Moe, can I use your new ride Saturday. I need something I can operate with one arm.

See you Saturday. Let's try to get the group setup together. The first one down to Mankato needs to save enough room for a couple of popups.

Well I would suggest getting ur azz out of bed early then dammmmnnnnit!

Yes sir!

I'm tired big boys.. I got up early, and i'm up late.. I've got to catch up on a few episodes of Poker after Dark...

But, It was hot out today.. I have a flat tire on my front cruiser tire. I pump it up and it lasts for about 15 minutes.. It should work..

Both Mankato and Faribault tracks this weekend were in such prime condition.. I just had the best day of my summer today. Thanks for all the old schoolers for coming out. That was the best part.

It was definetly an awesome day. The tracks were in great shape and the weather was flawless. You did great job Jerry, it was fun hanging out. It is days like this that really make you love Minnesota BMX!

Like Jerry said, Mankato & Faribault did an awesome job of getting their tracks in great shape for the races. Even though I couldn't race, I didn't want to miss the action. I had the pleasure of taking my niece to the races and watching her win her first race. What a fun experience.

Mark,
Were you taping the mains this weekend? I went down pretty hard in the main in Fairbault. I am guessing I did a pretty good front flip mid air. I would like to see it on tape if you have it.

I am pretty banged up. Left sholder is stiff and hurting in multiple places, middle and ring finger on my right hand is swollan and hurts, big scrapes on my back. I could not get comfortable last night in bed and slept like crap. I really hate complaining, really I do, but they need to do something with the two hills right after the second turn there. They have a great facility and run a good track, but that one spot is an accident magnet. I admit, my inexperience had more to do with the crash then the track. At the same time, I think the injuries there would be cut in half, and the track could still be just as fun, with some minor track changes.

I also want to thank all of you for coming down to Mankato and racing. We had an awesome turnout of 45 motos and 203 riders. There were no major technical difficulties, and best of all, no one got seriously hurt. Most people seemed to have a lot of fun and liked the paved corners.

It was great having both the Fairbault and Mankato SQ on the same day Hope we can do it again next year!

Justin, I was working in turn 2 and watched your crash. You did do a complete front flip and unfortunately Mark was not taping the mains. Both you and Ty Nelson get style points for your acrobatic crashes on that jump.

I hope your feeling better real soon. I know how frustrating injuries can be.

I'll have to disagree there.. Faribaults track is must more technical.. I mean, it's so fun to ride, and jump. Some of my friends showed up for the mains and they were having great time watching the riders get some air and the occasional crash.. They are still talking about the guy that went over the first turn..... For spectators, Faribault is a good time... Some of those riders there, were really going off over the third straight away... One time, I was just gliding along, and this rider zoomed past me, and jumped that triple in the third straight.. Man,, that dude was airborne...

I was right behind Ty when he flew off the track.. What was I supposed to do? Once I seen he was alright, I couldn't stop laughing. He got some good air too.. That Faribault race was right on...

Mankato's track is just more tame... I thought it was great having 2 different types of tracks.. Isn't BMX supposed to be a little dangerous?

Kaylee rocked it hard, this sums up the fun she had...

I don't think Mankato seen a turnout like this since the 80's... I was stoked to see a big crowd.. I thought this photo summed up some of the action.. People were stoked..

They are definitly different tracks. Mankato has huge berms, Fairbault has small berms. Mankato has a rythem section, Fairbault is almost all big doubles and table tops. I just think Fairbault needs to put some dirt 2 feet tall between those two hills. I dont think it will take away from anything on that track. I know I have heard other people mention before about the track being a little dangerous. You have to remember, these tracks need to be usable to the 5 and under class, as well as 16X.
Like I said, my lack of experience and skill caused me to crash. I still would have crashed even if they made the changes I am suggesting. I have been having issues this year with control. I am getting faster and need to learn to negotiate the hills better. My goal is to be manualling by next year.

The berm the kid went over was #3, not #1. He is the track directors son. I was talking to him afterwards, and apparently his hand was not positioned well to squeeze the brake. He was well spirited after the crash and that is always good. I was riding around without a shirt afterwards to show off the "bacon" on my back. I had a blast.

Best shot of the day....

You haven't seen Rehbein's yet..

Justin, each track is specific indeed, however falling at Isanti or Faribault it all hurts regardless of the track. I know how you feel mate as I've had a few diggers myself. Get well

The photo of the three crusties: I had just asked the question, "Which brand of pain reliever do you guys use to get to sleep after a race?"

Dave misheard me and answered, "Preparation H."

RE: the over-the-berm incident...The one that I saw at Faribault happened on the first berm. The guy hit the wood wall and went over, but appeared no worse for the wear. Wicked!

Great to see everyone, thanks to the people who made it happen.

Guys, I'm tyring to understand how the ABA does there points.. See below, I have 3 wins in my class, but only show the points for the 1 win in Intermediate the week before the national.

#125- BRAD APOLD 36 & over "74 points" "3 wins" Novice 06/29/2008

So certain info floods over but the points take longer?

Also, no NAG points at all. Help!

Race Fans,

It was truely a fun time racing this weekend both Mankato, fairbault and we even hit Brainerd on Sunday. It was nothing but top notch racing at all the tracks and regardless of your personal beliefs and opinions on the tracks... the staffs were all working hard to put on a great events. Thank you all!

Every track in Minnesota is different, but I believe that is the way it is supposed to be! If you want to be a good rider you need to hit all these tracks and learn to get around them as quick as you can. Good or bad is always a matter of personal opinion. My kids obviously have there favorites who doesn't? But they race hard, have fun, and we hit as many as we can. The "character" of each track makes them special, the same way the character in the racers makes each of them different. I say embrace the differences and enjoy them! No I don't race.. I have other duties I try to help with but I think I know the pulse of the sport and it seems strong, alive, and supportive.

I am just one more opionion from just some dad trying to help make a difference for future generations.

Bring on the next race!

Ride Hard... Never Quit!

Trackdaddy

Regarding the over-the-berm discussion, there were two at Faribault. Josh (see Mark's picture above) in turn 3 and someone else in turn one over the wood extension.


Paul, thanks for posting the picture. Mark you got a great shot of my niece Kaeli #218 and her good friend Kaitlynn Dailey #11. I believe that was moto 1 heading into turn 2 at Mankato. It was really fun watching these two battle all weekend. They really like racing one another and are having fun beating the boys.

Here's My...



....About tracks

Frankly, It takes a varity of tracks to make a good racer, and to keep the ball rolling. Faribault has struggled FOR YEARS and finally they have someone who loves the sport as much as anyone of us. This weekend showed me that even more so. I heard no complaints all day, not even from a couple of the heavy crashers, which I am glad they didn't get hurt.

Faribo, compared to last year is night and day. It's MUCH safer, cleaner and organized. Now that someone new is in there that cares it well even get better. This track has limited space to run in, it's compact and I think it just adds more personality to the sport in general.

PAVED CORNERS - When I 1st got back in to this, I thought the dumbest thing I had seen was the paved corners. Now I understand why they do it. I still don't believe in it, but understand it.

JUMPS - To many, to tech, to steep, to big, to close....Yep, same reason as above for me. BUT, none of them are the same. Which is good.

START GATES - No comment, they still scare the heel out of me!

OVERALL - I'm just rambling for no reason...just wanted to hear myself talk and create a new business...




If someone doesn't like a track, don't go back.

MOE can shed some light of FAribault, as he said he would never come back a couple years ago. He came back afetr the changes, and seems to be glad he did

I can say this because, frankly, Moe can kick my fanny on the racetrack...

...the reason he came back to Faribo is bacause, at his advanced age, he forgot his statement from a couple years ago.

You owe us a refund on your 2 cent ramblings. Tough love is good, but maybe a better suggestion would be: Work on your weaknesses and figure out how to overcome a challenge, but don't stop going because it may not be your best track. BMX racing is tough. That's why we love it so much. This sport needs more turnouts like we had this weekend.

It would be nice if all the tracks could work together like Mankato and Faribault so we can have more days like Saturday. I hope Brainerd had a decent turnout on Sunday, but I'm sure it was hard for a lot of people to make the drive after a full day in southern Minnesota.

BTW, what is this clown doing? "No sir, we don't have a handicap class, and no you can't race the 5 year olds."

"No, It sounds like Crocker NOT CRACKER"

I cracked ribs at "The Barn" when I was 32 year old advanced Cruiser Pilot. At this stage in my life I choose to be a spectator.
Sometimes you have overcome your fears by attacking them and telling them who's boss.

I watched a cable program that featured Kevin Windham (AMA Motocross Superstar) and he had a fear of flying of all things. What did he do? Got himself a plane and started flying. Now he loves it and it actually gives him peace of mind when he's in the air. In his plane, not 450 Honda Thumper.

Father Manning has spoken...For now we shall be much wiser

And you should race again and show your cousin who is boss

The barn has claimed a few no doubt. That's one place IMO that could use a little tone'n down. Not just for me, but for smaller riders that are intimidated by its size. I don't mind riding there, but when you have 8 riders very close in speed it becomes an eye closer in the first corner. It gets to the point were you gotta let some riders next you have there line and to just back off, its just not worth crashing and hurting someone else to boot for a plaque/trophy. Again, you just gotta know when to say when.
I give that place allot of "joke'n" grief, but at the end of the Summer, what the hell would we do without it?? October is sadly fast approaching, but its always extra fun the first couple months there.

I don't know if it's just me or what, I sure don't want a tame track, and i'm one of the oldest ones out there. Faribault was a breath of fresh air.. Did you see all the people lined up for practice.. You actually have to practice at that track.. I can race Mankato without even riding the track before the race, cause it's pretty mellow..

I go to the races for about 90% riding fun, and about 10% to race... Fariabault was fun..

I give Faribault major props for building a BMX track that's got some danger.. I think i'm going to race there instead of Mankato...

This is being taken care of as we speak, I talked with Dug about this very subject this past weekend.

Is he doing my figure 8 w/ tunnel?

Two years ago at fairbo. I went to conquer the double on the first strait. It always scared me in the past. my second practice lap it bucked me ash over tea kettle. I went home bruised and defeated. Yesterday I had a blast riding that track. The best part was the set of step ups out of the second corner. Justin don't let them get the best of you. What a fun day

Dug is doing a scaled down indoor version of this, it is going to be saweeeet...

Howdy from Texas. I bet many of you thought I fell off the earth...it is flat after all.

Nope, life has been getting in the way of my fun, but not this week. I sent my bike to DC's house via UPS today and leave tomorrow on my motorcycle (2008 Honda Goldwing) for Minnesota. I'll be at the races this weekend in St. Cloud. I hope to see many of you there. It might be one of the few times I'm seen with Team All the Racing!

See you at the races!

Where is the ambulance?




See ya Saturday Viktor! I'll drag out the 20"

?????? Your contract clearly states 21 MNBMX events per year dammmmmnnnnit!

Anyway, I won't be there to see you, but DC^TM said he would rub your back for me and give you a hug. Sandberg said if he was there, he would do Misc. things to you for me (none of which were my idea, nor anything I can mention in public) MOE^TM also made a few other suggestions of how one could greet you when not being able to be there, but extra money was needed to do that (ewww!)

Either way, be safe on your venture north, and start setting aside a vacation for the 2009 Condo Classic^TM

Shut up Conley!

I am sorry to say Vik that I will be out of town camping with my family. Be safe driving up to the great white north on your motor sickle, I wanted to check that thing out. You need to show that Apold how to get it done... Take care and have fun!

WOW !!! Did I here " 2009 CONDO CLASSIC "

I'm going 2 start my training today. One less Qt. of icecream for me.

You must of read that, unless I said it out loud

Mmmmmmmmmm, concrete...

I just got sent this link... Ha.. Faribault... Somebody video taped a little....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSnI-BIelRE

They just missed Ty's backside slide. You can see how you slow down and look back to make sure he's okay. That was a really strange looking crash. I'm not sure how he was able to unclip and not get hurt on that one.

Ride a 20"

Mankato was good tonight. There was 5 guys in the 35-40 cruiser.. Some guy even showed up on a mountain bike and raced our class...

AND....Did you whoop some azzzzzz?

He always does in Mankato.

It seems like the mountian bike guy did better last year then last night. I thought he was going to give Jerry some competition.

My shoulder really hurt out of the gate, but I still placed 2nd.

Don't race until your 110%. You may fall again because your limb is a hurt'n.... I smashed the palm of my hand last year and it was no good for riding for months. It would feel okay and the minute I road it would go back to the intense pain again...