Race 7

June 19, 2011

 

Well, the day started out looking bad, but we didn't get any additional rain except for a short drizzle that lasted about five minutes. The track was a little muddy in the beginning, but dried out nicely! In fact by the end of the first set of motos you could see a little dust on the tops of the jumps.

 

It was another good Father's Day Weekend with several folks participating in the Special "Lap of Honor" for the Father's and Sons/Daughters. I will be posting the pictures in the next couple of weeks.

 

If you haven't seen this little guy go, you should watch the 50cc 7-8 race bike class for Shawn Miller, he never lets off the throttle. He goes faster on his trail bike then most kids do on their race bike. If he ever gets a race bike and a little bit of control, he will be unstoppable. He is, without a doubt, one the most fearless riders I have ever watched. He reminds me of Danny "Magoo" Chandler, or Steve Thompson; both of them rode with the philosophy that you never know how fast you can go unless you wreck once in awhile. All of them, Shawn included, ride(rode) on the ragged edge of control.

 

I think, if it's possible, that Billy Burton is even smoother this year then last. He just keeps getting better. One thing that helped him this year is his association with "FCR Racing Suspension". They set up his suspension and according to Billy, it is the best ride and handling of any bike he has ever owned. He and his Dad (Jamie) can't say enough good about FCR. They are also one of Fly MX Park's favorite sponsors. FCR also takes care of Guy and Cody Longwell's suspension as well. If you haven't checked them out, make sure you stop at their Professional, fully equipped, work truck. They come to several of our races each year. They are usually parked just behind the announcer's tower, in the pit area. FCR's crew are always ready to serve and can make adjustments/repairs while you wait, right at the track.

 

If you missed Nicole Hays wreck in the first turn, it was pretty ugly. She went down and got ran over by Vince Boggs. In his defense, it was unavoidable. I don't know how Nicole walked away. In fact, she got up and rode the rest of the moto after Dean, her Dad, straightened her handlebars a  bit. Jeanne (the track photographer) caught several pictures in sequence that I will be posting in the next week or two. I talked to Dean today after he saw the pictures and we both agreed that Nicole is one tough rider. She not only had knobby tire tracks all the way up her arm from getting run over, but she was riding with two broken toes from her last race.

 

I think I met one of the most enthusiastic riders ever. I am talking about Richard "Superman" Carpenter. He is just getting back into riding after several years lay off and he is really having a good time at the track. It is so neat to have people like this at the track, their excitement for racing is infectious. Richard seems to have a perpetual smile on his face. He won the 30+ class today and really looked good out there. His skill has not eroded, he was on of the smoothest riders on the track today (with the exception of Billy Burton). I hope he keeps coming back.

 

The battle of the Quad Amateurs continues with Wiatt Blake taking the win today. The three class leaders are so close in skill level that only 6 points separate Travis Blake, Michael Bragg, and Wiatt Blake after 7 races. This class consistently is the most fun to watch of all of our classes. In the first moto, Wiatt was so close for most of the race to his brother that he looked like a second coat of paint.

 

It was good to see Cole Smith at the track today. He is usually busy racing the qualifier circuit. But, every once in awhile, he checks back in at Fly MX Park and puts on a riding clinic. He raced (and won) the Mini-Senior and the Super-Mini classes. His speed off the line is phenomenal, he was at least 2 to 3 bike lengths ahead of the next closest rider by the end of the start line straight.

 

Don't forget, our next race is a quick turn around. It is this coming Sunday, June 26th. Hope to see you at the race!! If you would like to be mentioned in the race story, make sure to stop at the tower and let me know.

 

I will be working on a couple of pages of pictures next, it should take a week or two.