ROUND 2 - APRIL 5, 2009

Round 2 had a much better turnout than round 1 with a 50% increase. Unfortunately there were still only 4 women rounding out the 2 classes represented in the Womens A, B, C, & D classes. The other groups were considerably larger and made for some exciting bar-to-bar action all throughout the day.

The first 50 minute race of the morning started with the Women's classes all starting together. Missy Barrett was the only 'A' rider, while Darby Martin, Lisa Johnson, and Monica Razo competed in 'C'. At the start, Darby jumped out to a great start followed by Lisa, Monica, and myself. Lisa and I held a very tight battle thru the first few corners and jumps but as we hit the end of the big straight and set up for the right-hander going into the wash I ran into some trouble. I was right behind Lisa in the corner, but just as I hit the gas upon exit, my 450R simply died. I didn't know what was wrong. I didn't hit the off switch (which has happened on more than one occasion), the fuel pecock was in the 'on' position, everything seemed normal other than I was just sitting there. Monica quickly went by as did every other racer in the next 2 groups to start (approximately 10-12 others). I finally got my quad re-started and had to do what I could to catch up with the other gals.

I was found myself stuck behind 2 other racers in a small pile-up just as we were coming around the corner to exit the first wash section. About 20-30 seconds went by as the other 2 riders freed themselves and got going again. With some tight single track sections ahead, I wasn't really able to make up any ground. Before lap 1 ended, I made my way past the initial 2 riders from the other group and was scanning what I could of the track and terrain looking for Darby, Lisa, and Monica.

At the start of lap 2, I was going thru the left-hand sweeper before the long straight away and I could see Darby and Lisa across the way, coming out of the wash. They were over a minute ahead of me and battling each other hard. I felt like I was doing pretty good, but got hung up for a few more seconds behind another racer that got stuck in the silt between the 2 canyon walls just off the motocross section. So once again I was had to wait for a clear path to open up.

Lap 3 was very similar to lap 2. Once again when I was heading down the main straight I could see Darby and Lisa exiting the wash. I made my way thru traffic a little quicker on this lap and near the end of the motocross section, I had managed to close the gap on Monica, who was in her 1st-ever race and doing really well. I was finally able to make the pass on Monica just as we were coming out of the left hand corner before the arena. Monica drifted a little wide and I took the inside for the pass. Together we made a mad dash behind the arena section towards the next wash. I could see Lisa and Darby up ahead in a very tight battle of their own and I was relieved to see their dust clouds were getting closer, even though I was still pretty far behind.

Lap 4 things got exciting. I had consistently been about a minute behind Darby and Lisa, trying to make my way thru the field. Just before entering the first wash on lap 4, I could see others signaling where the leaders were (thanks Marsha!)... I was actually closing the gap. Coming into the motocross section I could see Darby and Lisa just a few corners ahead of me. But since the track has a lot of switch-backs, there was still quite a bit of real estate between us. As I was exiting the arena section, I could see Monica up ahead. Unfortunately for Monica she was struggling with the track a little. She was high-centered between the tractor tires at the merge before the next motocross section. I wanted to help, but at the same time I knew I was gaining some ground and wasn't sure how many laps were left. At the end of lap 4 I was only 15 seconds behind them.

As Darby and Lisa made their way across the top ridge, I wasn't too far behind, far enough where I couldn't quite see them, but from the reaction of the spectators along the track I knew they were close. Then, as Darby and Lisa were entering the 3rd wash, I was just exiting the backside of the arena. I could physically see them and not just their dust clouds in my line of sight. As I went down the wash, I was just in the tail end of the dust they left behind. It was a mad dash thru the arena and back onto the track. Coming thru the last few turns, I was just 1 table top behind them. I was sooo happy to be finishing with them and not how it looked at the start. At the end it was Darby taking 1st over all, Lisa just 3 seconds behind for 2nd place, and I was 5 seconds behind Lisa for 3rd. Even though my first lap was brutal, I had a great time trying to catch up, and I love the workout.

The next group of racers included Jeff Barrett and the rest of the 40+ group. With all the racers lined up behind their quads, waiting for the green flag, some were struggling with the length of their kill switch tether. The flag waved and Jeff got a decent start. He was about 4th off the line and made a couple of quick passes putting him in 2nd right behind the leader.

As Jeff and the leader were heading over the hill into the off-camber silt bed, they were both going in a little too hot. The leader blew the corner and ended up in the dry ditch. Jeff came over the hill and tried to make the corner and ended up sliding off the track right into the leader. The leader must have had a pretty exciting spill because he was facing the wrong direction when Jeff slid into him. Jeff helped the other guy get his quad out, who then took off without helping Jeff out. As Jeff lifted his quad out of the thick silt and ditch the entire field went by.

From that point on, other than swapping a few positions, his race was pretty uneventful. Jeff was closing the gap late in the race and finished just off the podium in 4th.

Jeffrey Johnson and Dawson Turner put on a great battle in their race. The 2 of them were bar-to-bar battling each other for the lead when Dawson's new Cobra ceased. Jeffrey walked away with his first victory and Dawson felt the disappointment of his quad letting him down.

Jonathan McVay had a rough start in the Pro class. Something about not being to kick his 450R at the start. He gave the others quite the advantage, but had fun reeling them in and moving up the ranks. He made a pass just as he was exiting the arena and moving his way up thru the field. He made another sweet pass right in front of his pit area at the end of the long straight just as he entered the 1st wash. Jonathan found himself in 3rd at the end of the day but it was a great day of racing for everyone.

Round 2 pix, a few short videos, and the Grinding Stone's race schedule are posted below. If you have a quad, dirt bike, or UTV and would like to learn more about Grinding Stone, visit their web site.

stay young, have fun, PLAY!