Bswift and myself made it through Saturday night at Ascot Raceway in Doro OK. Bswift survived his first MX race, and I survived after 10 years of not racing.
I was in high spirits driving to the track. The wife even committed that I wasn't in full race mode like years ago. You know what I mean. Race face on as you pass every vehicle on the road, your favorite cd cranked to ear splitting decibels. High spirits prevailed until about a mile from the track when I notice a lot of water setting in a field. Looked great for a swamp buggy race, but not a MX race! Pulling into the park, things didn't look much better. The track was muddy, but more then expected.
After signing up, unloading, and walking the track. MX547 and Bswift show up. Bswift jumps out of the truck with the a big grin and a hand shake. I don't think he knew what he was getting into. Or really cared. He just wanted to have a great time. MX547 looks a little nerves knowing that Bswift and myself will be on the track at the same time.
Practice starts with the quads as expected. But everyone of them played follow the leader. Track conditions didn't look like they would improve much. MX547 hits the first practice session, while Bswift and myself wait for session 3. After only 3 laps of practice. I get back to the pits and find Bswift already there. At first I'm thinking he crashed. A quick look around confirms there are no cedar trees, so I'm assured not to be blamed! :p But find out a new shift leaver was giving him trouble. Its a quick fix, and we are ready for more practice. With the second practice I have my first scare of the night. Complements of a kicker that has developed on a small table top. After some discussion with MX547 we decide to stay in the almost 40 class, even though MX547 warns that many of the over 30 riders are fast.
MX547's first moto is first. In the first turn, he gets hit from the back and goes down. After getting up, he puts in a good ride and pass a few riders. Bswift and Sawblade are still in the hurry up and wait mode, but with good DRN company, time went by much faster.
Finally around 10 PM Bswift and myself find ourselves on the starting line. We both line up towards the outside, not wanting to get caught in any first turn pile up. The gate drops, and I spin the rear wheel like there is no tomorrow. This was my first time starting on concrete, and it sucks! I really don't remember a lot of the race it self. After about two laps I was by myself. The leaders long gone, but at least I was on the track racing!
More good company is had in between motos. Bswift wife calls him on the ole cell phone. She kind of sounded like the teacher on Charlie Brown. Not sure what she may have been upset about. But MX547 and me tried to get my wife to walk over and loudly ask if he still wanted that lap dance in the VIP lounge. But she wouldn't do it!
MX547 gets a much better start in his second moto and rides to a strong finish. Its now almost 12:30 AM as Bswift and myself are back on the starting line. Same drill, outside start, spin the rear wheel, get a poor start again. Much to my surprise there are two bikes laying in the first turn. I gingerly guide myself around the fallen bikes, through the second turn and get passed by a few riders. Again, I don't remember a lot about the second moto. I was doing good until the second lap when I jumped out of a berm and got passed by two riders. I was able to catch one of them on the fast back straight by staying on the gas and braking later. But he would pull back what I gained in the muddy tight sections. The second moto was over before I knew it. With in 30 minutes we had packed up, said our good byes, and hit the road.
A great time was had by all. Even though MX547 kept on apologizing for the worse then expected track conditions. I accomplished my three goals for the night. Have fun, don't get hurt, and don't come in last. I can't wait to come back when the conditions are dryer! :) :cool: :)
I was in high spirits driving to the track. The wife even committed that I wasn't in full race mode like years ago. You know what I mean. Race face on as you pass every vehicle on the road, your favorite cd cranked to ear splitting decibels. High spirits prevailed until about a mile from the track when I notice a lot of water setting in a field. Looked great for a swamp buggy race, but not a MX race! Pulling into the park, things didn't look much better. The track was muddy, but more then expected.
After signing up, unloading, and walking the track. MX547 and Bswift show up. Bswift jumps out of the truck with the a big grin and a hand shake. I don't think he knew what he was getting into. Or really cared. He just wanted to have a great time. MX547 looks a little nerves knowing that Bswift and myself will be on the track at the same time.
Practice starts with the quads as expected. But everyone of them played follow the leader. Track conditions didn't look like they would improve much. MX547 hits the first practice session, while Bswift and myself wait for session 3. After only 3 laps of practice. I get back to the pits and find Bswift already there. At first I'm thinking he crashed. A quick look around confirms there are no cedar trees, so I'm assured not to be blamed! :p But find out a new shift leaver was giving him trouble. Its a quick fix, and we are ready for more practice. With the second practice I have my first scare of the night. Complements of a kicker that has developed on a small table top. After some discussion with MX547 we decide to stay in the almost 40 class, even though MX547 warns that many of the over 30 riders are fast.
MX547's first moto is first. In the first turn, he gets hit from the back and goes down. After getting up, he puts in a good ride and pass a few riders. Bswift and Sawblade are still in the hurry up and wait mode, but with good DRN company, time went by much faster.
Finally around 10 PM Bswift and myself find ourselves on the starting line. We both line up towards the outside, not wanting to get caught in any first turn pile up. The gate drops, and I spin the rear wheel like there is no tomorrow. This was my first time starting on concrete, and it sucks! I really don't remember a lot of the race it self. After about two laps I was by myself. The leaders long gone, but at least I was on the track racing!
More good company is had in between motos. Bswift wife calls him on the ole cell phone. She kind of sounded like the teacher on Charlie Brown. Not sure what she may have been upset about. But MX547 and me tried to get my wife to walk over and loudly ask if he still wanted that lap dance in the VIP lounge. But she wouldn't do it!
MX547 gets a much better start in his second moto and rides to a strong finish. Its now almost 12:30 AM as Bswift and myself are back on the starting line. Same drill, outside start, spin the rear wheel, get a poor start again. Much to my surprise there are two bikes laying in the first turn. I gingerly guide myself around the fallen bikes, through the second turn and get passed by a few riders. Again, I don't remember a lot about the second moto. I was doing good until the second lap when I jumped out of a berm and got passed by two riders. I was able to catch one of them on the fast back straight by staying on the gas and braking later. But he would pull back what I gained in the muddy tight sections. The second moto was over before I knew it. With in 30 minutes we had packed up, said our good byes, and hit the road.
A great time was had by all. Even though MX547 kept on apologizing for the worse then expected track conditions. I accomplished my three goals for the night. Have fun, don't get hurt, and don't come in last. I can't wait to come back when the conditions are dryer! :) :cool: :)
