WORCS:
Phoenix, Arizona
October 1, 2006
Race Day:
I know I usually write a big story, but since this has been such a busy week it's going to be a little shorter. It's always great to have such a big race come to Arizona. The only problem with this is the fact I've been wide open all week (which really wasn't a bad thing). I showed up to the race a little early since Cooper had his 50 race right before mine. I watched for a little while and then it was time to get ready and get to the gate. I found a good spot on the gate and was ready to go. When the gate dropped I had a pretty good jump and kept it pinned to the first corner. I was second behind Jimmy Albertson and just missed out on the extra $200 bonus from True Flow. I was still really happy to get such a great start. Not to far into the first lap, Jimmy lost his front end and now I was in the lead. The race was on the dusty side so this meant I could set my own pace and those guys had to fight behind me. I was riding this race like it was a National H&H. I wasn't riding that aggressive and didn't want to burn myself out since it was right around 100 degrees and really hot. On the second or third lap, I saw Bobby Garrison right behind me and I was kind of surprised with how hard he was pushing it. This was a course that was pretty rough and rocky and you just can't let it hang out or it's going to bite you. Well, Bobby got by me and made a good pass, which was fine. I pretty much stayed within 10 seconds of him for the next two laps and then he hit the ground really hard. I stopped and yelled to make sure he was ok, but there were a lot of spectators running over to help him out. Now I was back in the lead, but I knew Nathan was right behind us the whole time waiting for a mistake. Now Nathan and I started to put a gap on the rest of the field and it looked like it might be a two-way battle. Right at the hour mark I came up on three lappers into the Endurocross section. This was a pretty tough part of the course, but I was riding it clean for most of the day. Unfortunately, now I had three guys I was trying to pass. When I went over the first log I was good and then one of the lappers messed up and came over on me and I went down. Now Nathan was fighting his way through us trying to take the lead. I was able to get back on the bike and get going on the next one, but this time I messed up and hit the lapper. I spent a good extra 30 seconds in this section and lost the lead. We made the pit stop and I had Jonny straighten my front end after the crash (or crashes). I took off and was able to make up some time on Nathan and get within 15 seconds of him. For the next few laps everything was going great, and then I saw Kurt Caselli coming (about 25 second behind us). I really started to pick it up and I think Nathan knew this and did the same thing. We started to gap our self again and made it a two-way battle. With two laps to go, I was pretty tired but all the spectators were still cheering me on like they had been all day. I wasn't about to give up and gave it everything I had (without taking any chances). I made up a little time and was 8 seconds behind on the last lap. With about two miles to go I was really close on one of the rocky sections, but it started to get dusty just afterwards. I wasn't going to let it hang out and hurt myself so I backed it down, and decided I'd be happy with second. It was really a great finish for me since I know I wasn't 100% in shape yet. I know I have the speed and the bike worked awesome. Now I just need to get back to the gym and win one of these here soon.
Results Overall (official): Top 15
1st Nathan Woods
2nd Destry Abbott
3rd Kurt Caselli
4th Lance Smail
5th Robby Bell
6th Nick Brozovich (1st semi-pro)
7th Jamie Lanza
8th Jimmy Albertson
9th Derek Costella
10th Eric Rhoten
11th Bobby Garrison
12th Brad Goolsby
13th Josh Morros
14th Justin Buckelew
15th Davis Kamo
One of the riders we really would've liked to see at the races was Brenden Ritzman. He was injured really bad Wednesday and is still in the hospital (here in Phoenix). He came down from Washington a little early to do a little testing at the mx track. On Wednesday night, he slid out going over a jump and a rider behind him hit him really hard. He had internal injuries and they airvacked him out. For the first day it wasn't looking really good, but he's young and in great shape which worked to his advantage. He's been getting a little better every day, but is still listed in critical condition. I know he's going to be in ICU for another five days. Please keep your thoughts and prayers with Brenden. Cards can be sent to John C. Lincoln Hospital c/o Brenden Ritzman; 250 E. Dunlap Ave. Phoenix, Az. 85020; (602) 943-2381 or send an e-mail to Brenden at worcs475@msn.com. I know he would love to hear from everyone.
Since my last race I've been pretty busy. I went to the Rocky Mountain 400 ride for Thor and had an awesome time. The next week it was off to the Kawasaki dealer show and they had the new KLX450 on display. That bike is super cool and I plan on racing it sometime next year.
It was great to see so new fast mx riders giving the WORCS race a try. This was more like a real offroad race then some of the other WORCS races, but I have a lot more respect for these guys staying out there and finishing. Some of the fast guys were Justin Buckelew, Jimmy Albertson, Derek Costella, and a few others.
Some of the top guys were still missing this weekend. I was told Ryan Hughes might be out the rest of the year along with Mike Kiedrowski. Ty Davis and Russ Pearson should be back here real soon racing again.
Cooper had a great time in his race and finished 6th in his class. This was his last ride on his 50, since Kawasaki helped me out with a new KX65 for him. He's really excited to try it out. I think we'll be going riding this week.
Last month The Clark family (Ryan and Cassie), the Buckelew's (Justin and Daniel) and the wife and I went to the Tim and Faith concert. I'm not a huge country fan, but it was still a great time. It actually got a little scary when Justin and Ryan were singing to each other though. Every time Faith got up there they seemed to know all the words and kept looking at each other (pretty scary).
The guys in the WORCS series really did a great job. It was really hot and tough to work with the track, but I know these guys were doing their best. They put on a course that was tough and spectator friendly. Great Job!!
I want to thank all the people that showed up and supported me. I had a lot of family and friends that were there to cheer me on. Jonny also put in a lot of work this week trying to get everything ready. It's great to have friends like I have.
One company that helped me out this weekend was True Flow. They had a set-up at the races and make some great products. I just put a system in my truck and it's been a big help. Thanks for those guys showing up to support us.
I let a friend James Zomerdyke (from Thor) ride one of my bikes in Sunday's morning race. In the first turn he took a big digger when someone cut him off. We fixed the bike and he still went back out there and raced. It was great to see him show up to an offroad race again.
My next race is going to be a huge one. It's the last H&H race and it's going to be for the title. It's come down to Russ and I and I know it's going to be a great battle.
2006 Sponsors: Kawasaki Team Green, Thor, Dunlop, Pro Circuit, Scott Goggles, SIDI, HoyFox.com, Motion Pro, Pro Clean 1000, BRP, Works Connection, Shoei, CTI2, Red Baron, Maxima, Acerbis, Wiseco, Steahly, Trick Fuel, DP Pads, RK/Excel, Renthal, Bent, Hinson, American Racing Wheels, IMS, Jonre Multimedia, Twisten Wrenches, Cyto Sport, N-Style, GPR Stabilizers, Zip-Ty, Tire-Balls, Team Hawgracing.com, and ZLT.