Idaho State Motocross Series Rnd 7, Kimberly, Idaho 14, 15 August, 2010

This weekend the SmokeFree83/Project Filter Motocross Team met in Kimberly, Idaho for round seven of the Idaho State Motocross Championship Series. It was great to get the Project Filter Team back together again after a long four week break.

The Kimberly track is located out in the middle of what seems to be hundreds of acres of farmland. The facility is nice and the track is challenging with several jump sections, soil changes and a small whoop section just to keep you on your toes. One tough challenge in Kimberly is the wind; it is amazing how the wind can push your motorcycle when you are in the air. There are a couple table top jumps that you have to be careful on because the wind will sweep your front end out from under you. Some riders will approach these jumps to the far side of the takeoff and expect to land on the other side at the landing after being pushed four to five feet to the side, it can be a little scary.

I had a pretty solid weekend with a moto win and second and third place finishes in my two classes. As usual my Project Filter backed Yamaha was running great as I battled back and forth with the competition that I have been fighting with all season.

Like I said, “The Kimberly track is challenging”, it takes a lot out of you physically and mentally. I can’t imagine trying to withstand the pressures of this grueling sport if I was also battling the negative effects from Tobacco use. As an athlete I train for motocross to try and build my endurance and overall body strength. Tobacco use helps to deteriorate your endurance and body strength and causes you to use more energy just to breathe properly. Carbon Monoxide from cigarettes also damages your lungs and has detrimental effects on your performance. Also, another problem with smoking is that it slows down your body’s ability to heal itself by hindering the employment of cells to the injury site. I don’t know about you but it sure doesn’t seem worth it to me!

All I know is that I am glad to be Tobacco Free and I am glad that many of you are joining me I the fight for a healthier lifestyle.

We are headed into the last round of the Championship Series. I am in a points battle with #955 Bob Harris, he has me by three going into the last round. I have to win this one in order to take the title. Let there be no doubt, I’ll give it everything I’ve got.

See You in Mountain Home; it should be a good one….

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.

Idaho State Championship Motocross Series Rnd 5, 26 - 27 June 2010

My main competition, Bob Harris #955.

Fossil Bowl is known for this knarly downhill.

The Creek Jump.

Riley Kienbaum, Project Filters newest team member. Im thinking he will be Mayor of Clarkia someday...

Hello Race Fans! The Smokefree83/Project Filter Race Team traveled to Clarkia, Idaho for Round Five of the Idaho State Championship Motocross Series.

Clarkia is tucked away in the pine trees somewhere between Lewiston and Coeurd’alene. Clarkia has a population of about 100 people. This picturesque little town is known for two things, their 15 million year old Fossils and their 29 year old Motocross Track that draws riders from all over Idaho, Washington and Montana.

The Fossil Bowl Motocross Track is the most challenging track that I have ridden. It offers a little bit of everything, from a challenging up hill / down hill section, technical jumps, hard pack, dry slick and a creek jump that is for real. The Creek Jump is about twelve to fifteen feet across with an eight to ten foot drop to the creek. If you don’t jump it, your going in, there is no way around once you take the approach. They run the track in one direction the first day and then reverse the direction for the second day, this gives you a chance to get it all, both ways.

Matt, Dani and I arrived on Friday to take advantage of the Test and Tune Practice session. This gives us a chance to learn the track, get warmed up and work the bugs out before the actual race gate drops. Matt had already mastered most of the jumps and Dani was trying to follow suit. Dani quickly found herself on the ground and before too long, Earl was changing a set of mangled handlebars.

Over the weekend there were several riders that hit the dirt, two went into the creek and one face planted into the swamp. Life Flight was on scene the entire weekend, thankfully no one had to take a ride. I had a few close calls myself but managed to keep it on two wheels all weekend. I ended up with second and third place overall finishes.

We met a really neat young man named Riley Kienbaum, he is nine years old, his family owns and runs the track. Riley helped us out in our fight against tobacco use by helping to hand out Project Filter footballs and drink coolers throughout our two days on site. We made Riley a part of the Team and he promised to help to keep Clarkia and the Fossil Bowl Motocross track smoke free. Thank You for your help, Riley!

Overall Clarkia was an awesome experience. Project Filter was welcome with open arms by all and once again, I am glad to have been a part of it. Thank You, Project Filter!

See Ya all in Moutain Home for the next round with White Knuckle Racing...

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…