A GOOD WEEKEND WITH A LOT OF BAD LUCK

This last weekend we went to LA to race a Road To Mammoth qualifier race at Comp Edge.  All weekend long I didn’t have very good luck, but I kept riding really hard and I never gave up.  Not very good results for the amount of effort I put in, but that happens sometimes.  Let me tell you what happened…..

Let me start by saying that the weather was horrible.  It was extremely cold and the wind was blowing so hard it was difficult to even walk.  Everyone was wearing layers and layers of clothes and it felt like we were in the snow.  The wind kept changing directions so it was a little difficult to go over the jumps.  Sometimes the wind would be at your back and help you clear a jump and sometimes it blew sideways and when you went into the air it tried to blow you off the side of the track.

Saturday we got to the track to practice and the first part of the day is open practice, which in LA means that all bikes get to practice on the track at the same time.  The track was really muddy in some spots, but I was getting the feel for the track.  After a few laps I started picking up my speed and clearing all the jumps.  I jumped the finish line jump and came up a little short and cased the landing.  When I landed the bike kicked me over and the bike and I went flying and landed at the bottom of the jump.  I was pretty hurt and I knew I was in a bad spot so I started to crawl off the track.  The flagger at the top of the jump didn’t see my crash and he didn’t put up the yellow flag to tell the other riders I was down on the bottom of the jump.  The fourth big bike was in the air coming over the jump and when he landed he had nowhere to go and totally ran me over.  After the bike ran me over, the guys bike, him and I were flipping.  My elbow pad was thrown away from me and my helmet even broke.  I was so sore on the entire right side of my body it was hard for me to even walk.

This is the jump I fell on in practice.

My parents wanted to go home and let me rest my injuries, but I really wanted to stay and keep riding.  I went out for the rest of the practices throughout the day and I did OK, but I wasn’t feeling 100%.  I was excited to get back to the hotel and take a bath to get warm and rest my muscles.  I knew that I would be ready to race the next morning.

When we got back to the hotel I had fun because a lot of my friends from the track were staying at the hotel also.  The hotel has a banquet room and we all hung out in there and watched Supercross together.  Ryan ordered pizzas for everyone and they were the biggest pizzas I had ever seen.  After supercross was over it was time to go up to my room and soak in the bath.

The next morning the wind got worse and it was time to go racing.  In the first race I had a really bad start. (The start is on cement instead of dirt and I was a little off on my clutch) I ended up going sideways out of the gate and had to let off the gas to get straightened out, so I was in about last place coming up to the first turn.  I was able to pass a lot of bikes in the first couple of turns and by the time I came out of the back I was in third place.  I was riding hard to catch the front guys, but they had really good starts and I had a lot of work to do to reel them in.  I was starting to get a little closer to second place and I was trying some new lines on the track to try to find some more speed and I went down.  I took a handle bar to my leg that gave me a really bad charlie horse, but I got back on my bike and kept racing.  I was able to finish the race in third place which wasn’t bad for the start I had and that I went down.

The second race of the day started just like the first, I was still off on my clutch and the bike went sideways again.  I again was able to race into third place and in the five laps of the race I was gaining on leaders but didn’t have enough laps to catch them.  I again finished the race in third place.  I knew I had to get a better start in the next race and I talked to my Dad about what I should change to do it.  The kids that I was racing are fast and I can’t let them get so far out infront of me if I want any chance of trying to pass them.

The third race of the day I was on the line and I was ready to go.  I got out of the gate much better and I was in third place by the first turn.  I was able to pass into second place and I was chasing down the leader.  On the second lap I was gaining on the leader and I felt something was wrong with my bike.  I knew it didn’t have as much power all of a sudden, I came over the finish line jump and I knew my bike didn’t have the power to hit it.  I tried to keep riding the best I could, but about two turns later my motor locked up.  I was so disappointed that I wasn’t able to finish the race, I was having so much fun battling.  Instead of a good finish I ended up with a DNF.

In the fourth race of the day I was going to have to race the fast kids on thier mod bikes with my stock bike.  I knew that it was going to be hard but that I could do it if I got off the line good and I rode really hard.  I did get off the line really good and by the second turn I was in third place.  I again was chasing down the second place guy and I was staying close with him when the pipe on my bike broke off.  Once the pipe came off my bike I had no power and it slowed the bike down a lot.  After my pipe came off I knew I wouldn’t be able to catch the leaders and I tried hard not to lose any positions.  I was not able to clear the two big jumps on the track, but I did push my bike to get everything else I could and tried to keep my speed up as much as possible.  I was able to finish the race in third place.

I rode really hard all weekend and I did really well, but I didn’t have the finishes to show for it.  With the DNF in the one class I didn’t qualify in that class and I will have to race at another qualifying event and in the other class I got 3rd place overall.

My Dad and Mom were very proud of me for pushing hard all weekend and the were happy that I never gave up….. It still would have been nice to have a win.  lol

Monday night my Dad let me take my motor apart to see what we needed to do to fix it.  It was cool to see all the parts that are inside the motor and I had fun taking it apart with my Dad.

LET’S HOPE I CAN PUT IT BACK TOGETHER.   🙂

ANOTHER ADVENTURE FOR THE CROSS FAMILY

On Friday my parents, my sister Hailey, and I loaded in the van and headed to LA to do some practicing…… See how our trip ended with this…….

Saturday I practiced at The Ranch and Sunday I practiced at Comp Edge.  I was able to meet with some friends at both tracks so that made it extra fun.  The weather was totally crazy…..it was freezing cold and the wind was blowing very hard.  It was strange because the wind was only blowing at the tracks, the weather around the tracks was much better.  I think the bad weather was following us.

After practice on Sunday, we left Comp Edge to head home and about two hours into our drive one of our tires EXPLODED.  It was so load I thought the floor of the van fell out.  Luckily my Dad was driving, because I am not sure my Mom would have done as well as him controlling the van.  🙂  We got pulled over to the side of the road, but we were totally in the middle of nowhere.  (In a completely different story…..we have had a problem with the tires we recently bought and have been working with the tire guy to fix it and because of that we had no spare tire – of course)   We called the tow truck to try to find us and started calling tire companies to try to find a place that could fix our tire.  It was already Sunday afternoon and everyplace we called was closed or would be closed by the time the tow truck got us back into town.  We found one place that said the would be able to help us if we could hurry and get to them.

While we were waiting my parents told me that the tow truck wasn’t going to be able to take all of us into town and that we were going to have to ride in the back of the van.  I was so excited to be able to sit in the back with my bikes and I made myself comfortable.  I was really mad when my parents told me they were only joking with me.  😦  I begged them to let me ride in the back of the van, but they wouldn’t let me.  A little after that the tow truck showed up and we were on our way back to the closest town, and made it to the tire store with two minutes before they were supposed to close.  The tire people worked on the van for over an hour and then we were back on the road again.

I felt bad for my Dad because we got home at 1am and Dad got in the truck and went to work without getting any sleep.  My Mom and I got up Monday morning and went to Argyll to practice a little more.

PRODUCT REVIEW: LEATT NECK BRACE AND CHEST PROTECTOR

Throughout this year I will be bringing some of the hottest and coolest products to your attention.  I am going to try to give you the best information about the products as well as the things that work and don’t work for me.  Those of you who know me, know that I don’t like change.  I love what currently works for me and I have a hard time trying new products……with this in mind I will be reviewing new products and giving you my opinions.  These are only my opinions, and even if things don’t work for me…..you will have the information you need to see if they would be a good fit for you.  Hope you enjoy!

The first product review I am doing is actually two things in one.  I am doing both the Leatt Neck Brace and Chest Protector at the same time because ideally these products are designed to work together.  In the past I have used a different kind of Leatt neck brace and a bull riding chest protector, but these new products go together to distribute an impact more evenly throughout your body.  With the way they fit together, a neck impact force is felt in the chest and taken away from the shoulders.

LEATT GPX PRO NECK BRACE

I have chosen the Leatt GPX Pro Neck Brace.  This brace is a fully ventilated carbon-fiber chassis with a completely redesigned, open-cell padding.  It has anodized CNC spring loaded aluminium hinges, alternative load path technology, collarbone cutout, and unique one piece rear support designed to break away in a severe impact.  The GPX Pro brace is advertised to be the lightest, most ventilated and most comfortable brace ever made.

The second I put this neck brace on I could see a complete difference.  The biggest difference is the weight of this brace versus the one I usually use.  This brace is really very light and it was also very comfortable.  I think I really liked it because I couldn’t even feel like I had it on.  Even though it is very light, the metal hinges are really strong and secure I really love everything about this neck brace.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  The GPX Pro and the GPX Pro Light are the same brace with a couple of differences.  The Pro Light has plastic side clasps and the Pro has metal clasps.  The Pro also comes with a very nice carrying case.  At the time of this post Leatt is running a special and the Leatt GPX Pro is being sold at a huge discount and is the same price as the Leatt Pro Light.

LEATT BODY VEST LITE JUNIOR

The second part of this is the Leatt Body Vest Lite Junior.  This chest protector is designed for kids and works with any Leatt brace.  The chest protector has straps on the shoulders to hold the neck brace and the chest protector together, but allows for easy movement.

Wearing this chest protector after wearing a bull riding vest was like night and day for me.  This chest protector is way lighter and smaller than what I am used to, it almost felt like I wasn’t wearing anything.  I loved wearing both the neck brace and the chest protector and they were extremely easy to wear when I was riding.  I did have one problem….I crashed during practice and took a handlebar to the chest.  I didn’t feel anything in my chest at all and the chest protector absorbed the impact excellent  but with this chest protector being shorter and harder than the vest I usually wear and the bottom of this brace hurt my gut.  With this brace having harder edges than I am used to, I didn’t like how it felt when I crashed.  I did go back to my old chest protector after the crash….I know that the new one will take some getting used to, I am sure I will like it when I do.

Both of these products are very well made and are so important to our safety when we ride dirt bikes.  Make sure you go to http://www.leatt-brace.com to find the right products that works for you.

When you ride, make sure you are protected!

http://www.leatt-brace.com

RIDE HARD AND BE SAFE WITH LEATT

THIS WEEKS RACE REPORT – OATFIELD

This weekend I raced the AMP/GFI race at Oatfield in Turlock.  We loaded up the trailer on Friday and headed to Oatfield to camp and race for the weekend……my sister Hailey came with us this weekend, and it was very cool that she was there to cheer me on.

When we woke up Saturday morning the track was totally foggy.  When I went out for my first practice my goggles were dripping with water after just one lap.  It was very hard to practice when you couldn’t see very far in front of you.  By the time my second practice came around, the sun came out and I was ready to really start going.  I had a good day of practice and when we were done, I ran around with my friends the rest of the afternoon.

Sunday morning I was the second race of the day and almost the last race of the day.   Some fast kids showed up and I was excited to have some great battles.  In each race I got off the gate good and I had to work the first lap to get out front.  In all 4 races I was able to get out front and take the lead……but,

In the first 65 open race I crashed really hard in the lead and my bike and I flew different directions.  I was able to run to my bike, pick it up, start it, and get back going and finish in 2nd place.  Because I finished the next race in 1st place, I finished the day with a 1st place overall win in the class.

The two 65cc Intermediate races I finished with 1-1 and took a 1st place overall win in that class as well.

My two 1st Place trophies

I had a lot of fun racing and hanging with my family and friends!

On Saturday during practice I filmed the last parts of the TV commercial for MotoVision Goggles.  I saw parts of the footage, and you guys are going to love it!  Tylar and Max from STILLPOINT Productions are doing an amazing job with the video, audio, and pictures.  I had a lot of fun working with them and I can’t wait to show you all the commercial…..it is coming soon!

If you are in need of any production services, make sure you call Tylar and Max

• STILLPOINT Productions
• Website – http://www.stillpointproductions.net
• Email – stillpointproductions@yahoo.com
• 925-784-5719
• 209-914-0380

MEET THE 51 FIFTY ENERGY DRINK SUPERCROSS TEAM

While I was at Oakland Supercross I had a chance to interview some of the members of the 51 Fifty Energy Drink Supercross team.  I have so much fun with everyone on the team they are all super nice guys!  Preston Mull and Preston Tilford both got injured right before the season began but Scott Champion and Chris Plouffe have been doing great this season and getting better finishes each week.

SCOTT CHAMPION  # 78

71:  How did you first get started on a dirt bike?

78:  My Dad bought me a PW50 when I was 4.  That’s how I got started.  He used to race.

71:  What was your first pro ride and how did you get it?

78:  It was in 2008 and I heard of a team that had a hurt rider so I called them.  They told me to come out and they would watch me ride so I did that and they signed a contract with me the next day.

71:  What is something people might be surprised to know about you?

78:  They might be surprised to know that I didn’t really race that much growing up.  I just kinda rode in the desert and had fun riding.  That is something that the kids I’m racing against didn’t do, they were racing every weekend.

71:  Do you have any tattoos?

78:  Yes I have 2 tattoos on my arm.  I got this one, it’s a guardian angel holding a cross.  I also have one up here (pointing to the top of his arm) that me and my Dad and my Grandpa all got and it says “Born a Champion”.

71:  Do you have any pets?

78:  No I don’t have any pets, I’m allergic to dogs and cats.  I wish I could.

CHRIS PLOUFFE # 98

71:  How did you first get started on a dirt bike?

98:  My Dad rode back in his day and got me my first bike when I turned 2 and ever since then I’ve been hooked.

71:  What advice would you give kids like me that want to get where you are?

98:  Keep practicing…..practice, practice, practice.  That is the only way you are going to get better.  Do some racing and keep going from there.

71:  Do you have any pets?

98:  I have 3 dogs.  I have a little chihuahua named Tobie, I have a golden retriever named Zoie and another golden retriever named Rosie.

71:  Do you have any tattoos?

98:  No tattoos for me, I’m clean.

PRESTON MULL  # 565

71:  How did you first get started on a dirt bike?

565:  I first got started on my 2nd birthday when my Uncle gave me a PW50.

.         71:  Nice Uncle

.         565:  I know right!

71:  What advice would you give kids like me that want to get where you are?

565:  If you want to get where I’m at you just gotta go for it.  You gotta be willing to put in the work because at the end of the day it’s the hard work you put in and how hard you try when you are out there that gets you out front.  Anyone can have the nicest stuff but if you don’t have the drive and the desire to do the best you possible can everytime you go out there….there is no point in being out there unless you want to better yourself.

71:  What was your first pro ride and how did you get it?

565:  I would say my first pro ride is this one, getting to ride for 51 Fifty.  I lucked into it being from the hometown and having a good solid outdoor season and having good finishes all year.

71:  Is there anything people would be surprised to know about you?

565:  I don’t think so, I think everyone knows I’m a pretty weird person.

71:  Do you have any pets?

565:  I have Summer…can I see the dog real quick.  This is Summer

71:  What is your favorite sport other than Motocross?

565:  There are other sports?  Ha, Ha, Ha

71:  Where you home schooled?

565:  No I went to school all the way through High School.

71:  What is your worst and most favorite track.

565:  Worst track Highpoint.  I don’t know why not a fan of Highpoint.  Favorite track? Dude there are so many fun tracks, I like Hollister or just the local sand track by the river by my house…anything is fun.  Any day at the track is a good day.

SOME OF THE 51 FIFTY GIRLS

– – – – – BEHIND THE SCENES – – – – –

Many people are involved to put together the 51 Fifty Energy Drink Supercross team….  I know my self and the rest of the guys on the team are very greatful for the support and efforts that everyone on the team puts in for us.

Joe Cordeiro (Team Manager)

Joe is always very helpful and supportive to the team and I.  He has built a Supercross team from the ground up, in a very short amount of time, and has done a great job navigating the wants and needs of the entire team.  We all appreciate your continued hard work for us!

Carlos Vieira (Team Owner)

Carlos main passion is giving back!  He is a long time car racer that has always helped raise money for Childrens Hospital.  In 2009 Carlos started a fundraising campaign called Race for Autism to help families living with Autism….throughout the season he donated all his race winnings and held several events to increase awareness and help raise money.  Carlos founded 51 Fifty Energy Drinks and continues to give back in many ways…..51Fifty has sponsored many local people in motocross, boxing, music, cheer, BMX, fishing, boarding, and more.  Thank you Carlos for all your help and support!

THANK YOU

CARLOS, JOE and the entire 51 FIFTY ENERGY DRINK team!

Buy 51 Fifty Energy Drinks….. and help support local athletes like me and a percentage of all sales goes to the Carlos Vieira Foundation which directly helps families living with Autism.

MAKING A TV COMMERCIAL, RACING, PRACTICE AND NEW GEAR AND PARTS

A lot has happened this week!  First I am still trying to get better from being sick.  Over the last week some days I feel OK and then the next day I feel sick again…fingers crossed that this week gets better.

RACE

On Saturday I went to Argyll MX to race.  Because of Super Bowl Sunday, no other races were going on, and everyone showed up for the Saturday CMC race.  The race went well and I had fun battling with my friends on the track and hanging out off the track.  My starts were a little off in the beginning of the day but I kept improving each race and by the end of the day I got the starts I wanted.  The track got really rough towards the end of the day, but my Dad made some changes to my suspension and he made my bike easier to handle.  I finished with a 2nd place finish in 65 Open and a 1st place finish in 65 Intermediate.

Todd Lyle got pictures of everyone that was at the race.  Make sure you check out his website at see some great pictures – http://www.toddlylephotography.com

MOTOVISION GOGGLES TV COMMERCIAL

During the race on Saturday Motovision Goggles was filming a TV Commercial that will be shown on SPEED and Fuel TV and they asked me to be a part of it.

It was really cool to have the chance to film for TV again, and I was excited to help tell people about Motovision.  The goggles not only look really cool but they have special scratch resistant lenses and they have a recording camera built-in.  Instead of wearing a camera on top of your helmet, the Motovision Goggles have a camera that also has a noise suppressed microphone which cuts out the wind noise.  Make sure you look for the commercial coming out soon and go to http://www.motovisiongoggles.com to get your high impact HD goggles.

PRACTICE

Sunday I left early in the morning to go to MMX to practice and my Dad did more testing on my bikes.  We got to the track so early that it was all foggy and when I rode my goggles were dripping with water.  The sun came out and I was able to ride on both tracks each hour and get a lot of practice in.  My Dad made changes to my bike and we worked on different things to help me in the races.  After practice we headed home to watch the Super Bowl.

GEAR AND PARTS

This week I also got two surprises in the mail.  The guys at 51 Fifty Energy Drinks hooked me up with some really awesome companies that wanted to help me with my racing.

MIKA METALS hooked me up with some handlebars, sprockets and chains.  Mika Metals sells handlebars engineered to flex and built to last.  They also sell lightweight chains and aluminum sprockets.

I got a box filled with lots of spare parts to keep me going throughout the year.  When you are looking for new handlebars, chains, or sprockets check out http://www.mikametals.com

FLY RACING also hooked me up with some really sick gear, gloves and helmet.  Fly Racing offers a wide range of competition clothing, gloves, helmets, tools and more.  The Fly Racing company provides equipment for many different sports like snow, water, BMX, street, casual and moto.

I am very thankful that the people at FLY RACING also wanted to help me with their cool products.  I can’t wait to rock everything from head to toe…..I know I will look so FLY like always! 🙂   Make sure you check out the awesome designs, colors, and products that Fly Racing has at http://www.flyracing.com 

Thank you http://www.51fiftyenergydrink.com

Make sure you sign up for automatic weekly emails (top left of my webpage)…..you don’t want to miss more about my life as a kid racing dirt bikes, more pro interviews and product reviews….all coming soon!