Eye of the Storm
All the hype and the noise surrounding The Hurricane Trevor Harrison

Well nearly a month has passed since the last Hurricane Report.  Trevor has been very busy.  He started the second grade on Monday, August 11.  Chester, Trevor’s Labrador Retriever puppy, has spent the month at least doubling in size.  He is going to be a big one.  But enough about those things, let’s get to the racing action…

The month began with the second ABA State Qualifier Race at Wild Horse Creek on Sunday, August 3^rd.  The Hurricane took the gate against five competitors (Cameron Smith, Harrison Latham, Dakota Riggs, Steven Riggs and Andrew Sperano).  Looking to improve on his 3^th Place finish in the first ABA SQR at Noonday back in April, The Hurricane was all business.  He went out to the lead in Heat 1 and never looked back.  The Hurricane was through to the Main Event.  In the Main Event, The Hurricane would line-up with Cameron, Harrison, Andrew, and Steven.  Needing a win to keep his narrow hopes of winning the State Title alive, The Hurricane spun out of the gate into the lead and onto the win.

Tuesday, August 5 would mark the final edition of the Summer ’08 Tuesday night racing series for Cobb County BMX.  With only three 7-Intermediates answering the call, The Hurricane would face his competitors in three consecutive rounds to determine a winner.  Trevor picked up right where he left on Sunday.  The Hurricane sprinted to an early lead in each round; bringing home three more heat wins and The Hurricane’s 13^th ABA Intermediate win (25 wins and Trevor moves to Expert).

Saturday, August 9 would find The Hurricane traveling to the south side of Atlanta for his 3^rd NBL State Qualifier Race at Peachtree City BMX.  The last time Trevor lost a start was the NBL SQR at Sandy Ridge BMX on July 12 (Trevor’s last race before Chester joined Team Hurricane).  The competitor that bested him day, Gavin Campbell, would certainly be in the field at his home track.  The Hurricane brought his game face and his good luck charm (Chester) with him to PTC BMX.  There would be no need for luck on this day as The Hurricane was a dominating force, winning all three heat races.  The Hurricane now has competed in the mandatory 3 NBL SQR’s and 7 of the 8 “locals” to qualify for the NBL State Series (SCR, September 13 at PTC BMX).

Sunday, August 10 would find The Hurricane at Noonday BMX.  Racing Total Points, The Hurricane would have to win three starts on this day.  And win he did.  The Hurricane posted ABA Intermediate win number 14 and began to set his sights on the ABA Georgia State Championship Race on Sunday August 24^th.

Needing one more “local” race to qualify for the NBL State Title, The Hurricane ventured down to Sandy Ridge BMX in McDonough, GA on Saturday, August 16^th.  Following a Heat 1 loss to Gavin in the NBL State Qualifier at Sandy Ridge BMX July 12, The Hurricane has spun to 20 consecutive wins.  On this evening, the weather would present the first challenge as rain delayed the start of the race by nearly 45 minutes and brought about the decision to run a two moto transfer (2 instead of the normal 3).  Once the motos were posted, the next challenge was obvious.  The Hurricane would be on the gate not only with the last challenger to beat him to the finish line (Gavin), but he would also have to best two 8 year-old challengers, Hunter and Kaleb, to keep the streak alive.

With the challenge square in front of him, The Hurricane went to the start hill.  The competitors clipped into their pedals and prepared for the cadence.  The gate dropped and the race was on.  The competitors charged down the hill in unison.  Approaching the first obstacle, a table top, and the four racers were separated by less than a bicycle length.  The Hurricane spun with all his might and seized the lead as the racers entered the first turn.  Trevor would extend his lead down the second straight and go on to win round 1.

The riders came to the gate for the 2^nd and final round of the day, each with their gaze fixed on the perfect racing line into Turn 1.  As the gate dropped, the four competitors snapped their machines into motion.  Just as in the first race, the competitors approached the first obstacle separated by the slimmest of margins.  As The Hurricane pressed the pace, Hunter accepted the challenge and the two riders sprinted to the lead.  Kaleb was not going to let the race get away from him and he charged hard down the inside line and into Turn 1.  The Hurricane had the slimmest of leads as he and Hunter rounded the apex of Turn 1.  Kaleb’s aggressive charge had him speeding into the bottom of the corner.  As Kaleb’s speed carried him around the corner, he drifted up the berm and into Hunter’s racing line, taking over the 2^nd position.  The Hurricane now had the lead and a full head of steam as he spun away down the 2^nd Straight.  On the exit of Turn 2, Hunter overtook Kaleb and set his sights squarely on The Hurricane.  Hunter flew down the 3^rd Straight and had the gap closed to just over a bike length as the riders exited the final turn in a sprint through the rhythm section and across the finish line.  It took everything he had, but The Hurricane was determined not to let the win slip away.  He hung on at the finish line to win by less than a wheel length.

The Hurricane’s next challenge would be the Saturday Pre-Race of the ABA Georgia State Championship weekend.  The weather was overcast and the wind was steady in the 20-25 mph range with gusts of 40mph, but the clouds and breeze kept the temperatures cool and the track was in near perfect racing condition as five riders came to the gate in the 7-Intermediate Class.  It was a group of riders with which The Hurricane is very familiar; Cameron, Harrison, Andrew, and Dakota.  Trevor, Cameron, and Harrison have been battling on the track all season.  Andrew joined the ranks following his move-up at the East Coast Nat’ls and Dakota joined shortly thereafter only to have his season put on hold with a broken foot.  As the gate dropped, The Hurricane spun to an early lead.  Pulling away down the second straight, Trevor would win the round and with it a pass to the Main Event.  Cameron, Harrison, and Andrew would earn the final three spots in the 7-I Main over the next two rounds.  In the Main Event, it would once again be The Hurricane darting to an early lead and holding off a late charge from Cameron to take home the 1^st Place hardware for the day.

The Hurricane came to the track Sunday needing a win in his class and an upset of 7-Expert Kyle ‘Speed Racer’ Kruysman in his Moto in order to go home State Champion.  With a field of seven riders (Cameron Smith, Harrison Latham, Andrew Sperano, Ian Connelly, Steve Riggs, and Dakota Riggs), The Hurricane had little time to worry about Speed Racer’s fate.  Trevor would take care of business in his first heat, cruising into the Main Event with Cameron finishing in the 2 spot, punching his ticket, as well.  The Main Event would see six riders come to the gate; each one wanting to go home with the big blue 1^st Place Georgia State Championship Race trophy.  The gate dropped and Cameron snapped to the lead.  The Hurricane charged into 2^nd, while Andrew Sperano (did I mention this kid is 4 years old?) rocketed his way into the 3 spot.  As they crossed the roller at the bottom of the start hill, The Hurricane began to close the gap.  Over the table top and The Hurricane had overtaken his challenger for the lead.  The race was now The Hurricane’s to lose.  And that was not about to happen.  Trevor navigated the remainder of the course without incident and claimed victory.

In the end, Kyle ‘Speed Racer’ Kruysman would win his motos and with it, the coveted GA #1 plate (his third straight).  Congratulations to Kyle on his championship and best of luck at next weekend’s NBL Grand Nationals.  Kyle currently sits as NBL National #1 7-year old (there is no same in The Hurricane finishing his first GA State Series campaign #2 to this guy).  Also, congratulations to all of The Hurricane’s competitors.  Cameron, together you and Trevor are making each other faster every day.  Harrison, you have found some major speed over the last two months.  Andrew, four years old and battling with 7 year olds; your State Championship is well deserved.  Ian, welcome to the Intermediate Class; you made the Main in your first race, congratulations.  Steven, way to battle all day long.  And Dakota, way to battle back from the broken foot; I know you will only get faster as the healing completes.  The Hurricane hopes to see you all back on the track soon.

Team Hurricane will take off Labor Day weekend.  The Hurricane will next spin in Kettering, OH at Dayton BMX in the US Open/REDLINE Cup Finals-East, September 5-7.  I hope to see you there.

GH