Gone Racing

GONE RACING

BE BACK IN 24 HOURS

BRADLEY ADAMS

You have to be a special kind of crazy to sign up for a 24-hour motorcycle race-one of those irrational types who only thinks in the present and disregards the long-term consequences of his actions. Unfortunately (fortunately?), I’m one of those people. About three-quarters of the way through the UMRA 24hr Endurance Race at Grange Motor Circuit (in Apple Valley, California), I begin

to regret it.

The race is run from noon to noon, and while our Kawasaki Z125 Pro is mostly stock (hold for thicker fork oil, aftermarket bars, rearsets, an exhaust, brake lines, and Dunlop tires), the racing is tight. Adrenaline pumping, even. We do an admirable job of keeping the seasoned competition in our sights, though crashes (yes, me...), tire/ wheel changes, and a few

unnecessary fuel splashes rob our six-man team of much-needed laps.

The result? A solid ninth-place finish overall, sore legs, and a newfound respect for the unflappable Z125 Pro. That, and a strange itch to do it all over again. Yes, 24-hour races are still a thing for the crazies (and kids), but they’re also proof that on a little bike, even the most ruthless of challenges can be fun.