VDR 2005-06 series Race #4
Another month has past and it is time for the Razors Edge boys to head south with their fresh paint (Jay's cube van mine on my left forearm) for another exciting weekend of fun in the Hmmmm would it be:
A) Sun
B) Rain
C) Snow
D) cold rainy freaking slop?
Well I'll tell ya when I left Bellingham with two inches of snow on the ground and it still coming down and the weather reports talking about up to 7 inches of the white stuff in the Portland area I thought the answer would be C, but we are talking about the Woodland winter VDR series what else could it be but a big D!!!!!! Yes that's right I left Thursday to stay at Jay's (Razors Edges #71) to avoid snowy Icy roads and night driving so we could head down Friday due to Decembers snowy freeze that was being predicted and what do we get but a fairly light and uneventful drive to Woodland where as soon as we reach the towns limits it is RAINING.
Ok it is colder than usual and raining. The Razors Edge boy's arrived at the track about 4:30 PM Friday low and behold there is no one else there. Seeing the track in its usual gooey December condition we knew that there would be racing on Saturday. So we set up camp, and about 7PM a few other rigs started rolling in. After whipping up some steak kabobs on the grill Jay threw in the tape of Chehalis 2003 for viewing. Friends stopped by the RER camp and talked about the race at the farm that year and we meandered from camp site to camp site looking at the great machines our racing brothers had put blood, sweat, tears, a lot of money, and a few off color words into creating for this world of vintage racing.
We turn in for the night listening to the rain drops falling on the roof saying our prayers please stop raining before morning. Well at 7AM we find out the moto cross gods must have been listening to Ricky Carmichael, and Bubba Stewart prayers the night before because the wet stuff was still coming down. I pop over to the concession stand and pick up some joe and head back to camp. It is looking like a thin turn out (the weather man scared off the weak at heart) but the those of us made of sterner stuff (or are just brain dead gear heads) are there to give it our all. Surfer George rolls in with a little something for RER's Jay a Suzuki TM125 to round out his collection. (I believe our boy Jay has delusions his last name is Leno not Jones with the collection of machines he has amassed) he traded a Yamaha 500 for this one (it was a good trade). Another #72 same as yours truly became the proud owner of the 74 Yamaha YZ400 I been dragging to the track with me all season, thanks Don.
With the riders meeting being the usual fair and the practice order being the same as the month before, we finally set out to do what we came for playing in the mud. The track is short and tight and in better condition than expected. After practice the schedule for the races are posted and finally our boy Jay gets an early race 5 and I draw 10 the reverse of this season for us, with the small turn out and short track it looks like we might git er dun early for a change.
Time has arrived for Jay to head out for his race I grab the camera's go searching for prime photo op area's. The rain has all but stopped by now and except for a couple of areas the track is setting up well. Jay is riding hard the Suzuki RM400F is not running at 100% but he is giving his all and takes 2nd place.
Race Ten rolls around and I head out for my moto. By now there are some tricky spots for an armature rider such as myself and with the peaky two stroke, I was sliding as much as riding around the track (by the time I learn to ride this track it will be gone) and I finish 10th.
We enjoy a meal of Italian sausages with Wassabi sauce during our break thank you Jay and head back to the track to watch some great racing. Those who listened to the weather man once again missed out on a great day of winter racing.
It is make it or break it time and Jay heads out for his second moto. There are some great riders in his group today and Jay really has to push it to the limit and takes 3rd just behind the second place rider, the first placed rider had crossed the finish line about 40 seconds earlier after laying his bike down on the back side of the track now that is some kind of riding. Jay perfect season of 1st over all came to an end with a 2nd over all today.
The time has come for my second moto and wouldn't you know it her comes the rain again. I ride hard and I am starting to get a feel for the track and before I knew it I was having fun and felt I was controlling the bike instead of the other way around. If I said it before I am saying again I'm consistent I finished 10th for a 10th over all.
It is time again to say good bye to all our racing friends and start the trek back north up I-5 home, by the way 10 minutes north of Woodland the Sun was out all the way to north of Seattle the weather gods were playing a mean trick on us at the track. I am already preparing in my mind for January 14th with the hopes of having one of my 4 stroke project complete for unveiling at the next race hope to see you all there and from Razors Edge Racing have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!
Darrell Morgan #72
Jay Jones #71
