"Factory" Dave and Wattsy pose with his Sumter race bike
It is not everyday that an individual gets the opportunity to ride like a full factory Pro on the same minute as Shane Watts at a National Enduro series event. As the winner of the “Ultimate Full Factory Off road Ride with Shane Watts”, I was given that opportunity at the 1st round of the National Enduro Series held near Sumter, SC on Jan. 31, 2010.
Wattsy and Alan Stillwell (Stillwell Performance Suspension) took care of all details of transporting the bike, setting it up for my size, weight and ability, paying the entry fee, and providing all pit support and much needed advise during the event.
While excited about this once in a lifetime experience, I was nervous about participating in my first Enduro event. Two Stoney Lonesome MC club members (Jerry Stark and Ben Breedlove) and I arrived at the SERMA club grounds on Friday Jan. 29th in preparation for the factory ride tuning session planned for Saturday. Unfortunately, a significant snow storm in Tennessee and North Carolina Friday evening delayed their arrival preventing any pre-ride tuning. They arrived late Saturday afternoon with the Fun Mart Cycles supplied 2010 KTM 250XC decked out with incredible products from:
- Suspension tuned by Stillwell Performance
- KTMHutt.com supplied Hard Equipment products
- Maxxis tires and Extra Heavy Duty tubes
- Dirt Tricks sprockets and brake rotors
- DeCal Works custom graphics
- GPR stabilizer
- Fasst Co. Flexx handlebars
- No Toil pre-oiled air filter
- IMS fuel tank and foot pegs
- Domino grips from www.offroadchampions.com
While there would be no tuning ride, I was able to meet Shane Watts and Alan Stillwell, adjust the levers and set the sag on the new KTM and discuss the details of Sunday’s event. Wattsy explained that we are going out to have fun and I would soon experience 80 miles of some of the most magnificent single track that the South East has to offer.
Sunday morning simply could not come fast enough. I had studied the route sheet trying to memorize the distance for each section and associated reset pause prior to the next section. After a quick warm-up in a nearby field with Wattsy and Stillwell, we headed to the starting line for what was sure to be and fun and exciting time. I sat at the starting line anxiously waiting the flip to minute 118. The engine fired and off I went into the Manchester State Forest following close behind Wattsy, for about 200 feet. The next thing I knew, Wattsy was gone and Alan Stillwell was in hot pursuit. I pushed hard through the first section keeping them behind me in anticipation of the upcoming 20 minute pause listed on the route sheet. As I stated above, this was my first enduro event and I did not realize that the pause time was only guaranteed if you arrive within the defined time period. My 20 minute pause was significantly reduced and the brutal reality started to set in. Once again, Wattsy provided necessary advice to ease the tension and help ensure that I would have a pleasurable and memorable experience.
Alan Stillwell went out of his way to discuss the bikes handling and my perceptions during the reset pauses. He made a few minor adjustments based on my descriptions of the handling which resulted in a setup that definitely suited my riding style. It is not that often that a rider can stop and explain what does not feel right and have someone as knowledgeable as Alan Stillwell simply click here and there and fix it all. Leaving the final fuel stop, I definitely was tired and questioning what I had gotten into, but once again, Wattsy’s encouragement and subtle hints along this his advice were critical in creating that fun and exciting atmosphere.
In the end, I returned the KTM 250XC to Wattsy and discussed what an incredibly rewarding and fun time I had just experienced. These memories and this experience will stay with me for a lifetime. I personally think it is an extraordinary thing that Shane Watts and Alan Stillwell are doing for dirt bike enthusiasts. As stated above, it is not everyday that an individual gets the opportunity to ride like a full factory Pro on the same minute as Shane Watts at a National Enduro series event.
Regards,
David Dunnuck “Factory Dave”