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Messages - VintageBlueSmoke

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1
General Two Stroke Talk / Re: racer x practice track diaries "Dusty Hell"
« on: November 16, 2016, 01:55:28 PM »
Nice lineup. All the usual suspects...

VBS.

2
General Two Stroke Talk / Re: wishing our Kiwi contingent all the best
« on: November 15, 2016, 12:50:56 AM »
They have not replied because they are all out surfing.

VBS.

3
General Two Stroke Talk / Re: VBS Race Report 11/13/2016
« on: November 14, 2016, 12:39:49 AM »
Thanks! I missed writing them.
VBS

4
General Two Stroke Talk / VBS Race Report 11/13/2016
« on: November 13, 2016, 03:53:15 PM »
All,

I've missed the reports. I wish I had a better on for you.

Today was the last race of the 2016 OEC Championship (island championship) season. We had to move it back to accompany the riders competing in the regional championship which was rescheduled to our date. However, even with jumping through hoops, the rider numbers were down. Fortunately, the top three were at the track to make it interesting and it was a beautiful sunny day.

For me, I just needed to show up to win the MX2 championship. Because I lost the Honda, I had no chance to overtake the 250 YZ of Antonio Gil for the overall (elite).  Truthfully, after the CR blew, I wasn't focused on the Elite class and still don't know how I finished for the year. I wasn't racing the regionals so these guys had a lot more to lose.

Before practice, my intention was to get my son on the track with his Husky Boy 50, but I couldn't get it started so I sent him out on his Oset while I worked on the Husky. When it started, I chased him down to swap bikes but slid out trying to bar drag a corner and crashed. Road rash on the left forearm. It wouldn't be the last crash of the day.

Headed on out to practice. The track was holding up really well and although there was dust, it wasn't too bad. The biggest complaint was the low sun. That made turns 3 and 9 completely blind. on the other hand, I really love the changes I made to the track last year. I make incremental changes every race, but the track now has so much promise. It is fun. If you are an AMA pro, you won't like it too much but if you are a kid learning or have realized that you won't ever be an AMA pro, this track is for you.

Unfortunately, practice didn't turn out great. About 8 laps in, I was having a ball low sliding into the corners and dropped the handlebar on my foot. What followed was the rest of the bike falling on my knee and bending it in a way that knees don't bend even on insects. I got up slowly and finished practice but I was sore. On the plus side, I did some practice starts and everything was smooth. I usually start well and the competition was watching. They don't like their open class bikes losing the holeshot to an old guy on a 144 which has happened almost every race of the year.

Unfortunately, I must have used up all my good starts in practice. When the Moto 1 gate dropped, I had a good launch, but drifted into the rider to my right. I had to let off and couldn't catch the leaders. I just cruised the entire moto and finished 3rd overall and 1st MX2. Pedro (KTM 350) and Sergio (Hon 450) took one and two with a big lead over me.

After the moto, we went to the bar to bench race. Pedro doesn't drink but Sergio was feeling happy and buying beers for the gang. I warned them that drinking would only make me faster but they bought another round of beers. We all (except Pedro) started with at least 4 in our bellies. Moto 2 gate drop and I launched perfectly but again I drifted right. This time, however, Pedro drifted left and when a 350 4-stroke smashes into a 144 2-stroke, the smaller KTM loses. I went down, skidding on my head for several meters and ended up with more road rash to match my left forearm. I got going again (the little KTM never stalled) and charged after the leaders but I could only finish 3rd overall and 1st in class.

I want to wish everyone heading to Faial for the final Regional race the best of luck and can't wait until we kick off next year.

VBS.

[EDIT] Just got the overall results for the year. By just cruising to third and not running down the leaders, I was passed for 2nd in the points. Pedro Vieira beat me by 2 points. So for the year, 3rd place Elite, 1st MX2.


5
Non-Moto / Re: Hello Everyone
« on: November 11, 2016, 12:29:23 PM »
Me too. Cheers!

VBS.

6
Let's see. I finished 4th in MX2 in the regionals and 2nd overall in the island championship. I won the quad championship. My two torn rotator cuffs finally healed after 2 years. Then I built an Eric Gorr '97 CR144 for the regionals and finished 4th MX2 and raced the KTM 144 for the island championship for 2nd overall. I won a third championship in a row in Endurocross on the Gas Gas EC300. I took 2nd in the quad championship.

This year, I won't race the regionals. Since I am over 50, there are too many hoops to jump through for a national license. I started the year OK in the island championship,  riding the old Honda. It took every holeshot and won every race until it exploded. A water hose split and it cooked. Had to send the cylinder back to Eric for repairs. Back on the KTM, I have a first and a second. I am leading MX2 and second overall. The final race is the 13th. Dropped the quads and there is no Endurocross this year so I am down to 5 races a year. Depressing but it fits a fixed income now.

Other than that, the base downsized and I am unemployed/semi-retired/full-time student. It other words, I am a professional motocrosser!

VBS

7
General Two Stroke Talk / Re: TSM is back...
« on: October 31, 2016, 04:41:23 PM »
VBS is in da house!

I really missed you guys. I also regret not making copies of the race reports. Only two were recovered. Oh well...I guess I better get started making more. Next race is tomorrow (yes, a Tuesday). I am promoting, not racing but I'll be back in the saddle on the 13th.

Good to see you all again!

VBS.

8
General Two Stroke Talk / Ask Ping
« on: December 23, 2014, 03:31:59 PM »
I was following a link from the 40 Years of Supercross and read this: (first question)

http://racerxonline.com/2014/12/19/ask-ping

Looks like David Pingree is a 2-stroke fan too! He also comments on the Bubba situation.

9
General Two Stroke Talk / 40 Years of Supercross: 2001
« on: December 23, 2014, 10:27:13 AM »
I love this quote! "Suzuki?s Roger DeCoster, who called the allowance of a 250cc four-stroke engine in a 125cc class to be ?totally random.?"

10
General Two Stroke Talk / Merry Christmas!
« on: December 23, 2014, 10:20:39 AM »
Boas Festas!

11
General Two Stroke Talk / Stewie needs to play on a 2 stroke
« on: December 23, 2014, 10:13:30 AM »
Talk about a sport with Doping problems, just Goggle "Tour de France Doping" and check out the wiki. I knew some of it was going on and the Armstrong case just topped it off but I had no idea it was so prevalent! If cycling has these problems, every top sport does. It is no wonder the International Organizations are cracking down.

The more I look into this phenomenon, the more I agree with the FIM. In no way should Stewie be allowed to ride and I doubt I'll support any company that would allow him to represent them during this time of "punishment".

You know, I am not a Jeff Emig fan, but I appreciate his ability on a bike, and his willingness to grow beyond his transgression. He was a rich playboy and had to put a lot of effort into "growing up". He lost his sponsor (Kawasaki) until he demonstrated the appropriate behavior during his probation. I still don't like his color commentating but I respect the work he has put in to get where he is. From a fan's point of view, he has redeemed himself. Now it is Bubba's turn.

12
General Two Stroke Talk / Stewie needs to play on a 2 stroke
« on: December 22, 2014, 09:48:03 AM »
I admit, I am not reading impartial media. Most of what I see runs along the lines of "Let 7 Ride!" and "The AMA are stupid and should pull out of the FIM". However, I did do a little research and the whole "p-test" thing has been a peeve of mine since I joined the US Military 30 years ago, so I have amassed quite a bit of information. I am no expert, or a lawyer, but I am knowledgeable (and I stayed in a Holiday in Express once).

As Stu points out, when a sample is collected, it is tested only for key markers that indicate certain substances that they are looking for. They are only looking for these flags and others chemicals will not be in the report. Also (as Stu correctly points out) it is impossible to tell where the identified substance came from. Now if it was Cocaine, there is no (legal) way for it to get into your system. If it was Marijuana, some over the counter health supplements and even poppy seed bagels have been known to trip it up. For amphetamines, there are a number of legal uses but there are just as many illegal uses. It is a popular recreational and performance enhancing drug. And if you are a Rolling Stones fan, sing it with me: "She went running for the shelter of her Mother's little helper..."  ;)  :...What a drag it is getting old."

I think the thing condemning him is first, rather than deny it and request a second sample (which he can do), they quickly came out with an excuse. However, where that excuse fails is that in all these years, he never identified he was taking it AND he never failed a test before. Had they gave the (poor) excuse that his doctor changed the prescription and didn't inform them of the alternate substance (how many of YOU double check your doctors orders?), then I might have believed him and gave him a slap on the wrist. But when you have what appears to be a flagrant disregard for the rules...and with such high profile Doping cases (Lance Armstrong ring a bell?) in the international media, the FIM had to take a hard line stand - and rightly so.

13
General Two Stroke Talk / Stewie needs to play on a 2 stroke
« on: December 21, 2014, 10:06:27 AM »
I think if you test the riders for drugs of any kind then the f.i.m. and the a.m.a. board members and track owners and others in mx should also be tested. Drugs that might explain the stupid rules in both organization. KIM

Actually Kim, I think in the AMA, they are tested (Insurance requirements). The FIM may be different because of the more libertarian attitudes of the various European states. For instance, in Germany, it is illegal for them to require a p-test so I know they wouldn't do it there. However, it is still legal to test athletes for some reason...it must be some labor thing (and since being an athlete is not a REAL job...).

14
I would like to banish the excuses and run a full sched, end the year with the World Vet Championships at Glen Helen on my '14 SH 500.

We need you to join the play-by-play. Especially the World Vet Championships at Glen Helen on your '14 SH 500. I look forward to following your season~!

15
General Two Stroke Talk / Stewie needs to play on a 2 stroke
« on: December 18, 2014, 11:55:40 PM »
All members of the federation are subject to the FIM rules. The FIM Anti-Doping Code may not be very old, probably less than 20 years but I can guarantee the AMA was one of the main "pushers" of it (I crack my self up!) and from the moment of conception, the AMA supported it.

It was only recent that they started calling it a World Championship, thus started using the FIM name.

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