Highlights (and low-lights) from the 2013 season. So much crashing. So much crashing…
Thank you to our sponsors, Dunlop, Woodcraft and Amsoil, for your support this season. Looking forward to 2014 (and hopefully less crashing.)
Oct 212013
Oct 202013
It was the final Minimoto USA race of the year, and the Minimoto Junior championship points were close. Evan was in 4th place overall and within striking distance of 3rd, but he would have to win both races and put some distance between himself and Andrew to make it onto the podium at the end of the season. The Texas Devil Racing crew got to Buttownwillow early, trying to get as much time as possible for Evan to spend on the track and get his bike set up just right. That was a good thing, too. Evan’s bike had major carburetor issues on Friday morning, but Stoney helped Miles get that sorted out, and the bike was running great by lunchtime. Then Evan was able to do his thing and get some good practice sessions in before his first race on Saturday afternoon.
There was no qualifying for this round, so Evan was gridded by his championship points in 4th, which was still on the first row. After a messy green flag start (standing on the flag makes it difficult to wave), Evan started, then stopped, then started, and ended up in 4th place. He made two quick passes to get into 2nd and was right on Troy’s back wheel when they red flagged the race at the end of the first lap to do a restart. This time Evan got off cleanly and straight into the lead. Emi was right on his tail the whole race and had a few inside looks, but was never able to get around him.
Evan got the first win that he needed, and he was fired up for his second race on Sunday morning. Another win could put him on the championship podium, and he was chomping at the bit on the starting line. Evan got a monster start and pulled into first place. He was just ripping around the track, and while Troy and Emi were never far behind, they never got close enough to try a pass. Evan got the checkered flag and gave a huge fist pump. He had done everything he could this weekend, and now it was time to wait for the points to be tallied. Evan was on the edge of his seat as they were announcing the Minimoto Junior championship, and when they called his name in 3rd place, he couldn’t wipe the grin off his face. What a way to cap off the season!
Oct 062013
Hard to believe it was the final AFM round of the season already. It had been quite a year so far with Miles working hard to come up to speed with the experts, and having a few spills in the process. Saturday practice went well and Miles had the bike set up how he wanted it other than having brake pads nearing the end of their life. Sunday came quickly and it was time to start the last race day of the season.
Miles got a terrible start in his first race and was playing catch-up the whole time. That didn’t help his position in the race, but he had fun making his way through the field up to 11th, giving him the chance to make some good passes. In his second race, Miles got a better start and ended up finishing in 7th, the same position his was in by turn 2, with no changes in position. Then came his final race of the year. He got a decent start on this one and found himself in the thick of it with some other racers. After quite a bit of back and forth to gain a few positions, he finished 7th with a big grin on his face. Not a bad way to finish the season.
A HUGE thanks goes out to our sponsors for their help this year: Dunlop, Woodcraft and Amsoil. Thank you!
Sep 082013
Evan hadn’t been feeling well since the AFM race at Sonoma the previous weekend, but he was doing his best to hide it so he didn’t have to miss his race. An on and off fever throughout the week gave him away, and on Thursday night it spiked up to 106°F, so it was off to urgent care. After some chest x-rays, he was diagnosed with pneumonia and given the red light for the race weekend. Evan was disappointed and very concerned about how this would affect his championship points, but he understood there was no way he could race in this condition. He wished all his friends at the track a fun, safe weekend and can’t wait to see them at Buttonwillow!
Sep 012013
Miles was glad to be at a track other than Thunderhill for a change! He loves the place and all, but three rounds in a row there was starting to get a little repetitive. His shoulder wasn’t back to 100% yet, but it didn’t seem to be affecting his riding. Nonetheless, he was quite cognizant of it and wanted to stay upright this round so as not to cause more damage. Practice went well and Miles got the suspension where he wanted it with the help of Catalyst Reaction.
Miles was feeling great on race day and got the best start he’d even gotten in his first race, 650 Twins. He was in 4th place going through turn 1, and then in turn 2 the back end washed out. So much for not crashing! Luckily it was a gentle slide on his right side into the grass and all was fine. Come to find out, there was a problem with his rear tire warmer and he had gone out on a cold rear tire. With a little wrenching and banging, the bike was back in shape and ready for the next race, Formula IV. Miles ran some of his best lap times of the day during that race, and was able to crack the top 10, finishing 9th. 650 Production was his last race of the day, and he finished it out in 6th with little drama. At the end of th day, if this weekend taught Miles anything, it’s that he needs spare rearsets!