March 7th Jim and I headed back to Rehbeins BMX arena for their Redline Cup Qualifing races. This would be my first race as an Intermediate too!
Jim and I arrived early and met up with fellow Revolution Cycle and Ski rider Mason W. there was a quite smaller crowd on sunday, but the competiton was fierce. the Redline Cup is a series that is broken down into regions, and the format is total points but in a slightly different fashion, they take your best finish from the qualifiers, then race the friday and saturday Redline Cup races at the Grands, and with your qualifier, your main results from Friday and main results from Saturday create the total points... so all those that want to do well at the Redline Cup want to get a win for a qualifier, to optimize chances to do well at the finals! Anyway I digress...
Jim had a 'regular' total points race, I had to transfer on my Cruiser and had total points on my class bike...
I really need to post these things sooner so I don't forget all the details...
anyway Jim and I both had really good races, with some heavy competition, we both managed to bring home 2nd place finishes. so 3 dueces for us...
Thanks to Revolution Cycle and Ski, Felt Bicycles, Avent/Bombshell, BELL helmets, ODI grips... And Donahue Harley-Davidson!
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MINNESOTA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER
Rehbeins BMX arena was host to the first State qualifier for the 2010 season. Jimmy and I headed down early, Mason Weibuscch and Jeremy Nothom were also in attendance... LOTS of riders showed up, 43 motos, and I think there were only a couple Total points races.
First round of two rounds of qualifying. I was in Moto 13, and the 41-45 cruiser class had 4 total to start, so to transfer i had to win the first moto or be 1st or 2nd in the second moto. I was unable to catch the leader in the first moto, so I had to run the second moto. Next up was Mason, Mason had a tough day but persevered, he was involved in a first straight crash and also had to go to the second moto for transfer. Jim's race was one Total points race, which I thought was rather unusual for 14 intermediate, Jim was able to fight for the lead for the first straight but was relinquished to 2nd place for the first moto. Last of the first round for us was me on my class bike, 28+ novice... I got a good pop on the gate and checked out on the other few riders... transferring directly to the main! That means extra rest time before the cruiser main!!!
Begining of the second round, I got a great start in the cruiser class and managed to win the second moto, giving me a transfer spot in the main! Next in the second round was Mason, who got tangled up AGAIN but was first one to get up and finish high enough to transfer to the main event!. Jim got a better start for the second moto but got run up on the first burm and passed, he was able to hold on to second place again. And since I already transferred I was able to relax for the rest of the second round...
MAIN EVENT TIME!
First up! Time for old guy cruisers! it is always fun to race against guys my own age, however the cruiser class has quite the spread of abilities, beginner to past pro's or experts... I usually end up somewhere in the middle. Such was the case at this state race, I had a great start but was unable to get in front of the pack, chasing the leader for the entire race, I managed a 2nd! Next was Mason, who FINALLY was able to make it through a race without getting crashed, and he made it pay off, chasing the leaders all the way to the finish and just missed the podium, but getting a 4th in the very competitve 8 intermediate class, with an almost full gate for the feature! Jim's feature was even better! He got a chance to get out in front of the leader, who came unclipped and just about crashed, Jim went on to win the 3rd moto but because the winner of the first 2 got second he was only able to get 2nd place overall, but still awesome for Jim to get a good qualifying in the bag for the state championship series. And last up was me, and my LAST race as a novice, I was able to pop the gate as good as i had all day, got out front and checked out for a win! and Win number 8 as a novice means I have to move up to Intermediate status! very Exciting! Which also means I have to run Intermediate for the Redline Cup races on sunday! |
Jim and I set out for Rehbeins about 2:30, we were there early, so we could get some practice in... Jim has not ridden in a while and we want to get 'up to speed' for the upcoming state qualifier the first weekend of March... 21 motos Jim was middle of the motos and I ran both cruiser and class so moto 6 and moto 21, I had 4 in each class so transferring was required!
Cruiser was up first, had a decent start, but was not able to capitolize.
Jim was up after that, he was running total points, and he was having a toughtime getting up to speed, he kept them honest but got a third in the first round...
On my class bike I was not able to transfer either, although I hounded the winner all the way to the finish...
Second round in my races they were taking 2 riders to the main, I was able to get a second on my cruiser.
Jim was picking up the pace a bit but still just out of reach for 2nd place.
My class bike I got a good pop on the gate and was able to win the second moto. and since this was the last moto I am very glad they have a intermission between the heats and mains!!!
Feature time. I had a good race on both my cruiser and my class bike. On my class bike I had a guy just about Banzai me in the first berm, but was able to stay ahead of him for a 2nd place, being fresh sure makes a difference, My cruiser I got sqeezed out side on the first berm and was not able to catch either of them... still a good outing for me...
Jim got faster as the night went on but was not able to pass any of them and got a 3rd...
waited to long to post this, hope my memory is correct... were headed to Rehbeins BMX arena again tonight! |
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