Stuyt conquers Moose

By Dan Paris

MORRISON, IL -- Since its inception in 1994 the United Off-Road Racing Moose Run has been feared as the ‘toughest race in America.'

The ‘new’ Blackwater is designed by promoter Bill Gusse to be a nearly impossible test of man and machine, with the 35-mile (56km) loop covering peat bogs, swamps, river crossings and motocross sections.

Rising Canadian off-road star Scott Stuyt competed in last weekend's event aboard a Husqvarna TC250 and despite a high-speed crash Saturday that put him in hospital, the first year Intermediate rider came back to finish third in the Intermediate class in Sunday's main event, earning the respect and admiration of many observers.

“I felt really good that I finished. This is the toughest race ever,” Stuyt said after a painful ride on his damaged bike. “At one time I didn’t feel like finishing. I couldn’t have done another lap…This is way tougher than the ‘Cord…the trail, everything was just tougher than the ‘Cord. America’s toughest race lives up to its name.”

The Pro class was won by Suzuki’s Jimmy Jarrett, who beat KTM’s Shane Watts by a mere two seconds after a three-hour battle. Suzuki’s Brian Garrahan finished third. Many riders were still struggling into the pits at nightfall, nearly six hours after starting.

See the full story soon in Inside Motorcycles.