A Privateers Experience

I changed it to A Privateers Experience. Didn't know about the Parks thing. Also, before the rumors start flying, Matt did not test positive for any PEDs! (sarcasm intended in heavy doses)

We have been to Muddy Creek a few times. He had only ridden High Point(the amateur track) once and that was in the mud. I think knowing the schedule and the track will be helpful.

Thanks for the photo, I had not seen that one. Matt has had a good couple of weeks to train and get ready for Muddy Creek.

Had an issue with the practice bike that cost us a couple of days. Snagged the shifter in a rut and broke the shift shaft. Big thanks the Cmunn for going the extra mile and getting one to us right away.

Weather looks iffy for the weekend. Matt rides the mud pretty well, but it is going to crush me to take that pretty new bike and destroy it in the mud. I guess it is what it is.

Moto Hose would look awesome on the KTM!

Thanks to Michael Norris and his dad for getting Matt to the track in time for tech. We have 4 kids from SOBMX including our trainers trying to qualify tomorrow so I had to hang back and make sure the training went well for the amateur kids. I just got here about 8:30. Matt's mom and brother and sister are coming tomorrow so we are looking forward to a fun day!

Goal is still to make the field for the motos and hopefully avoid the LCQ. Everything on top of that is a bonus and more experience. I think we have internet access tomorrow, I will keep you guys posted!

Thanks for reading!

A solid day for Matt at Muddy. Qualifying rounds went well. 26th after the first round and 21st after round 2. We had an extra hour between practice and motos when compared to high point. Had much better meal plans so he went to the line with a full belly and lots of energy.

Had a spot next to the box and and got a pretty good jump but missed couldn't get the shift to third. Came into the corner mid pack and out in the top 20. Some of the top guys passed him and put him back to around 25th and he pulled a huge gap on the guys behind him. The ones in front pulled away slightly so for the first time in his pro career he was kinda riding around by himself. Passed one guy in the closing stages and ended up 24th.

Another good jump in the second moto but was way wide. Passed his way up to 20th and was hoping for that illusive point but lost a spot and had to settle for 21st. The good news is he was way more prepared for the quick turnaround between motos and felt way better than last week.

OK, now for some insight on the privateer part of the experience. I'm not complaining here because the kids on the teams have all earned the advantages but there some things that make it way harder on the privateer. First is location. The big dogs are all on level ground with running water and tons of space. We had to go up and down two hills to get to the track, not so bad on the rider but hell on the mechanic (Slow Old Guy). My legs are shot today. You also miss out on a lot of the action because you are away from the track. Little things, like getting water are a bear. I waited in line for thirty minutes to get my water barrel filled from the one hose they had dedicated to us.

All in all a good day. I will be posting some Go Pro videos as soon as I get a chance to edit them.

The first minute of a national

Some really close racing

Here is how it started:

Scoring is kinda weird. I understand the guys scoring a point are in front of everyone else, but I don't get how a 21/29 finishes behind a 36/28.

Matt is on his way to Redbud with Eric Howe. Eric is on loan from Farren racing for the weekend and I am really excited to have him. He and Matt worked well together in the past and he is a great mechanic. Matt is better off with him than with me. I'll be watching from the kitchen table on the computer.

Someone has to stay home and work! LOL

First time to ride redbud. Qualified 28th. Said it was hard to learn the track So hard for me to not be there but he is in good hands. On the gate now.

Here's what it says in the AMA Pro Rulebook:

The overall class finish for the event will be determined by combining the total championship points earned by
a rider in both motos. In the event of a tie for any position, the rider with the higher finish in the second moto
will be placed above the rider with the lower finish. Riders who do not earn championship points will be scored
according to their finishing position based on the Olympic scoring system.

The last sentence contradicts what you said. Olympic scoring is add motos together, low score wins.

Bringing this one back from the dead. After Redbud we went to Budds Creek. Qualified 26th and was in the process of having a decent day when suspension gremlins did him in. Ended up going 24/24 but it could have been so much better. On to Millville the next week.

I was worried about Millville. Had never been there and the locals are fast. Had suspension issues all day. Qualified 31st, was 26th in the first moto with a blown rear shock. No time between motos to fix it so he tried, but that is no track to ride with no rebound on the shock so he pulled off.

Our last race of the season was Indiana which was a mudfest. I was tempted to let him qualify, take the money and go home. There were people there who wanted to see him ride so I gave in. Just cracking the top 20 when the motor overheated and quit.

Look for updates on the thread titles A Privateers Experience 2 - Supercross 2015

Thanks for all of the comments last year!

Mike and Matt