Back to Racing in 2009
Well, 2009 has started and so has the racing. I travelled to Millville, NJ to participate in the North East Offroad Championship event held at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds. The length of this course is limited by the surround city streets. The promoters were able to sqeak out a course just over four miles long. I've never been a fan of racing very fast courses or motocross tracks and this course was definitely open, fast, and has many motocross elements in it. I did have a great time riding this event. I was able to push hard all day and my conditioning seems to be right where it needs to be. I was really riding well and continued to move forward from tenth place on the first lap. I had made it up to sixth place and was closing on fifth when I got impatient trying to pass a lapped rider. I took a line I hadn't taken all day. I ended up hitting a tree in fourth gear and breaking many things on my bike. After recovering for about two minutes, I remounted and figured I'd at least finish this lap. When I reached the scoring area I saw the white flag out and decided to finish the event. I started pushing again and was able to get back up to seventh spot after falling back while on the ground. I was happy to have rode well but wish I could have finished the race without any incidents. So far the damage on the bike is mostly cosmetic although the hydraulic clutch still isn't working correctly. The left side bark buster is bent into the shape of the tree and pushed back against the clutch resevior. The radiator was pushed back into the water pump cover and the overflow bottle was destroyed. Of course the radiator shroud didn't survive either. So much for my graphics. I can't wait for the first round of the VCHSS to arrive. It is a new location and promises to be an event to remember.