MFG #4 Pacific Raceways

Ok so what a race. It poured off and on all day, and it was cold. The course was very muddy, but wet mud so it was a bit easier to ride then the mud a Beverly. The course was actually really fun and I really liked it.

When we lined up to start the race the rain was pouring and the wind was starting to pick up. We had about 8 or 10 cat 1/2 women, with Wendy Simms from Canada (has been Canadian national champ before, very fast) and Jenni Gaertner from ID and Jessica Culter, Ann Knapp, and a few other gals that I am forgetting. A good strong group.

It was raining so hard, it was hard to see when we started. Wendy got the whole shot with Jenni and myself on her wheel. We dove off the pavement into the grass/mud and started slipping and sliding. It was so much fun. The 3 of us started to pull away, and I passed Jenni and got on Wendy's wheel. I stayed there for half the race and even passed her on the technical downhill section but she got me back in the deep mud. I tried to stay with her but she pulled away from me and I lost contact. I was so happy though to be able to stay with her for as long as I did!!
I stayed riding hard and held onto 2nd. It was such a great race for me, I really was riding so excited and couldn't believe I was able to stay on Wendy's wheel.

Holden didn't have such a great day though. He missed his start, so he was very upset and Chad and I had to basically force him to get on the course to just do one lap and have fun. It didn't matter where he finished for us we just wanted him to get out there and have fun. He however was so upset and was crying. I think he was more confused because he has never missed his start before so he thought that meant he couldn't race at all. So once we got him on the course he warmed up and was having fun finally. But there was this plywood ramp that the promoters built and it was cool for sure but the little kids should have been forced off their bikes and not allowed to try to ride it. Holden tried to ride it and almost made it but didn't get to the top and rode backwards down the ramp (about 45 degree angle) and ran his back right into one of the hand rails and was hurt. He was screaming because his back was cold and he hit the pole hard. Chad was there and ran over to get him. While they were there another little guy tried to ride it and didn't make it and fell over and one of the faster juniors rode right over the top of the little guy. They just should have had the 10 and under kids go around it. Anyways Holden had to quit and was pretty sore but we worked it out and he was better by the evening. Rough day for him!!

Chad on the other hand finally had a better race. We think maybe he had a cold or something that affected his muscles over the last couple weeks because he was having a lot of issues but this race was much better. He had a great start and was in like 6th or 7th and held that for a bit and slide back a few but stayed strong and his legs felt much better. He finished 11th I think, so much better day for him.

For the SSCXWC it was Wendy and Kari going at for the title. Kari is the reining SSCXWC so she wanted to win it again. But Wendy got a better start and was off front and held onto it for the whole race and won the title. I was excited, Wendy really is an awesome gal and it was cool to see her win both races. Bummer for Kari though, I would have loved for her to keep the title so it stayed in Seattle. Maybe next year!!

A lot of costumes and funny stuff and a lot of beer was drank during the SS race. It as a blast to watch and really was crazy to see what some of these people were wearing.

Overall a great day of racing, it was so much fun!