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FIRST RACE REPORT OF MANYThe first race of my long season was at Sandy Oaks Campground near Keithsburg Illinois. It was a cross country event that began with a very wet morning! I have always dreamed of racing in the mud and finally got to do it.
Here is how the day went:
Around 5am I started loading everything up... while it was raining. We left for the track to make the long hour and a half trip to Sandy Oaks. Signed up, unloaded, made sure the fuel tank was full and waited. I geared up and decided I should check the clearance my new FLY boots would get on the shifter and rear brakes. Good thing I did cause I had to raise both of them way up. After double checking everything and final adjustments, it was off to the line to wait again. A riders, B and +35, the C riders all lined up and ready to go.
I got a great start only to have mud flung into my goggles before the holeshot. I make the mistake of trying to wipe it off with wet hands and smeared it. I had a small area to see everyone in front of me, but not on the sides. The YFZ and I managed to still come out around 8th.
Into the woods we went, one rider next to me headed nest to a woodline and fence. I was inside going around a corner, sweep out and pass one more. Side by side we go racing along the woods, somehow I manage to hit the only rut there, cross up and head right for a downed tree. I smack it in 3rd gear pinned, go on 2 wheels and dang near flip it over. I managed to save it and didn't loose much ground. I think everyone was just wanting to see me go over that fast and hard.
But it didn't happen!!!
In the woods there was a hairpin left that several riders got hung up. I find a line around and keep it pinned! While passing lots of riders, I realized that I had a good machine to possibly win with! I had a few friends that I left at the line so I really knew I was fast. They have been racing for many more years then I have. Deeper in the woods, the track was rutted from a bike race before ours, whooped out real bad, and extremly muddy with huge puddles of water in your lines. Having a motocross set-up though I had an advantage over most all racers. The wide stance kept me very stable early in the race.
Several laps in, I had to pull in to the pits to get some mud and sand out of my eyes. I was running hard and didn't want to, but for my safety and other riders safety, I had to. I didn't want to run into someone cause I couldn't see. After getting my face clean, I head back to the track where I came out (RULES!!!) and ran harder then ever to make up the ground I lost. The entire time I was in the pits there were only a few riders that went by, so I knew I was ok and could do it. Little did I know till I went thru the check point, I "WAS" leading. The man checking asked why I wasn't leading anymore and if I had wreecked or got stuck. I was crushed!!! Even though my main goal was to finish, see if my workouts have been paying off, check how good my stamina and energy level was. Everything was better then I had planned.
Never getting winded, wore out, or sore the entire race!
With around 3 laps to go out of the 2 hour event, I chose to run a different line that was marked off. Not knowing it was NOT changed by track crew, Myself along with several other riders had gone the wrong way. We raced each other for several minutes only to see another rider going by a different way. I stopped and held up the other riders and told them what had happened. One of them asked me how I knew. I pointed to a racer going by and he laughed. So we all fired up and took off yet again. This time we followed where the other riders were and got back on track. Getting to the check point, I mention to one of the men what happend. Next lap around it was corrected! However, the next lap was the last lap. We spent so much time running in circles, we lost 3 laps on the short course.
At the finish, I let the man removing our lap list know that I was the one that mentioned to him the track had been changed. I pulled off and talked to him and asked if anyone else had lost laps. Knowing there were at least 4 others for sure, I also mentioned to him about them. He agreed that this was a major issue and will be fixed on the score cards. Without second thought, I head out and finish the lap I was on at the finish line. (Which was half a lap into the course) to make sure there were no stuck, broken, or stranded racers.
I get back to the truck and clean up after a long rest sitting on the VERY DIRTY YFZ. Time to get cleaned up and go check for results...
The man at the check point asked me if I were the one who was talking about loosing laps. He then told me that they have it right, and the best they could to be fair for other racers. I wasn't worried about me so much since I was only doing a shake down for motocross this year and test conditioning. However, others may have been racing for series points and I didn't want them to loose out on what they earned. He also agreed and told me he found out who it was, and corrected their list the same as mine. I was very happy that they went the extra mile to do this. Most tracks won't even take the time to look into it.
I was very impressed with this!
After all was said and done, out of 33 riders, Leading for a while, I finished in one piece and in the 12th spot. Cut off for trophy was 16th or around there. Happy with an awesome finish, we head for home to prepare for the next race. Middle Creek MX in Carthage Illinois on Sunday the 15th. After having such a strong finish after being off over a year, great shape, and having a great running machine, we should finish very well if not win. Competition will be tough and everyone will be hungary for a win. I am looking forward to a great season, SAFE season, and victorious results.
Be sure and check back next Monday to see how the event went. www.middlecreekmx.com
THANKS TO ALL OF MY SPONSORS FOR 2009
SPY, TWIN AIR, ASV INVENTIONS, TAG METALS, RACE TECH, ODI,
AND DRAGONFIRE RACING
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