2013 Sponsors

Photo by Joann Hauser

Hello Everyone,

I am almost fully ready for the 2013 season.  I've spent hours this year writing cover letters, sending emails, and replying to companies.  I am happy to have a lot of returning sponsors this year along with some new ones.  I am working on a few last touches before I announce the 2013 sponsors.  Thanks for all of the support along the way.

Zack Huberty

2012 ECEA A-200 Enduro Champion

Photo by Kevin Novello

A Season in Review: ECEA A-200 Enduro Champion

Rider: Zack Huberty

Class Finish: 1^st A-200

The 2012 season has been one of the biggest learning experiences.  I started the year off with a lack luster finish at the opening round of the enduro series.  After getting beat, I was determined to turn the season around in order to go for the A-200 Championship.  Early on in the season, my confidence for being able to win was pretty low but things started to turn around when I raced the DER Enduro.  At the DER enduro, I finished one minute behind my biggest competitor in my class who I’ve struggled to challenge for the past year.  Then, at the RORR enduro, I was able to take my first A-200 win on a Vee Rubber Trials Tire at a muddy, technical event.  This started to build my confidence as I knew that I could win.  After buying a Specialized Hardrock mountain bike from Lee Rogers at Bicycle Therapy, another fire was lit within as Lee stressed the importance of fueling your body correctly.  With the help of my dad, I got set-up with a nutritionist at CCH, and I also started using Hammer Nutrition products with the help of Lee Rogers.  I started to dedicate my time to eating right, fueling my body correctly on race day, and fine-tuning bike set-up.  Before I knew it, I had five straight wins in the A200 class and started reeling in the possibility of the A200 championship.

            By the end of the season, I was able to win (7) races along with having (8) top 20 finishes with a 9^th overall finish at the GMER Enduro.  Going into the season, I had never won a race in the A-200 class so this year I have made big steps towards the possibility of AA.  Although my last two races of the season don’t show the same fire as in the summer, the speed is still there.  The last two races were unfortunate as I had two bike problems but you have to learn from your mistakes in order to build for next year.  Now that the season is over, I am happy to announce that I am the 2012 ECEA A-200 Enduro Champion.  It has been a long time coming and has required dedication in order to juggle college and school. 

            This year went fairly well, but I am already looking forward to seeing what I can do in 2013.  I will continue to follow the program I started in the summer along with some other additions in order to hopefully qualify for AA next year.  It is also my goal to win another championship.  As with every champion, there are a lot of people behind them.  I’d first like to thank my dad for all of his help this year as he pitted for me at most of the enduros (which isn’t the most exciting thing, but minimizes my stress on race day).  My dad was also the reason I got set-up with a nutritionist and when all others doubt me, he encourages me to keep going.  Additionally, I would like to thank Johnny Limp at Torc1Racing, Drew Smith at WER suspension for help with set-up and advice, Tech Tube, PowerSeal USA, Unabiker, FMF, Jerod Stoner at JS Designs for Jersey Lettering, Lee Rogers at Bicycle Therapy, EKS Brand Goggles, P3, MotoFIT, All Balls Racing, Sixsixone, Mika Metals, N-Style, Vertex Pistons, Fly Racing and Dale Spangler, Michelle at CCH, DT-1 Filters, Motorex, Hinson Clutch Components, Acerbis,  Clockwork KTM, Matto Cycle for frequent encouragement, The Kulp Family, my competitors, and all of my friends that have provided encouragement along the way.

For more information:
Check WER Suspension out on Facebook “Works Enduro Rider (WER)”

Check Zack Huberty out on Facebook “Zack Huberty”
Check Zack Huberty’s Blog http://zackhuberty323racing.blogspot.com/

Unabiker Family!

While browsing the internet the other day, I saw that one of my sponsor's updated their website.  I quickly clicked on the link and checked out their new website.  Unabiker has been helping me out most of this year with trick radiator guards that have saved me more than once.  Check out the new site, and see how they nicely added me to their page! http://www.unabiker.com/?page_id=45

Stump Jumper Enduro Photos

Photos by Rick Cornelius

Michaux Enduro: 13th overall!

Photo Credit: Melik Family

Race Report: ECEA Enduro Series Round 16: SPER Michaux Enduro

Rider: Zack Huberty

Bike: MotoFIT KTM 200 XC

Result: A-200 1^st, 13^th Overall

Report:

            After a frustrating ride at the Beehive Enduro with a third place finish, I was determined to come back strong at the last rock race.  After class on Friday, I made the drive home and got to work mowing lawns.  After mowing, I got the rest of my gear ready for Michaux.  Saturday night, my dad and I drove to Michaux and spent the night.  I was unsure of whether or not to run a Vee Rubber Trials tire at Michaux as it had rained for a couple days, although it appeared dry where we camped.  Sunday morning, I made the swap to the Trials Tire as I thought it would be a good choice for the technical terrain (Also, it was the advice given by Pete Wright).  We used a National Enduro format for this enduro with 6 total sections ranging from 3.3 miles to 8.5 miles.  Most of the sections were around 8 miles which spread out the scores.

            My goal for the first section of the day was to ride smooth and under my ability as I have been having a tough time in first sections at enduros.  I have been getting bad arm-pump, riding over my head, and crashing a lot.  I decided to take it easy the first few miles and then turn up my speed.  I was able to navigate the technical section with no falls and dropped a good score.  A lot of riders had trouble here with big crashes or broken equipment.  The second section of the day was probably my worst as we got lost and added an unnecessary ½ mile by making a wrong turn.  Because of this, my score wasn’t where it should have been but I finished the section strong.

            The rest of the day, I was able to ride flawless and I rode a little out of my comfort zone in order to stick with the faster riders on my row.  One of the craziest sections featured a 35 mph speed which consisted of logging roads, ATV trails, and mountain side paths.  I was able to tie some of the AA riders in here (although I ran out of gears in a lot of areas).  The 5^th section featured 3.3 miles of technical moon rock and jagged rocky single-track.  I did my best to pick good lines and not get stuck.  I was able to drop a 2 here which was what the other AA riders dropped.  The last section of the day was the most fun for me as I battled Pete Wright who later took home 6^th overall and the High Point A award.  I was able to make 2 passes on him and kept with him over the 7.5 mile section.  If I can continue to follow him in upcoming races from the beginning, I should be able to do better.  The current AA pace is uncomfortable for me at times but it is allowing me to learn how to go their speed.

            At the end of the day, my hard work paid off with my seventh win of the season and a 13^th overall finish.  I am hoping to continue to ride strong at the last two enduros.  I have a month and a half off right now from racing so I will mountain bike weekly, eat healthy, and prepare for the last two rounds of the ECEA Enduro Series.  I would like to thank my dad for helping me out the past few races by driving me to the races, helping me get prepared and pitting for me.  Without his help, I wouldn’t be as focused on the racing part at the enduros.    

I would also like to thank the support of my family and friends, as well as my sponsors which are Johnny Limp at Torc1Racing, Drew Smith at WER Suspension, Tech Tube, Mike at MotoFIT, PowerSeal USA, Unabiker, FMF, Jerod Stoner at JS Designs for the jersey lettering, EKS Brand Goggles, P3, All Balls Racing, Sixsixone, Mika Metals, N-Style, Vertex Pistons, Fly Racing, DT-1 Filters, Motorex, Hinson Clutch Components, Acerbis, and Clockwork KTM.

A-200 Class Results

1) Zack Huberty (MotoFIT KTM) 29-533

2) Steve Aretz (KTM) 38-642

3) Ron Decaro (KTM) 42-750

4) Brad Gelwicks (KTM) 48-948

5) Rob Mohn (KAWI) 58-981

For more information:
Check WER Suspension out on Facebook “Works Enduro Rider (WER)”
Check MotoFIT Motorsports out on Facebook “MotoFIT”

Check Zack Huberty out on Facebook “Zack Huberty”
Check Zack Huberty’s Blog http://zackhuberty323racing.blogspot.com/

Thanks to the Melik Family for the photo.