Garrahan Talks Virginia City GP

Virginia City Grand Prix

The 41st annual Virginia City Grand Prix went off this weekend. With over a thousand racer entered in the event this is a big weekend. There is also a lot of money up for grabs, with over five thousand dollars in the purse. The first time I raced this race was twenty years ago in 1992. I won Sundays race as a amateur on a CR 125 and Larry Roeseler won the pro day.

     This race is a classic, with the start on main street of the historic town of Virginia City. There are so many racers entered in are race 660, they start us in rows of ten every 15 seconds. I was number 25 the third row. Let me tell you this place is so rocky and dusty you want to be on row one and get out front and out of that dust. With my new Motoconcept goggles and Dunlop tires I was pretty confident I would be able to work through the dust. Neizer from FOX Shoxs has my suspension working like a magic carpet. The forks on the new KTM Dungey bike are the smoothest forks I have ever felt, unbelievable.

     My K@N filter, Moose, Maxima oils, backed KTM got me the hole shot in my line. I quickly caught the row in front of me and started working threw the dust and rocks as carefully as possible. The problem is you can't see anything, WOW it can get crazy out there. You have to keep charging because you know the people on the front row are just gassing it having no dust to deal with. About seven miles in they had a real technical down hill into a canyon called Sutro canyon. This is where I made a lot of my passes getting off the main line and just working the rocks. By the end of the first lap I worked my way up to fifth place but was over three minutes down to row one riders Irvin Powers, and Rodney Spencer jr. With the race being over four hours long I knew I had time  to work my way to the front. It is VC anything can happen!!!

     With my new IMS tank I was able to do two laps which equaled 57 miles, super pumped to be able to get that mileage. I came in after my second lap and was now sitting in third place. I got some gas, ate some Kate's Real Foods handle bar, bar and chugged down some Perfect Blocks and, out for another loop I went. With the nice selection of renthal sprockets I geared my bike two teeth taller than stock. This KTM pulls so well. I am a huge clutch rider and on this bike I don't even have to touch the thing it just Brrrrrraaaaaaaaaaabbbbbbbbbbbbbsss, and pulls the gear so well. I was clocked doing 85 mph out on the race course. On the third lap I caught and passed Irvin Powers for second place. Now in second I knew just to ride smart and smooth lines. The leaders your doing five laps witch equaled 140 mile so there is lots of room for error.

     At the end Of my fourth lap I pulled into the pits for the last time for a quick splash. I tried to get off my bike and take a piss but my pit crew would not let me as I was only a minute twenty down. I came in yelling "I got to piss I got to piss" They all thought I was yelling "I'm pissed I'm pissed". I went out on the last lap hard trying to make up that time. I came up a little short and Rodney Spencer jr. took the overall. I crossed the finish line a minute down, and a hard charging Reece Honea took a well deserved third overall. Alex Dorsey with a great ride for fourth and Anson Malohney fifth.

     What a great ride for the district 36 riders four out of the top five d-36 riders. Shows the skill nor-cal puts out.What a crazy and wild weekend VC is definitely going on the schedule again for next year.

Garrahan offroad Training would like to thank its sponsors:KTM USA,Moore@ Sons KTM,Moose,Motion Pro,AME,FMF,Bell,DP brakes,K@N filters,Motococepts,Renthal,Cycle Nano
Brian Garrahan personal sponsors:No Toil,Dunlop,Acerbics,3br,Fox Shoxs,Works Connection,Alpine Star,Maxima Oils,BRP,Perfect Blocks,Steahly Flywheels