Vurbwes Chilidog
Welcome to the Michelin Vurbmoto 500 East at Lincoln Trail the second Fundurance event to hit this side of the Mississippi for the second straight year… or something like that.
This event is meant to be a FUN race with FUN vibes, tailored toward washed-up dirtbikers like you and me. Will it be competitive? Of course it will, we can’t help ourselves. But for most, it’s about being competitive in 69th place. Being able to brag to your significant other (for literally the next year) that you finished a 500-minute team race is all the credibility you need. Screw cutting the grass or taking out the trash next week, you accomplished something very few others have.
Haven’t signed up yet? That’s okay. We still have spots left. Teams can consist of 1–4 riders, so it’s not too late to load up solo or find a team.
For more, visit www.vurbmoto.com/500e.
Wait… 8 Hours and 20 Minutes?!
We know. You see 8 hours and 20 minutes and immediately think, There’s no freaking way I can ride a dirt bike for that long. Good news: you don’t have to.
Nobody is forcing you to race nonstop for 500 minutes. This is a 1–4 person team race, and how you attack it is completely up to you. Take long breaks. Take short breaks. Swap riders every lap. Ride a couple laps and then sit in a lawn chair eating a PB&J for an hour. We don’t care.
We expect a lap to take the average Joe roughly 20-25 minutes. On a four-person team, you could swap every lap and each rider would be looking at roughly one 22ish-minute ride per hour. Want to ride more? Go for it. Want to ride less? Also fine. Want to see how long you can make your buddy suffer before finally putting your gear back on? That’s between you and your team.
The goal isn’t to ride for 8 hours and 20 minutes straight, unless you’re a solo savage and invite that type of epic punishment. The goal is to keep your team circulating, have a damn good time, and make it to 4:20 PM. 500 minutes sounds crazy, but it’s not like crazy crazy. It’s just fun and crazy at the same time. That’s kind of the point.
The Big Things Right Off the Top
YOU MUST HAVE AN AMA CARD. If you don’t have one, you can purchase a daily or yearly membership on site. Every team member needs one to receive race numbers at registration.
All team members must be present at registration to get your race numbers.
You’ll receive one transponder per team. If you already own one, we can use it; otherwise, you can rent one. You’ll also need one transponder bracket per bike.
Your race number is also your pit number. You pick this when pre-registering for the event. The Goon Riders of America Team (my team) will be in spot #910, in honor of our late racing friend, Chase Borders. We hope to make him proud.
You must pit in your assigned spot so we can locate you if there are any transponder issues.
When entering Pit Lane, it’s FIRST GEAR ONLY. Faster than that? You’ll lose a lap for the first violation and be DQ’d for the second. This is for everyone’s safety. Even if you’re not pitting, the designated race lane is FIRST GEAR ONLY until you reach the end of the pit zone.
DO NOT Cut the Course
We will be monitoring lap times, and if there is a massive deviation in time, we will know… and you will be docked a lap. Don’t lose 20 minutes trying to gain 30 seconds. If you cut the course, you will likely get lost or end up somewhere that is not advisable. Plus, it’s not safe. And, if you get lost, I’m not even sure how we’ll find you. Or how you’ll find us. You’ll basically have to become a Lincoln Trail Urban Legend at that point. Even though Halloween is right around the corner, I’d prefer not to have this story to tell.
So PLEASE stay on course.
The Track
The course includes both motocross tracks, which are the Classic and Bomber, minus a few sections, plus 5+ miles of woods.
Sweepers will be out in yellow safety vests. Wave them down if you have issues. They’ll also be watching for anyone cutting the course which will result in a one-lap penalty.
The course is marked with blue and white arrows. If you see one arrow, stay within 20 feet of it. If arrows are on both sides, stay between them. Also lots of tape/ribbon… just stay within those, too. Then everything is kosher.
The motocross tracks will not be marked. Just stay on the track until the arrows or tape lead you off.
DO NOT GO THROUGH THE BANNERS. You’ll probably end up in a river, pond, mud pit, or very sticky sticker bushes.
Hot Lines
There are some sections with RED ARROWS. These denote a HOT LINE, which is ultimately a little trickier but potentially faster line. They will always lead back to the blue arrows.
If you don’t wish to take the hot line, no problem. Just keep following the blue arrows.
Arrival
Come in with a big smile and a friendly “Howdy, y’all,” and you’re already winning. Set up camp in the parking lot but keep in mind, this is NOT your pit area for race day. More on that below. Get comfortable, make sure the Coors are ice-cold, and warm up your steed.
Pits
Your race number = your pit number. Ideally, get your pit set up Friday after practice. This is your headquarters for race day: gas, food, bikes, stands, friends, grandparents, Twinkies, the works. After signing in, take your tent and any gear you want to leave overnight to your assigned pit and get dialed.
The race starts promptly at 8:00 AM Saturday so be ready.
The Start
NEW START FOR 2026! Instead of starting from the rollers like last year, The 500 East will start directly from pit row and in numerical order. Meaning, when you sign up, if you select pit #304, that is where you will start from. Pits 100 lead the way, then 200s, all the way back to the 900s. We suspect it’ll take 30 seconds per lane to take off. If you’re Jace Owen and the returning championship Vurbmoto team, pitted in spot #909, that means you’ll have a bit of time to make up if you want to win. But you’ve got 500 minutes. Chillllll, bro.
When signing up, you pick the designated pit spot you want. If you want to pit next to your friends, book adjacent spots. This can’t be changed. Your pit spot you book is your race number, and we need to be able to hunt you down in case of any issues.
Strategy
Race strategy is completely up to you and your team. Swap every lap or send one rider out for a few; it’s a loose program, designed to let you choose your level of pain. Take a 20-minute break. Take an hour. Eat lunch. Sit around and question why you signed up for this. Then throw your helmet back on and get after it. There is no requirement that someone from your team be on the track for all 500 minutes. How hard you want to attack this thing is completely up to you.
The rider on the bike must have the transponder.
You can technically use as many bikes as you want, but you’ll only get four sets of numbers.
If you’re swapping between more, that’s your problem to solve.
Prizes
22nd Place
The team or Ironman that finishes 22nd place OVERALL will win a brand new set of Michelin StarCross 6 Tires.
Ironman Winner
The winner of the Ironman class will leave with an amazing prize package from Moose Offroad.
Best Dressed Team
Matching kits? Custom jerseys? Questionable fashion choices? Bring it all. As the judged winner of the Best Dressed Team will win a EVS prize package.
Best Pit Setup
Want to race The 500 East for free? The team or Ironman with the Best Pit Setup, determined by our esteemed judges, will get your race entry back! (Note: Does not include gate fees)
Supermini Winner
The team that wins the Supermini Class not only wins some awesome medals, but they will get a FREE training session with former pro Jace Owen at his VIP Academy Training. (Note: If you already train with Jace and win, it will go to the next in finishing order.)
45th Place
Who said you have to win to win? The team or Ironman that finishes 45th overall will receive a FREE year of Prospect Pro on the Vurbmoto Prospect app.
No one will leave empty handed, though. Last year we debuted The 500 East mugs for some after race festivities. This year, we’re bringing out The 500 East mason jars. That’s right, every racer will receive one post-event and you can fill it up with free tasty beverages while enjoying the post-race band! Did I say free? Yes, yes I did. We will legitimately have 500lbs of Coors Light on deck to celebrate crossing the finish line.
Schedule
Thursday
Registration / Sign-In: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Friday
Registration / Sign-In: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Unhungover Practice
Open to EVERYONE. You don’t have to be racing Saturday.
Bomber Track: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Full 500 East Course: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
The full-course practice includes both MX tracks + 5+ miles of woods. Expect roughly a 20-25 minute lap time for Joes and a bit faster for pros (Jace Owen’s fastest lap last year was low 18). As someone who’s done this straight off the couch, trust me, it’s the perfect level of hard. Take your time, find a fun pace, and swap with your teammate every lap. That’s about a lap per hour.
BRING PLENTY OF FOOD AND DRINKS.
In 2024 at the 500 West, I brought one PB&J and a couple waters. Don’t be like me. Pro tip: Pack energy blocks, a few turkey sandwiches, and a full case of water. Bring gas for your bike. And a handful of air filters to swap if you wanna be somewhat factory.
Friday Night
Rider’s Meeting & Kickoff Party
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
At the track. We plan on having a bonfire and corn hole tournament.
Saturday – Race Day
Rider’s Meeting: 6:45 – 7:00 AM
Registration: 6:00 – 8:00 AM
Race Start: 8:00 AM sharp
Technically, only the rider starting the race needs to be present at the line. Just saying, in case Friday night gets rowdy.
Race: 8:00 AM – 4:20 PM
Checkered Flag: 4:20 PM
Teams with the most laps win their class.
If you cross the line at 4:19, you’re going for another lap.
Afterparty and Awards
Welcome to the Washed-Up Dirtbikers Association Afterparty featuring Absent Ground. Claim your Finisher’s Mason Jar — fill it with Coors Light if you’d like — and revel in your accomplishment. We’ll hang out as long as we want. And hopefully, Jace Owen finds us some wood for a bonfire. So, stay around for your awards and fun.
Overall
Have a great time. Get some gnarly blisters. Soak in the dopamine rush of finishing this bad boy. It’s going to be one hell of a weekend.
We’ve brought the fun, my friends — now it’s your turn for the ’Durance.
