What a great trip!!
We (Kevin Dilley, Tyler and Dave Cote) chose to drive Friday night and get a cheap room in town. The drive was about 2 hours so the room was not really needed but it did allow us to sleep in. It also allowed Kevin (The Bike Whisperer) time to tune our bikes into a state of perfection that I will never be able to accomplish!
Saturday morning we met Greg at the local McD's and enjoyed a quick breakfast before making the short drive to the track.
Signs made it almost foolproof (only one u-turn) to find the track, lot's of room to park and we were off to get signed up.
The only way sign-ups could have gone smoother was if I was better prepared...
Time to suit up and hit the track!!
Please allow me to preface the rest of my remarks with the following statement. I have only been racing BMX for 3 years, I only chase the faster guys in my class (not points), I do not anticipate ever being in contention for a NAG plate and the closest I get to "real speed" is on my old Harley.
That being said, I absolutely love the Red Hills track! The gate ran smooth, the obsticles were sized and placed to inspire confidence and the corners forced you to check your entrance speed and get back on the gas quickly.
What I liked most about the place had nothing to do with the dirt though. It was the people and the atmosphere. I have always thought there was something special about BMX families and the track confirmed my theory. Positive remarks and loud cheers were heard after every race. The snack bar was well stocked, the slushies were cold and the prices were racer friendly.
The races ran smoothly, the battles were epic and we were allowed to practice until we could no longer pedal.
We are extremely lucky to have 3 great tracks to race on. Each is very different and each absolutely rocks!!
See ya in the dirt!