My first local race happens to be Round 3 of the National Hare Scramble Series in Rhinelander, WI.

A dry dust filled day was in store for us as northern WI has had next to no rain in a month.

I strarted the race strong but visability was terrible. I stalled the bike only a few miles into the woods after that costly mistake it was time to play catch up.

As the day went on I started my charge from 9th position and was able to move up continuously thoughout the race. By the time the checkered flag flew I had managed to move up to 5th position. Not bad but without the mistake I think the day could’ve been a little better. But not bad for my first day back in the tight technical trails.

My first 2 hour race of the year at one of my favorite tracks in WI.

I took the lead when the green flag flew and felt good as i started through the woods. A good friend and I continued a battle the entire race as the laps went on I felt I could win.

In the closing laps of the race we caught heavy traffic and I was passed with just two laps to go. The pace picked up and we went all out for the final two laps and in the end I settled for 2nd only 5 seconds behind the winner. But a very good day in WI.

I can put my race in Pennsylvania in a very short report.

I drove to the race it was cold and rainy. PA is rocks!!!

The track was a tough one and only 2 laps in my race was cut short. I had a flat rear tire ending my weekend in a hurry.

My first DNF of the year. You always hate a bad day but the track in’t suit me vary well so it would’ve been a salvage points day any way. On to OHIO!

The Titan or Titanic as it was refered to by the end of the weekend. When the event was being set up I was told it was a beautiful facility. When we arrived it was a water filled pits and when we left it was a mud hole!

Even GNCC staff knew this one was bad as the race was shortened to 2 hours.

As the race began I knew why it was shortened as the track had nothing left to offer. The mud was slop and I felt like a farm kid tearing through the pasture on a rainy day. 3 laps in my race was slowed down as i found what seemed to be a good line just off the main trail before hitting a barb wire fence and ending up stuck with my bike on top of me. Anothe racer came along and helped me up but by that time top ten was gone and I came home with a 12th place finish.

Coming into round 5 I needed to get back inside the top ten for myself. I knew it was possible but the weather was putting a damper on my attitude.

Rain and plenty of it for round 5! Our pit box was under some deep water when we arrived at the course sunday morning.

When the green flag flew I charged hard to turn one but those factory KTM’s beat me once again. After half a lap I was down to my last tear off on my SCOTT goggles and knew there was plenty of mud to go. But thanks to SCOTT USA for the support I have plenty of goggles and stopped nearly every lap for a fresh set. 2 Hours into the race I lost rear brakes and it was hard to keep pushing but i did as much as possible. On the final lap even the front brakes became slow and not working to full potential. But as I cross the finish my KAWASAKI was still running strong and 10th was on the scoring screen!

After the top ten finish I was ready to tackle the next course and get further inside the top ten. That would not be the case!

When the flag flew I rocketed from an outside start spot to sweep around the outside and cross the stripe right behind KTM XC2 points leader Kailub Russell. But those factory guys are fast out of the gate. I drifted back and settled in 10th position for the first few laps. At about the half way point in the race I moved to the edge of the trail about 4 miles into the loop only to clip a large rock or stump and land on my head.

With the bars folded back I had to ease my way around the 14 mile course to the pits.

I charged hard and managed to get back up to 12th position before the finish.

After a week home and complete bike tear down and checkover we head to round 3 Steele Creek GNCC.

In the Mountains of North Carolina We meet up with our racing friends for Steele Creek. The only thing I can say is HILLS! And thats exactly what was said at the riers meeting… Remember hills up and down be smart and have fun…

The hills at first looked intimidating but for the  new Kawasaki and Pirelli tires they were nothing. After a poor start and having to battle with the pack the first lap was a disaster! I changed the suspension and that turned out bad. To a to my first lap nightmare 7 miles in I managed to get sprayed and for the second I couldn’t see ended out in a hole up to my seat. After i was done doing handstands I came around lap 1 in 16th position 6 minutes behind the next rider. After a quick pitstop to put the suspension back the way it was I put my head own and pushed hard.

3 hours and 6 laps later I managed my best finish yet with a 10th place finish in XC2 wow I was pumped after my horrible start to get into the top ten.

Now I am home and loaded for Round 4 Big Buck in Union, South Carolina. I’m hoping for some luck and another top ten. See you at the track!

After a short week to heal and a fun week in Daytona we pack the van and head to Georgia.

Round 2 falls only 5 days after the first and will be completely different terrain from Florida and sand.

As the flag flys and I hit the woods I find myself in the battle up front but them boys down south know the terrain and I’m learning it so I hold a strong pace but the front runners inch away. After 3 more hours of abuse to me and the bike I finish in the 12th position.

An improvement from round 1 is great for me! See you in NORTH CAROLINA!

Well here we are the day I’m leaving for round 3 an I’m writing about round 1.

River Ranch was sand sand and sand! Of course it was we were in Florida. The sand whoops were deep at the beginning so you know how they were at the end DEEP!

After 3 hours of beating myself in the Florida sand. A 16th place finish in my first day as a pro lites XC2 rider I was pretty happy.

As the clock gets closer to bike week, a winter storm is brewing in Wisconsin!

But wait forecast change! RAIN….. And buckets of it!

Packing tonight will be WET!    UGH!!!