Well my racing career with no serious accidents is now officially over. I now have my first broken bone-2 actually. But as mx’ers know it’s not a matter of if but a matter of when. August has not been the best for me. It all started heading down hill at the Tri- County Motorcycle Club. It was the first time I had ever been to the track. I thought the track was awesome. I went out
on my 65 with the national level riders and overalled at 4^th. I was pumped. I headed out for practice on the 50. I was going through the whoops at full speed when some adult numbskull jumps out in front of me waving his arms like a banshee. I didn’t know why… I could clearly see the rider down more than 2 tabletops and a straightaway ahead of me off the side of the track and the flagger waving the flag! I had 2 options. Hit the guy in front of me or go around him. I chose the latter. Unfortunately, there was also my friend right next to me in the whoops. I hit him and crashed hard. He stayed up but then ran over me. Omg did that hurt. My arm was killing me. I thought it was broken. My mom and dad came running and the guy that caused the wreck ignored me lying in the middle of the track. Thank goodness my parents were right there. Dad got me off the track and some friends got my bike. The practice ended and even though my arm hurt badly. I wanted to finish. But I didn’t do well because of it. I finished the moto 6^th. They had a 1-½ hour intermission as I went back to the track and put ice on my arm. The longer I sat there the madder I got. First, at the dummy that caused my crash and then at myself for not finishing better. I didn’t care if my arm hurt or not. I was going to go out there and kick 50 butt! Mom and Dad made sure I was ok before I went back out. And I did just that… I kicked butt. I came in 1^st on the 50 2^nd moto with 2^nd place finishing 2 straight-aways behind me. When my family met me back at our pit (my mom was crying she was so proud). Everyone was proud of me. I was proud of myself.  Family and friends and other racers couldn’t believe the way I turned things around. I overalled 3^rd for the class but it felt so much more awesome that some of my 1^st finishes. I was pumped and full of confidence. I couldn’t wait till the next weekend to race and my arm was ok too! Well Galesburg Motorcycle club was next. I had never been there before but the track looked awesome and I was stoked. I finished the 1^st 65 moto at 5^th in the hunt with the national level guys like Chase Sexton. Then I headed out for the 50 moto. I was jumping jumps no other 50 riders would. I was coming over one jump and new that the landing was not going to be pretty. I knew I couldn’t pull it out and that it was for sure going to leave a mark! The bike kicked sideways over the jump, high-sided and threw me over the bars. OMG, I hit hard!  Thank goodness mom and dad were right there. A lot of people came running to help me. This time I new my arm was broken. I hit in the exact same place as the last week. We headed to the ER. I never cried about my arm. I was more upset about not clinching the district title than my arm. Well despite crossed fingers my arm was broken in not one but two places. They gave me some pain meds and put me in a sling and told me to see me own Dr. within the next 2 days.  I went back to the track to watch the rest of the races till we went home. My arm really didn’t hurt as bad as I thought a broken arm would. I am not giving up that easy. As soon as the Dr. releases me I will be on the track!!!  

I want to thank everyone who was there for me and my family during all this and for your continued support. And I thank God for keeping me safe... it could have been worse. At the track the day I broke my arm there were several rides that kept the ER busy. There were other broken arms, shoulders, collar bones and I want a special prayer said for the guy who broke his back and was sent to Peoria. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jasn 

 The Georgetown Fair race was awesome! It was my first night race and my first fair race. It had been raining all afternoon and evening. The track was slick....esp. the starting area. But I got both 50 cc moto holeshots and both 65cc holeshots.... I even beat a 65 Senior rider to the first corner. What a totally cool night!

 Wow, this summer has been a blast!  Racing has been awesome! I have raced every weekend but one since April. The weekend I did not race was spent spectating at RedBud! Mom and Dad said if I continue working hard and doing well I can race there at the amateur nationals next year.
I have started riding with Carter Gordon to practice and he is teaching me alot. He is also a great friend to hang out with and is a cool guy. A lot of people at the track have complimented me on my riding. They tell me I  am doing great and am really improving. That is a real confidence booster. But to me.... I am just having a great time. I love MX.
We took a short trip to HolidayWorld and I conquered the Voyage! Dad says I am now officially an adrenaline junkie. I rode that roller coaster over and over. Next year... Cedar Point here we come.
I am getting ready to ride in a fair race for the first time ever this week. that should be cool,,, racing in front of a grandstand of people.Whhoooohooo!
I am looking forward to going back to school in 2 weeks. I love school. But I am going to miss having extra time to ride.

 May 24, 2009

Unexpected Pleasures

By: James Pinckard

Photography By: James Pinckard

CASEY, IL

What do former NBA star Rikk Smits and National Arenacross Champion Jeff Gibson do on Memorial Day? They do the same as almost a thousand other riders: They go to Lincoln Trail Motorsports in Casey, Illinois, to take part in a longtime tradition. In fact, in Illinois, on this holiday, riders think of two races: the Springfield Mile and Motocross at LTM! The crew at LTM give the riders several choices of events. On Saturday, they host a grass-track race; on Sunday, they host a motocross and a hare scrambles; and on Monday, there's more of the same. This is a true Illinois tradition in District 17 motocross.

Sometimes the best racing of the day comes in unexpected places. On this day, it came from the 50 Senior, 250 A and Over 25 classes.

In the 50 Senior class, the battle was among Cobra rider Larry Smith, Cobra rider Jason Gepford (50, right) and KTM rider Devin Simonson. During their motos, you could've thrown the proverbial blanket over all three, they were so close. In the first moto, Smith stole the holeshot and took the moto win, with Simonson finishing second and Gepford third. In the second moto, Smith again came out swinging, taking the lead, the moto win, and the well-deserved overall victory. Behind Smith, Gepford got tough and took second for the moto and overall. Simonson finished third and third overall.

Gepford later tried his hand in the 65 class and finished eighth overall.

At first, the 250 A class didn't look right for some reason. The reason was that longtime Kawasaki rider Shawn Clark is now riding a Yamaha. It was strange to see the number 56 on the blue bike, but there was no question as to how the bikes worked for him and how he's riding them. Going up against Honda rider Jeff Gibson - who just happens to be the current National Arenacross Champion - Clark motored that Yamaha to both moto wins, leaving Gibson second in both motos and overall. The person with the best seat in the house for the race of champions was Yamaha rider Dalton Foerster who got third in both motos and overall.

Everyone knows the age classes - such as the Over 25, Over 30 or Over 45 classes - are for old people who can't compete in other classes... kind of like a "retirement class," right? Wrong! The Over 25 contest was one of the greatest races of the day, and the fastest! In the first moto, Kawasaki rider Jeff Gibson (yes, that same Jeff Gibson) was out front, with Kawasaki rider Scott Metz second and Honda rider Denny Dooley third. In the second moto, Gibson shoved his way to the front for the moto win and overall victory. Dooley finished second and second overall. Honda rider Ryan Tracy finished third, but Tracy was fourth overall and Metz took the last podium spot in third overall.

 June 7, 2009 - Sunday 

Southfork Dirtriders, Taylorville, Illinois The track started out really wet from early rain but ended up dry and dusty by the end of the race day. The weather ended up perfect. I ran great on my 50 despite some brake problems. I was flying. I had 2 solid motos and stayed on Larry's tail all the way... I am gonna get him passed! I feel like I need to practice more on my 65- corners, corners, corners. Form is looking and feeling better. 2nd overall on 50 7th overall on 65

 May 31, 2009 - Sunday 

Southfork Dirtriders, Taylorville, Illinois The track conditions were perfect today. The weather was HOT! Hottest so far this year- for racing. I was stoked to race today. Both bikes were hooking up with the track good. I beat Larry on the 50 moto one and Noah on the 65 moto one. I had a 2nd place overall on the 50 and 3rd place overall on the 65. Worst part of the day was when I tweaked my knee in the 65 practice.

 May 25, 2009 - Monday 

LTM Whoooooo Hooooooo!!!!! What a day! It poured rain all day! Muddy!!!!!!! Dad said I couldn't run the 50 because he didn't want me to blow up the engine or burn the clutch! Only 2 or 3 riders went out and only 1 finished. One of them blew up the bike. Alot of people didn't even race due to the mud and they were giving out rainchecks. There were at least 8 riders in the 65 class that didn't even attempt to race. But I felt like I needed to experience riding in the mud. When I go to regionals or nationals  you have to race in whatever conditions are there. I did it! And I placed 3rd on my 65. Whooooo Hoooo! Thanks Mom for picking me up out of the mud!!!! I love you!

 May 24, 2009 - Sunday 

LTM Track conditions were perfect with huge ruts! It was hot today! I placed 2nd in the 50cc Sr class and 8th in the 65 Jr class. I was so excited about racing today. Both bikes were running great-Thanks Dad! Both were hooking up good and I had the throttle on! Mom and Dad says I improved on every area I felt I needed to work on after the last two races. I took a couple of really hard crashes on my 65. The worst one was going over the bars through the whoops. I was glad Mom was right there to help me get going again. But I still finished 8th.

May 17, 2009 - Sunday 

Southfork Track conditions were perfect! The weather was perfect- not to hot & not to cold. I placed 2nd in the 50cc Sr class and 5th in the 65cc Jr class. I was riding my 50 like never before! I was flying round that track! Then- I got stuck in a deep rut.GRRRRRRR! But still took second. On the other hand,  wasn't doing as well on the 65. Mom and Dad say I need to have more confidence. I can, I can I can!

 May 10, 2009 - Sunday 

LTM The track conditions were perfect! I placed 3rd in the 50cc Sr and 7th in the 65cc Jr. I was so stoked about racing today on my 50. But I need to be practicing more on my 65. Both bikes were fast and hookin' up good. Thanks Mom and Dad for all you do to help me! I think I need to be pulling a taller gear on my 50- Dad is going to fix it. Gotta work on the corners and standing up more.