city trials

We love our Honda Z-50 pit-bikes. Here's Max and I dicing at a recent mini-moto held on the Smage farm. The course was a circle 8. In the middle of the criss-cross was a 50 lb punching bag being swung at the racers as a extra obstacle of the race. Truly insane stuff. Patrick's smart enough not to get involved and chooses to watch (and laugh) from the sidelines instead.

At 12, a 125 is the right machine.

I'm splitting up. I'm with Andy. Brilliant. Absolutely fantastic. This may wind up TC's best home-made video of the year! Well done.

Bill Ibsen wrote a great piece I've posted on the home page.

I'm pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful arguments to this case. Come on Ian, let's hear what you think.

Endurocross video.

I had to check my photos to see what the heck you were talking about. I can see why you thought that now.

He already rides and competes on a 2.9. Has been since he was 12 years old.

Andrew (Nigel Dabster) asked a question in another thread about Patrick and the next world rounds. Patrick will be 18 by the next round, the choices he makes from here on out are his. I'm sure Noel still will have influence in Pat's future, and Noel indicated to me he'd rather see Pat finish the season in the Junior class, on a big bike. I think this is a terrible call. Now, it's up to Pat of course. But, I'd prefer to see Patrick finish the season off on the 125 and try to work his way into the runner-up position. If possible. That's if all his injuries have properly healed by then. I invested a ton into this season. I'd like to see top results in one championship class. The class Patrick started in. That's the 125 Youth Cup Championship. Okay, all you arm-chair quarterbacks, what do you think Patrick should do? ( And Northernnorm, don't get all bent out of shape. Listen to what others have to say. Please?)

It wasn't just me having issues with the rock pile, so did Phillip and the other top pros. These photos are by Bryan Bosch at Thumper Talk. (edited as to not violate any potential copyrights.)

For a good chuckle,

As embarrassing as it is, yes, I'm trying to splice together a bunch of 3 and 4 second clips our pit-girls took of the race from the stands. She had the video button on instead of the still pictures. I don't know how to edit very it well though. But I'll try. You can her saying "Oh my god... Craig's dying out there." {Then she giggles} Then she says, "Where's Phillip to give him a shove?" I about died listening to it. LOL

As someone who looks forward to the next youth hot-shoe, I see promising things from Ty. I foresee you and your son are going to enjoy those rare special moments in the future Noel and I are enjoying right now. Great job, Ty, great job to all the competitors. Dan Brown's report here.

Ha... I did get a decent hole-shot and was running in the top 5 the first lap and a half. Had my Trials Central Stickers covering the helmet - and I was looking good. LOL. Then, the bad smoking habit caught up to me - and it was all downhill from there. Lesson for the youth. Don't smoke. And, don't race without proper underwear. I forgot mine and rode the qualifier with the nuts flapping in the breeze. Needless to say, Phillip doesn't want his gear back now.

Personally, in the final, the 2008 Sherco 2.9 was way too much power for me. I was really worn out by then - and every time I gassed it over a huge log, the front end would rise up and I nearly looped it at least 5 times. Although I'm sure it made for great photography, I was crapping in my underwear as the front wheel was way too high for my comfort level. We won't talk about the third lap in rock pile where I nearly went over the bars. I saved it, but again, another stain in the undies.

I haven't mastered being in two places at once yet. And, I've tried reaching TTC with no luck. Any results floating around?

Colton's mom and dad sure must be proud of their very talented son.

Keith Wineland and his pops. Keith didn't make the main, yet this young man always has a smile on his face.

Trials guys turn it on. Night Show Main Event. 1st (Taddy) 2nd (Aaron) 6th (Colton) 11th (Smage) Phillip was third in the final corner of the big main and got hung up on the massive rock pile for about 10 seconds. That's how far he slipped for one boo-boo. Other photos. Geoff on the podium. Taddy crossing the finish line. And Phillip, Amber, Mich Lin and myself after the event. Big shout out to Lane Leavitt for all his support this weekend with Team Smage! Lane, I know you lurk, big guy. You are the best! Your three rules work. We had fun. We learned something. We earned championship points. And money!

Here's all the trials-crossers that entered. As for the main event, I finished 10th out of 11 this evening. I'll post more later. I'm totally wiped out.

Show me the MONEY! Whoo-hoo. I can't believe it. I qualified for the main event tonight. 13 trials guys showed up. 10 make the main. I placed 8th!

This is just plain wrong. There oughta be a law against this.

While Phillip and I are out in Las Vegas with the likes of Huffman, Lafferty, Aaron, Abbott, Davis and Pearson, Dietrich, Brozovich, Wineland, Haaker, Redmond and Blazusiak for the opening round of the AMA National Endurocross series this weekend - Noel, Max and Patrick will be heading down to the Trials Training Center for the AMA National US Indoor. (Word is, Pat just may ride????) - (My word is, if he's able to ride, his butt should be in the Czech Republic!) But that's another story. Back to the topic. Whatever you and your family does, or go's this weekend, Team Smage wishes you a Happy and Safe 4th of July Weekend.

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