RACE REPORT

Got my girlfriend riding a motorcycle for the first time! little CR 85. Ended up buying it from the Ellis's. It was pretty cool. I stopped and talked to Destry when he was riding his 500 around and she kept riding in a circle because she didnt really know how to stop yet and Destry and his Mechanic were yelling "pull in the clutch! now hit the brake!" and then all cheered when she got it. got a free pro clinic!!!

went to the bomb about 15 minutes before it closed on sat and just rode out and found a bitchen single track all the way down that looked like everyone was going for so just got my bike out there at 5:30 in the morning to save the spot.

banner dropped and I got to it first, leaning way back off the rear fender side by side with Jared Buoy all the way down until Destry crossed in front of us, slowed a bit but luckily kept my line and was about 7th to the top of the hill.

it was cool, Jake Argubright, Zack Dodson, Trevor Watson and I were all side by side cresting over the top. Jake was gone and Zack and I went back and forth a bit. Then Trevor got by me and I rode in his dust for a few miles then got him back and chased Zack down. came really close to passing him a few times but could never make it happen and always ended up back in his dust.

Came in to the Pits battling with Justin Imhof in 10th O/A, forgot to get water because I saw Zack leaving as I came in and headed out on the second loop. Justin got by me and I could see Zack about 30 seconds ahead of me going down the huge down hill with all the spectators. At the bottom looked up the hill and no one was coming. hit the cross grain stuff and Zack was gone. looked back and someone was catching me fast! it was Jake.

Jake caught me in no time and needed to pass Zack for the N1x, as I let him by i yelled "ZACK IS RIGHT THERE!!!" then just followed for the rest of the looop. Came into the pits about 2 minutes behind Zack, dramk a lot of water and then headed out again.

The beginning of the 3rd loop was awesome! my kind of riding. weaving through the bushes tapped out. I loved it, then we started hitting some cross grain stuff and someone else was catching me fast. It was a honda "crap its Andy!" the course started looking more and more familiar glanced back again and it was Hengeveld. Then I realized "This is Checkers Saturday course!" I knew what was coming at every turn so I was able to push it a little more. Henge was hounding me so I let him by up on the ridge.

Just tried to ride smart the rest of the loop. I was sitting in 12th O/A which is awesome for me. The last few virgin sections were pretty tough this late in the day but it was great practice. Came into the finish cutting Zacks lead on me down to a minute. If only I was closer on the start of the loop (and not riding like a grandma on the 3rd loop!) but thats racing and I'm happy with 12th O/A it was my first National top 20 finish and I'm super stoked!!!

IN CONCLUSION:
100s did a great job!!! it was cool that everything was so close to camp. Especially the start.

the first loop was pretty gnarly but fun. the second loop was great fun to. No where near as gnarly as Steve was building it up to be, but it was still a challenge.

The third loop, well I've got to say Checkers did a great job on it... sorry I loved it but I thought it was a bit un-imaginative to just make 90% of it a race we did earlier this year. the sections going to and from it were great though.

Everyone marking the course did a great job, Ryan sanders did a great job, all the loop captains made a great challenging course. it was definately one of the better put together nationals I've ever done, and I was stoked to hear everyone cheering in the spectator sections.

Thanks to my dad for everything. Thanks to my girlfriend for pitting and riding and all that. Thanks to T.O. Yam, Oneal, Dirtdigits, Dirttricks, Maxima, Bullet Proof Designs, IMS, FMF, SDG, BRP and all the rest!