Hey Tharden, I didn't read anything about what gear you are starting in. Are you at least starting in 2nd? 3rd may even work depending on your gearing and the traction factor. Not to many 250s can beat a 500 beyond 4th gear,,, at that point you should be walking away. That is why the KX500 is King of the Desert. I raced a tight and short course last week and got spanked,,, not where the 500 shines. They had a 200' hole shot, and only one half mile place to hit 5th, rarely out of 3rd. I do well on the 500 on long 4th-5th gear races,,long hill climbs, and long WOT stretches and you are passing even 450 4strokes.