Horsepower at the Hotter'N Hell Hundred

  • Published
  • By Capt. Brittany Martin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AFB, Texas --  Conversations about the Wichita Falls Hotter'N Hell Hundred race typically revolve around the riders, the rest stops and the routes; experienced participants and volunteers might even talk about the spaghetti dinner or the charities that benefit from the event. But few mention a key safety measure of the race - the motorcycle escorts.

A team of more than 60 motorcycle riders under the direction of Sheppard Air Force Base's Mr. Lawrence Brown, 363rd Training Squadron, joined the Hotter'N Hell Hundred race as escorts for the bike riders Aug. 27.

From 14-year veterans to first timers and from cruisers to sport bikes, representatives from most of the area's motorcycle organizations as well as riders from the Dallas/Fort Worth area filled the meet-up point at the Community Healthcare Center parking lot by 5:30 a.m.

Regardless of experience or bike of choice, the riders knew they had an important job to do as the team captains assembled their riders and reviewed responsibilities. The motorcycle riders provide an envelope of safety around the bike riders in the 100 mile, 100 kilometer and 25 mile races.

The motorcycles ride ahead of, alongside and behind the racers, blocking key intersections and running interference in small towns along the routes to ensure the safety envelope is maintained at all junctures.

"At times, the racers were taking up the whole width of the road, and we were dealing with oncoming traffic," Brown said.

The escorts are assisted by the towns they ride through. Henrietta was a late addition, but with only two-weeks to prepare, Brown said they did a great job protecting the intersection at FM 1197 and U.S. 82, and even had people along the roads, cheering on the racers.

A six-time HHH escort explained the best part of the long, hot day: the escorts form up at the starting line, and as the racers begin their courses, they will call out thanks to the escorts, recognizing the important role they play in ensuring a safe, successful day of riding along open roads and through numerous towns.

For Brown, the best part of the day was that everyone returned home safely.

"That's the goal out there - to get everyone back safe," Brown commented.

Mr. Brown became involved in the HHH as a chief master sergeant assigned to Sheppard and has headed this effort as the Wichita Falls Gold Wing Motorcycle Chapter Director for the past six years. As part of the HHH steering committee, he says the logistics play a huge role in the race.

"It is really amazing to me all the logistics that go on behind the scenes with Hotter'N Hell to make all this happen," Brown said.

Brown is already looking forward to next year's race, where just like this year, at his command of "Let's load up!," the hum of conversation among 11 escort teams will turn into the roar of engines, and the escorts will once again be ready to ensure a safe Hotter'N Hell Hundred race.