With 3500 rider entrees and being the biggest amateur race in the world the team and I were ready for a race. I was running four classes which were the 85cc 12 thru 13, stock and mod, 85cc open thru 16 and the Supermini 112cc thru 16. The race is over a week long because there are so many classes and riders that they have to run the race over a six day period.
Day 1
Today was all practice no racing. I got into the track really well and felt good. I rode my mod 85cc and supermini but my stock bike hadn’t got here yet. It was meant to fly in but the people at the customs wouldn’t let it fly. So there was a little stress with that but then Kawasaki USA said that they would try and get me a bike. They finally got one for me but it was only an 05 and being a Kawasaki we were down a lot on power.
Day 2
Today I had the 85cc open first race. I got a sweet start and by the second turn was in the lead. I had done about ½ a lap until my clutch messed up and I couldn’t use it. I dropped back to second and then on the next lap went down going into a turn. I got up fast and had only lost 1 position. Due to not being able to use my clutch I couldn’t get back up there again so I sat third.
My next race was the 85cc stock 12-13. I got a pretty good start and was moving fast. I got to third when my suspension broke and I was bouncing around everywhere. I lost a few positions and wasn’t feeling too good. I ended up 5th.
It was not a good day for the mechanic but I got some confidence and I know that I am fast enough to win or do really well.
Day 3
Today I had the 85cc 12-13 mod and then the supermini thru 16.
My first race was on the 85cc. I got a good start and was right up there. I was just going to pass for third when my seat fell off. I had to stand up all the way around and couldn’t go fast so my dad bought me in.
With a bad first moto I was determined to make it up in the next one which was the hardest one yet with all the older boys in it. I got another good start and was right in the hunt. I was in sixth when the two leaders came together which put me in fourth. I then closed down third which was Eli Tomac and passed him on one of the drop offs. I stayed third for the rest of the race which was really good because the two leaders where 16yrs old. Finally I had a bit off luck and with out the bike braking.
Day 4
Now running into the second motos of each class it was getting more and more important to be consistent.
I was back in the open race and with a good start I was right up there. I eventually ended up 3 witch wasn’t bad.
My second race was in the stock class. With a fifth in the first moto I needed a better result. I also finished 3rd in this one which wasn’t bad considering I was only on an 05.
Day 5
With a bad first moto I was just out there for track time in the mod class. I finished 3rd again but with a DNF in the first one I couldn’t get in the main.
The supermini was the hardest class but I was actually doing quiet well in it. I got out the gate good and finished 5th. I went to the line for the main in 3rd because most of the other people had messed it up.
Day 6
The run offs
My first main was the stock. We managed to borrow a bike of off one of the other competitors because mine was really bad. I ended up 10th and with it not being my bike I did ok.
My second main was the open. I didn’t get a great start but was coming through when I went down on one of the cambers. It was too late to come back to a good position.
My final race was the Supermini. I got a reasonable gate but wasn’t going anywhere. Everyone seemed to be the same. I don’t know where I ended up but it wasn’t too good.
None of my engines turned up and my good stock one got stopped in Chicago so all week I was on bad bikes but I know when I get on the same bikes as what some of the others have got it will be different.
In the end the run offs didn’t go so good but I learned allot and will be ready for next year.
Max