NHHA Round 1 Race Report | National Hare & Hound

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If you haven’t heard, Purvines Racing and I will be riding together in 2012, and I am really excited about working with Ron and the team! They have an awesome program going, and with his help I plan on being a key player in the Championship this year. Also he is going to help me get to some of the extreme events, like King of the Motos in February and the Tennessee Knockout in September.

With high expectations here at round one, I tried to get as much of a warm up in as I could, even though there was 50 MPH winds all day on Saturday. It was my last race on the 2011 Kawasaki, and my first time riding for all of the new sponsors at the National level event, so I was really nervous to get the first one out of the way and start the year with a good ride.

Race Day

I woke up at 7:00 really nervous for the race to actually start. I knew once I was a couple miles in I would calm down, but at that point I was just ready to go. The start was delayed until 10:30, because of the major winds knocking down most of the course markings, so I had my bowl of Wheaties and even a slice of spam, which was a good change! I went to the bomb, and found the practice bike my dad had put out there for me in the wee hours of the morning. I was about 20 feet from the middle on the left side. I practiced 2 times and left because I didn't want to break the ground and start in soft sand. When I got back Eddie made the final tune up and I was ready to go. I wished Megan luck (her first national ever) and I headed back over to the start at 9:45.

The banner was up, and I was once again nervous as always, but I got a great jump and I couldn't see anyone in sight. After the bomb Kurt Caselli had gained a little and was able to cross over my trail which forced me to let off. That allowed my new Purvines Racing teammates Justin Morrow and Nick Burson to pass me. I had a close call with Nick where we almost collided, but then I got around him and had all cylinders running at that point. Justin was riding really well also, I followed him for a bit, then made the pass and made a charge for fourth. I was riding decent but I felt a little tense. After check two, and a lot of David Kamo’s dust I was starting to loosen up and get into the swing of things.

I had made up some time and knew it was David Kamo in fourth coming into the pits. I had a flawless pit, and I was in such a hurry that I didn't even get goggles or water. All I wanted was to move up another position. The whole time I was insight of David, I would get closer then have to back off because of the dust.

About 5 miles in I was making a charge to get close to him and I must of not seen it but I clipped a bush that had sand piled on it and it bucked me over the bars right into the ground. I got up and I was still trying to catch my breath as I was walking around. I remember in the air before I hit the ground thinking "Shoot! I'm done". Both my shoulders were hurting and I felt around and noticed a nice lump on my left collarbone.

I think I was in shock, or I didn't want to believe that had happened, but in the back of my mind I knew it was broke. Of course with all the adrenaline pumping I wanted to keep going so I got my bike started and went on. As I was going Justin Morrow passed me going the opposite direction! In the midst of everything I forgot which way the course went and I was actually heading backwards on the course. I got turned around and started going once more. I went another mile or so and hit some whoops and decided it was time to call it a day. After making it back to camp from a really painful ride back I was relieved to sit down and relax.

I’ll be out for a couple weeks, going in for Surgery on Wed, but I am hoping to be back by Round Three.

I would like to thank all of my sponsors for 2012. Monster Energy Kawasaki, Purvines Racing, Kawasaki of Simi Valley, Off Road Support, Moose Racing, Jett Boots, Oakley, Braking, Matrix Concepts, Maxima Oil, Mechanix Wear, Traxxas, Motion Pro, Uni Filters, Dunlop, Trick Racing, Rekluse, Dirt Digits, Omega, BRP, TBT Racing, Pro Moto Billet, Fastway Performance, IMS, and Photos by Grumpy.

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