April 26th 2009

Race 13 race report.

I should have stayed at home....

We set off on the 4hr 280 mile trip to race 13, when we got there around noon on Saturday I could see it was going to dusty.

Later that evening I took a walk around part of the track to see what it was all about.

The facility was a tree farm where they grew trees...then cut them down and sold them leaving behind the stumps.  basically there were short tree stumps everywhere.

Hey they painted it Orange! ...guess what I still hit it.

Who needs a $100,000 motor home?  I like our setup. 

I installed a Filter Skin due to the dust.

My bike felt really fast, I had just installed a new VForce3 Reed Valve System by Moto-Tassinari, it made a BIG difference in the power delivery.

I had also just fitted a new pair of Pro Moto Billet Fastway Stainless T6 footpegs, they are very sharp and wide.... they felt awesome.

Being of sound mind and body I have an in-built fear of stuff that might hurt me, like tree stumps, dust, trees narrower than my handlebars, you get the picture.

Nice

Practice

I went out on my sighting lap and rode the lines I thought I would ride in the race, it was unbelievably dusty, we were sent out in groups of 6.

I came in hating the track, some riders had already hurt themselves on the stumps and even though I could ride round them it would be tricky.

Back from the sighting lap.

The Race

I got to the line late and parked my bike ready for the start, I had the inside line to the first corner and all I needed to do was get the holeshot, 

drag my feet on the ground and make as much dust as possible to keep everybody behind me.

Cody Wishon Photo

I got a lousy start, I miss-kicked my bike and as I pulled away one of the helpers walked in front of me.

I ended up following all the riders and was choking in the dust.

I made it past a few riders and went about my normal "lets go faster than I should" first lap, about 2 miles in I went down in a rut I didn't see.

Another mile later I hit a tree stump and nose wheeled down the track, I saved it but it freaked me out. I went down again an a tight corner and again in some soft sand.

Next on the list of disasters was the tree branch that punctured my arm, ouch that hurt. I pulled off the track.

My anger got the better of me, I ghost rode my bike full throttle into some bushed and stood there cussing the track.

5 minutes later I remounted and cruised around finishing just 2 laps and just wanting to get out of there.

My wife stood by the finish line to get this photo, pretty much sums up my day although the guy with the flag should be using his middle finger..

That's just plain wrong...!

The Daytona Dirt Riders who put on this race did a great job, the organization and helpers where excellent.

I had a bad day, an off day and will work on my riding skills so it wont happen again.

I will be installing a Maxxis SM front tire this week and test it out on Saturday at Thundercross.

I will be out practicing this weekend ready for the last race of the season.

Thanks to Cycle gear for my parts and FMF for my pipe, I use Maxxis tires... and I love em!.