More Dirt Track and Some Extreme TT
Ventura Raceway 6/20/09
Hey Everyone,
This past weekend I raced down south in Ventura, Ca. The track was about a 1/4 mile long with banked turns and about 100 yards from the beach.
My day in Ventura started out with changing conditions. In almost every practice it was like I was riding a totally different track. Now only a week after Lancaster I had some time to think about it. My decision to race the framer over the DTX bike on the short track was my choice for the night.When the decision was made there was no turning back. I was committed to the framer and progressing to the front.
With practice out of the way and grid positions being posted I was actually starting to feel at home on the framer. My heat race started slow with a bad start. As the laps in the heat race faded away, I found myself dodging the rider ahead of me for second place, it might sound weird to be dodging someone riding in front of you, but that's what it felt like. I would enter the turns on the gas then would have to check up and let off the gas so I wouldn't get taken out. After a few more laps of playing "dodge the Honda" I was done messing around. I drove it deep into turn one and put a wheel on him and made the pass stick. Now in a direct transfer spot into the main I rode conservatively and finished in second place.
Ventura speedway has two pro main events: the Short track, and the extreme TT, which is basically a motocross.
In my second heat race of the night, the Extreme TT, I was back on the DTX motocross bike. The bike was still set up for Flat track, only now with the original MX wheels and a front brake. The bike was almost like riding my ttr125 only with a lot more power.
After earning a win with a respectable lead in the TT heat race, my confidence was high for the main event. Riding up to the starting line for the TT main event I was definitely in a relaxed state of mind--almost to the point of sleeping. As the green flag dropped I was in for a rude awakening. My first lap was way off the pace and I found myself way back in second place now playing catch up. As the laps went away and I began to inch closer it wasn't until the last lap I was able to make an attempt to pass for the lead. My attempt almost worked. We crossed the finish line side by side, but in the end he got me by a nob.
Now wide awake and a little grumpy I rode up to the starting line like I had a chip on my shoulder. After an aggressive start, and a little bumping, I had a hard time trying to find the track. The first half of the race nothing was working. I couldn't find a spot on the track that had traction. The cushion was blown out and there was nothing down low. After checking to see what type of hay bales the track was using, and nearly missing a three rider pile up going into turn three, they threw the red flag. During the red flag I rode around the track in search of moisture for potential traction. My search was a success: I found a line that looked promising. Not only did I find something on the track, now we were all bunched together into a single file restart.
On the restart we were all so close it was like a whole new race. Off the start I was riding in fourth place and began trying my new line. After a few more laps it was like I was on a rail. The bike started working and I instantly started picking up time. Coming out of turn two a minor rear wheel spin from the rider in third was all it took for me to gain the position.
Now late in the race and three laps to go there was another red flag. Now with only a three lap sprint to the finish and another restart, it was time to get tough. On what was supposed to be a single file restart, I pointed my bike to the inside part of the track and wasn't going to let anyone get underneath me. Off the start it was like going on your first Upside-down roller coaster--it was intense. The next three laps felt like more stuff happened than in the whole race. I managed to hold onto third place and earn my first podium on a framer.
Thanks to all my friends and family for all their support, also to all my sponsors- Mach 1 Motorsports, Jay and Bills Tire service, Camel Bak, Arlen Ness, Sheehan Construction, SupermotoUSA, E$Engines, Superplush Suspension, LTD racing, Supermoto Engineering, Dirt Digits, Arai Helmets, D&W Images, Vizzo Racing, Moto201's Channel, Will Penington, bpracing, Jet Tunning, Browns cycles, Mr. Pickles, X Brand goggles
Tyler O'Hara #9 "Livin' The Life"
