Faircross Race Report

I left the Dallas area around 9am Friday. On the way there I spotted the most knar truck ever

If you cant tell, it is lowered and has skulls everywhere. Epic.
I finally arrived in Beautiful Mountain home around 3:30 PM. It is a really nice place and my crappy picture doesnt do it justice

I give Huck a call and head out to the track to take a look. The weather has clearly taken its toll. You might have seen his pictures last week, the place was a mess. When I got there around 4, Huck and his crew had the finish line built and the rhythm section layed out. It was clear they were going to be working non-stop until late at night. I left for dinner around 530 and it started raining, I felt really bad for Huck and his crew now. Saturday comes around and I get to the track right at noon. They had got quite a bit done since I last saw it, they had a good set of whoops, the rhythm section was closer to completion, the starting line was set up, and the berm leading into the finish was done. I talked to Huck for a bit, and he said they were there until midnight. The crew worked hard to get it set-up in time

To their credit they got it all done with just about 30 minutes behind schedule, not bad considering how un-cooperative the weather was being.
Whoops

Rhythm

Pro practice was up first. Green and Painter were clearly the favorites. Due to all the rain the rhythm section was super soft and developed ruts quickly, some of the pros were struggling. The rhythm section was intended to be; Double, triple, double. Green did it that way once, he was the only one I saw try it successfully.
My practice began with Huck on the line with me. I struggled through the whoops and tried to rhythm through them towards the end. This did not work and I stalled my bike. After kicking it forever I got it started and played blockpass with Huck for a few corners.
Huck followed by myself through the whoops

(yes, this is a picture of a picture)
Up next was the beginner practice. If ive learned one thing from my love of AX style races it is this, beginners+arenacross=magic. This practice did not disappoint. One kid decided to pin i through the whoops on the first lap. He got some serious speed going through the last five and whiskey throttled the berm into the announcers area

I saw him walking through the pits later and other then some scratches he looked fine, but I think his bike broke as he didnt race later on.
During the riders meeting Huck and his crew had tons of stuff to give out. Countless tees, hats, stickers, and cuzees (I dont know how to spell that, but the things you wrap around your drinks to keep them cold). They even threw some goggles out which I caught but were quickly stolen from me (lil bastards if I ever found out who it was...)I also "won" a tube, which essentially covers my race entry fee, thanks huck!
After the riders meeting the race order was handed out, sadly in my class, it was just myself and one other person, youre either first or last. Since my class was so small our heat race was paired up with the Over 25 class and Over 30. Huck gave himself last gate pick which would put him in the second row. Poor misguided fool started behind me. I wheelied down the start straight, I dont think ive done that since I was 15. I came out of the whoops a little hot, and the person in front of me was going pretty slow through the corner, we hit and my front forks caught on his peg

Evidence of a poorly fought battle, those are scratches, not dirt. While trying to restart my bike I hear the announcer mention the troubles Im having getting restarted. I finally get going a lap behind everyone else.
Some other noteworthy classes. In one of the ATV classes, a kid was on a hunting style ATV, he quickly became my favorite. In the girls class a younger girl on a 60 was battleing with an older girl on a 250F. It was a surprisingly good battle with the girl on the 60 eventually passing and pulling away. The pro class was a bit of a bummer, they put up a good sized pro purse for only 2 in one class and 6 in the other. There was a pretty hilarious costume race with all sorts of whacky costumes, my favorite being the disco 70s guy.
Time for the main events and the temperature has dropped significantly. During the first half of the show there was a solid attendance of people just there to watch, much more then I normally see then in the Dallas area. After the pitbike races and FMX demo many people left, no doubt to to the cold.
My race starts and it is now just the novice class and over 25, they left the over 30 for their own class. I stayed with the other novice rider for quite some time and even started to pressure him a bit. Unfortunately he figured out where I was gaining on him and started to pull away at the end. I would be getting last, but if it's any consolation (and it is) I know that in a couple of years I will be competitive with the over 25 class, score. I was last out of my class, but we stayed ahead of the over 25 group.
The Faircross offered up some very well done plaques

This is my second place (aka last place) plaque.

All in all it was a very fun event, and I hope they have it again next year. As a side note, noticeably missing from the event, Kawrider9, im calling you out.