Mammoth MX 2008 - Race Day 2

This year happened to be a year that a bunch of my friends also raced.  For sure the biggest turnout of my buddies at Mammoth ever.  I gotta say though, we missed B-Rad, Keating, and Big Al.

I think I got a picture of just about everyone, see below in alphabetical order (first name).

Boris Mahlich.

Don Pastell

Doug Perry

Ed Paulsen

Fudge (Robert Fudge)

Happa (Jason McCune)

Hodges

Jason Ingersoll

James Jongkind

Kevin Aschenbach

Mag 5

Matt Mantz

Mick Sakakeeney

Rich Schauwecker

Rod Hendrickson

Slicer (Rick Simily)

Jeff Tigert

Todd

Travis Marks

Wayne Lambert

John Dowd and Jeremy McGrath were this close all weekend.  Dowdy got the best of MC this year.  Amazing considering he also won the 40+ Expert class.

I love the picture below.  It really captures the essence of Mammoth MX.  Perfectly watered track, big evergreens, snow capped peaks, blue skies.

By the way, I got second in my qualifier, but in the main event I tangled with another rider on the first lap and went down.  I remounted, counted my blessings, and finished off the weekend safely... I do have a wedding to go to!

Mammoth MX 2008 - Race Day 1

So yes, I did race the weekend before my wedding. Yes motorcycles are dangerous and there's always a risk of injury, but as Dave Potter says, "it's what I do." Tati was nothing but supportive. Her mom was too, in fact she told me , "don't think about anything. No negative thoughts, just concentrate on what you have to do, and go out and win!!!
In my first qualifier I got my typically bad start. Said to myself, "here we go again" and just put my head down and passed as many guys as possible. On the last lap alone I passed 5 guys. When I came around the last corner I saw the checkered flag, but no one in front of me. I figured that the lead pack got away and I probably didn't even qualify. (Top 8 go to the main). When I pulled off the track my buddy Rich told me, "impressive ride." When I got back to the truck and pulled my helmet off, Rich told me again, "impressive ride ... you went from around 20th to 1st." 1st!?!?!? I won? I didn't even know I actually won my qualifier!
In the main event I got another mid pack start, but rode aggressively and made it all the way to 4th. My buddy Jeff Tigert finished 3rd, we joked "Shake-n-bake".

4th place trophy. "Trophy The Bear".

Mammoth MX Practice

Thursday and Friday are practice days at Mammoth MX. Track is fully prepped and watered all day.For the Double D Death Ride (Doug & my bachelor party) Dax had his mom sew up these "flight suits" for the Mag 5. (The Mag 5 is a revolving crew of riding buddies). Doug, Ed, and I represented the Mag 5 by rockin' the suits.
3 of the Magnificent 5 head out in formation for moto-battle.

Double D fly in formation.

Mammoth MX Warm Up

Did a local MX race at Glen Helen as a warm up for Mammoth MX. My performance was marred by a first lap crash. Missed my 2nd moto because I had to leave for Amber & Dean's wedding. Still, they ran the National track and any day motocrossing is a good day .

Glen Helen AMA Pro National MX 2008

This weekend marked the kick-off of the Pro National MX series. We have a tradition of riding Saturday morning, then camping out and watching the pros race on Sunday. Good times.

Racetown was in excellent condition on Saturday. Rain the day before and unseasonably cool temps kept the track loamy all day. Here I do my best to look fast for Mick's camera.This year we got a premium spot for Mick's trailer. "Penthouse" view for the Nationals on Sunday.
HUGE step up jump. They make it look so easy. It is not.

Testing

Monkey Crow

You ask Monkey Crow? An A-frame in the woods, grown men on mini bikes, single track, lunch at Haywards Outback? I'm in!The trail takes on a whole new perspective from the seat of a bike built for a child.


Grow up boys.
If you look closely you can see Lake Isabella in the background. (Click to enlarge)
We took those little bikes through some pretty tough terrain.
Hayward's Outback.

Here's Hayward himself. Through difficult negotiations with the Forest Service, Hayward built this mountain oasis by tearing down and rebuilding old mining cabins that the Forest Service was going to dispose of. He served up cold beers and then made us burgers and dogs. We were blown away by his hospitality. "When they built you brother they broke the mold."

Great ride, great group of dudes, good times. When will the Monkey Crow again?

Zaca Station MX

Zaca Station MX added a BIG tabletop. The approach is as follows: 90 degree right- hander , seat bounce a 20 foot table, grab 3rd gear to clear an uphill 40 foot step-up, grab 4th gear upon landing, stay in the meat of the powerband all the way through the take-off. I'd say it's about a 60-70 foot gap that dog-legs slightly to the left. Fast, Big, Scary ... every time.

3-22 comin' thru!
Matt's friend James "pole vaults" it.
Matt's other friend floatin' it, stylin'.
This pic of Matt shows a good perspective of how big the jump is.
I couldn't quite match the style of the young guns, but I did clear the jump. Not bad considering I am more than twice their age.