USDR Round 2 February 17th and 18th

This was the second round of the new and exciting US Desert Racing series. It all starts on Saturday when you the course is open for an hour for practice. My dad and I got there around 11:00am to get ready for the practice that starts at 12:00pm. Practice went great, I felt I rode good and I put in some real solid laps, I knew the pace would be a little faster on Sunday but I felt comfortable and confident with the course and my bike setup. I have been dialing in my suspension for a couple weeks now and it was working really well.
Sunday morning we woke up and had breakfast at the house since our race does not start until 11:30am. We got there in time to watch a little of the race before us and to set up our pit. It was time to go to the starting line. I was starting third behind Dylan Murdock and Ryan Kudla, with Quinn Cody starting behind me. We all start with 30second intervals and the race is scored on time. Finally, I took off and felt great. The course was not as rough as I though so this was good. About halfway into the first lap I was in Kudla’s dust. I was pushing hard knowing Quinn is a really fast desert guy. I could not get around Kudla, it was too dusty. On the third lap I was still right behind Kudla with Quinn right behind me. We had all gotten by Dylan Murdock at this point who is having trouble with tendonitis in his elbows. I was worried because I knew Quinn was close enough in time to beat me so I kept pushing harder. Kudla and I came into the pits a few seconds apart. Gas and we were both gone, I couldn’t get by because in about a 5 mile stretch Kudla’s dust was soo bad I couldn’t see the front fender of my own bike. Lucky for me I was pushing him hard enough that we opened up a big gap behind us again. We came down the downhill on the last lap seconds apart. I never could get by him but finished about 2 seconds back, which put me ahead of him on time. I waited and watched Quinn was coming down the hill but he was more then 30 seconds back. I had to wait a couple more minutes to make the win official. Matt Gosnell came down the hill next but it wasn’t soon enough. The promoter came over and told me that I had won. It was the best feeling ever!! I worked really hard the week before at the gym and it paid off. Finally some good luck!!! The final order was Nick Burson 1st, Ryan Kudla 2nd, and Quinn Cody 3rd.
I would just like to thank Dave earl for putting this race on and all of my sponsors. Kawasaki Team Green, Victorville Motorcycle Center, BRP racing products. Scott Goggles, FMF, Axo, and my parents for always supporting me.

My next race is this coming weekend February 24th and 25th. It is the Adelanto Grand Prix and I am hoping to keep the ball rolling and get another good finish for the year.

This past weekend was the second National Hare and Hound located in Red Mountain, CA. This was my second race back on the year, comming off a broken wrist late last year. I went out saturday to get a good line on the bomb run and to get my suspension dialed in. My Dad helped me with my suspension and we got it working pretty good. I had a really good line on the bomb so we left to go home and get the bike ready for sunday. We woke up early Sunday so I could get my bike in the spot I needed. I was in my spot ready to go! The banner was up and near the one minute mark the wind caught it and the banner moved a lot, so I fired my bike and it started first kick. Well the banner didnt drop so I had to shut my bike off. As soon as I shut my bike off the banner dropped, then I got a 3 kick start. I took off and went left, way left out of the dust not even using my line. I got to the end of the bomb and had to make my way back to the trail, by the time I got there I believe I was around 30th. It was a really dusty first loop, so I just stood up and rode smart not wanting to re injure my wrist. I came in the pits 21st overall. Got a good pit with gas, goggles and a quick drink. I was off on the second loop. The beginning wasnt too great, I got caught in some dust and picked some bad lines. Once we got in the technical rocks I started making passes. The second loop was really fun except near the end we had a baja rode. I was a little undergeared and my hands were cramping up. My body felt great but my hands were getting cramped up. I managed to get to the finish passing 5 people on the second loop and finishing 16th overall. All in all it was an ok day, no crashes no mistakes too bad and a decent finish. By the end of the year I want to be top 10 overall every race and hopefully creep up into the top 5. My next race is the USDR in Red Mountain this weekend and then Adelanto Grand Prix. I just want to thank all my sponsors for sticking with me and I am confident that this year is going to be a lot better year.

January 20, 2007 USDR started their off road race series. I just got my cast off two weeks ago from my broken wrist. The cash prize money of 1,000.00 dollars to the winner made me want to give it a try even know I knew I wasn't a 100%. Saturday's practice went good and the course was fun. Sunday morning we had breakfast at Denny's and drove out to the race. Around 11:00 o'clock the pro's were lined up and ready to start. There were eleven of us and they started one rider every 30 sec. I started in the 7th position and was having a blast and making up time on the riders before me. I had moved into 3rd position physically and was probable 1st on time. I could see second place a little ways in front of me. I was coming around a turn just before the last uphill to start lap two when I hit a rock with my front wheel. I rode a front wheelie for what seem like forever when I hit a whoop and went over the bars. Boy did that hurt! Some spectators help me up and got me going. I lost one place and now was in fourth physically. I was hurting but pushed on. I passed back into 3rd and kept pushing. By the fifth lap my body done. I stopped in the pits and couldn't go on. The course was a blast and I look forwards to more of these races and some cash. Thanks to the promoter Dave Earl for a well run race. Next race February 18, at Red Mountain.