AMA Flat Track Grand Championship Am Nationals Du Quoin Illnoise 2023

 My racing and the likes of this blog are pretty self centered. Most racers are to some degree in my opinion at minimum a bit self centered. At least I know that for me to focus on racing successfully I must spend a lot of time inside my own head figuring it all out. Sometimes I try too hard to figure shit out and it end ups making no sense. Like trying harder to grab a hold of a slippery fish. The more I try to find meaning of the AMA Flat Track Amateur Grand Championship the more I find nothing other than just simple good times. This was the first time in a long time that I teamed up with others instead of my usual simple solo missions. The team for this effort was the meaning of it all. And it was outstanding!

The Mile was FAST, FUN, and FAST!

Getting to spend time with Jeffery Carver and get one on one instruction was a real treat. When the Wizard talks I listen.

Fish eating smile after taking a podium finish in the TT

The Cushion 1/2 mile was a dream come true. The XR650R was in it's element unfortunately I ran it in hot on the inside of first turn of the main and ran out of nerves opting to gracefully lay it down.

I had an apt arsenal loaded into the back of the van!

Winning the Short Track LCQ on the ol 89 YZ250 was one of the highlights. The lone two smoker made a lot friends especially with all the dads. I did not have a baseline to use with the old Yamaha's suspension, it was ok but fork damping was a bit fast and spring rates were off. That and how fast modern 250 four strokes are along with a stacked field of young talent in the 250 Production class made it a real challenge to qualify but when we did it in the TT and the Short track it was so sweet. On my bikes we ended up 4th overall in the VET 40 plus class with a couple of 3rds in the TT and Short Track which felt like a good pat on the back for not having my hot shoe on for 5 years. All in all it was a pretty damn good time. 12 days on the road. A solid crew with Lambrick Brothers and Jeffery Carver. Will I train and go back next year with a more dialed in ol 1989 YZ250....?