FTR race #4

"Old as Dirt"

Race report

Practice

5am we set off for the short 2hr trip up to the new track in Okeechobee.

When we got there the place was packed, everyone had turned out to race at this event...awsome.

Getting ready.....

I went out and did my practice lap on a perfect sunny, 70 degree morning, the course was fresh with no dust and really well marked out trails.

I ran a pretty quick practice lap, not my usual slow and careful pace. probably due to the openness of the track and good marking by the organizers SADRA.

All smiles on the start line....

The Race

I got to the line to find about 30 bikes had already taken up the best positions,

I lined up my bike way on the inside and decided I would just hug the inside line to the first corner and run the others wide if I needed to.

As the horn blew for my start I was one of the first riders to leave the line, as I got to the first turn I locked up both wheels and slid past the corner post into first place.

Photo sequence:       Dirty South MX         Thanks Jason!

I don't get many hole-shots so I try to make the most of them, I pinned the CR250 towards the next corner where I promptly lost the front end on the loose damp grass.

As I scrambled to get back up 28 riders went sailing by..

I remounted at the back of the pack and spent the next lap getting past them all again , which was actually really good fun.

I went past the first check point in 2nd place with the first place rider 10 seconds in front of me.

I followed him for a while and then made my move in a tight wood section as he chose a poor line. I pushed on and completed the next 2 laps in 1st place where I finished.

Luckily for me my only problem was in the last 2-3 miles of the last lap when I hit a tree and ripped my pinkie finger all the way round, It hurt, but the thought of winning my class overcome the pain.

Done...1st place a dislocated finger, and the best race of the year so far!

Results

Once again a big thank you to the organizers who put in a ton of work for an outstanding weekend of racing.

Thank you to the land-owner for the superb land we were blessed to ride on, and the medics that looked after us all.

Dave