Off Road Racin at Line Mt.

[OLDCHEV4X4]

I went up to Line Mountain Race Track this past weekend for the 3.5 miler. For though's of you that never heard of this, Its a 5 mile course through the woods of Pennsylvania. I know its called the 3.5 miler, but the course has been changed over the years, and the name has not. So you have to go around this 5 mile course for 6 laps. There are all kinds of obstacles. Mud, hill climbs (big and small), rocks (big and small),mud, tree limbs, mud, broken down racers.....did i say mud? It has done nothing but rain lately, so water was everywhere.
So we draw a high number. This is good. The water will be splashed out and the mud will be driven through many times. Wrong! 112 racers start at 1 minute intervals. You have 4hr and 15 min to do 6 laps.

Lap 1: Everthing is going good. "I feel good!" (say like James Brown) 26 min lap.

Lap 2:I'm in the section called "The Up And Downs." Utt Ohh... I feel loose! Some spectators yell at me that my RR tire is flat. No prob..I carry 2 spares. They run over and help us change the tire.
I hit "I80" and hammer on it. I Hit "The Coal Road" which is a RH turn, And hammer on it. Utt Ohh.... I feel loose again! Only this time i'm going fast. I get it straitened out and stopped. The LR is flat this time. So we change it. I say to my navigator, "If we get a flat now, we are driving out on the rim." Just then a racer goes flying by and a tire falls off the back and rolls at our feet. I look up and say "Thankyou God." ;-) 45 min lap.

Lap 3: We stop in the pits and switch tires around and look things over real quick and grab a water. 1/2 way through this lap we notice the temp is up to 250 deg. Dam. Pull over at the next spot and shut it off. I thought mabey we cut a hoze. No ,the fuse for one of the 2 electric fans blew. We pop a new one in and wait. We talk with other racer's that are walkin , broke down.
Finally we get going and make it to the start finish. 53 min lap.

Lap 4: My shoulder strap pads aren't staying in place. My straps are cutting into my neck and shoulder. Suck it up and keep going. 28 min lap

Lap 5: Almost done the lap when we encounter a broke down racer and no good place to pass. He has the hood up and is working on it, so we cant push him out of the way. I pull to the right and try to do a 5 point turn. The power steering gives out. I back up into a tree. Suddenly a large dead tree limb comes crashing down onto the dash of the race truck. My navigator was about to climb through the windshield opening to look at the power steering problem. That was close!
The power steering over heated, nothing we can do about that. Muscle it. 36 min lap.

Lap 6: I am tired, I have mud in my mouth, my shoulders have brush burns, the truck is making noise's i have never heard before and the power steering is kaput. But....its my last lap. 32 min lap.

Its Miller Time!!!!
112 Jeeps, trucks and buggies start the race. Only 33 finished. Everyone else broke or gave up.
I finished 7th in the long wheel base class, 29th over all. I take home $40 and a sore aching body.

[OLDCHEV4X4]

Here's a short video:

YouTube - Line Mt. 3 1/2 miler 2009

The hill climb was kinda tuff this year. I didn't make it up the first time. So i backed up and hit it again.

[62 short step]

Thats awesome! Looks like you had a blast!

[DirtyLarry]

Yeah! Now, that looks like fun!

[dammitmitchell]

mega cool!

[OLDCHEV4X4]

Here's another video.

RandyJeffLineMountain08-1.flv video by OLDCHEV4X4...

[Igotachevyor2]

that looks like one helluva time

[OLDCHEV4X4]

Update:8-3-09
I finally got around to washing it and looking for broken parts. The rad support is cracked around the mounts. This made the front end drop and the inner fender was rubbing the steering column. That was a scarry noise if you dont know what the cause is.
LF upper shock bushings are shot.
So i jacked it up and was checking the front end. The tire would turn 1/4 turn then stop. Hmmm. Must of broke a drive flange or something. That all looked good. So i took the cover off the diff and as the oil is draining out i hear chunks of metal hitting the drain pan. Not good.
I didn't even know it was broke.

It wouln't let me upload pics.......

[70rs/ss]

Makes me miss PA just a little!! I grew up in the NE corner of the state, near Lake Erie, moved away when i was still young. I miss it every now and then, and now I miss it a little more!! I miss the snowmobile races and the hunting too!! I wasn't old enough to drive so I never got the wheelin' itch but I am itchin' to get back there and wheel a little now.

[Burt4x4]

YYYEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAA!!

Man I would love to do something like that!
Thanks for sharing!

[duallyjams]

I made the trip in 08 as a guest of Randy invite. You can walk the track while the race is going, how cool is that.Every one should have this on there must do list.

[special-K]

Yeah buddy!! I`m sorry I had to miss the short race.Sounds like it was the typical run of the mill everyday same old same old BLAST!!!!
We`ve got to make the 7-miler in September.I want to camp out with you all and help with the race prep...burp!

[olblue60@aol.com]

What happened to the custom made side marker light? Congrats Randy on finishing!!!!

John

[OLDCHEV4X4]

Originally Posted by olblue60@aol.com

What happened to the custom made side marker light? Congrats Randy on finishing!!!!

John

Thanks for the congrats John. The aluminum Yuengling marker light finally fell out. Its amazing that it made it all the way around the track last year.

[OLDCHEV4X4]

Originally Posted by special-K

Yeah buddy!! I`m sorry I had to miss the short race.Sounds like it was the typical run of the mill everyday same old same old BLAST!!!!
We`ve got to make the 7-miler in September.I want to camp out with you all and help with the race prep...burp!

No worries Tim. There will be more races to go to.
I can always use more help making aluminum marker lights.

[OLDCHEV4X4]

Originally Posted by duallyjams

I made the trip in 08 as a guest of Randy invite. You can walk the track while the race is going, how cool is that.Every one should have this on there must do list.

Yea, and if you bring a quad you can ride the track after the race is over and bring me out some parts (if i'm broke).
James you don't need a personal invite, Just show up and help with aluminum marker light manufacturing.

[OLDCHEV4X4]

I'm glad everyone likes the pics and vids so much. Thanks for the positive comments everybody. I will keep updating this thread.
But for some reason i cant post pictures anymore..?? Something about security something, something missing??

I got my master overhaul kit to fix my frontend, so i'm working on that this weekend.

[gtomechanic]

Hi,I'm Jeff. Randys co pilot/navigator/dude along for one very awsome ride.Great description of the race.I can't wait till september.Randy really deserves alot of credit ,he put together one tough 72 blazer and drives it masterfully.I found a couple old pics from our first race.Here's a link to the Line Mountain web sight http://www.lm4w.org/home.htm Enter a truck if you dare.

[OLDCHEV4X4]

1 more week till the 7 miler. My crew and I have been wrenchin' like crazy.

[duallyjams]

What is the exact date and time?

[OLDCHEV4X4]

Originally Posted by duallyjams

What is the exact date and time?

The long obstacle (7 Miler) is Saturday Sept 19. They ususally start the trucks, Jeeps and buggies after 1100.
Short obstacle and drags on Sunday.

[special-K]

I`m in!!! Whatcha say there duallyjams?Sounds like they need three more idiots to me .I think we bring good luck.He kept air in the tires and didn`t munch a differential,at least.I talked to olblue60dude today and it`s a plan for Saturday.It`s time for a blue and grey get together across the Mason-Dixon up in Pennsyltucky!

[olblue60@aol.com]

Yeah James, Read your first post in this thread!!

[special-K]

Hey olblue60,your signature needs updating.I don`t see a 1967 K/10 Panel listed.

[duallyjams]

Originally Posted by special-K

Hey olblue60,your signature needs updating.I don`t see a 1967 K/10 Panel listed.

Hey Tim I know you made the trip with John so how about an update.