OMC Thunder Mountain Series Rnd #1, 24 April, 2010

Elyssa, Lindsay, Emily and Mallory. The Project Filter Girls!

Once again the Smokefree83/Project Filter Motocross Team joined forces in the fight for a Tobacco Free Idaho at the Owyhee Motorcycle Club grounds. This was the first round of the Thunder Mountain Series that is being run this season. It was a good weekend of racing. OMC is our home town track; it is always a good familiar feel at OMC. I am not going to do the entire series but I thought I would ride the first round just to mix things up a bit. OMC is a supporter of Project Filter and is offering a smoke free environment for our racing community.

The racer turnout was a little less than expected but probably not too bad considering the number of series that are being run in the valley. I raced both the over thirty and over forty classes. Out of four motos I finished 2nd, 4th, 1st and 1st which gave me the overall win in both classes.

Since it was a local race I had several family members, friends and Project Filter supporters in my pits. It was an awesome day of racing and it felt great to get my first win for the season.

The next race is also local; it’s at Pleasant Valley Raceway in Boise. Praying for “Sunshine”. See Ya there!!!

Idaho State Motocross Championship Series Rnd #2

The Smokefree83/Project Filter Race Team headed to Rock Creek Race Track in Kimberly, Idaho for Round two of the series. Round two was originally scheduled for Payette but unforeseen circumstances caused the switch to Kimberly.

It was a different weekend, the turnout of riders and spectators was less than normal because of the switch in location; I am thinking some just could not make the trip due to the last minute change. The weather played a major factor for the weekend as well. When we arrived at the track Saturday morning it was 20 degrees, the ground was frozen like concrete and there was no way we could ride. The races were delayed several hours while the track crew tried to get the track ready.

Once the track thawed out and the racing was underway we began to battle the wind. The wind blew so hard that we had to be careful off of the jumps because it would blow you from one side of the track to the other while you were in the air. It was a challenge, especially for the high flyers. One thing about racing motocross is that you are definitely at the mercy of “Mother Nature”, but like I always say “We are all faced with the same conditions”.

As usual, my Project Filter backed Yamaha ran great. I felt a little off the mark this weekend but hung in there for second, third and a fourth place finishes in my two classes. Remember my battle from Glenns Ferry? It was on again, pretty much all weekend; Rob Glodowski #604 and I battled it out in all eight motos. We each went four and four. Rob won the Championship in this over thirty class last year so he is fighting to defend his title. All in all it went well and I felt good about my results, I am glad to have finished safely.

Project Filter is the title sponsor for the Idaho State Championship Series and I have really noticed a difference in the interest for the program this season. I have had several people ask me about the tobacco free program. I had gentleman from Salmon approach me this weekend and tell me that he wants to quit smoking and could use the help. I told him that is great because that is exactly what Project Filter is about, “You Decide When, and We’ll Show You How”. I am going to follow up with him at the next race to see how he is doing.

I would like to Thank Project Filter for their Support at the Races and for supporting the fight for a Smoke Free Idaho and offering it through our Motorcycling Community. It is awesome and I am proud to be a part of it all.

Next race is at Pleasant Valley Cycle Park in Boise. See Ya There! (I am praying for 70 degrees and sunny!!!)

Idaho State Motocross Championship Series: Round One, 20, 21 March, 2010.

This past weekend the Smoke Free 83/Project Filter Race Team traveled to Glenns Ferry, Idaho, for the season opener of the Idaho State Motocross Championship Series.

It was a great weekend of racing! The weather was beautiful, the competition was fierce and as always White Knuckle Racing did an outstanding job with the events for the weekend.

I am riding two classes this year, the over thirty Veteran class and the over forty Veteran class. Yes, over 30 and over 40 refer to the age brackets for these classes. Some say they are the old guy classes but I like to refer to us as “Seasoned Riders”. Most generally, these are the riders that have been doing it for twenty years or more.

As the gate dropped for the first moto of the season my Project Filter backed YZ250F launched me into the lead and I was able to stay in the front of the pack for the first three laps. I was passed by a rider that I was not familiar with and I ended up finishing second in the moto. I considered it a good start to the season and I figure it will only get better as I begin to work the bugs out. It is funny because I still get butterflies in my stomach, on the start line. I think that is how you can gage your love for the sport, if you’re still getting the butterflies and the excitement is still there then you must love it.

On Sunday I had one of the most fun battles that I can remember. In the last moto of the day I was in the position that I would have to take the win in order to get the overall for the day. The start (holeshot) is sometimes critical in motocross, this time I didn’t get it. I came out of the first turn in third place. The rider that I needed to beat was in second and quickly moved into the lead. I knew that I needed to get around the rider in front of me as quickly as possible so that the leader didn’t get away. It took me about a lap to move into second and I caught up to the leader pretty quickly. It was on. We were no more than a bike length apart all through the entire moto. Sometimes it is hard to pass another experienced rider without getting overly aggressive and ending up on the ground. After several failed attempts, I ended up crossing the finish line in second. I certainly wanted the win but I am happy with the ride and the fact that I finished safely, “rubber side down”.

I came out of the weekend with second and third finishes overall. It is going to be another great season!

As I always say, Motocross is a family sport; it was great to see everyone out and about for this first race of the season. Project Filter is a title sponsor for the series this year and we have added a new addition to our Team. I am excited once again to be back in the saddle and supporting the fight for a tobacco free Idaho.

Thank You Project Filter! Round two is in Payette at the Clay Peak Raceway. See ya in a couple weeks…

Owyhee Motorcycle Club Motocross

The Smokefree83 Racing Team attended the Annual Turkey Motocross Race at Owyhee Motorcycle Club in Boise on 15 November.

This weekend proved once again that the sport of motocross is filled with participants of heart and desire. Despite the chilly temperatures, the turn out of racers and spectators was awesome. Motocross is a family sport and this event clarifies it every year. The Turkey Race is a fun event that encourages first time racers to come out and test their skills, for free. Turkeys were given for overall places instead of trophies.

New comers and family members lined the side of the track on Sunday after an hour delay to allow the track to thaw out a little. The ground was frozen in the morning, which makes for some dangerous riding. The snack shack was selling hot chocolate and the pits were filled with camp fires most of the day to help take the chill off.

I had a great first moto. I came out of the first turn in fifth place and worked my way up to take second. Some areas of the track became a little slippery once the sun started to shine on the ground. I was happy to keep my bike on two wheels and finish the moto safely.

The second moto was even better. I had a solid start out of the gate and my Project Filter backed YZ250F launched me up the two hundred yard sandy uphill to take a nice holeshot. I held the lead for two laps and then faded to third. I finished second overall, which earned me a 13 pound turkey for the holidays.

Once again I would like to thank Project Filter for their support and for the opportunity to be a part of the Smoke Free Idaho campaign. This puts a wrap on the season for me. Stay Smoke Free and check back for an update on the 2010 season...

The Womens Fitness Celebration

Another great experience! The Smokefree83 Team set up the Project Filter booth at the Women's Fitness Celebration. We supported the event, in the Boise Center Grove, both Thursday and Friday evening. This gave us a chance to meet some awesome people which included many of the celebration participants.

The Women's Fitness Celebration is an outstanding event and I applaud all of the participants (11 thousand. Unbelievable)! The positive , healthy energy was contagious at this event and the interest in Project Filter and the fight against tobacco was overwhelming.

Thank You to all that stopped by to say Hi and to all of you that signed the bike. I consider all of you a part of the team and it is a good feeling to know that you are all riding with me in this fight for a Smoke Free Idaho.

The Big Nasty Hill Climb 2009

The Smokefree83 Team and the Project Filter crew was on site for the 2009 Big Nasty Hill Climb. What a cool experience! An estimated fifteen thousand fans and several hundred riders were brought together for the three day event which was sponsored by Project Filter.

I climbed the hill for the first time ever on Friday night. I will have to admit I was a little worried as I sat against the start block for the first run. My first run wasn't quite what I had hoped for but it got the butterflies out so that I could get down to business. I made a total of four runs for the two classes that I competed in. I improved on each run and ended up with a trophy for third place overall in my class. I didn't make it clear over the top, in fact, there was only one rider that did make it on a 250cc machine (the reigning champion Shane Donaka). Although I was happy with my results I was wishing for one more run.

I spent the rest of the weekend working in the Project Filter booth and supporting Matt who competed in Saturdays events. Matt had a great weekend but I wont steal his thunder , you'll have to read his blog...

I had the chance to sign some autographs and talk to several of you about the Project Filter Program. It is always fun to get the chance to meet and greet. I enjoy helping people understand and being able to share the benefits available to them through Project Filter. Thank You for coming out.

This event wraps up the 2009 racing season for me. I want to thank all of you who came out and supported us, Project Filter and the Smokefree83 Racing Team.

Thank you Project Filter for offering this excellent program for the State of Idaho and for your sponsorship support this season. It was incredible!

I may ride in the Annual Turkey Race at Owyhee Motorcyle Club in November, Ill keep you posted.

Other than that, "See ya next season"...

Idaho State Motocross Series Final Round

The eighth and final round of the Idaho State Championship Series is officially over. I am proud to announce that I am the 2009 Idaho State Champion in the Over 40B Class that I participated in throughout this season.
This final round was held at Owyhee Motorcycle Club in Boise. It was a one day event to seat all the qualified riders for their final awards and allow some participants that were still battleing for points to have it out.

It was a great turn out of riders and spectators to watch some great racing come to an end. It was an awesome finish to an excellent season of motocross racing.

I would like to thank all of you who came out to the races and all who were pulling for the Smokefree83 team throughout this season. We could not have done it without you.

I would also like to thank my wife Ann and our children for coming out to the races with me. They endured the dust and dirt, rain and wind and even a little sunshine from time to time with no complaints. Motocross is a family sport and it is alot more fun and rewarding having your family involved. I wouldn't do it any other way. Thank You Ann, Nate, Emily, Lindsay, Elyssa, and Mallory. You are awesome!

Thank You "Project Filter" for sponsoring me. Project Filter is an outstanding program and is a huge asset to the State of Idaho in a widespread battle to be Smoke Free. The program is amazing and the people within the organization are very professional and easy to work with. I am proud to represent Project Filter and I look forward to next season with you...

So, Big Nasty Anyone? Yes, the Project Filter Smokefree83 Team is headed to the Big Nasty Hill Climb this weekend. Matt is the defending Champion from 2008 in the 450 Class. He's back and I will be contesting in the 250 Class. Come out and say Hello...