So I just got back from the National MX in Faial (a Portuguese island in the Atlantic) and I had to tell somebody who whould appreciate it.
Yes, Portugal is a small country but their professionalism and pace is right up there with the rest of Europe and the US. Yes, the event was dominated by 4-strokes, just like every other National event. However, Portugal does not have Homologation or an MX3 class thus allow 2-stroke motorcycles over 250cc to compete in MX1 - and that means you can race your open classer right up there with the big boys.
And that is what happened. A man showed up with an old steel framed Honda CR500 and placed in the top 10 (I think it was 7-5). But that is not all, right with him, within a position or two for both motos was an aluminum framed CR250.
MX2 had quite a few 2-strokes including me on a KTM SX144 (yes, I started riding a modern bike in the big events). I wish I could tell you I smoked 'em but I am just too old and slow to run with the big boys any more. I was the last place finisher in all three motos (I did beat any of the guys who didn't finish!) and since I was the only verteran aged rider, I got a trophy for the vet class.
Marco Garcia and his crew did one hell of a job putting on a professional event all the way out in the middle of no where! He organized to bring the National and all the riders to Faial, 900 miles off the coast of Portugal. Lunch at the track was supplied for riders and mechanics as well as entertainment (both traditional and a band that sounded a lot like Ramsteinn). He organized the flights and shipping and built a world class track and beded down all the riders and teams.
No one works harder for Motocross in the Faial or the rest of the Azores. Parabeins!
