It has been raining a bunch in California and its surrounding states. The race of this weekend in Las Vegas got cancelled due to the terrible track conditions. Last week in Phoenix it was a close call. Some riders pulled out of the race because they didn't want to get dirty or risk an injury. The race still went on. Out FATBMX column writer Robert de Wilde lined up on the AA gate and did fairly well (4th on Saturday and a win on Sunday). We sent him some questions to see how this mud race went for the Dutchman.
Congratulations on the victory in Phoenix, what was the track like?
The track was better than I expected it to be but it still was crappy. They covered the track and that helped a lot, but all the turns were soft, but they got a lot better through the day.
Do you think you have an advantage because you have experience racing in wet conditions (being from Holland)?
Not really. The dirt is totally different. You are still able to race in Europe when it rains. When it rains in America the track first gets very slippery and after that it’s just a big mud fest. Just go ride in some mud right after it rained, that will tell you exactly how the tracks are when it rains.
Did you use tear-offs on your goggles and what color lens do you usually use (was it different for this race)?
I don’t have time to tear something of my Oakley goggles when I’m getting it on. I used clear lenses that weekend but I have different colors too.
Did you change to tires with more grip?
I did chance my tires for the weekend. My Maxxis Holy rollers are not really suitable for these kind of conditions. Maxxis sent me some prototype tires a little while ago. Maxxis is working on a new tire. It’s going to be an intermediate tire. They have the max daddy for very loose conditions and the Holy Roller for pack tracks. This tire will be perfect for European tracks.
Do you change gears when you are confronted with a soggy track?
I sometimes do but not for Phoenix. I was too lazy to chance my gear that weekend.
How many sets of gear do you bring for a mud race?
Any special gear you bring when it's raining? (rain jacket - umbrella etc.). The only thing I brought for the weekend were the tires. I just wore my new red en white GP TLD gear with my sponsors on it and that was it. Dude, I’m Dutch so I don’t really care that much.
Who was your umbrella girl in Phoenix that kept your goggles and gloves dry?
I’m not a player and you know it. I had nobody to help me out 8-(, ha ha
What other racers are good in the mud?
John Purse is a big time mudder. Randy, Bubba and Donny were keeping it real.
Who sucks in the mud?
Warwick, Dale, Kyle and some more, but I can’t come up with the names right now.
Who's the best mud wrestler?
All the good ones quit racing. There are no wrestlers in BMX anymore but if it really comes down to it I’m a force to be reckoned with.
Anything special going on over the weekend?
The only special thing that happened was that Jason Rogers and Tyler Brown hit each other going into the second turn and they both went over the turn and hit 2 kinds in the process. Jason landed on a wheel barrel and Tyler landed in the mud. Check out the pictures, ha ha.
The NBL has rescheduled the Vegas National. The new date is: April 23-24.
The official title is: 2005 - NBL Silver State National Nellis BMX - Las Vegas, Nevada
Money to be won: $31,000 Pro Purse - Elite Series
All pre-registration for the February 26th-27th event will be applied towards the April 23rd-24th event unless refunds are requested. If you need a refund, please call the NBL office at (614) 777-1625 and ask for Jan by April 18th.
Do you think you have an advantage because you have experience racing in wet conditions (being from Holland)?
Not really. The dirt is totally different. You are still able to race in Europe when it rains. When it rains in America the track first gets very slippery and after that it’s just a big mud fest. Just go ride in some mud right after it rained, that will tell you exactly how the tracks are when it rains.
Did you use tear-offs on your goggles and what color lens do you usually use (was it different for this race)?
I don’t have time to tear something of my Oakley goggles when I’m getting it on. I used clear lenses that weekend but I have different colors too.
Did you change to tires with more grip?
I did chance my tires for the weekend. My Maxxis Holy rollers are not really suitable for these kind of conditions. Maxxis sent me some prototype tires a little while ago. Maxxis is working on a new tire. It’s going to be an intermediate tire. They have the max daddy for very loose conditions and the Holy Roller for pack tracks. This tire will be perfect for European tracks.
Do you change gears when you are confronted with a soggy track?
I sometimes do but not for Phoenix. I was too lazy to chance my gear that weekend.
How many sets of gear do you bring for a mud race?
Any special gear you bring when it's raining? (rain jacket - umbrella etc.). The only thing I brought for the weekend were the tires. I just wore my new red en white GP TLD gear with my sponsors on it and that was it. Dude, I’m Dutch so I don’t really care that much.
Who was your umbrella girl in Phoenix that kept your goggles and gloves dry?
I’m not a player and you know it. I had nobody to help me out 8-(, ha ha
What other racers are good in the mud?
John Purse is a big time mudder. Randy, Bubba and Donny were keeping it real.
Who sucks in the mud?
Warwick, Dale, Kyle and some more, but I can’t come up with the names right now.
Who's the best mud wrestler?
All the good ones quit racing. There are no wrestlers in BMX anymore but if it really comes down to it I’m a force to be reckoned with.
Anything special going on over the weekend?
The only special thing that happened was that Jason Rogers and Tyler Brown hit each other going into the second turn and they both went over the turn and hit 2 kinds in the process. Jason landed on a wheel barrel and Tyler landed in the mud. Check out the pictures, ha ha.
The NBL has rescheduled the Vegas National. The new date is: April 23-24.
The official title is: 2005 - NBL Silver State National Nellis BMX - Las Vegas, Nevada
Money to be won: $31,000 Pro Purse - Elite Series
All pre-registration for the February 26th-27th event will be applied towards the April 23rd-24th event unless refunds are requested. If you need a refund, please call the NBL office at (614) 777-1625 and ask for Jan by April 18th.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.