Gowen Field Health and Safety Fair 9 June, 2010

Pig Lung Demonstration.

Ed n Ann

The National Guard Patriot Chopper.

Wow! What a cool experience. Dani and I headed out to Gowen Field to represent the Smokefree83/ Project Filter Team at the 2010 Gowen Field Health and Safety Fair Day. This is a designated day for Gowen Field Military members and their families to celebrate, learn and share about health and safety concerns. It is a chance to connect as family, friends, teams and co-workers in an effort to promote healthier, safer, life styles to be shared by all.

This is where we came in, since that is exactly what we do in representation of the Project Filter Program. We support the fight for a smoke free Idaho and a healthier life style to be enjoyed and shared throughout our communities.

We talked with several Military Members, young, older, present and retired who made that same old statement, “I Sure Would like to Quit”. We let them know what Project Filter is all about, the resources that are available and that help is as easy as picking up the phone or going to the website. One thing that really helped us today was having the visual aid of actual pig lungs that were prepared to show the devastating effects that smoking has on the lungs themselves. We showed the comparison of a smoker’s lungs to that of healthy pink non-smokers lungs. This comparison really opened some eyes and sent several people away from the booth with literature in hand and with the intent of using the program. It also helped to confirm for many of our patrons, again, young and older that they do not ever want to smoke.

I feel like this was a very beneficial event, even though the military has made specific efforts to discourage soldiers from using tobacco it is evident that it is still a wide spread concern. I am glad to have this opportunity to educate people on the negative effects of the habit and to be able to show them that help is available.

Thanks to all of you who stopped by the booth and Thank You to Project Filter for offering this program in support for a Smoke Free Idaho!

Idaho State Championship Motocross Series Rnd #4, 15, 16 May 2010

The Smokefree83/Project Filter Team. Ed, Matt, Danielle.

Shane Kipper.

John Kipper.

The Smokefree83/Project Filter Motocross Team made the trip to Salmon Idaho this past weekend for Round #4 of the State Series.

This was, by far, the most mentally and physically challenging race weekend that I have had throughout the State Series Races. Salmon offers a long, rough, hard-packed, dry, dusty and difficult pure motocross track. The Salmon motto is, “Go Big or Go Home”. Last year they had a set of jumps called the six-pack that sent a few riders to the hospital. This year they turned them into a set of doubles that were doable but challenging. I did the doubles in my first two motos but I was having some trouble with them. It became a mental challenge for me as I cased them three times and almost experienced a trip over the handlebars. I decided it was in my best interest to roll the first one and clear the second, which was very frustrating for me.

Another mental challenge I faced was watching my best friend’s son (Shane Kipper) being loaded into the ambulance after a violent crash that put his foot peg through the side of his leg. His dad, John and I were sitting on the start line because our moto was the next one up. Needless to say John did not ride because he accompanied Shane on the ambulance ride. I rode the moto with a heavy heart. One thing that really touched me is that my daughter Emily came up to me and said, “Daddy, please don’t ride this one”, I told her I would be ok and she said “I know because I already prayed for you”…

The event signified once again that motocross is a family sport; it even goes deeper than family, the camaraderie throughout the community is awesome. The word had spread throughout the pits about Shane and several people were asking about his status, they were truly concerned. We found out that nothing was broken but he had to have surgery on his leg and would have to spend the night in the Salmon hospital.

The event also signified the fact that motocross is a very dangerous sport. I have been asked many times why I do it and all I can say is that I love the sport, the challenges and the competition. It is just like any other sport in the fact that it is that one good start, that one perfect lap, that really cool jump and that one good finish that keeps you coming back for more.

So, I ended up finishing with a 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 5th overall, which I didn’t consider to be too bad for a rough weekend.

As I thought a little deeper about the weekend and the challenges that I made it through, I began to think about all of the people that have approached me and have asked about Project Filter. They always say the same thing, “I sure would like to quit”. I would challenge all of you to bring heart and desire into your decision to quit. Accept the challenge, the end result is worth the fight. The benefits to quitting are huge and it is so awesome that there is a program like Project Filter available.

I personally support a healthy life style and I know I could not overcome the battles that I face on the racetrack if I used Tobacco, “It would slow me down”. So, to all of you who have said you would like to quit, “What are you waiting for”? You tell us when and we’ll show you how…

Next Race, Clarkia Idaho. We’re headed North so stay tuned…

Idaho State Championship Motocross Series, Rnd #3, 1 May 2010

Matt. Big Air!

Danielle.

Once again the Mighty Fighting Smokefree83/Project Filter Race Team was on scene for another eventful weekend of racing, this time at Pleasant Valley Raceway in Boise. As you all know the weather situation has been challenging lately. It’s like “Mother Nature” is teasing us by jumping back and forth between 80 and 40 degree days. We had a little bit of everything at this race; a little wind, a little rain and even a little sunshine with a definite chill in the air.

Danielle and I attended the Friday practice session, which generally gives us a chance to turn some laps, test and tune, and get the track dialed in before the first gate drop on Saturday. The wind was blowing so hard on Friday that we had had to roll all of the jumps. Anytime our wheels were in the air, the wind would try and sweep them out from under us. “Scary”. You know that my policy is to always try and keep my Project Filter Yamaha, “Rubber Side Down” so I slowed up and didn’t push my luck. It was frustrating, so we packed up early and hoped for better conditions on Saturday.

Saturday wasn’t as windy but we got some rain and it was a little chilly all day. All in all it was pretty decent; the cloud cover helps to hold the moisture in the ground so the track was in good condition all day.

Again, the rider turn-out was less than expected. Because of the sparse attendance the promoter opted to run a three moto format on Saturday and cancel Sunday’s events. So, we rode three motos on Saturday, all finishes were combined for an overall score and double points were awarded to cover Sundays canceled event.

I rode six motos to cover the two classes that I am riding this year. Two of my greatest rivals were in attendance so I had my work cut out for me. I ended up finishing 2, 1, 1 in the Over 30 to take the overall win and 3, 2, 2 in the over 40 which put me second overall. For me, it was a great day of racing, the conditions were challenging, my competition was good and I was happy with my performance.

Thank You Project Filter for the support and for allowing us the opportunity to be a part of the fight for a Tobacco Free Idaho. Project Filter is becoming a familiar, respected name throughout our Motocross Racing Community. The program is outstanding and your involvement is appreciated!

The next race is in Salmon, Idaho. I am looking forward to this one. If you remember last year Matt was not only Smoke Free, he was hands Free over the 100 foot table top jump! The track motto at Salmon is”Go Big or Go Home”, so stay tuned, it should be a good one…

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...