I have been very busy in the past two weeks. After the Redline qualifier in Santa Clara I was lucky enough to practice and learn stuff from Bryce Betts (NAG6, NAG9, W3 Cruiser). I really want to be a better rider and I am determined to do things the right way. Even though I hated it, I have been back on my platforms so I can develop my bike handling skills. It is very hard to be fast on clips one day and then much slower on platforms, the next. After Reno I may start racing on them, again. I have been training really hard before 3rd grade started so I will get used to them quickly, I hope.

This past weekend I went to the Borderline Nationals in Canada. It was a great experience even though it didn't turn out as I planned. In my first moto I got a really great gate and another boy, from Canada and I went into the first turn together. I was slightly behind over the jump and had more speed into the corner than he did. He went a little high and I tried to dive under him but hit his wheel and crashed super hard, slamming my knee really bad. I could barely walk and had to sit out the whole day. Sunday I suited up but when I tried to clip in, my knee wouldn't let me so I was out the whole weekend! My friend Bryce was really doing great and had three 2nd's and a 1st for the two days. Next year I plan to go back. The people in Canada are really nice. They'd better watch out though 'cause I'm coming back to win!

Monday I saw my doctor and got X-rays. My mom is taking great care of me and my dad and the guys at Fairfax Cyclery are getting my bike dialed in. If my knee lets me clip in, I'll see you all in Reno on Friday! Happy racing!

This past weekend we went to Santa Clara to race another state qualifier and Redline Cup. The weather was great and the racing was really tough. My friends the Elliot's made it down from Sacramento and Frankie was there, too. Sunday my friend Jake came to race and Frankie's dad gave him a really light new frame in the right size for him. My friends Robbie and Ryan also were there along with the Larson twins and their whole family!  It's cool so many people from Sonoma are coming to race.

Saturday was really tough for me and I got fourth. Dad did a lot of work to my bike. He is still learning about "roll out'  and gearing. We both felt it wasn't right for the track and the wind.

Sunday I got a fourth as well but, it was a much closer race. The gearing is getting better. Dad got tons of advice from other dads who've been doing this a lot longer. He was so appreciative for all the help he got from the dads and from Steve from Bandit Racing who had all the parts we needed and gave us great discounts so dad was really happy.

I'm training for Reno, now. See you all at the track!

After Saturday with two long hard races in super duper heat it was tough to go to Dixon. The whole family went to sleep at 12:30am after the Oak Creek races. We were up and ready, although pretty tired Sunday morning. When we got to the track it was really, really windy. They had just put down a bunch of clay which made some of the obstacles  tough for the really little kids. They had to chop off the top of the double, roll out the first step up after turn one. Tamp down, rake and water the whole thing. We got there at about 11:15. Racing started at 2:15! I was really surprised that a lot of my friends didn't come down to race. I guess everyone had gotten their points, already. In my class I raced total points against two 6 Inters. I won all three motos and it wasn't easy. With the high winds and really steep, tricky obstacles, gravelly loose corners and dust, it was hard to keep momentum going. In the 5 & Under Novice class, they all got to the first jump after turn one at the same time. The wind kicked up and blew four riders back down the jump!

I got to see my friend Cooper Miller. He was racing 8 Inter against Li'l Ant from Big Tool. I'm going to have to race him soon. I'm going to be an Expert and 8 before the end of September.

Crazy Ronnie does a really good job. He tries to do things his way and he really praises the kids. There are always extra awards and prizes. As soon as he finds a good blend between his supercross ideas and having a track that lots of different skill levels can race on, Dixon will become popular. I had a blast, got sand blasted and got to talk with Mr. Elliot who was racing and he was very nice and helpful. Next week is Santa Clara, one of my favorite tracks. I'll be ready! See you there!

This weekend there were three State Championship Qualifiers. I've never been to Marysville and that was where the first race was. It was hot but we got there early and it was well organized. They had 50 motos! The track was smooth and fast. It was perfect for the little kids. I'm 7 Intermediate and we don't consider ourselves little anymore! First transfer had me drag racing my best friend Frankie to win by a wheel. There were two racks of 7I's so I never knew who was going to be in the main. But all the Napa kids made it. Robbie, and Jake were there as was Hunter from Lake Tahoe. In the main Frankie got the "hole shot" but I was right with him. Jake was on fire and he was right behind us till the rhythm section. I felt him right over my shoulder so I pedaled harder. Frankie and I flew to the finish but he got me by a wheel for first! Dad said my bike was set up for Roseville so Frankie had more top speed. It didn't matter. We raced hard and had a lot of fun. On to Roseville for the next race. On the way the temperature reached 112 degrees.



Oak Creek had tons of riders. There were like 64 motos! It cooled off a bit but it was still 96 degrees for practice. Two racks of 7 I's again. I was in the first group with Jake and Nicholas. Frankie was in the second with Jackson and Robbie and Bryce from Boomtown. Nicholas beat me for the first transfer, I got the second. In the main it was pretty much everyone I expected but I didn't care. I thought I could win. The gate dropped. Me, Frankie and the Elliot twins took the lead right away. The twins hit the first turn followed by Frankie and me. I was determined to get a trophy so I turned it on. I drove off the jump at turn two fast and deep. I did a hi-lo on Frankie and he slammed on the brakes! In this class you can't do that. Everyone is so fast that if you bobble you get passed. I focussed on the twins. My rhythm section is awesome and dad said I caught up to the the twins by turn three. They do this cool thing using the turn for speed. I thought I'd catch Nicholas but he just was too fast he pulled ahead through the rollers. I got third and I was really happy. I love racing the Elliot's. They are great racers and nice kids. They make me go fast and I am a better racer because of them. Jake came in for fourth. No one wants to win as much as he does. He is going to be unstoppable, soon.



The next day would be Dixon and we didn't get to bed until 12:30 am! This BMX racing is really tough when you are serious about the sport.

Last week my family and I raced Boomtown in Redding. The track was really cool and very fast. I loved it. It is pretty much downhill and you have to get out fast because it is a bit hard to pass. They had great concession stands and a balloon blowing clown and a tattoo booth. Sprockets Bike Shop was there with cool gear and discounts and a no-tax sale. They really ran a great weekend. Saturday night I got the first transfer and I felt really good about my chance to win. Frankie was there from Ukiah and there were enough 7 Inters for two racks. They had something like 53 motos so it was a long time to wait for the main. When the time came I was ready but got a bad gate. Frankie and Hunter from So. Lake Tahoe got great gates. Frankie screamed out and never looked back! I got third but it was just bad timing on my part.



Saturday's Redline Cup qualifier was going to be different. I really thought I could win. I loved the track and the gate and we were starting before it got super hot. In the first moto Hunter got the whole shot with me right behind him. He slid out in the first turn and took me down with him! Frankie got the transfer. I got the second transfer. The main was a big disappointment for me. I guess there was a crash in the moto before mine.  I was closest to the starter booth.  As I got into position  I clearly heard  them say "hold the gate" and I sat down. The cadence had already started and the gate dropped!  I was surprised and angry. I took off in last place, passed two riders before the rhythm section but just couldn't catch Frankie and Hunter.  Skyler Knorr's dad told the officials and Mr. Lovotti who ran the track had a talk with me and apologized for the mix-up.  But I learned  a valuable lesson.  Once the cadence starts you just go as hard as you can. Unless someone is standing in the middle of the track  waving frantically I am going out  as fast  as I can.  All in all it was a really great weekend and I had a lot of fun.  I got two thirds, double and triple points and qualified for the Redline Final. Not too shabby.