Barrie, ON 1/2 mile

  On August 25, 2007, the CMA held their Barrie ½ mile flat track national. This was their first race since #8 Chris Miller was killed in a crash. This was my first race on a ½ mile track. We got to the track around 1:30pm, got a parking spot and went to sign in. I had to race in the 450 Novice class, because they don’t have a 250 Novice class anymore. I don’t have a 450 yet so I had to ride my Yz250f. Not a big deal I guess, just I won’t have as much power as they will. We got the bike unloaded and I got all my riding gear out. Then it started to rain, really hard. I thought they might cancel the race. The front straight away was soaked, but after getting the grader out on the track they were ready to start practice. My class was second to go out, the first were the 250 Int/Exp. I have never been to a ½ mile before, so I went up to watch as I was putting my helmet and stuff on. It was amazing, they were so fast! Now it was my turn to go out. They gave us 4 laps. It was so much fun. When I came off I couldn’t stop smiling. Now was the heat race. I was 2^nd to the inside and I got a great start! I was the first one off the line. But it didn’t take the 450’s very long to catch up and pass me. I was coming out of turn two, when the rider in front of me slid out. I was too close to him to try and miss him, so I went over the back of his bike. I almost made it out ok, but then I crashed. My left hand got pinched in between the handlebar and the clutch. I got back up and pushed my bike off to the side of the track, got it re-started and finished the last 2 laps of the race. Finishing in second to last place. But luckily I still made it to the main. I came off the track and my fingers were throbbing. I took my left glove off and my finger was bleeding, it was nasty. I made sure I could still pull the clutch in, I could, but it hurt pretty bad. But I wasn’t ganna let that stop me. In the main I was 3^rd to the inside and got a great start. I was in 5^th when two other riders behind me went down. So they stopped the race and made sure they were ok. Now was the single file re-start. I was placed in 5^th. Got a great start and kept 5^th place to the finish. That was sweet! I loved it and cant wait for my next ½ mile race.

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