drop me an E-mail at Road America Millville to Sturgis, By John & Dawn Clifford 9/ I - 8/9
Leaving Ft. Collins as it made national news due to floods was are start. Downed bridge in Col. added an hour but when we pulled into Milville Thursday to find a motocross wonderland. The John Martin prep track was looking awesome and with camp at the edge of the" Bikini Beach " the weekend was looking good. As M.X. Editor my desire was to ride the toughest track on the national. After walking the massive sand whoops and the steep up and down hills I knew this was it. Hard to steep light rain all night. Practice ripped, I mean Perfect conditions, First two runs where a little crowded, but picked up Speed. After 3 more shredding practices I had already got my moneys worth and wonder if I had anything left for race day. Donny Schimdt Memorial Day, 1 felt like I was racing in his honor. What a wonderful influence and respected person he still is. Raced all day long in 3 classes+ 25 B walked on me, +30B over came middle starts to grab 1Oth. Good starts and 5-3 netted 3rd 250 C and now it was party night. 2 mobile D.J.s played all night, lots off pretty girls, some won wet- tee money. Schimdt's brother Mike is a blast, got a sweet babe. Tomorrow the Pros will show me how it ' goes. Rain hard through the night and practice started with riders splashing head high in the Whoops. the first 125 moto it was prime track conditions. During Quailing Col. riders Josh Kellogg and Chad Wollaston put in good rides and went to the Main without the LCQ. Jumping Joe Pena was ready to watch. As the heat of the day came up so did the humidity. Damon Huffman lead the pack around the first turn. Then Scott Sheak used the whoops for the lead, only to wash out in the corner after the whoops. Tim Ferry grabbed first until the hill section when Carmicheal railed by and passed going up the hill. Windham started the march through traffic and ended up 2nd. Riding his best this year Pichon stayed right with Kevin the whole way for 3rd. Lamson rolled past allot of racers for 4th, Sheak Feffy, Huffman, Pingree and Roncada. 2nd moto Carmicheal nailed the hole shot and started to open up. Lamson was on a tear and just worked by Carnicheal, then Huffman smoothed his way by R. C. but he stopped the bleeding there and kept the overall. Pichon was moving strong when he clipped Tichenor's rear wheel up the hill land dropped back. Tichenor at the party told me. "Did he hit me, Oh well I ". Ferry again was ripping and held a solid 4th besting Windham, Sheak, Reynard, Roncada followed Lamson after the race said He felt great. knew he was ready and glad to win a moto getting ready for the M.X. Des Nations Hffman was also happy feels confident. "The Bike is working great, I'm riding well . "You got to love this guys smile. Ferry at the party said " it was rough and tough like Florida. The 250 with Kellogg and Chad blasted out and Rhino railed the corner first ahead of McCormick and led until the jump before the whoops as he cart wheeled over the bars. Emig slipped by Dowd for 2nd Larocco held off Emig at first but Jeff-ro used the 2nd downhill to gain the lead. Kiedrwski was looking real strong and fast. Larocco charged hard and kept Emig close. Lusk rode motor up to 4th, following his teammate Dowd. Albee made up ground to 5th, the Kied, Ward, Hughes dusted himself off and ran down McGrath and Bradshaw. Kellogg was 23 and Wally 29, 2nd moto Emig pulled the 1-900 award, McCormick another good start, Dowd and Hughes. and Dowd pulled away, LaRocco caught Hughes then Albee moved by for 4th., Kied again held a strong pace and beat McGrath, Ward, Button and Bradshaw. Up front Dowd would gain ground only to lose it attempting to pass. Emig is the hardest guy to pass on the planet right now. Dowd was endogative and had an inside stuff on E coming to the finish. The Crowd rose and roared at the same time as Dowd (Too much Class) didn't make the ram move and Fro won both motos. Dowd 2nd Larocco 3rd, Albee, Lusk and hooray for the Kied6-6 he's in the mix. Josh and Chad had a tougher 2nd moto and didn't pull a national point but they're getting close.
Besides saw Heather sweet talking Wally Go Boy. Racer Party was a blast at a local bar in Rochester, Rookies. Fro, Mac, Bud- man, Button, Lawrence, Tichnor, Hughes, Ferry, Bonello, Trophy girl(great Shorts),Mike Schimdt and his honey and Frank Kuhn who looks to an increased the privateers purse of 1,000.00 to the top privateer next year, be great. Good work. At lunch Duke Fitch and I talked about the new Arena cross series and he looks forward to it with Mike Kidd and added support. It all ended with Ferry's buddy drive us to the hotel after some Car Wars in the parking lot and security chase. The Road to Sturgis: Broke the trailer's leaf spring but got to town Tuesday at noon. Missed the assigned Hill climb but entered the one on Friday. Might enjoy the sights. Checked the bikes and displays and setup photo assignments with our model. Wed. great weather rode on the J.C. Gypsies M.X- Track. Meet Ricky Graham and small interview after his riding clinic. Nice Guy getting back on track. Story to follow later issue. Wed. Night the Cruise is picking up and the bikes and babes are looking Fine. Meet members of the Band Swarte. They Rip. Look for them on MTV. They where on location shooting Plus the Rodman Tour and Hulk Wrestling. Filming for Cops taking place. Thurs. weather good again found a cool M.X. track with a trout farm. Relaxing. Great fish, Watched the Death Wish Dan with Motorcycle Demolition Derby. Sad Note Racer died at the Sturgis half mile. It hurts all of us. Thurs. night cruise. The town is abuzzz. Wish I was riding A Harley not theNX 650. Not COOL. Oh well all I could fit in the trailer and I pop the spring already. Started to spend too much money. The Cops are everywhere, ATF, FBI DEA, Highway, city, county and a helicopter that never stops. Like a war zone. The people are a blast and even put up with Japanese M.X., Harley want- to -be. I think it's because of the beautified lady I'm With (Dawn). We went to Two Bars but It was back To Millingers for Fun, Dancing, Playboy Bunnies Oh Niki You are so fine, hey Nikki. Swarte Hammered out an awesome Led set. Closed it down and headed for the hill climb dreams. Friday nice day again. Go Pro 200 -250 CIass. It's my first but start Big. 18 riders in my class and 2 make the hill as I place 3 rd ( In the money) 175 feet in 10. 45 sec.. The No. I hill climber Mike on a Honda ripped up the hill and jumped the second to third tier finished in 7 sec. Wow!!! Round 2 I sucked tried to double but cased the third. I went farther on my 1st try. Mad. 6 more made it and I was out of the cash. Mike scorched a 5.03 run the best. 90 entries 11 states, over 900 spectators, T.V. and freeway stopping action. Laid back fun. Next Year All the way to the Top. Fri. night The Town is on FIRE, Girls everywhere- Stop for photos anytime. Bike show was Cool. Photo shoot with top 5 bike at show, Thanks Chris. Our Miss Cycle Scene Shoot gets booted off the streets by the cops. Only safe place Millinger and the MTV shoot. Swarte Owns this town by now. Even has an original" Road to Strurgis" becomes the anthem. "Lucy" may be their best. Girls tossed out for over exposure, I defended Colorado's honor in drinking contest .... I hope l never go Back. Thanks Frank Kuhn and John Martin, J. C. Gypsies, Ricky Graham, Playboy and Tim Wolf Please don't make me work so hard on something so fun. If it only paid the bills.
Cycle scene @JCXSSpeed
