Well this is the second time I typed this...Guess the first time took too long and when I submitted it...all was lost!!! Hate when that happens!!
But anyway, that is the reason why this is late... After I lost all I typed I was so mad that I quit for a day !!! At any rate... Here it is:
May 31, 2003: John Penton GNCC Millfield, Ohio
My first Race w/ Team Cecco... Rick runs 4strokeA on his ultra trick Cannibal... Traci rides an ALBA Suzuki Z400 and is a multi-time Womens National Champion.
The John Penton GNCC is one the the oldest stops on the tour...and in years past, was also the dustiest...that all changed this year.
Rain + dirt = MUD but....
3/4" rain over 6 hours + one already soaked woods course + 0ver 600 entries each w/ a race transporter of some type + 1000 spectators all packed into a square mile EQUALS one messy muddy saturday!!
Saturday morning 5:30 AM: an overnite rain insured that the course would not be dry and dusty... I awoke to a bright sun peeking up through the clouds that seemed to be going the other way. The weather channel called for scattered showers. "not bad" I thought... "a little mud is a great equalizer, puts everyone on a somewhat equal playing field," I told myself. It would be a great day for racing.
Saturday morning 8:30 AM: Pulling into the Track a little later than we wanted, but no big deal... "I work pretty good under pressure," I reasured myself. Rick and Tracy both had their race face on and we searched through the pits looking for the QuadShop Trailer... Jeff had safed us a space and we would soon unload.
Unable to find Jeff and to save time we ventured to the back pits to get unloaded and do some last minute prep. The pits were nothing but mud from the huge amount of vehicles already rolling in.
To make along story short... The Tractor pulled us up the hill and that was were we would pit... no more time to waste!!
It began to rain... and rain some more and rain and rain and rain again.
Traci and her nephew Tyler Lenig (16 years old) raced the morning race at 10:00 am and Traci, after a two hour long battle, crossed the finish line top of the womens class and an awesome 8th overall.
Great Job Traci!!
Tyler piloted his Cannibal to a 4th place finish in the stock class and an impressive 14th overall. Way to Ride Tyler!!!
The Afternoon race was not unlike the morning race, in fact it may have been worse!
Rick started on the 4th line, along w/ 30 other hungry riders looking for a win. After an altercation with another rider in the first turn... Rick and his Cannibal found themselves in last place. But in less than 300 yards he had already begun passing riders looking for the front.
3 pit stops, 4 pairs of gloves, 5 pairs of goggles, 6 eye flushes, 2hours 35 minutes and 14 million rain drops LATER... Rick had fought his way to an 8th place finish.
Rick's Newphew TJ (tyler's brother) posted a 9th place finish in the ultra competitive OpenA class.
GREAT JOB to All these guys... they earned it in a battle against the course, mother nature and some of the best riders on the circuit!!
The most impressive ride of the day went to another Cannondaler.com member "Jeff from the QuadShop" aka Jeff Stoess.
Jeff embarassed most of the pro class by winning 4strokeA and taking the checkered in 5th overall. This feat is almost unheard of!
He kept his head down and motored his way around the deep muddy course making it look easy. He and his Cannondale Blaze spanked almost entirely the entire field.
CONGRATS JEFF !!!
*It was a proud day for me to be represented by the Cecco Family and the young Lenig boys. They are all the most professional and friendly bunch I have ever had the pleasure to travel with. The are maybe the most popular rider on the tour and I know why!!!
Thank You and I can't wait to do it again (if it doesn't rain...lol!!)
Also... A big THANK YOU to Ben Wrightsman... "Danger Ranger" for coming out and supporting the team. "Thanks Ben"
-MAZ
** CBMX #67**