RESLECTIONS ON MY FINAL POINTS RACE-CHAMPIONSHIP D...
OK, here is probably my last write up of the year, MAYBE...
(short version of course...sort of)
When we got to the track (me and Matt) there was at least 30 quads there. Which is really good for our track and turnout. Not many bikes since there was a Missouri State race (I assume) but we didn't care really. It was nice not having TONS of ruts around corners and jumps ripped up. Since they always moan about us, the shoes on the other foot!!! We get unloaded and sign in about 30 minutes before practice. After getting changed, I took a quick spin thru the pits to get the motor warm and make sure the air screw is good to go. Been having a few issues with the cooler air...
We were the first practice on the MUDDY track. I take off first and just spin. After 2 laps, we finally had a one line path made to be able to hit jumps. But the problem was the water standing after them. So I couldn't even check out the suspension to tune it. Overall though, it felt like any other day.
In moto 1, I get one of the better starts all year. I sat back a bit to get a jump on the gate, when it started to drop, I drop the clutch and rip out! As soon as I get to it, it's down. Everyone else was still sitting as I pulled away. Coming to the Hole Shot corner, nobody was inside which gave me a perfect line though the corner. I slip the clutch out of 2nd gear and hit 3rd for a short drag to the first jump. The top 4 were right on my butt the whole race. But since it was still pretty much a one line track, all I had to do was hold the bottom and ride smart. I never got caught and pulled off the win.
Moto 2 was a bit of a strange one! When the gate started to drop, I done the same as I did for moto 1. BUT, when I get to the gate, it wasn't down all the way. 3 or 4 of us take off and never look back. HOWEVER, I had such a BIG jump, nobody was closer then 2 quad lengths. I roll out of the throttle and look around thinking the drop would be called back for a "re-start". It never happened. SO, by the time I notice this, I got caught before the Hole Shot. I still came out 2nd though which was great! The leader was NOT in the running for points OR the overall. I knew as long as I held 2nd I would take the overall as well as the title. I stayed with the leader for 3 out of 6 laps when I noticed that both of us had a pretty large lead over the field. i didn't want to chance anything so I back out of the throttle a little and play it safe. Turns out, Zack, the 2nd place kid in points, broke a nerf bar AGAIN! So he was out of the overall and the points race. I didn't want this at all. All year long we both have had trouble getting a race between me and him without something going wrong. It was really depressing to be honest, he's a great kid and an AWESOME rider. I take it how it falls though, but it was hard to get over joyed without having someone to race with. i STILL ENJOYED THE OVERALL WIN!!!
But this year for me has been hard fought! Flat tires, bent wheels, broken shocks, flips, a miss in the motor that turned out to be a BAD kill switch... Financial trouble after the shocks broke and barely making a few races. It was TOUGH!!! but we done it...
NONE of this would have been possible it it wasn't for several people...
First off, my wife. She stood by me through the hard times when stuff broke or didn't go as planned and would tell me "Get 'em next time. Ya rode hard, it just wasn't your day to shine" THANKS!!! ...even though you are a pain in my arse :D
DAD - for being at nearly every race there was this year. A few flat track and a few SX events that fell thru the week is all he missed. He helped with money for new parts, gear, goggles... Anything I needed to keep the season alive.
Jason at TNT for staying with me even though I now ride a Yamaha. Your quick to get me parts, advice on what to buy, what not to buy, and good humor make having a sponsor like TNT a blast...
Matt for getting me to and from the track, even though I done it for you long enough when we first started LMAO The stops at Subway, Mc Donalds, BK... or where ever we wanted to eat at. It was fun flirtin with the chicks down Main in Keo-suck to HEHEHE
SPY for making such a comfortable goggle, Dragon Fire Racing, ASV for some awesome levers that withstand me rolling over... nuff said there, Twin Air for keeping my engine alive with fresh air, ODI grips, CIA stands for them late nights redoing a front end and carrier bearings, and most of all...
[b]THE FANS[/b] Without all of you that wait for these reports, pictures, standing on the fence yelling and screaming to go faster and harder, just being there in general when nothing goes right, and when everything falls into place like it has the past few races... If you do not do this sport for the love of it, the joy of seeing a little kids face when you tell them you won, talking to them, letting them know you know they are there and showing them that YOU are also their fan... The grins and expressions make everything worth while...
More then anything, I have to say thanks to Bob at Middle Creek for keeping us going all year. With the exception of a few bad spills, it was a really safe year!!! Lets do something about some mud next year in that one certain corner... What do ya say HAHAHA....
I will have pics up after the last race on the 18th. Until then, it's time for me to get to work on the last win of the season...
THANKS!!!!