Ward Creek MX - Rymond, WA
Sunday August 29, 2010
Welcome to Ward Creek MX. For those of you who have never been to Ward Creek, there's a big hill right when you enter the park. I mean, this think is about 50 feet tall and near vertical! Yea, we get to jump down it!
I attended a race to watch my cousin ride at Ward Creek about 5 years ago. From what I remember there is a big hill in the middle that you get to ride up and down to your hearts content. Okay, you actually only go up and back down four times each lap, but that's still a lot of hills!
This week I decided to do two classes rather than just one. With it just being a single day I figured I might as well go all out and get in as much riding as I can.
There aren't a lot of jumps at Ward Creek, except a big over the hill triple that nobody in the beginner class does. Mostly just small table tops that aren't very difficult at all.
Practice was good and I was jumping all the small jumps. I didn't really hang it out much but spent my laps getting used to the flow.
250 D - Moto 1
I got an unusually good start in the first 250 D moto. I was second to the number 24 Honda who has won his share of motos already this year. I wanted to try to cling to him and see how my speed matched up. Following him was good for me because I forced myself to push through the turns and hit the hills a little faster. By the third lap of five I stopped hearing the revving of engines behind me as we entered and exited corners. Wanting to push forward rather than look backward, I kept my eye on the leader.
I was never more than 100 feet behind him and was keeping a steady pace. Unfortunately, on the last lap the third and fourth place riders would put on a hard charge. I was trying not to think about the two coming up from behind, but steadily heard their engines louder and louder. I would get passed by one of the riders and come across the finish line in third place.
Overall, it was a solid ride and really good for my confidence. I realized I can ride with the leaders, and just need to keep putting in laps and getting stronger.
Open D - Moto 1
The open beginner class was run at the same time as the open junior class and I would soon realize how much faster the junior riders are. Out of the gate alone, myself and the 24 Honda would start in the back of the pack even with decent starts.
After getting plastered with dirt and rocks, I latched onto my fellow beginner rider and pushed myself to keep up with him again. We battled a little bit until I passed him on the third lap. This was a big feat for me, since it was the first time this series that I put in a significant amount of time in front of one of the front-runners in my class.
The little boost of confidence would not go far enough though as I would be overtaken on the final lap about half way through. Our last lap battle was awesome as we held the throttle wide open up the hills, close enough to reach out and touch each other. He would end up taking the insides and I was left with little room to maneuver. One final charge up the final hill and I came within feet of overtaking my rival.
Even though I ended up with the short straw this time, I knew I could do battle with these guys. I would eventually find out that we were jockeying for third and fourth, and I came out with the latter.
250 D - Moto 2
We lined up for the next moto less than 30 minutes after the previous. Those of us that had ridden the open class were all drinking water and cooling off while waiting for our turn to ride again. I once again lined up a few gates inside the dog house (right in the middle of the start gate, where the guy that drops the gate gets to hide). When the gate dropped I dumped the clutch and pinned the throttle.
Can you say...HOLESHOT!!!!!
I came into the first turn and to my surprise, I was all alone! I was so excited I lost concentration and almost fell in some loose dirt in the second turn, but was able to keep it on two wheels and tried my best to check out. I was giving it everything I got. And I was actually leading! The first time ever that I have had a lead for a good amount of time.
As I came up the hill I saw hands reach over the fence and clap, telling me to hammer down and go for the win! It was such a great feeling. I would power up the hill to cheering fans and they would motivate me to give the throttle that little extra twist.
I saw people waving their arms and my dad twirling his hat as I rounded the corner before the big downhill. I was so excited and giving it everything I had.
I held onto a slim lead until half way through the third lap when I was passed by an unfamiliar bike. While I expected my rival 24, it was rather the 212 Honda that made his way past. I did my best to stay right with him in hopes to put on a last lap charge and regain the position.
I would have no such luck and finish the race second. Even though I didn't win, I was ecstatic! Everyone was congratulating me and I was so happy. It is cool to just think about the fact that I was actually leading a race!
As my luck would have it, this would finally be the day. With 212 pulling out 4-1 moto scores and me a 3-2, I was able to pull out second place overall! My first trophy!
Open D - Moto 2
With 11 motos between my second place finish and the start of the final open class moto, I had some time to rest up. I came to the line hoping to have another solid ride and see where I could end up on the day.
A lack-luster start put me once again in the back of the field of beginner and junior riders. I began putting in laps in third position in the beginner class, next to last overall. This moto would prove to be the least exciting of the day with me pulling out a narrow third place in the beginner class.
The day as a whole was great! I got my very first holeshot and lead for three and a half laps! I came away with a second place trophy and some well earned series points. I was beat by the end of the day and will be feeling it for a few more. With a weekend off I will have plenty of time to recuperate and get ready for rounds 6 and 7.
Thanks to Dad, Mom, Macauley, Markie, Nana, Papa, Cory and Candice for the support down at the track. It's so much fun to come off the track to some excited fans, and you guys were great. Thanks to my sponsors Two Wheelers racing, MTW Design, O'neal, Factory Backing, Steel MX, Torc1Racing, ODI, and everyone reading this for the support in making this a fun and successful weekend.
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