With the John Penton been known for either extremely muddy or extremely dusty races this year was looking good to be a perfect track and conditions for the Sunday race. I had a good lead up to the race being out at the Smith’s house for two weeks prior to the race so I was feeling really good and confident that I could get another win.
After walking the track I knew my RG3 setup would work well with the Dunlop 756 tires, I tend to run a little stiffer than the rest of the GNCC’s boys so I was happy to see the track rut and roughen up in the morning races.
I have struggled all year with starts and this race was no different, I was last into the first corner and had to start from the back like I have most of the year. Half way through the first lap I had got up into 4th or 5th and then got into the new virgin trail, it was some of the tightest stuff I have raced on in GNCC, it was actually hard to ‘race’ on this stuff because it was impossible to pass. By the time I came out onto the track I was in third and only 12 seconds back from the front two. Charlie Mullins, Barry Hawk and I had a little group going and I thought we were going along pretty good, I got stuck in a little hole and dropped back to 5th behind those guys. By the end of the 2nd lap my time was 40seconds slower than the two leaders, I thought I had a pretty good pace going so to find out I was 40seconds off the pace I was really surprised. Lap three I picked up the pace again and was still off, by this time I was a minute down going into gas and after a few words from my team I figured it was time to put my head down and close the gap. My RMZ 450 was running awesome and I was able to push for the whole lap and coming into the finish I figured I had closed the gap back down to under a minute and hopefully close enough to catch them. I was surprised that they again pulled 25 seconds on me. The last two laps after realizing that the gap wasn’t getting any smaller I backed it down a little and Stayed in third until the finish.
After crossing the line in third I was confused at how the day went. I felt like I rode at 100% and rode like I have ridden all year which includes the four wins so far, I put in some hard laps and I have been able to run at the front in lap times all year so to be beaten each lap by 20-30 seconds is a little strange for me to take in.
I’m still in the championship hunt which is what’s important and I’m excited to get to snow shoe to get my Suzuki back up in the winner’s circle.. One again I’d like to thank everyone at my FMF Makita Suzuki team, and the guys at Moose, Smith, Shoei, Sidi, and Foremost Insurance for the awesome help they give me.
photo by Matt Ware
