Rachael Archer reminds me of how a AAA battery runs- non-stop! And even when batteries fade, Rachael has answer for that- you just re-boot and push energy levels even harder.
Such is the force of this almighty female, who left home end of January to compete in GNCC WXC 2020 season, 2nd year racing under Am Pro Yamaha Racing Team based in South Carolina. And true to Rach, within 7 days of landing in different time-zone, Rachael went on to compete in America’s Elite Women National Enduro gaining 2nd step of the podium.
And racing hasn’t stopped with one Championship Round, Rachael has raced every weekend since arriving from home in NZ, testing her performance against seasoned WXC racers along with refining bike set-up with support crew from Am Pro Yamaha.
Never shy on racing track conditions which would put off many riders level of performance, Rachael thrives on the challenge to finish ahead of the competition. With GNCC WXC Opening Round at Big Buck this coming weekend, the tough as Kiwi teenager has all boxes ticked to come out firing racing her 2nd WXC season.
Rachael: ‘Yes GNCC this weekend. I have raced every weekend since I’ve been here- National Enduro in Sumter National Forest was in the sand which was absolutely awesome. I was a bit jet lagged so crashed in a couple of tests which put me in second which was a bummer because I probably could have won!’
‘The following weekend I race the Full Gas Sprint Enduro at GTR complex which is also sand and got super rough. It was great to be able to play with my suspension and sort things out a little. The Women’s Pro class was stacked and I was really stoked to grab a 3rd place behind Tayla Jones and Rebecca Sheets’.
‘Yesterday I raced a local Mid-East cross country event and I entered AA expert in the afternoon race. The track was probably the muddiest race I have ever done in my life and at one point I crashed and could not pick my bike up. I could hardly stand up let alone dead lift 200kilos of mud. I finished 8th in AA.
Finishing 2019 GNCC WXC 4th Overall, Rachael racked up 7 podiums from 13 Rounds including 2x 2nd place results at Snowshoe in Round 8 and at Ironman, WXC Final Round end of October.
Importantly, the learning curves of racing rookie year has put Racheal in excellent stead heading into new WXC 2020 season. Rach not only knows way more than previous 12 months ago but has added experience working with her Team to refine bike settings.
Rachael: ‘Second year with Am Pro, the 2020 FX model is leaps and bounds better, awesome all round bike. This year I’m running Dunlop tires which I’m super stoked about as I love their front tire mx 33- is such a good tire and I run the AT81 on the back which is perfect for just about anywhere. Factory connection valves for my suspension and I’ve based this year’s setting off last year’s with a few minor changes. Everything else is the same as last year’.
‘This year I have Corey and Lucas both sharing the mechanics on my race bike which is good to have 2 opinions. They know what I expect so I’m feeling good going into the season’.
‘I’m the fittest I’ve ever been and probably the most mentally prepared I’ve ever been too, just having the experience makes a huge difference to your mindset’.
‘Big Buck is a fast track in the dry but if it’s gonna be muddy it’s gonna be a shit show for sure and it will get rutted and there will be bogs to Africa! Just need to stay upright and avoid stupid mistakes’.
Guts, nem mind the fear and determination to boot her all the way to top step of podium, 2020 WXC season is surely gonna be a stunner for the young teenager. Not just that, all Rachael represents has to admired by anyone thinking about achieving a goal- even against huge odds. It was just over a year since Archer was sitting A levels at St Peters High School in Cambridge NZ.
Rachael: ‘I’m going to try and race 3 Series this year with the focus being on GNCC and Full Gas Sprint Enduros. I will try to get to most National Enduros but they are all a long way away and I’d like to work on my sprint speed this year so I think the Full Gas Sprint Enduros will be a better Series to tackle in correlation with GNCC!’
GNCC WXC Opening Round Big Buck February 22nd, 23rd. Header Photo Rachael Women National Enduro 2nd.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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