FTR race #3
Putnal Ranch, Florida
Race report
Saturday
Two days before the race I got the flu and pretty much decided not to race right up until Saturday morning when I decided I would go and see how I felt Sunday morning.
I loaded up the the truck and headed for central Florida, as the adrenalin started to kick in I actually started feeling better on the short 3hr drive to the track.
We got there just as it was getting dark so I did not do my usual evening walk of the track.
Sunday
I was up early Sunday and got to walk the new "Enduro-cross section" of the track.
Ready for practice...
I set off on my practice lap and felt good, it was real muddy in sections and very fast. Even in practice riders were getting stuck in the deep mud holes.
One part of the course ran through a cattle pen and was likely to be a bottleneck.
I wore my Leatte neck brace for the first time, it felt awkward and will take some getting used to.
The Race
I was feeling nervous just before the start as I know I will always be at the back and the first mile or so of the course was very tight and not that good to pass on.
As the horn blew I got to my bike the same time as all the other riders did, by the time I was in gear and moving 80% or the riders were at the first turn!.
I rode hard and passed about 10 riders before getting stuck in a deep muddy rut, It took all my strength to get the bike out and in doing so I ripped my shoulder,
I rode in first gear for about a mile and then as the pain turned to numbness I put my head down and for 4 laps worked my way up to 2nd place.
The Leader Randy Rash was just 45 seconds in front and if I could have made it a 5 lap race would probably have caught him up.
I wore my new Leatte brace for the first time.
Mark Bordorlon and me before the start.
Setting up the recorder ready to film the race.
A better result than I would have thought possible!
2nd !
I finished the race proud that I did not give up and tried hard to get up to the front.
Two videos of the race are here...