It was early in the day; the temperature was about ninety eighty degrees. If I recall there was a very light breeze , sun blaring and barely a cloud in the sky. Pulling into the track I could hear and feel the sound of two-stroke dirt bikes running, the smell of the alcohol race fuel and klotz oil burning.

My dad checked me in at the booth. We got my JR 50 unloaded off the truck. We checked and tuned the bike and topped off the fluids. I was nervous and a little sick with anticipation because i’d never raced before.There was some sit time to watch the bigger class rides run their practice laps first. Then there was a call on the PA system for my class to suit up and get to the gate.


I was in the truck putting my gear on; I could see my dad starting my bike for me. The sick feeling came back to my stomach as i closed the door behind me.