VDR Winter Series #5
Woodland MX 2/11/06
The Perils of Pokey
It has been a long wet winter, two mud-fests November and December of 2005 January saw the race canceled due to rain (the track was a lake). Then came February in all it's glory (for the last few years been that way) the sun came out on Monday and dried the track all week for the vintage MX warriors.
The trip down was the usual fair traffic jam from north of Seattle to south of Olympia, but it was beautiful and the Razors Edge boy's are on pins and needles. December seems like light years ago since we got to play in the dirt with the guys. We finally got to the track about 8PM and the pits were half full we new it was gonna be a great day for racing. After pitching camp we headed back into town forgot to get gas on the way (doh). On returning we visited with the other riders we missed over the holidays and two month break. Jay got busy on the grill as usual whipping up some mouth watering BBQ chicken. Then some chatting and hit the bunks for some shut eye.
We woke to a full pit area about 7AM, got some coffee from the snack shack and got registered. I am amped I been waiting since the first of the year to hit the track on my 1980 Suzuki SP500. I had it ready to go for the January but there was no race (that lake thing mentioned earlier). Jay and I head out for practice, Jay makes a spot in practice 5 but I have to wait for 6. The SP500 is amazing I have not rode a bike that handled this well since I rode my old Honda CR250R. But alas like anything too good it doesn't last coming off the back stretch table top I pancake my landing and break the chain (sh!t). So I push her back to the pits chain in hand spirit sinking in my gut. Jay tells me the race order he is in moto 6 and some good news I am in moto's 14 and 16. I have time to fix the chain. After examining the chain the master link is in tack, so I just need to remove the two damaged links. I tried a file, ok the pins are harder than I thought so I go in search of a link breaker. Tom McAllister points me in the direction of the Sullivan boy's and sure enough they have the tools for the job a electric grinder and punch set (thanks guys your great). Jay and I get the chain back on the SP500 and boy it is a tight fit so tight that we are worried about breaking the counter shaft or case but the want to ride wins out over good sense (the way it usually goes for me). Jay heads out for his first moto, it is a great race, track is good and they are givin er hell out there. Our boy Jay takes a solid third for his first moto.
Well it is my turn on the track with the new bike, I have decided that better safe than sorry I would take it easy no jumping (like I ever get a lot of air, maybe in my dreams) I don't want to risk damaging the bike. Right off the line the SP500 says RESPECT ME as she tries to stand up as soon as I hit the dirt, I pull her down and away we go. It really take an enormous amount of restraint on my part not to turn this bike loose lord knows I wanted too, I was right there with the pack I would pull them in on the straights but loose them at the jumps (that no jumping cause of the chain is getting on my nerves quick) I end up in 8th which is ok.
Back in the pits I jump off the SP500 and on the PE250 and head out to moto 16 (never even take my helmet off) make it out just prior to the white flag for moto 15. Then bad thing #2 strikes (you know bad things come in 3's right?) two feet off the line the PE250 dies and will not stay running above idle. I manage to limp her back to the pits and tear into the carb (she is running lean). I get her back together put in a new plug she fires right off, I putt around the pits and she seems fine.
Back to our man Jay he is getting ready for his second moto. I head out with cameras in hand to capture him in all his glory (hey it sounds good). Jay gets a great start and is up front into the first turn then 1st and second get separated just like the first moto and our boy is in a dog fight for 3rd. Jays spends the first 3 laps on this guys rear tire looking for the hole to get passed finally he decides he needs to create his own window of opportunity, out of the corner on the back side of the track Jay moves inside and after banging elbows emerges in 3rd place and holds it to the finish to get 3rd over all.
Now it is my turn race 14 moto 2. As I try to fire up the SP500 she kicks back then no engagement that's right kick down and nobody's home (uh I remember saying bad things come in 3s) so I jump on the PE250 and head out I'll just run both moto's on it. And if you have not guessed by now today IS NOT MY DAY at the line the bike stalls when I try to restart it there is a very bad rattling noise in the top end (the type of noise that says bearings rings and your done for the day) so I push the bike back to the pits and start loading everything up.
So the Razors Edge boys head back north feeling our pains (Jay due to givin er) and mine by not. I call home to make sure my wife doesn't want a divorce (the way my day was going it could have happened, you know what they say if it has wheels or tits it's gonna give you trouble) the dogs ok and the house has not burned to the ground. All I can say is Wahaaaaaa but you choose to race these old bike and like the old riders on them some times we break but the bikes are harder to get parts for. Here's to seeing you all next month and hopefully my equipment holds up.
Thanks again to all
Darrell "Pokey" Morgan #72 AHRMA #79n
Jay Jones AHRMA #71s
