The power difference between the two bikes is a lot, but I think my new mods and slight difference in rider skill make it pretty fair game. We got there Friday afternoon, just to camp and setup. The next day we were keen to ride. However not even after the first lap the brand new YZ had conked out — fowled plug. The mix was obviously too lean, but apparently it was what the service manual says. New plug and she was good to go. After some more riding, we found the wind to be a huge factor.

I have had zero experience with wind so I was a bit apprehensive about jumping the jumps. On the previous trip I was clearing all the jumps except for two – the largest table top and what I call the ‘skyshot’, since all you can see off the face is the sky. The wind was annoying so we stuck to the trails. The trails near the entrance were a lot of fun – nice and sandy soil near the start which was fun to rip on. We periodically went back to the track but the wind was very strong. Only a few good riders were going fast.

The wind was so strong it was starting to destroy our camp area. It had collapsed one area of our shade area, and then later blew away out Yamaha shade tent. Luckily for us some people secured it, as we pulled up. We had everything trying to keep everything stable but it seems like it was gonna give way – but it held. After messing around a lot we decided to hit more trails. Nearing the end of the day, and heading back to camp, the YZ again fowled another plug. Except the shop had no more plugs so cleaning was in order. I went on a few trails by myself which were fun, but I wanted to jump more the ride the trails.

Th next day we awoke pretty early. By the time the track opened we had everything packed away so we could load the bikes and go, if it turned out to be crap. It was still very windy, but today I was willing to take more chances. I headed to the smaller SX track, where the jumps weren’t as exposed to the wind. I could clear the two tabletops on the last straight. So I headed to the MX track and chased Sam from about 1/4 lap down. I felt pretty good, squeezing hard with my legs to control my bike in the air. Everything seemed to be working well. I had passed Sam but he was closely following. On the second tabletop, of the only double tabletop section, I took a tumble. The wind had blown me sideways, or perhaps I came of the face sideways too – probably a combination of both and I landed on a wicked angle.

Mid-air I was thinking “Stick the leg out” but quickly decided against that. The bike pretty much landed, hit the dirt, and I slid on top of it for a while. I ended up sitting on the front wheel. I remember sliding along, with the bike sliding as well causing the front wheel to spin, which was grinding away at my back. I got up pretty much straight away to turn off my bike which was revving out. The glorious 2 stroke took a good 3 seconds shut down, even with me holding the kill-switch down. I picked it up and pushed it to the side. I quickly discovered my front brake was broken (no lever). No biggy I thought, a new lever is $15 or something. On a closer inspection I found the master cylinder bracket had snapped off. I went and searched for (and found) my lever to limit the damage to my wallet. $200 for a new master cylinder as you can only get all of the parts in one.

After banging all my controls back, we headed back. Sam would later tell me he had applied his brakes before he hit the ground – that must have been scary. When we got back my thumb was hurting pretty bad. I couldn’t even grip the bars, pull the clutch or move my thumb. Turns out I sprained it which is lucky considering what good of been. I’m definitely purchasing a Leatt brace and chest protector. All in all it was a fun trip. I wish only more people would come and next time for the wind to be gone – it make the trip colder than expected, especially since I brought no jackets!

Fast forward to this week and I was hoping Chad Reed would step up and win, he had to. Lucky for every other ride, James Stewart collided mid air with another rider. It’s funny when people try to pin the blame on others but there is much time to try and correct your flight path on those small supercross doubles or triples especially when there is 4 or 5 other riders right next to you during the start. I think it was just back luck for both riders. The good news for stewart was he aced the LCQ and was in the main.

Again, Ryan Dungey grabs the hole shot and eventual win with Ryan Villopoto trailing him for most of the race. Further back, the likes of Windham, Milsaps, Short, Hill and Tedesco battled it out, Josh Hill eventually grabbing the last spot on the podium. Chad Reed was actually behind Stewart after the gate dropped (didn’t work on his starts, did he?) which must have felt bad but matched his pace nevertheless. Chad Reed was coming up the inside of a 180 bowl turn with Stewart on the outside. 2 other riders had taken it slow (remember, both Reed and Stewart were mid pack) which forced Stewart down, almost into the path of the incoming rider, Reed. If James had a free track nothing probably would have happened but Reed and Stewart collided at a fairly slow pace so both were able to get up however Stewart had fallen onto Reed’s arm so Reed gave Stewart a nudge, after all, he needs points now and laying on the ground ain’t helping. Now Stewart was getting up after Reed went off again but this time wasn’t so quick. He had rested for about a minute before heading back into the race but this time even a top ten finish was bleak.

Reed eventually pulls off the race: as it turns out, he had a program finger/hand. Stewart eventually finished the race in 15th, Reed in 19th. Stewart is now 7th and Chad Reed has had two DNFs in 2 races. Oh, Chad Reed will be out half the season apparently because of his hand. Now everybody says Chad Reed is a sore-loser-cry-baby, and perhaps he is but James Stewart is just as bad; running over to team Monster Kawasaki and pushing over Chad Reeds bike. Apparently Security was called too. Why don’t we just stick to racing huh?

Good news is though, Chad Reed will likely grab his first AMA Motocross Championship title, I don’t think he won any in the 125cc class, especially against Stewart all those years ago. For those people who say Chad only entered because James wasn’t I bet you didn’t know Stewart never signed the contract for a motocross season. The only reason, and a stupid one at that, Kawasaki didn’t give Stewart a moto ride for 2009 was because they preferred Ryan Villopoto since he crashes less often. Looks like their plan didn’t work out, Ryan was out in round 2 I believe.

What I don’t understand is why they didn’t sign both riders, I’m sure they’d be happy with a 1st and 2nd for the series. I also thought it was pretty cool that James has been Kawasaki his whole life, hardly any riders do that the only ones I know of are Travis Pastrana and Ryan Dungey, both Suzuki riders.

Back to the Motocross and I have to say NBC is the worst when it comes to broadcasting Motocross. No joke, half the show was talk about the first moto, when they could have shown it. Also the commentary is boring, I prefer Jeff and Ralph since they know what they’re talking about.

Since I’m a Suzuki/Reed fan, I hope he wins the series and hope he gets the next Supercross season as well.

I’ve also been watching the 2007 Lites Motocross season, it’s also very exciting to see Grant, Villopoto and Lawrence battle.

1. Stewart
2. Reed
3. Villopoto

And this week I didn’t do a video about the SX Lites reason being, I haven’t got the race yet. I might do a double race wrap up next week but don’t count on it! So I don’t even know the results!

Enjoy

Final results for the main:

1. Stewart
2. Reed
3. Villopoto

Well this is the first race of the east coast lites, and i must say, i like the west coast racing better! Mainly because this race was boring or maybe it was the track? I don’t know, we’ll see in the next rounds ahead. And it seems I am abit of a Suzuki fan, going for Nico Izzi, mainly because he is racing for Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki. Anyway, I’m not really a East Coast Lites fan but here’s the overall for the night:

1. Christophe Pourcel
2. Brett Metcalfe
3. Nico Izzi

And if you have a song, suggest it! If a suggested song is suitable I’ll use it and credit them. It turns out YouTube is going to beat down hard on anyone with copyrighted music, luckily my video was spared because I am a partner  I think or maybe Universal Media Group don’t mind it. Lucky I have this site at around 60% completion so all my videos can be posted here, unless I get a cease and desist order, anyway, I am trying to get as much done while I can!