After injurying my elbow; I had to take several months off from racing.  Actual I had to take 5 months off.  During this time, I decided to focus on other opportunities.  I decided try out for my school wrestling team and that had just really been a lot of fun for me.  Wrestling requires such commitment, determination and hard work; I really like the physical challenge.  I have also joined an AAU wrestling team and look forward to that starting soon.  Right now I am focusing on maintaining my weight and physical health.

Taking a break from Racing and Wrestling for my School and AAU Team!

I hurt my elbow a couple of months ago and have been off my bike since.  The orthopaedic doctor said that I cannot get back on my bike until my elbow is completely healed because if I fall on it, I will damage it more and then it may require surgery to heal.  Don't want that!

I don't know when I'll get back on my bike.  I got  a new mountain bike and have been riding it trying to stay in shape.  I hope to start racing again toward the end of summer.

I ran a JMX series race Saturday Night at Cathy's Creek in Forrest City, NC.  It had been 6 weeks since I had been on my bike.  In addition to that, I got contacts friday; so no more glasses!  I was really pumped.  I finished with 2nd and 3rd place finishes!  I should have gotten contacts a year ago!  I didn't realize how much those glasses were hindering my sight!  Anyway, The race was great and I cannot wait to get back on the track again.  I'm going to be at Top Gun this weekend!  Wish me luck.

Nathan #536

My knee is doing well.  I'm clear to race as long as I wear my brace.  I haven't been on my bike in a couple of weeks and can't wait to get on it again.  I'll be back at it in two weeks.  Wish me luck!

Nathan #536

During Practice at Rolling Hills on July 1, I cased a triple and flipped over my handle bars landing on and injurying my knee.  My mom made me sit with ice on my knee until my first moto, which hurt terribly.  I took the hole shot (which was awesome!), but I was unable to race, just ride finishing 13th.  There was a long time span between my first and second classes; so I sat with my knee elevated with ice on it and took some ibuprofen for the swelling.  My parents told me that whether or not I went back out was up to me.  So, when the second moto came around - I was gone!  My knee hurt sooo bad.  I again just rode around finishing 13th.  My parents then decided that I was done.  I didn't get to race my second motos, so I finished with 2 dns.  This dropped me in the points considerably!   My parents took me to the doctor and they did some x-rays and said I had a severe contusion (really really bad bruise) and gave a brace to wear.  He said as soon as I was pain free (7 to 10 days) I could race again with my brace one.  20 days later, my knee still hurts to walk on.  I went to the beach with my family and was ok, my knee didn't really bother me until I tried to take the stairs because the elevator was TOOO SLOW!  My mom is taking me Wednesday morning for an MRI.  I missed the Pro Sport MX race this past weekend, which I'm sure really effected my points, not sure how bad yet though.  Hopefully we'll know more after the MRI.

I raced my very first Arena Cross race this weekend November 24th & 25th in Asheville, NC at the WNC Ag Center.  It was awesome!  Friday the 24th, I finished 6th. Saturday was a little different because I had to race my way into the big show - I did it, qualifying 3rd and finishing 7th.  It was so much fun!  My parents are going to take me to Tennesse in two weeks the arena cross races there.    Wish me Luck!!!

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Today I raced my very first ATV MX race at Parker Valley MX in North Carolina.  I raced in the Youth ATV 11-15 Senior class because my ATV had too many mods for the Youth ATV 8-11 Junior class.  I came in second!  I was so excited!  The kid that won was really good and he was 14 or 15.  They were shocked to find out that I was 10!  What a blast!  I am pumped and really excited about running more ATV MX in the future.  The kids invited me to run the Indoor Arenacross starting November 25, in Asheville, NC and I think I might! 

My experience in Sparta Kentucky was great. I learned a lot. We got to the race track friday afternoon in time to walk the track. It took us about an hour. The track was PERFECT! It had everything that I love. I was really anticipating this race because the track looked so good and it was my 10th birthday. I couldn`t think of anything I`d rather do on my birthday than race! On race day, we got to the track at about 6:45am. We like to get there early so that we are not rushed. After the drivers meeting I don`t like to talk, I like to get into a zone. When the race started I was ready. The flag dropped and I wasn`t gong to let anything or anyone in front of me. I fought my way to the front to take the hole shot, rooted the driver beside me out of the way and took off. I had a good 30 foot lead entering the woods. Unfortunately, another equipment failure ended my day. My chain fell off. My dad ran and helped me get it back on. I continued to race, however, the chain fell off 3 more times.
Realizing that my quad was not going to maneuver through the course in the woods, I was forced to be towed back to our trailer. My race was over with a DNF. I am extremely serious about my racing career, all I want to do is race. So far, I haven`t been able to display the talent that I know I have. Hopefully, my dad and I will be able to figure out why my quad continues to loose chains, and get it fixed so that I can race. After our last race, we replaced the sproket and ensured that everything was cool before my race. The good thing is that I am learning so much about reading tracks and lines. I will be ready for the Yadkinville GNCC in September!

We were informed today that I have to change classes. Starting today, May 20, 2006 at the John Penton in Millfield Ohio, I will be racing in the 90cc Modified Production Class. I`m really excited about the change. I really don`t care what class I`m in as long as I`m racing, I`m happy!