DIRECTIONS & MAP
From Seattle: Take I-90 east to Ellensburg. Take exit for I-82 to Yakima.
Go past Yakima to Toppenish, then take I-97 south to Goldendale.
Go past Goldendale 5 miles, then take a right on String street. About 1 mile to track.

From Portland: Take I-84 east.
Make your way to north on I-97 on the Washihgton Side of the river.
Go about 5 miles north, take a left on Spear St. (this street is about 30 feet long)
You will then take another left on String St. About 1 mile to track.

From Spokane: Take I-82 to Toppenish, then take I-97 south to Goldendale.
Go past Goldendale 5 miles, then take a right on String street. About 1 mile to track: .

3 Hour Endurance Team Race
Notes from Scott Doubravsky

On the full GP course, lap times run 14 to 18 minutes, similar to a moto length. Different people have different ideas on how much they want to ride.The fanatics can run Ironman, the class for those that never can get too much riding. For those that don't want to flog their bodies or bikes that much there is the team classes.

Each team decides how many members to have 2 to 4. Most teams lean toward the maximum, although there are always those who want to get the most bang for their buck and go with a smaller team so they can ride more. We have even had a 2 man pro team at the 24hr. (They led untill the last hour and a half, they were spent at the finish.) Rather than police the teams about hand-offs,splitting laps,etc... we leave the strategy to the teams. Most alternate their fast and slow riders with their fastest rider either going out first or last. If you want to sign-up with a fast guy and let him do most of the laps, have at it. I did that with Grayson Hart once. He wanted to race, I didn't. I started off saying he would do 3 laps to my 1, ended up me doing 1 lap to his 2. After almost killing myself trying to stay ahead of the other pros I finally realized I didn't have to win the race, I needed to not lose it by crashing.

The cool thing about the team races is the back and forth. As faster riders and slower riders mix it up and the teams jockey for position. In our longer races, preparation is key. Being ready for anything that might happen. Always have a rider ready to go out, MAKE SURE THE TRANSPONDER BELT IS SECURED ON THE RIDER!

Our team races are like a track meet relay, you drop or lose the transponder and you are done. For the larger individuals, a fanny pack might be needed to carry the transponder. Much time can be saved thinking out the hand- off for the quickest turnaround. Precious seconds can be saved by going multiple laps....if you are man enough. Most just work on quick had-offs. The rider has to finish the full lap or the team loses that lap. If you break down 200 yards from the pits and run the transponder in, you lose that lap. Your team keeps going, but you don't get credit for the lap. The idea is you have to do the entire distance. You can run back to the pits to exchange the transponder and keep your team going, then go get your bike. This puts a premium on riding smooth and finishing each lap, not going fast and risk crashing or breaking. If we had enough entries, I would like to see a vintage Ironman and team class, and an EVO Ironman and team class. An old guy EVO class would be cool, but that"s just because I'm old.

The course will probably be set-up to give a 500 Husky the biggest possible advantage.(I HOPE!) Team races have been my favorite type of competition since the mid 80's. The back and forth, the comraderie, the blazing short sprints, the pit woofing, all are major facets of team racing. And afterward you look at your lap times and compare with teamates and competitors, and the jousting begins.

above : 2007 action- Mike Budschat (Honda)
Kevin Spencer (Husqvarna) chasing Mark Sullivan (CZ)