Just got back from CA late last night. Rode both Glen Helen and Hangtown. I got 15th over all at Glen Helen and 17th over all at Hangtown. I heard there were 39 ams entered at Glen Helen-they actually pulled the 80's out of the class to make their own class and there had to be like 10-12 of them in addition to the other 39 amateurs.
Glen Helen turned out to be windy and rainy on Sat for our races, which suited the 5 women I know that came down from WA!!! A nice 40 MPH gust of wind hit the first am moto just as the gate dropped! And BTW, I am convinced the women have a faster reaction time on the gate, because we were all in a huge line coming into the fisrt turn(both motos)! All in all, a very impressive showing of women in the 80, amateur, and pro classes.
Hangtown was waaaaaaaay too hot for any of the riders not accustomed to those teperatures. I was told it was at least 100 degrees the day the ams raced, 102 degrees during the women pro's first moto and 102-103 for their second moto on Sun. Heat was a factor for most of the racers in every class. The track was unlike a naitonal track-with many many jumps, mostly doubles. My opinion was that it seemed like a supercross track outdoors. Rumor has it that most of the pros (the men pros!) were also very unhappy with the track over all. Guess we will wait to hear in the MX publications.
There were only 25 amateurs that day and fewer women entries over all. But still a good showing, and you should have seen how many spectators (and other racers as well!) were excited to see the women's pro class! Stephanie Laire (sp?) from Germany was VERY impressive!! I believe she was 1 min 4 sec in front of 2nd place in the second moto. That is like half the track!!!
A great showing of women in the west coast Nationals so far!
I will see you at Washougal, hopefully with a little better finish-gotta love the home-field advantage......