First, I'd like to thank the great supporters and sponsors that SMRacing has been lucky enough to receive this year: FMF, MSR MX, The Natural Grip, Renthal, Mom & Dad, and Grandma. Thanks to these supporters because a lot of our program wouldn't be possible or as easy without them!
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| Prior to the Roselawn EN Start, looking "STEEZY" in the MSR gear |
First race of the season was in Morrison, IL on March 29. A "Bitter Start" to the racing season for sure. The day was filled with 35ยบ of rain and mud up to your knees. Overall, the day went really smoothly for me! Keeping the bike right side up and racing smooth through the gnarly conditions for all 60miles to a 4th place finish in Open A.
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| In Between Checks at the Bitter Start Enduro |
Roselawn, IN was the second race of the season, which was also an Enduro. By this time I had a few practice sessions in my awesome MSR brand gear and had the FMF exhaust system singing. Racing Open A again, there was a lot of fast guys at Roselawn. Feeling fast and smooth I ended up in the midst of the top of the pack getting a 7th place finish in Open A and a 4th place finish in the district.
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| Log Practice at "Speedy" Pete L's |
The third race of the season was Adams Co. for the first hare scramble of the year. Adams was a struggle for SMRacing. Had a great start in A class being in the top 5 going into the first corner, first lap I felt strong and smooth and picked off two more positions working up to third place. At the 20 minute mark my forearms pumped up and I lost complete control of the bike for the next two laps. Struggling to keep a pace, I fell back to 16th place in two laps. Feeling down but not out and working through the debilitating and aggravating arm pump I worked my way back through the pack in the last 40min of the race finishing in 6th place in Open A, and 16th Overall. Not a bad start to our Hare Scramble season, but knowing I was a top 3 racer and unable to get a spot on the podium was a disappointment.
Again, thanks to the awesome sponsors and especially The Natural Grip for jumping on board recently. The Natural Grip is a hand care product used for exercise and great for racing. Due to the high demand for tough hands many times racers can't help but get bad blisters during a race. The Natural Grip is very low profile hand protection against blisters and raw hands. Check out their website and order yourself a pair to try out! Or email me and I can set you up with trying out a set!
