Harescramble

Hi, and welcome!

Most harescrambles incorporate both MX track and trails, but not always. They last anywhere from 2-3 hours for the long course (AA, A and B classes) and around 1.5 for the short course (C, old timers, womens, etc). There are checkpoints spaced around the course where your armband or scorecard is marked. Courses vary from 6 to 20 miles. You usually get a dead engine start, and just take off and go like hell until the time is up. Bring gas, powerbars or that goo crap, lots of water, rags, etc. because you will want to stop at least once. There usually aren't too many women racers (in my area anyway), usually 4-7 on the line. The most I've ever raced against was 12, but more often it's like 5. Three times I've been the only gal on the line, or one of two. Some HS are team races, where you take a lap, then your partner takes a lap, etc. Don't be fooled into thinking it's less gnarly than motocross--I've had guys barrelling around me like I was in a VW Bug in a Nascar race before. But I like it as well or better than motocross.

Welcome!

Each area does their harescrambles a little bit differently-- the races I've been in rarely use MX tracks, and the women's class runs at the same time with all the other big bikes (if there is a separate women's class).
Find an event in your area or district, or call a local club. Go and attend one of the events as a spectator, and ask some questions. Probably one of your best bets is to go ask questions of people working the sign up table, (AFTER all the racers have signed up!). They can tell you about what classes are available, how long the course is (time/mileage), and what signup fees and requirements are (district card, AMA card, etc.)
Walk around, look at the terrain, and you'll get a general idea of how things work. If you have a friend who races, offer to go with them to a race and help them with their pit stop-- carry a gas can or extra water or goggles or whatever they need done.
In essence, though, a harescrambles is a race held on a closed course loop, of predetermined length, for a predetermined amount of time. (Depending on club and district). The rider who completes the most number of laps in the given time is the winner. The course can cover all types of open or tight terrain, from woods, fields, creeks, hills, desert or whatever else the club can come up with. To prepare, you should try to ride as many different areas as you can to familiarize yourself with all the terrain options. Also, building up your endurance to ride for 2-3 hours without stopping is good as well. If you can avoid stopping during the race, you'll be just that much ahead at the end.

Tracy,

You might want to check out the Big 6 Grand Prix and WORCS. They consist of motocross and woods or desert very similar to a Hare Scramble. Big 6 is put on by District 37 and races are the first weekend of the month until summer. Web site is www.district37ama.org/splash.html
The WORCS races web site is www.worcsracing.com