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Endurocross Brian and I were really excited about the Endurocross. This was the first ever indoor off road event in the United States and we were on the short list of invited riders. In addition to the top names in off road racing in America many of Europe's best came over for a shot at the $10,000 pro purse. When we arrived in Vegas the doors were open to the arena so we went in to take a peak of what we would be riding. The track had a motocross gate with ten spots. After a short first straight it turned 180 to the right into a few bumps and telephone poles that led into more telephone poles that we had to ride between long ways. A off camber left hand corner brought us to a series of tractor tire that we had to ride across without letting the front tire drop in. Next there were more tires built up on a dirt plateau that were on end which had a step up and drop down about nine feet and into another tire trap. Next came the hardest part of the track, a pile of rocks that everyone got stuck in at some point of the night. Along the other side of the stadium were a bunch of telephone poles built up into little hills. We could go pretty good across these poles. We did another U turn over three more poles spaced at wheel distance and into a water trap that had a three foot high log crossing in the middle of. Loose rocks were laid out for the next fifty feet keep us on our toes. One more turn led into a couple poles we could jump and into a sand section. I was worried about the tractor tire traps but the word on the street was that you could ride across them without a problem. The track was gnarly but it looked to have just the right amount of difficulty. We were pumped and looked forwards to the next nights races. On Saturday we were allowed one sighting lap. Numbers were based upon alphabetical order so first up was multi time National trials champ Geoff Aaron. He looked good but when we saw even him have problems with the rocks everyone was nervous about having to take a lap with everyone watching. Brian and I made it through the sighting lap without any major problems. Next was one timed lap that would determine gate picks. This time people were trying to go faster which led them to more problems. Brian had a great lap and set fast time. I also had a good lap and was right in there with most of the top times. There were some interesting crashes during qualifying, with Jimmy Lewis providing the best entertainment for the spectators when he fell over the log crossing in the water and buried his head under water. Brian's time didn't hold up for the night, David Peason barely beat him out, then Ryan Hughes showed us off road guys up by beating the fastest time by about two seconds. With all the problems that people were having during qualifying the races were going to be chaos with ten people on the track at he same time. Only two qualified for the main via the head race. The rest went to the semi where only the winner made the main. The next three made the last chance qualifier where only one would go to the main. I was in the second heat race. I didn't get a great jump on my 200 but cut underneath the pack in the first turn and came out on the lead end of the pack. Paul Krause and I then came together just after the first turn and I was now picking up my bike in last. By the time I caught the back of the pack they were stuck in the rocks. I tried to go through but got tangled up. I got going and started to ride alright and make up some time. I knew it was going to be a long eight laps and if I kept moving forward I may have a chance. My chance ended going over the tires. There were two guys right in front of me going over the tires. When I went to go one of the guys got hung up and I fell backwards off the tires. I crashed once more in the rocks and wore myself out in the heat race. Brian had a much better run in his heat. In the first turn everyone came together and Brian manhandled the bike to the inside and was in about fifth. Brian kept riding strong and had a good race with Geoff Aaron. By the end was catching Lance Smail for the final transfer position. Brian made a pass and directly transferred into the main. In my semi I got another bad start. I had a good race with Steve Hatch and Geoff Aaron myself and finished in fourth place putting me into the last chance. I knew it was going to be hard to qualify in the last chance since only one rider would transfer and I was tired. I got a bad start and wasn't able to make up much ground which ended my night. I quickly changed and took a spot in the stands to watch the final. Ryan Hughes got the holeshot in the main. Everyone dove to the inside of the first turn so Brian already being on the outside railed the first turn and came out about fifth. He had a great race going with Ty Davis and made a pass and pulled away a little bit. Ryan Hughes had some pressure from Englishman David Knight but wasn't making any mistakes. Knight passed Hughes at one point but Hughes wasn't giving the spot up easily and quickly reestablished himself as the leader. Just over halfway through the main Brian was running in fourth when his front wheel dropped in the tire traps and he went over the bars. He got caught between the tires and the barriers and couldn't get out. He finally got going but was at the back of the field. Ryan Hughes didn't make any major mistakes and took the win and the $10,000 first place prize money. David Knight hung tough for second followed by Mika Ahola. This was one of the best races that I have ever been involved with. The spectators loved the non stop action. While there were many crashes they were awkward and low speed so no one got hurt. I can't wait til next year to give it another shot. |