BuDu XC Race #3 Port Gamble Trails

Epic Racing ventured out to the Kitsap Peninsula for the latest BuDu series round at the Port Gamble Trails.  Rainy weather made for some extremely muddy conditions which challenged all of the racers but nevertheless provided for a good time and extra stories after the race.  Sandra Barlow provided a St. Paddy's day themed Irish Stew and to-die-for chocolate cupcakes that were the hit of the entire race!

 (photo by Full Suspension Studios)

Cat 3 racers started off the day with Shannon Sutherland racing on a feather light single speed anniversary gift from her hubby! Here she is powering through the speed-sucking mud at the finish.  The course ended in a field that provided a long muddy section that destroyed your momentum just before the finish.  Dan Wheeler, Jon Nelson, and Justin Hamilton also braved the mud for Epic Racing in Cat 3 as well.

Janna Houchens was excited to podium with 3rd place in Cat 3 19-34, contributing to a family podium sweep as her husband Matt also placed in Cat 2.

(photo by Full Suspension Studios)

Haden Mills also proudly finished 2nd in Cat 3 13-18!  Great job Haden!

(photo by Full Suspension Studios)

The Cat 1 classes started next, with Chip Richardson, Jason Konieczka, Thomas Farmer, and Doug DeMars all competing in their various divisions.  Chip Richardson capitalized on the fact that the experts made two passes through the event venue by requesting bratwurst and cupcake hand ups at each lap.

(photo by Full Suspension Studios)

Last up were the Cat 2 riders with Anthony Barlow, Matt Houchens, Matt Levin, Dave Pringle, Scott Wipperman, Marc Garoutte, and Amy Josefczyk getting a little break from the rain but not the mud as the course was pretty well churned up by that time.

(photo by Full Suspension Studios)

Anthony Barlow provided some St. Patrick's Day spirit and hoped for the luck of the Irish on his laps.

(photo by Full Suspension Studios)

 Mark Garoutte here looks pretty clean on his lap through the venue.  He currently sits at fifth place in the Cat 2 single speed category standings.

(photo by Full Suspension Studios)

Matt Houchens here is celebrating 3rd in Cat 2 Clydesdales and the second half of his family podium sweep -- great job Houchens!  Congrats also to Matt Levin who finished 11th after upgrading from Cat 3 to a very competitive Cat2 50+ category.

(photo by Janna Houchens)

Here's a list of our finishers for the day. Congrats to our 4 podium finishers, and let me know in the comments if I missed anyone!

• Cat 1
• Thomas Farmer 4th 34 & Under
• Jason Konieczka 5th 35-49
• Chip Richardson 10th 35-49
• Cat 2
• Amy Josefczyk 3rd 40-49
• Anthony Barlow 7th 40-49
• Dave Pringle 8th 40-49
• Matt Levin 11th 50+
• Matt Houchens 3rd Clydesdales
• Marc Garoutte 8th SS
• Cat 3
• Shannon Southerland 4th 50+
• Janna Houchens 3rd 19-34
• Justin Hamilton 9th 12&under
• Haden Mills 2nd 13-18
• Dan Wheeler 6th 19-34
• Jon Nelson 6th 50+

(photo by Full Suspension Studios)

Thanks to all of our sponsors for a great day of racing, including Chainbrew, Wildwater River Guides, Wolf Tooth Components, Center Cycle, Pearson Chiropractic and Rehabilitation, Schwalbe Tires, Bicycle Center, Crank Brothers, CrapPhotos, Fanatik Bike Company, Lezyne, Mazama, and Boundary Bay Brewing Company.

A final shot out to Afford-A-Vet Animal Clinic who provides our cozy tent!

(photo by Full Suspension Studios)