LEMX Race 9/29 – Sat
I love Saturday racing. Kevin Reno of LEMX, along with his great crew, like Jayme always make it a fun and safe racing event. With perfect weather, a freshly groomed track and great people … it all added up to a great race day at Lake Elsinore Motocross Park.
Id met up Mauler at LEMP last Tuesday in the late afternoon. We often meet up during the week for a ride and then get back work. On occasion, my beautiful wife actual tells me … “Please go riding, just go and de-stress yourself.” Ya just gotta love that …
While just goofing around however, I had a miss-hap. It makes for a good story. Mauler saved my butt big time. And albeit that was not his intention, the outcome was very much appreciated. Ya see our bikes made contact on landing a jump. Well, Mike was landing, I was bouncing. Id came up short and earned a harsh case. As mentioned, I bounced, and then swapped hard … right into Mike’s line. Yup, im sideways & screwed!
Mike is trying to avoid contact with me, during my sideways flight path, but hits my swing arm with his rear tire. The force was enough to push my rear end back over. Sweet, … suddenly im traveling fairly straight. I still put my foot down to keep’er on two wheels, but this was much better than taking a full digger, sideways. So thanks again Mike, and sorry about almost taking you out … again!
Ya, so my right foot is jacked up. Hey, at least its not broken, my big toes is … but that doesnt count. I should be back riding in a few more weeks. Its very soar, and really ugly. Love the purple, black and red colors! Plus my 120lb dog is an injury magnet, with big feet –
Thats two decent injuries sustained this year. In being that im a numbers man, this highly suggests ive got my crashes all done for the year. Then I should be good-to-go and crash free the remainder of the 2007 Nice!
Not only did we have good battles on the track, but off the track as well, in the form of controversy over race tactics and/or race practices and sportsmanship. I wont take sides in these areas, call me Switzerland. Now keep in mind, I didn’t see most of it, and im only the messenger.
The race was very exciting as Pedro Benito #68, Jerrick Thacker 726 and Cesar Gonzalez #966 made some strategic racing moves. Pedro took the hole shot in both motos. But was soon hunted down by Christian Harsma #823, whom took over and walked away for the win.
It appeared that Jerrick was using race tactics to help out his team mate Cesar. Pedro had a problem and fell back, letting Cesar and Jerrick by. But as Pedro was pulling time on Cesar, Jerrick was between the two and brought some action to the corners. Sudden line changes, in corners, speed decrease, a stuff even … along with the tell-tale sign “as the helmet turns” gave a clear notice that this was a team move being played out. Everything I saw was clean, and no dangerous moves made. This did play into Pedro’s results, but Pedro kept the battle alive, and rose to the occasion.
Moto two produced another hole shot for Pedro. All was looking very good out front as Christian got around him. The gap was growing between Pedro and “team Cesar”. But a stall on lap two for Pedro played havoc on his plan, dropping him back to six place. But even at that, he re-passed Jerrick and Cesar for 3rd, behind Johnathon Tedder #1 who finished in 2nd place and had a good day. With a 5th in moto one Tedder was 2nd over all on the day. Tedder is getting faster each weekend. I predict Tedder to be do well in the quickly approaching winter series races.
With the stuffs, blowing out corners, and checks … this was some real racing going down, and I want to stress again … It all looked very clean. If the racing was to get dirty or dangerous, Kevin of LEMX would not tolerate such.
This did create a little heat off the track, but no problems. Id bet that Pedro will be brushing up his race strategies and “options”. I spoke to Pedro after all was said and done, and found his thoughts to be, had Cesar not had Jerricks help … Cesar was getting passed !
Jerrick and Cesar’ coach “the Major” said it was just racing, nothing malicious on Pedro. Just preparing for the real world racing, and by AMA rules. Did I mention im not taking sides …
Jerrick and Cesar are about to run the circuit. I do understand that once on the road, Jerrick and Cesar will need the ability to apply many racing practice and pro “norms” to move up in todays MX sport. It’s a brave new world in the pro racing world. Fitness, strategy and tactics are now required to move up the ranks.
You could feel the thrill as pro Patrick Pennington #37 and novice Brett Hiner were throwing down and hanging it out. They were gracefully running bar to bar and rubbing tires in the corners, and scrubbing only a few feet apart … They briefly traded places, out of the triple threat section, But didn’t hold as Patrick took it back. A bobble by Patrick put Hiner side by side. Patrick carved hard to the inside of a turn and took it back again
The leader in front by one second max, and as both pushed thru lapped traffic, on last lap. Three turns to go, and it was still eithers race to win. Patrick got held up by a lapper, Hiner used this and was on him, again trying to pass, but Patrick protected his line. As they both dived into the last corner, Hiner made up a few feet by taking the outside line and holding his speed. It looked as Hiner was gonna get the gold, but it wasnt to be, Patrick held it pinned, hooked up outta the turn and took the win by less than a bikes length. both bikes engines screaming thru the finish line … wow. That was nice!
I will add my personal thoughts. What do I find acceptable in racing. Well, if theres a checkered flag to greet me, … than rubbing is racing. But that does not include “take outs”, “push offs” or anything the puts a rider in harms way.
But if one can safely use tactics such as protecting lines, taking lines, block pass, checking, inside drops, or the likes to win a race and chooses not to, … just know this - I would and will.
BE TRUE TO YOUR SPORT – COME OUT AND RACE WITH LEMX …
Got travel planed or coming up? Support your fellow rider and check out my prices on my travel booking page and search engine, at www.MxTravelTime.com – Want to own your own travel booking site, contact me. C-ya at the races …
David Ray #220
909.262.4751
250cc Beginner
Jerrick Thacker 726 3 4 7 3
Cesar Gonzalez 966 2 5 7 4
Bodie Trammell 22 4 10 6 6
Nickolas Miller 94 7 DNS 16 7
Pedro Benitez 68 6 3 9 5
Johnathon Tedder 1 5 2 7 2
Christian Harsma 823 1 1 2 1
School Boy 12-16
Tanner Trammell 221 1 1 2 1
Bodie Tramell 22 2 2 4 2
30+ Amateur
Mike Vinzinski 333 1 1 2 1
250cc Pro
Patrcik Pennington 37 1 1 2 1
250cc Novice
Brett Hiner — 1 1 2 1
450cc Beginner
Dean Diaz 201 1 1 2 1
450cc Pro
Casey Johnson 805 1 1 2 1
40+ Amateur
Chuck Haude 128 2 2 4 2
Mike Yellich 8 3 3 6 3
Clint Mathews 39 1 1 2 1
Women
Jeanette Wall 272 1 1 2 1
Alicia Brinkman 330 2 2 4 2
65cc 9-11
Anthony Allen 20 1 1 2 1
65cc Open
Marshal Stewart 140 1 1 2 1
65cc 6-8
Michael Quinn 79 1 1 2 1
85cc Beginner
Clayton Mathews 122 1 1 2 1
