Growing up racing one always thinks "I will race forever and never step away", but between life (running a business and keeping up on the chore list at home), family (having two great daughters and an awesome wife), and injuries (broken femur), what is a short vacation from racing quickly turns into months and then years. While my break from racing was longer than I had ever planned, I thought it would be no big deal to line up again. Well as the day grew longer, and leaving for the race grew closer, my stomach turned faster, and the toilet paper roll grew smaller.
Once the entire Davis Race Team (Me, Lisa and Brystol) arrived at the BMC race grounds, 2/3 of the team was napping. So I left the truck running and went to sign up. On my way to sign up I had the brilliant epiphany to ride two classes to help me "get in shape" (more on this later). I thought I could ride the vet class and the 250 class, well now what was the 250 class is actually the 450 class, and the 250 class is what used to be the 125 class. I was confused at first but it makes sense now, and I signed up for the Vet class and the 450 class. Something tells me if I could have been in the 250 class, on a 450, I would have gotten a killer start, maybe next time.
The Team Race Rig
Sign up, check. Now it's time to go to the truck and get ready. Once back at the truck the rest of the team was still napping, so I proceeded to unload the "war horse", and get my favorite new Troy Lee gear on. Now fully dressed, entirely too early, I am sweating like a fat girl running the NYC Marathon, but wait my race crew is awake now and ready to support me in my first race in years. My stomach is still swirling like a post McD's ribblet in a toilet, so I make one more visit to the port a potty before practice.
Brystol enjoying her pre race snack of yogurt!
After looking at the practice schedule, and watching the water trucks, and speaking with my favorite Troy Lee rep Tim Weamer, I decide to forgo the 450 practice (1st on the schedule) and just ride my vet practice. On the way to the practice line I feel the adrenaline starting to come and my stomach feel better. I line up with my fellow old man compadres and wait for the signal to go. But the longer I wait the more guys start showing up to the practice line. What the hell, when did Justin Delaware become old enough to ride the vet class? I have been away far to long, but none the less practice starts and away we go. The track was perfect and lines were starting form very nicely, and I was feeling a little off the pace of some of the guys in the Vet practice (i,e, Dustin McCombs, not a vet, and a handful of other kids getting a little more secret track time) I felt pretty good and ready to go racing.
(1st 450 moto, I should be braking now!)
My race coach (Lisa) and biggest fan meet (Brystol) met me back at the trailer, thank god, I needed someone to open a water bottle for me so I can try and replenish some fluid that was pouring out me. Three more races until I had to line back up to race the Vet class. No problem, I would cool down, drink some liquids and let my forearms recover. Well those three motos flew by, and now I still had forearms harder than redwood and its time to go back to the line. So my only hope to finish well was get a good start and ride smooth. Well the start was good, into second, okay I can do this, well then I quickly find myself in third. Okay smooth riding and maintain, shit now I am in fourth, "That is it it's time to turn it back up". Well turning it back up resulted in crashing, I looked like I was trying to pick up my Harley off the ground, but finally got my bike back up and now I am going again and to the finish line for fifth place. Well not bad, but my getting in shape is really kicking my ass now. Dusty Quast may have been right, two classes might be a little too much for an old guy.
With the second motos quickly approaching, I elected to let my arms and hands rest, sit out the second 450 moto, and get ready for my last Vet moto. Lining up for the Vet moto I was reminded that second motos were giving out holeshot prizes. Damn it! I should have at least started the 450 moto, I mean a holeshot prize (probably a $5 dollar t-shirt) would have been awesome, even if my arms locked up and I got whiskey throttle throwing myself into a tree, it's still a prize I could have won. Now it's on for the Vet class start, I am getting this god damn holeshot (and free t-shirt). The board goes sideways, gate drops and boom holeshot baby, now it's time to walk away from these guys! Sprinting down the back straight and into a sharp left hander, the lines have changed, and I decide to go wide at the last second to the outside berm, bang contact with another rider, he's goes down, (sorry Pete, didn't know you were there) but I am still on two wheels and an open track in front of me. A few more turns and I here a 250f revving to the sky and all over me (jeeze Justin it's just a Vet race), I realize this guy might be able to pass me, but if I can lead a lap that would be good. Well I almost lead an entire lap, and Mr. Delaware passed me two turns before the finish corner, so I figure no problem, I will tag along behind Delaware, find some lines and put a Dungey charge on and pass him back on the last lap, perfect game plan. Well that Delaware guy is going far too fast for safety, and he quickly disappears out of sight. Now it's time to ride clean and solid, then oops, I almost lose my hand off the bars before a jump, that damn arm pump is back in full force, and I can hear a guy behind me (that must work for Barnett clutches) coming hard, but I am unable to mount my Dungey style charge and I find myself in 3rd for the remainder of the race.
Gate drops and.....
Yesss! Holeshot Prize!
Well overall my first race back in a while was super fun, I had my family there (the race team), had lots of fun seeing old friends, got to ride an awesomely prepped track, and got a holeshot prize (which I will pick up next week, I can't wait to see what it is!). As far as getting in shape goes, I should be in better shape than I was before I showed up (so hopefully next week I can competently ride 4 motos), I ached in every joint, a total sign of "getting in shape".
The race team leader Lisa, took the reigns of the race rig at subway so I could enjoy my sandwich on the ride home, and we all made it home safe and sound with only 1/3 of the team napping (Brystol) when we arrived at the race headquarters. I can't wait to go racing next week with the entire race team, Marley will be here to assist Lisa with Brystol, and my fitness should be better than ever (hopefully I can open my own water bottles)! See ya next week!
Story by: Dusty Davis
Photos by: Lisa Davis
You sound old.
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