[ReaperAZ]

So this weekened was another race weekend in the Big Gun Winter Series at PMP here in Tucson. I didn't race the first round, but I did race the second. This weekend was round three. In my first ever race LINK I finished 5th in both motos out of 10 riders. I was very pleased with that result and I had fun.

Yesterday was my second race and I had even more fun this time then the first. In moto 1 I finished 4th and in moto 2 I finished 5th, this time there was 13 riders. Hey at least I'm consistant . In Moto 1 I got a decent start and was 4th into the first corner. I stayed with 3rd place the whole race but I just couldn't make my passes stick. On the final lap I was dead, I could barely hold on to the bars and dropped back from the guy in 3rd. As I went around I could hear a 2 stroke behind me and just started to defend my position. The guy kept getting closer and closer, and in the final corner he tried to make his move by cutting up the inside and pushing me wide. Too bad my little 250 four stroke just had a bit more power coming off that corner then his 125. We launched over the finish jump and gave a quick peek to each other. In moto 2 I got a horrible start and was 8th into the first corner. Within a few corners I had made my way up to 6th and was right on the rear fender of 5th. The two of us batteld for 4 laps, back and forth we went. I had the hardest time trying to stay infront of this guy. When I did finally get infront of him I had to ride really hard. We came to this double and for some reason he singled it, well I jumped right over him. As I passed over I remember looking down and seeing his helmet under my right peg. It was cool as hell. As I landed and got to the next corner he tried to come up on me hard but I brake checked him and he losst all of his steam for the exit of the corner. I had finally passed him and was pushing hard to get the the 4th place rider. I just couldn't catch him and decided that 5th was good enough cause I knew if I pushed any harder I was gonna crash. All in all it was a great race day. Had fun in race 2 with the battle I had with that guy. I saw him in the pits later and we walked up and chatted for a bit. Good guy and he had fun as well.

My next race is this coming weekend and as it sits right now I think I'm in 7th or 8th in the points out of 15 guys. I really wish I raced that first race of the series. I guess I wasn't sure if I was ready to race, but now I know how fun it is. I'm hooked.


Dano

[TGZ13]

Sounds like you are really enjoying the MX racing

[MrX954]

Originally Posted by ReaperAZ

My next race is this coming weekend

Dano

for you this week...only a week to rest up/practice and prepare yourself for the next race thats harsh.

Nice going this past weekend tho

..... wheres my PiMP shirt anyways???

[ReaperAZ]

Originally Posted by MrX954

..... wheres my PiMP shirt anyways???

Hey it's X-mas season...you can wait. PM me your address again so I can get it to you, it's sitting on my dresser at home.


Dano

[MrX954]

Originally Posted by ReaperAZ

Hey it's X-mas season...you can wait. PM me your address again so I can get it to you, it's sitting on my dresser at home.


Dano

Wow and I was just joking around

[ReaperAZ]

Originally Posted by MrX954

Wow and I was just joking around

Been meaning to send it, I have had the thing for awhile now, just been busy. Now that X-mas is right around the corner, what a gift...your very own PiMP shirt.


Dano

[Bacchus]

Way to go Reaper! And, you are letting me vicariously enjoy my old MX days, back in the - well, we won't go there.

[cbr99xx]

Good deal!!!

Come on now... We need the .Org on the podium!!!!

(I can't do it... I have to live vicariously through you guys!!!)

[ReaperAZ]

Originally Posted by cbr99xx

Good deal!!!

Come on now... We need the .Org on the podium!!!!

(I can't do it... I have to live vicariously through you guys!!!)

I've been pushing hard. RIght now I'm just happy I'm finishing and having fun. I didn't think I'd be doing so well in such a short time. This weekend is going to be a HUGE event, the promotion guy thinks there will be at least 600 bikes racing.


Dano

[ReaperAZ]

Originally Posted by Bacchus

Way to go Reaper! And, you are letting me vicariously enjoy my old MX days, back in the - well, we won't go there.

There was a guy there this past weekend during practice on a 1979 Suzuki RM400, what a beast that thing was. It was funny to see a bunch of the younger guys bad mouthing him and giving him crap. The funniest was when they came back in with their heads down cause they got beat buy a 25 year old bike. You know Bacchus if you wanted to get back into riding I know just the group you can look into. www.azotmx.com So you know I'm being sincere and not a young guy trying to rub it in. I have ridden with a few of these guys and they are out there having a blast. Great group of guys.


Dano

[oldfogey]

Reaper, thanks for sharing. Great to read of your progress, it's a vicarious pleasure for an oldie who has never raced.

[K9inAZ]

Kick ass, Dano! Reading your posts makes me want to get an dirt bike even more.

Rick

[CBR929RE]

sounds like fun. after the season try to get in some physical training so you aren't getting worn out at the end of the races as much.

[ReaperAZ]

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

sounds like fun. after the season try to get in some physical training so you aren't getting worn out at the end of the races as much.

What's killing me is the arm pump, feel as though I can barely hold on to the bars. Physically I feel pretty good, I am so glad I quit smoking. I'm a little winded at the end but not too bad.


Dano

[TGZ13]

Originally Posted by ReaperAZ

What's killing me is the arm pump, feel as though I can barely hold on to the bars. Physically I feel pretty good, I am so glad I quit smoking. I'm a little winded at the end but not too bad.


Dano

Get a stress ball and carry it with you and just squeeze it all day if you meant forearm pump

[CBR929RE]

do some light weight lifting also. small arm stuff you know

[ReaperAZ]

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

do some light weight lifting also. small arm stuff you know

Small arm stuff, **** I got them already... . I'll have to ask some of my friends who race what to do.


Dano

[omalley1537]

Reaper, glad to hear that you are hooked on the racing bug-I don't race anymore (raced from 9th grade through age 21, about 35-40 weekends/year, now I just ride at open practices, etc), but the motocross bug never goes away. There is something so cool about being on a track, jumping, and knowing that the only limits are those you put on yourself. I got the blade as a toy, but motocross will always be my first love. The best part is that at age 54, my dad still rides with me (and is pretty darn fast, too!).

On the arm pump thing, one suggestion I would make is that the best remedy for arm pump is lots of saddle time. This will help with arm strength, but the real benefit is indirect-the more you ride and race, the more relaxed you are on the bike, and as a result, you don't hold on nearly as tight, and thus, less or no arm pump. Proof of this came to me when I realized that I could practice for long periods of time w/o arm pump, but 3 laps into a race I was smoked (on the same track). The only difference was that I had not been racing much, and thus tightened up. One other thought is to consciopusly remind yourself to squeeze the middle of the bike with your knees, thus reducing the amount that you have to hold on with your arms.

Keep up the great effort, you are doing really well for your first few races-actually, really well period. Glad to hear of another rider bitten by the MX bug

[smkeatr]

I too suffer from the arm pump (maybe I'm a little terrified) but I'm working on it as often as I can.