Well here we are, only Steel City remaining on the schedule for us and then its off for a few weeks to a month then we are back on the track getting ready for SX. We just had Southwick this past weekend, that place never seems to amaze me at how rough and fun that track is. I have had some really good finishes there and also some bad luck as well, in ‘03 I ended my season there after tearing my ACL in a corner without really even falling. Its always been one of my favorite tracks we go to every year and this year was no different. When I got there Saturday they were still watering it nonstop to make sure it was going to be in great condition for the 2nd Motos on Sunday afternoon. I ended up qualifying in 8th Sunday morning for my gate pick which was ok for me but I always want to be better. The first Moto I ended up getting a really good start by my standards this year, I was about 10th or so coming out of the first turn. By lap one I was 9th and moving up really good and had a strong pace going nearly all the way to the end when I had Matt Goerke on me the whole Moto, when the white flag came out he was right on me and we switched places a few times with him getting the upper hand on my when we crossed the finish. I had pushed pretty hard and was feeling pretty hot when I got off the track so immediately I got all my gear off and had a cool towel around me and my feet in an ice bucket to get me cooled down and ready for the 2nd Moto. Again out of the gate for Moto2 I was near the front around the first turn, this time I had Marc DeRuever in front of me for the first few laps which helped me get past some guys quick, he has to be one of the best sand riders in the world since he lives in Belgium and rides in it everyday!! He made a mistake and went down which left me 6th or so, I could see John Dowd in front of me but he had a good gap, so I put my head down and closed up a bit on him but just couldn’t make anymore time by the checkers. I wound up going 6-6 for 5th overall, not bad considering the week prior had stellar 14-14 Moto finishes!! I worked hard during the week and it paid off huge the 2nd Moto, it was a great reward for the time spent at the track and in the sun. Now we have a few days and then its off to the final round in Pa, so I hope that I have even better things to write about after the final round of the Outdoors. Hope you guys enjoy the Blog and keep it rubber side down.

SH 105