Idaho Qualifier

Big Al, Gregg, and Dave North took the box van from Oregon to Idaho and rode everyday between the two races.  They picked me up at the airport then we headed up to Idaho City.  Upon arriving I had some work to do on the bike since I had not seen it since the week before in Oregon.  Once the bike work was completed we went and walked the grass track.  It always amazes me how much work goes into the grass track and once again it looked like fun. 

Day one started out with a test right off the bat.  It was on the dry and dusty side this year.  I rode conservative in the first test but made it through without any big mistakes.  We rode on the western side of the mountains this year and this was a good course.  I had a problem on the third test where an arrow misled me which put me back onto course a few corners back from which I just came.  I rode OK on the day but knew I was going to have to pick it up on the second day.  Kurt Caselli kicked our butts on the first day and had a comfortable lead over Ricky Dietrich.  Brian Spearle was in third followed by other D-36 riders Billy Russell, Ryan Powell, myself and Eric DuCray.  

It rained overnight which made the second day superfun.  Right off the start I had wasn't able to start my bike which docked me a few second.  I had a good first test and caught Spearle and was able to pass him when he fell in a corner.  Spearle and I rode most of the day together and we pushed each other and kept ourselves from slacking off.  In the end Kurt won the event for the second time over Ricky Dietrich, Ryan Powell put a strong second day in for his best National overall finish for third.  Billy Russell snuck ahead of Spearle for fourth, followed by Quinn Cody, Jason Dahners, myself, Eric DuCray, and Jeremy Puma.

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