For the second time this season the FTR faithful headed to Southwest Florida for The Melon Bash 10. Originally the Old School Dirt Riders (OSDR) had plans to hold the race on a different part of the property but conflicts with hunting season forced the club to use the same piece as their race held in December. The club does an amazing job of using the small strip of woods this property has to offer but there was no way possible that the trail could be all new. Having two races in one year is hard on the trail and it showed for this edition of the Melon Bash. The trail was gnarly, the back sand sections were DEEP, I felt like I was back at the River Ranch GNCC at some points. I did enjoy the layout as the club broke up the rough sections with some fun fields and the Sunday only stuff on the other side of the creek is always top notch.
The club put in an endurocross section which was a treat for the spectators, I can't say the same for the riders. That section was tough as it was super dry, so traction was at a minimum. I watched some of the best riders in FTR really struggle through there, the bypass was long which I loved because it made it that much more important to risk it on the obstacles. They also left the section open for the Saturday racers and even the quads, which was quite the site.
Words by Kurt Lucas / Photos by 412 Media
I know some members have mixed feelings about this property, but to me it is one of the best in the series. We have been coming here for years now and each year OSDR raises the bar and finds some new real estate for us to rip. To me, this property has it all from your typical Florida sugar sand, rough and challenging palmetto sections, creek crossings, hard packed at time and multiple pasture sections.
I decided to ask a few other racers what their thoughts were on this particular race:
"I thought the track layout was great and I enjoyed the new Sunday strip of woods along the road, as well as the endurocross. I wish it would have rained some because it was brutally hot and dry out there. I struggled with the heat but did my best to find a flow in the fun spots of the track." - Ryan McCarthy, 250 A
"Melon Bash round two was an awesome event put on by OSDR! The weather was perfect all weekend and conditions could not have been better. The course was very fast and fun, with sections that were quite technical at times, including two creek crossings. During the Sunday morning practice, the creeks felt like ice water before sending you into an old Florida palm tree hammock which provided some shady single-track sections. The optional endurocross section made for some fun spectating all weekend." - Dustin Kato, Open B
"The woods coming back towards the finish line flowed nicely and the dirt in that section of property is primo. Overall, a fun track with challenging sand sections that were deep due to how dry the property was. The endurocross section was very entertaining" - Seth Robbins, Pre-Modern A
As you can see the racers enjoyed the course layout and diversity. A huge thank you to the members of the Old School Dirt Riders for doing double duty and putting on two great events this season. If you check out the proposed schedule for next season you can see two races down in Punta Gorda, put on by OSDR. So, get ready for another two rounds down south next season!
