Tommy's first race, Parker Valley, NC 03-27-04

High Lord Gomer

Poked with Sticks
Sep 26, 1999
11,790
34
What a great weekend!

Tommy, Danny, Linus, Mike, his son Jack, and I headed up to Parker Valley Friday evening. We got there around 8:30...time enough to sign up for the races on Saturday, arrange the camp, cook some steaks, and listen to Linus and Danny talk smack to each other about which of them was going to beat the other one on Saturday.

Had a good night's sleep and a leisurely morning. I don't like getting up at 4:30 to drive to a race, stand in line for signup, and rush to make it out for practice. This going the night before is definitely the ticket! Jeremy, Lee, Ivan, Vince, and Paul all showed up in the morning and it was time for practice.

Tommy signed up for 50 Beginner and 50 Sport, Danny did 250D and Unlimited Rookie, and I signed up for +35C/D. I started to sign up for +35A/B, but it isn't going to be a series class, so I did the C/D. It turned out to be a good thing because I still got smoked in the +35C/D class.

I got the stickers for the bikes and helmets Friday (thanks Thump!), so we had them on in time for the race! http://20-20racing.com/Gomer/PV_032704/Helmets_00357.JPG

I raced this track 2 years ago at their first race and wasn't too crazy about it. There are only subtle differences now, but they made ahuge difference. Those, along with riding a 450 instead of a poorly jetted 01 CR250, made it *much* more fun.

Tommy had a great time and only fell once. He finished near the back, but not quite last, in all 4 motos. He still doesn't have the ranking thing down too well because each time he finished he told me, "I think I got first place!" Too cute!

I took a bunch of pictures. Some of my favorites are:

Mr. Cool in staging: http://20-20racing.com/Gomer/PV_032704/Tommy_00360.JPG

Mr. Cool in staging...with 2 fingers on the front brake! http://20-20racing.com/Gomer/PV_032704/Tommy_00359.JPG

Danny and Tommy hanging out before the race: http://20-20racing.com/Gomer/PV_032704/DannyAndTommy.jpg

Danny passing Linus on the outside and Linus looking at him like, "Where did you come from?!?" http://20-20racing.com/Gomer/PV_032704/DannyPassLinus.jpg

Ivan trying to squeeze inside to block pass Vince back. This was one of the 3 great battles of the day. Danny and Linus also had a good one, as did Mike and Paul in the +30A/B class. http://20-20racing.com/Gomer/PV_032704/IvanAndVince.jpg

Lee doing the uphill double-double section: http://20-20racing.com/Gomer/PV_032704/LeeDoubleDouble.jpg

Lee carrying more speed than most of us through the turn in front of our spectator area: http://20-20racing.com/Gomer/PV_032704/LeeTurn.jpg

Vince doing the feet up, smooth line through the same turn: http://20-20racing.com/Gomer/PV_032704/Vince_00419.JPG

All of the ones I got are merely dumped in: http://20-20racing.com/Gomer/PV_032704/

It was a great time at a great track wih great friends! We'll be doing it again at Strawberry Hill near Greenville, SC next weekend, too.
 

BSWIFT

Sponsoring Member
N. Texas SP
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Nov 25, 1999
7,926
43
Awsome, Mike! Great round of pics. I noticed on shot where Tommy was at the gate and he was the only bike NOT lined up in the rut. Good eye Tommy!
 

truespode

Moderator / Wheelie King
Jun 30, 1999
7,980
249
That was a great day.

I think the best parts were these:

3) Danny passing Linus (I was in the same race and saw Linus ahead of Danny out of the corner of my eye then in another corner I saw Danny ahead so I decided to putt around the track and kept looking back watching them battle it out)

2) Linus (His excitement and enjoyment rubbed off on everyone)

3) Tommy (standing at the fence cheering for him was a lot of fun, Tommy did GREAT!)

Ivan
 

nikki

Moto Junkie
Apr 21, 2000
5,802
1
Great photos! Sounds like an awesome weekend! :thumb:
 

wrench

'00 Flappin' Fender [Ret]
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Jun 7, 2000
450
4
WOW!
What a great time it was! :thumb: I can't remember the last time I had more fun with you guy's.

There is a nice imprint in my back from the back panel of the CP. Sunday was a little rough, but i'm OK now.

Hey Gomer ... the Ti subframe held up fine!! :yeehaw:


wrench
 
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