cycles and the "cycle" of cross-country snowmobile racing has swung back in a big way. Thanks to the U.S. Cross-Country Racing (USCC) Series, the all but forgotten sport of cross-country racing is back on the radar screen, hopefully for good.

There are a number of good reasons cross-country racing makes sense. So many that I tried my own hand at three races last season and I plan to run all the local races in the series this year.

Here are some things I learned that might help a beginner get their cross- country racing buzz on.

Why race?
Why not? The position I found myself in is the same as many riders. I like to ride aggressively (within my comfort zone) and without endangering the safety and fun of others, but much more aggressively than the average rider. To be realistic, trails are a hazardous place to ride aggressively.

Unmarked intersections, crossings, slower riders, daydreamers or people with poor trail etiquette are a few of the risks that await a rider who likes to carve on the edge. This is not to mention the legality of "aggressive" riding. Most trails have a 40-50 mph speed limit and riding within the law is always best and keeps snowmobiling on the good side of the balance sheet.

Look at your favorite powersports action poster and in fine print on the bottom you might read "professional rider on a closed course." I don't know about the "professional" part, but the closed course is what intrigued me about cross-country racing. The ability to ride aggressively with others who have the same motivation: testing the limits of their skills and, most of all, having fun.

Equipment
USCC Race Director Pat Mach has claimed over and over that anyone with a stock 600cc or smaller trail sled can race cross-country and he's right.

USCC isn't a forum for special build, racer-only sleds, at least outside of the Pro ranks. I was surprised at the amount of pros and semi-pros that run, essentially, off-the-shelf sleds that you or I could buy. It all depends on the class and what you intend to accomplish. I raced all last season on my 2005 Yamaha Vector ER with about 7,000 miles on the odometer, and if there was anything lacking in my performance, I felt it was the rider, not the sled.

First, the machine you race needs to be essentially stock, as far as the engine, exhaust, etc., goes. Clutching and gearing changes are legal. On carbureted engines, jets can be changed for different mixtures. All safety equipment like brake/headlights, shrouds and guards must be working and in place. You will need to install an operational tether switch. These can be picked up for around $15 to $25.

The most important initial modification is to add studs and a good set of carbide runners. Studs cannot be more than 3/8-in. above the highest portion of the track lugs. Do not buy steel ice picks, these are unsafe, unnecessary and probably won't survive one race with the variety of terrain. A normal push through trail stud is optimal along with about 8-10 inches of 60-degree carbide.

How many studs? I started with the minimum 96 in the middle of my track and I definitely could have used a lot more. On the trail, I like the one horsepower rule: one stud for every horsepower, but most USCC guys run 144-196. Running the studs down the middle saves tracks, but you will give up some control on twisty trails or rivers when body roll plays a factor. Body roll can be controlled using different shock/spring settings or a stiffer sway bar, but then you give up good front end compliance in the bumps, so it's a trade-off. This has to be your call based on speed, ability and comfort.

Important note: When studding, don't forget tunnel protectors!

The second most important cross- country racing sled accessory (my opinion) is a good set of rebuildable gas shocks. If you are the least bit serious, make sure your shocks are rebuilt, recharged, or both before your first race. The pros do this for every race! Again, depending on your goals, you could make it a whole season on a fresh set of shocks. General sled setup and maintenance is up to the rider. Checking the toe on skis, track/drive belt alignment and shock/spring adjustments are some of the most common items on pre-race checklists. Remember, the limits you push a trail sled to on a Sunday afternoon are amplified to the max in a cross-country race.

That's not to say the sled won't take it, but if you're a procrastinator on preventive care and setup, well, that later could turn to sooner and cause a DNF, a damaged machine, or worse. Also, leave comfort items like hand guards, good windshields and hand warmers in place, you may need them. The Red Lake I-500 ran in temps well below zero last year. (See AmSnow Goes Racing, Spring '08, p. 42)

When in doubt, buy an ISR rule book from USCC for $10 or consult the USCC or AmSnow forums.

Safety
This is the part that most riders will appreciate vs. the typical weekend trail romp. First, all riders are required to have a Snell/DOT approved helmet that is 75% orange, a Tek-Vest style chest protector, knee-pads and at least 144 (12x12 in.) square inches of orange on their jackets for visibility. Does that sound like normal trail riding apparel?

Next, consider the "closed course" part. USCC guys make sure the course is "signed" as well as possible. An orange sign with an up arrow means you can haul as much tail as you feel comfortable, but if you see one down arrow check your brakes. If you see two down arrows, get on your brakes and slow down! Every corner and jog in the course is clearly marked too.

Despite the great job most snowmobile clubs do marking trails, they can't claim the meticulous detail in signage that you'll see on a USCC course, mainly because the race course is coming at you in fast forward. Are there still hazards? Of course, but at least you have some warning.

Some courses will have a spot where a stop sign is necessary. This is to protect the rider in case the course crosses a busy road. The stop sign is run by a track worker that keeps tabs on whether you stop and how long you have to sit before proceeding. Time is deducted or added if you accidentally blow the stop sign. There are spotters all over the course who make sure riders adhere to the signage and it's your time that will be penalized if you decide to cut corners, literally.

The race itself
Everyone racing USCC can find an appropriate class. For adults, there is an amateur class all the way up to the pros. For kids and teens, there are special youth classes with different rules based on age.

Machines are racing on the clock and leave the starting line with a 30-second gap between them. This is not necessarily intended to be close-contact racing. You'll encounter other riders as you race and you may need to pass. Slower riders are instructed to let others by if they are setting a faster pace. It's possible for two people to dice with each other in the race, but it's not the norm.

Stopping to help other riders who are hurt or in trouble is encouraged and your lost time will be adjusted from your race total at the end. It's comforting to know that when you're out in the bush you're not alone and other riders are looking out for you. There also is a competent "sweeper" crew that comes through and makes sure all the racers are accounted for.

Lap length varies based on class and snow conditions. Many of the courses have about a 20-mile lap with a wide variety of terrain including: ditches, fields, rivers, lakes and tree lines. A lot of cross-country racers are into it because they don't like snocross. USCC is aware of this. Therefore, don't plan on encountering much in the way of man-made jumps or obstacles; just about everything is "au natural."

That being said, don't expect to see a trail groomer anywhere either!

The races are smoothly run, considering the amount of potential chaos. The USCC doesn't like to waste anyone's time, nor do they like to have their time wasted and I appreciate that. There is a PA system as well as on-site radio broadcast so you can listen for your call to the line or your results after the race is done.

Just ask
Cross-country racing is made up of regular guys and gals. I have asked directions, sought out advice and just shot the bull with everyone from DJ Ekre to the guy parked next to me. Bottom line is, there is a lot of help and advice out there and this thing ain't Hollywood, so don't be afraid to ask a question.

Have fun
My only complaint about cross-country racing is that the races are too short and I'm too out of shape! Seriously, I have the time of my life and most people who race cross-country will tell you the same thing. If you are not having fun, why do it?

Compared to most racing, cross-country is an economical form of going fast as long as you know what you want to accomplish. Cross-country is also the most real world of all forms of racing. No 100-foot triple jumps, no styling for the crowd, just you, your machine and a course similar to what we ride every weekend. Show up, pay a very modest entrance and insurance fee and have a blast!

More info: www.usccracing.com, also see a complete list of race schedules from most series on our Web site here.