Issue link: http://trailridermagazine.uberflip.com/i/1544109
April 2026 27 Saturday's racing wrapped the Next Gen class (late 80s-early 2000s, discs, linkage suspension, liquid cooling), and our man Beau Viens was rocking our '94 Kawasaki KDX200 in fine style un l the le footpeg mount gave way. Most would be done racing with only one footpeg, but not Beau, he kept it pinned, shi ing with his heel and si ng on his dangling leg on the fast straights, earning a second place and less than a minute behind first! Sunday's course was similar to Saturday's, with the excep on of Todd MacDonald adding in a good por- on of Silver Hawk Planta on's impeccably groomed motocross track. I've always found it interes ng how divided off-road racing can be when it comes to moto and woods racing. As for myself, a lifelong woods fiend, I'm much more comfortable in ght twisty single track li ered with rocks and roots, but put me on a moto track, and I'm a fish out of water. It's vice versa for the moto guys, and they were in their element on Sunday as the track and condi ons could not have been be er. In summing up the Firewater Na onal Cross Coun- try, it was one incredible event. The weather was absolutely perfect, and being the first event of the season for most of us, ge ng together with our race family was just what we needed. The camaraderie of moto heads who gathered from all corners of the country for the Firewater for the love of the sport and the people who make it happen is a special feeling. Whether you were racing or just soaking up the at- mosphere and bench racing, it was something we all needed a er the long winter break. Yes, travel in our country's current climate is expensive, but you can't put a price on happiness. Events such as this are so good for one's mental health and happiness, and you can't put a price on that! In closing, I'd like to thank Randy Hawkins for the use of his beau ful facility and property manager, Todd MacDonald, for all his efforts, such as building bridg- es, draining ditches, and planning alternate routes if needed, shows how dedicated this man is to ensuring our experience was the best it could be. I'd also like to thank PVR President Tom Grimmel, Dave Kutskel, his son Brock, and the PVR crew for laying out one incred- ible course. The fact that 130+ racers traversed the course without a single injury is a testament to how good it actually was! -Kurt Beau Viens Beau Viens