Idaho State Motocross Series Rnd 6, Mountain Home, Idaho 10, 11 July, 2010

This round of the Idaho State Series was held in Mountain Home. The Mountain Home track is located at the MH Optimist Park. The track is an arena still course and the cool thing about it is you can stand on the bridge that extends out on the course or sit in the bleachers and see the entire race track. Tag and Robin run the track and they always do a great job. It is always fun to attend their events.

The Smokefree83/Project Filter Race Team showed up in full force for the Friday Night test and tune practice session. We got to share some laps together and figure out all of the hot lines before the Saturday kick off.

It was apparent that one challenge we would face on Saturday was the Heat. You gotta remember, Mountain Home is in the desert and we experienced temperatures into the triple digits. To go along with our motto, “We Were Hot but We Weren’t Smoking”. Lol…
It was a great weekend of racing, the track is challenging but friendly and other than a few minor scrapes we all made it through safely. I enjoyed the company of my two nephews Tim and Shane; Shane brought his family down from Lewiston. Thanks for coming out to watch me throw some dirt.

I got some really good starts on my Project Filter backed Yamaha and managed to stay pretty close to the fight, finishing second and third in both classes, both days. I am in a really tight battle for the championship with one of my fiercest competitors, Bob Harris #955. Bob and I have been trading positions all season and it has come down to just a three point difference going into the second to the last round. We are headed to Kimberly in August, last time we were there, I beat Bob on Saturday and he beat me on Sunday. It should be a good one…

I got a chance to race against my Teammate Danielle on Sunday. We were not scored together but rode in the same moto. Danielle is the reigning Idaho State Champion in the Woman’s class. In the first moto we had a great battle, we were never more than a bike length apart, she made an inside pass on me on the last lap and took the checkered flag. In the second moto, Dani got the holeshot and was gone; she showed me why she is was Idaho State Champion in 2009 and is on the way to another Championship for 2010. Great Ride Dani!

We had some fun on Sunday as we roamed through the pits, handing out Project Filter footballs, pens and drink coolers; we helped to share the word that Project Filter is offering 4 week supplies of nicotine replacement therapy for those in need. It is a good feeling to know that we are making a difference as we continue to fight the Fight for a Smoke Free Idaho.

Thank You Project Filter!

Project Filter Allstar Challenge, Meridian Speedway 10 July, 2010

This was another awesome experience with Project Filter. After racing four motos each in Mountain Home on Saturday, Matt, Dani and I washed some of the crud off of our bikes, loaded them up and headed to the Project Filter Allstar Challenge at Meridian Speedway. This was also Military Appreciation Night at the speedway, the stands were packed and the energy at the racetrack was remarkable.

When we arrived, Project Filter already had the booth set up; we rolled our bikes right into a very warm welcome. The crowd was great and the interest in the fight to be Tobacco Free was in the air, we got to talk with a lot of great people as we all signed autographs, footballs and hats.
Matt and I got to ride our bikes in the opening ceremonies during the National Anthem and I got to carry the American Flag. It was a proud and honorable moment for me to carry our nation’s colors in front of the great crowd. After the National Anthem, Matt and I got to take a fast lap around the track. Matt pulled a wheelie all the way down the back section and the crowd went wild.

The night only got better as we were once again invited out on the track. This time, I walked out with Jack and Trevor and Matt came out on his bike to entertain the crowd with burn offs and wheelies, which the crowd loved. After the event, some of the kids were calling Matt, “The Wheelie King”, it was cool.

Jack and Trevor surprised me with the presentation of an award. They presented me with an American Bald Eagle Award and a plate inscribed, “Thank You for Your Service”. I have to say, “I had a big lump in my throat”, what an honor. This is my Twenty Fifth year of Military Service, as many of you know I am a Chief Warrant Officer in the Idaho Army National Guard. I am proud to be a military member and I am proud to be a member of the Project Filter Team as well. Thank You for recognizing my service on such a great night, you guys are awesome. Thank You to my family, friends and fans. I had family come from as far as Lewiston to attend the Motocross races and share this night at the Speedway.

Still, that wasn’t it; we got to go back out on the track, following the finish of the 100 lap main and congratulate the winner, Kenny Chandler. Congratulations on a great race Kenny! We helped push Kenny’s car into the Project Filter Winners Circle, where Kenny and the entire Project Filter Race Team signed hats and hung out with the fans.

What an amazing Night! Thank You Again Project Filter for another great experience and another opportunity to represent in the Fight for a Tobacco Free Idaho.