Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 82 Location: Denver, CO
Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:22 pm Post subject: Race Recap 3-22-09- Watkins!!
Well, this was probably the WORST race experience I've had so far. I'm sitting here on this fine Monday morning, BARELY able to use my right hand and I can barely walk with my right leg/foot. But even with the injuries I've recieved, it was still an awesome weekend and some awesome racing went down. Here's the recap
SATURDAY- "Supposedly" practice day
Ok, so we got to the track at about 12:30 PM or so, payed for practice, unloaded the bikes, put our gear on, etc etc etc... and waited for my practice to be up. We were right after the superminis. But a couple of the kids crashed (VERY bad) near the end, and their practice was ended early. One of the kids came up short on the 110 ft table and crashed of course, followed by a couple more kids landing on him and running him over before the flagger saw what happened. The paramedics went up there, and everything was all good. He got up after about 20 minutes with a broken arm and a beaten and tattered body. But that was NOTHING compared to what happened to the other kid. There's a doubles section at the track, and this kid SOMEHOW flipped off of his bike. He landed on his head, and his helmet came flying off. It was a pretty bad crash, one of the worst I've seen. He was unconcious (sp?) the whole time there, and the paramedics were there trying to tend to him, but he just wouldn't wake up. Everybody was worried. So about a half hour later, Flight for Life finally showed up with their helicopter and loaded him up on the stretcher (he was still unconcious) and took him out. We still haven't heard any updates on him yet, and we're hoping he didn't break his neck or get seriously damaged (paralyzed). I'm really hoping he's ok, but I have a bad feeling he's not. It's a pretty bad ordeal. So if you can keep him in your thoughts, that would be great.
But after that, we were SUPPOSED to be up, but they decided to cancel OUR practice and let the little kids go; AGAIN. Why, I don't know, but I was PO'd. They made a quite a few changes to the track that I really needed to get used to, but they wouldn't let us go out. I wasn't happy, that's for sure. So me and my uncle went and got our money back (and he didn't even pay since he wasn't racing lol, his bikes not fixed yet) and went back to camp. I still got that 20 bucks worth of riding though; they have a couple smaller tracks and a pretty fun freeride area in the back...odd hips, a few natural doubles, some whoops, and even a cliff jump the pros were hitting. I found a nice, rutted up natural triple that I was hitting for a bit, and then moved on to the rest of the jumps and stuff they had there. It was pretty fun lol. But I needed to get ready for the race on Sunday.
SUNDAY- Morning Practice
My uncle and I got up at about 6 and got mine and his son's bike ready. Then we woke the rest of the family up haha. A few of my cousins have bikes that they brought up to ride while the racing was going on (they're beginners), so they had fun. Actually, on of them broke his hand the day before (Saturday) because he crashed in the field next to all the tracks. Also had quite a bit of road rash and a black eye lol, he was pretty tore up. But ANYWAYS, we got the bikes ready and waited for practice to start at 7. By that time, we found out that I was 4th practice so I had to wait a little bit longer, but whatever. I still practiced and got SOMEWHAT used to the track. It's hard to start doing the new jumps and turns and everything when you've got literally a PACK of slower riders ahead of you lol, but at least I got to know the track.
125 Novice, Qualifier 1
After practice was over, we were the 1st race, and I was in the 2nd qualifier. And yes, I hate qualifiers lol. But I had a crappy start since I started in a gear too high (started to bog down) but I think finished like 25th out of 32 or something, even though I tried my hardest to make it up there...I passed a few people, but not enough, and got passed by a few of the faster people that started near the end of the track. But yep, it was still pretty fun. The track had some good lines and it was pretty easy to pass on. Just didn't finish high enough haha. So I had to go to the LCQ
After that, my uncle FINALLY talked me into signing up for the Open Novice class, so I did. I was always scared since that's usually a way faster class (or I thought it was at least, more details later), but I did. That was later in the day though, so for then I had to focus on the LCQ.
125 Novice LCQ
About 10 or so races later, we were up. I was a little nervous, because the last time I raced here I had to go to the LCQ and finished almost last (it was pretty bad lol) and didn't even qualify and then my day was over. I thought I might be getting the same results, but boy was I wrong (at first anyways).
At the start, I pretty much hammered down that straight away as best as I could...and guess what place I was in after the 1st corner.........2nd!! Just about a holeshot lol. That was by far the best start I've had so far, that, and I'm on a 2 stroke!! lol when was the last time you've seen a smoker have a start like that against a bunch of 4 strokes? haha but I was stoked. I made a few mistakes later on in that lap and got passed by a few people, putting me in 5th, but that was fine. I just wanted to finish in the top 10 to qualify. I still stayed up there with the front of the pack though, and maybe would have won the LCQ if I got the holeshot and didn't make as much mistakes. I was right up there with the leaders that whole time, battling it out. It was a lot of fun, that's for sure.
But then something bad happened. After one of the longer tables, there's a 90 or so ft. table leading right into a corner. The white flag JUST came out too. I made the jump, went to turn, and then my front tire washed out on me, causing me to go down pretty hard. The edge of the handle bar came up into my stomach and broke my chest protector, and then I was done. I tried to get up, but my right leg was jello, and I was hurtin. I fell right back over. I thought my leg was broken at first. The paramedic came over checked me out, and after repeatedly telling him I was fine and wanted to race still (even though I couldn't walk lol) he still wouldn't let me get up to at LEAST finish the race. I was pretty mad, that was the best race I've had going this year, and then this stupid crash messed it all up. By the time I was able to get up, the checkered flag was already out and there was no way I'd qualify for the 125 Main. It sucked for sure, but that was that. I just had to deal with it. The paramedics told his partners and stuff to keep an eye on me and I headed back to camp. Nobody knew what happened since they didn't see me go around that last time and they were freaking out when they got back to camp. But I told them the whole story and they all felt sorry and stuff for me, but whatever lol. I was more mad about not qualifying than I was about hurting my leg and breaking my chest protector. It sucked, and later on my arm started to hurt. I looked at my leg and it was pretty swollen, and I've got road rash going all the way up. No fun, that's for sure lol. But I was still able to race the Open Novice class, so that cheered me up a bit. But the 125 class was my main class, ya know? lol...
Open Novice, Moto 1
Ok, so I didn't expect to do NEARLY as good as I did lol, but whatever. I tried to start on the other side of the gate, but that didn't work. I got pushed WAY to the outside, and almost off the track. But I rode my hardest, and thought I was almost dead last but ended up in 25th out of 33 I think. My leg was KILLING me, but I tried my hardest to ignore it. It hurt like a mother though, that's for sure haha. It was a pretty fun race though, and the Open Novice class wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was. I'd say the 125 class is more competitive I think haha. It was fun though, and I had ONE more moto to go for the day, which was in about 4 or 5 hours lol. So we had a long time to wait...my little cousin finished up his races, and got a couple medals for doing so good (all the 50 riders got one) and that made his day lol. He wore 'em everywhere and showed them to everybody he saw haha, it was pretty funny. That's pretty big though when you're only 5. I remember we used to get trophy's in the 50 class, but now they get medals since they can't afford the trophy's anymore haha. Only the top 3 get trophys now I think, but at least everybody else gets something. I think it's pretty cool that they do that...but ANYWAYS, it was a pretty fun race in the Open Novice class for me, and I was looking forward to the next moto in a few hours.
Open Novice, Moto 2
Ok, so by the time this race was up, it got REALLY windy and things were miserable. They recorded 45 mph winds, and in Motocross I'm sure you all know how NOT fun that is haha. And I ride like crap in the wind haha, so I thought for sure I was gonna be at a disadvantage with not only the wind, but my leg too. I was still gonna race though
So I lined up at my normal spot on the gate (left side) and had a pretty decent start. Somewhere near mid pack haha, but I got passed by a couple people, and then I passed a couple people, and then finally I got to a guy I had to battle with. It was REALLY windy, and almost impossible to see. He was starting to make me mad lol, he would cut in front of me right before a jump, and then ROLL it. He was pretty hard to pass haha.
On one of the jumps though, something bad happened AGAIN! I didn't crash this time though lol. While in the air, the wind blew me WAAAY over to the side of the table top. I was almost sideways, and landed on the side of the jump, foot first. That hurt like hell, I almost pullled off the track and quit the race. It hurt more than my leg, and still does today. But I had to keep going...it was a miserable race, that's for sure. I think I rode on my left foot the whole time lol
So after following that guy for a couple laps, I FINALLY passed him on the doubles section that he wasn't doing because of the wind. After that, he was right on my tail for the rest of that last lap, but I finished ahead of him. I was happy, and so was my uncle. Him and our other friend that races were right up on the side of the track trying to get my to pass him lol. I was patient though, and finally got him like I said. I finished 20th out of 33, which suprised me. I thought me and that dude were battling for last place, but apparently a lot of people were WAY behind us and most of those people got lapped too, according to my uncle lol. So I was WAY happy, I didn't think I'd do that good (for me anyways) in the Open Novice class. I'm definitely gonna have to find a way to afford the extra 28 bucks to race another class, it was a lot of fun.
So overall, even though I didn't qualify for the main in the 125 Novice, broke my chest protector, and pretty much ruined my right leg and foot, it was a fun day. I'm not gonna lie though, I'm still sore as heck right now lol, but I'd say it's worth it. That, and it's expected to happen in a sport like this, right? haha really fun day though. Here's the results if you didn't catch them earlier:
125 Nov, Qualifier 1- 25th out of 32
125 Nov, LCQ- DNF, which was supposed to be a 5th!
Open Nov, Moto 1- 25th out of 33
Open Nov, Moto 2- 20th out of 33
haha, so that's that! For those that read the whole thing, I appreciate it. Thanks lol. Hope you all have a good Monday!
Davin
Next weekend we're racing at AZTEC in Colorado Springs, a track I've never been too but I'm still looking forward to it. Can't wait! lol... _________________ Davin Phillips
HOLY CRAP! wow thats unreal but so glad youre ok bro! when you mentioned about not wanting to quit even though you were hurting reminded me of a extreamly bad night and just wanting to finish. But not bad finishes considering. _________________ winggirl71 - Kristen
www.whipcityspeedway.com www.racingagainstcancer.com www.dirttoasphalt.com
Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 82 Location: Denver, CO
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 1:29 am Post subject:
haha thanks Kristen. It was fun, that's for sure. I'm even suprised at how I finished, especially in the Open Novice. I'm so sore right now though...lol. I'm glad nothings broken though.
I gotta go pick up a new chest protector tomorrow, and then I'm gonna start looking for a better pair of boots. I don't think my foot would be hurting so bad right now if I had some better boots lol. Any motocrossers have any reccomendations? I'm thinking of going with the Gaerne SG-10. _________________ Davin Phillips
Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 105 Location: Clear Lake, MN
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:19 am Post subject:
YZ_RIDER_18 wrote:
haha thanks Kristen. It was fun, that's for sure. I'm even suprised at how I finished, especially in the Open Novice. I'm so sore right now though...lol. I'm glad nothings broken though.
I gotta go pick up a new chest protector tomorrow, and then I'm gonna start looking for a better pair of boots. I don't think my foot would be hurting so bad right now if I had some better boots lol. Any motocrossers have any reccomendations? I'm thinking of going with the Gaerne SG-10.
I wouldn't spend that much money! I have a pair of Tech 7's, $289 (GF bought them for me lol) and I love em, most comfortable boots I've ever warn and a good amount cheaper than SG 10s! _________________ Here's to SR getting back on it's feet, eh?
Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 82 Location: Denver, CO
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 2:48 pm Post subject:
moto53 wrote:
I wouldn't spend that much money! I have a pair of Tech 7's, $289 (GF bought them for me lol) and I love em, most comfortable boots I've ever warn and a good amount cheaper than SG 10s!
haha yeah, I'm still looking around a bit. I'm gonna go to the dealers and try some of the stuff on; see what I like the best. I'm still leaning towards the SG-10s though...haha _________________ Davin Phillips
Joined: 23 Mar 2009 Posts: 101 Location: North Carolina
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 5:21 pm Post subject:
Dang, what a w/e, just another reason I like to have 4 wheels on the ground, glad you are ok though. _________________ www.starvingracers.forumsland.com
If you don't want to stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them!
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Glad your ok though.