Austin Del Valle Round 3 / 1980 Maico kicks my butt!

Went to Round 3 of the Austin Del Valley Series and had a great time. Both my son and I rode two classes each and one class we were able to start from the same gate. Of course I started bragging how my 09 CRF450 was going to rip him up on the start since he was riding my old 05 CRF450. The first moto he was gone! I was trying too hard and killed the bike on the start. I had to hear how he beat me which was ok. I still took 1st in the 50+ class because my other competitors were home asleep in bed. You know how old guys are! This was a night race and as soon as the sun goes down it is time for bed (just kidding). Our second moto was a bit different because we both got a good start but the results were the same. As we entered the first corner I got to see Frank and two other bikes rubbing bars through the corner. I was already looking at places I was going to go to keep from hitting them. The big difference was these were fast riders; they do this kind of riding all the time. Frank did get the hole shot and held first for a way but arm pump took over and he fell off pace. At that level you have to ride all the time and now that he is 22 and having to work a lot of weekends, ridding is not the priority. I know there are a lot of early 20 years olds that can relate to this. Back to me – After the 1st turn I ended up crashing at the top of the hill and when I got started again it was a very quiet track being by myself. I waited for the fast guys to go around and then jumped in behind them to see what I could do. Guess what? I could do nothing they were gone. Frank saw me and instead of trying to stay with them he started playing with me. It was fun because I would try and pass him and he would laugh and just take off. It really was a lot of fun and I bet my family had a blast watching it also.


My 30+ class was a different story. There were 5 of us on the gate and the 1st moto I got the hole shot. Two really fast riders immediately passed me the next couple of turns and left me and the other two bikes racing for 3rd. The bike behind me hounded me the entire race. He was just waiting for a mistake and then it did. I was having problems with the ruts on a few corners do to wearing glasses and the glare was messing me up. Don’t get me wrong! The lights were the best I have ever seen it at ADV and the mistake was all me. When I cross rutted and bobbled he dove under me and got position. After that I was really pushing it to get position back and was going through a corner rut and fell over. I had the bike leaned over too much and could not bring it back up. I wish someone would have had a picture of that right before I crashed. I could have looked like a pro for about 1 second Ha Ha. There was a bike that went by me and I thought I was lapped. The problem was I was not lapped and ended up going off the track too early. Never ever not look at what flag is being shown.

The second moto of the 30+ class had a bit of a twist. Who was that guy on the 1980 Maico? Wow what a blast! That Maico has some power. He got me on the start and it was the same riders going at minus the two really fast guys. I could not get away from that Maco for nothing and he could not get away from me. We battled that entire race. He would fly though the corners and pass me and then when there was jumping I would pass him. He finally got separation where when I jumped I was not close enough to pass him. My son said it was a lot of fun watching us race and he could see I was trying my best to get position. My hat goes off to the rider on the 1980 bike. I figured the bouncing bronco would tire you out and I would get you at the end but that did not happen. At least I did not DNF this time.

As far as the track condition tonight. It was really good. Dennis brought in a ton of sand it held up real good. There were no questionable sections and the lighting was really good for not being higher in the air. The last time I rode at night I had to stop racing because I could not see. This is due to wearing glasses. This time I was able to ride with no problems and will defiantly race a night race again.

Great day of motocross…. Lots of good competition and my family were there to watch and said they had a good time.

P.S. Sorry no pictures I left camera SD card at home.