Four dirt bike enthusiasts from Yreka are on a mission—race in as many Hare Scrambles as possible, collect trophies, and have a blast doing it.

“We’re all trying to move up in class and win races, but it’s really all for fun,” said Jeff Strutz, who grabbed a first place finish in the Veterans C-Class at the Big Sky XC Hare Scramble, held at the Big Sky Ski Resort in Montana last weekend.

Strutz wasn’t the lone Yrekan celebrating after the competition. Jeff Green and Dave Schlumpberger also picked up first place awards–Green in the 250cc/2-stroke C-Class, and Schlumpberger in the Open C-Class. Also racing well was Darrel Collins, taking second in the Veterans B-Class.

Collins is the subject of the video above, shot by Strutz. The video shows the start of the Open B-Class race, and some obstacle work by Collins.

Hare Scramble races are typically held in wooded rough terrain areas with man made obstacles. Strutz said that the races the Yreka group has competed in this season had loops ranging from four miles to forty-four miles. There is a fixed amount of time allotted for the race, anywhere from an hour and a half to two and a half hours. Although a slightly simplified explanation, whoever completes the most loops in the allotted time is the winner.

To begin the race, the racers are lined up across the starting line, much like a motocross race, but it is a dead engine start, often with a twist. One such twist is a Le Mans style start, where the racers have to run to their bikes, start them, and begin racing.

Strutz began racing in high school and became serious (all for fun, remember) about it around 2005. Before last weekend’s race, he was ranked 3rd in the nation in his class. The win may move him up to second or even first place.

The groups next national level race is at Prairie City, near Sacramento, in November.

Jeff Strutz with his 1st place award from Big Sky, and a 2nd place award from another Hare Scramble race.