Crash, Bang, Zoom!

What an awesome weekend!  The entire family went to the Redline Cup BMX Race in Raytown this past weekend and we had a blast.  This was the largest race we've been to thus far!  There were over 120 motos with nearly 8 riders per moto that added up to nearly 1,000 riders and when you add in spectators there had to be at least 3,000 people there this weekend.  Tyler competed against riders from:  Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois, Arkansas, Iowa, as well as local riders from Missouri and Kansas.  While the weekend didn't go exactly as we planned, hence the title of this post, but we ended it on a positive note and we all had fun together which is the important part.

The weekend started on Friday at around 2:00pm with the first round of practice.  I was stuck at work so Wendy and Carissa took Tyler out to the track and braved the weather as two downpours got them rather wet in the early afternoon.  They were there much of the day and as soon as work was over I made it out for the race that started around 6:00pm.  Tyler did a great job in his first race.  He started off a little slow but caught right back up and passed a total of 4 riders which put him into 3rd place but unfortunately he wouldn't finish in 3rd.  A CRASH just 40 feet from the finish line would put him in 7th place for the first race.

Redline Central Championship Race Sept 9th 2011

 This is a HUGE race and Tyler had been looking forward to it because if you finish in the top 3 you get a new number plate for your bike.  Tyler finished the qualifier event in 2nd place and was sitting in a good position going into the race to earn a plate but the CRASH rattled his confidence a little, something that hasn't happened to him in the past.  He's crashed in the past and he always jumps up and keeps going.  This time was different....  He wasn't hurt physically, but his confidence was bruised this time.  It reminded me of the movies "Top Gun" and "Days of Thunder" when, in each case, Tom Cruise couldn't get back in the game.  The same thing seemed to happen to Tyler this time so Wendy and I had our work cut our for us to help him get his confidence back.

Tyler in the Starting Gate at Redline Cup Finals

He finished in last place in race number two and race number three on Friday as well and it was totally apparent that his confidence took a major blow.  He wasn't as fast on the track as he normally was, and he was being cautious.  This wasn't like our "No Fear" kamikaze type rider.  That wreck, just 40 feet from the finish line, really got to him.   It was time to pack it up for the evening and head home and come back tomorrow.  We had two more days of racing in front of us and Saturday and Sunday were the days that really mattered.  

Saturday morning came early and we were at the track by 8:00am ready to go for practice.  Tyler seemed a little better but he still wasn't 100% and we could tell.  This event was new Wendy and I as well and we encouraged Tyler without pushing him too hard.  We told him to be confident in his ability and go out and do your best.  Well, apparently we didn't have the magic touch as he finished last place in both races.  Normally this would mean that your day is done and you don't get to race again so we thought we'd head home and let him rest and just as we were ready to leave they called Tyler's name for the Semi Finals.  WHAT???  Are you kidding me?  Wendy and I were shocked and unprepared for this and it took several others by surprise as well but we got him suited up and to the starting grid in under 40 seconds.  No sooner than he was in the gate and ready to go the gate dropped and they were off.  Wendy and I had our fingers crossed and then it happened..... BANG!    Seriously, are you kidding me!  The poor little guy crashed on the first jump.  This NEVER happens to him.  I stood there with my head in my hand thinking to myself, Oh my gosh our poor son.  He's gonna be crushed.  Ok let me correct that....  Naturally my first thought was, is he ok! and he was thankfully.  He got back up and finished the race as the crowd cheered for him but I knew he was bummed out.  This certainly wasn't going to boost his confidence level.  Shortly after that we packed up and headed home.  We had one more day of racing left to go.  The finals on Sunday were up next....

Redline Cup Saturday in Raytown

We were on the way home on Saturday and Tyler said he thought he needed a new gear so we called Bike Stop and asked them to hold a gear for us and we picked up a 37 tooth gear and changed it at home.  Now Tyler had a new gear for the race on Sunday and hopefully that would help boost his confidence a little.  I think that helped a little because all of sudden out of the gate it was ZOOM!!!   He wasn't quite up to full speed yet but he was back.  He was determined and you could see that he found his stride again as he brushed off the wrecks from the days before.  You could see the determination in his eyes and he was ready to race!!!

Tyler at Redline Central Finals Race in Raytown, MO September 11, 2011

He still ended up finishing in last place, on Sunday but he has his confidence back and he was gaining on the other racers again.  This was our first really big BMX race and Tyler just entered the Intermediate Class a few months ago.  Some of the kids he was up against have been in the Intermediate Class for a couple years.  Yes, we got beat this weekend and we got beat by more experienced racers but that's what makes you better and Tyler came through it and learned something important.  You're not gonna win every race, and some of them you might actually lose.  That's just the nature of racing.  The true test of a champion is how he conducts himself when challenged and how he picks himself up after a fall.  Tyler did a great job with that.  Those who succeed in life are those who have had failures and pushed beyond the failure to achieve success.  Great job son, keep your chin up because we'll get em' next year!

A Corvette For Her Birthday!

What a great Labor Day weekend!!!!  The weather was wonderful, except for the occasional storm, but Sunday and Monday were nothing short of perfection.  We rented a boat and took the family out on the lake on Sunday and did some fishing and swimming and had a great time.  We didn't catch anything but it didn't matter it was the time spend with family that counted!

Yesterday was Carissa's birthday and she got a really amazing present!  A 1994 British Racing Green Chevrolet Corvette with a 6 Speed....   She said the acceleration was amazing and she really loved the car!  Oh, wait a minute....  I forgot a few important words in that previous sentence..


Carissa got  a ride in a 1994 British Racing Green Chevrolet Corvette with a 6 Speed....   Grandma and Grandpa came in for Carissa's Birthday and Grandpa took her for a ride in their Corvette.  Notice the big smile on her face!!!  That was before she got to go for the ride.  You should have seen the look on her face when she got out of the car after the ride!!!  She's 14 and she's already been talking about driving...  Great, Now Grandpa gives her a taste of what a Corvette feels like.  I'm sure I'll be hearing about how cool that car is for the next two years! 

Carissa was invited to go up and watch the Football team scrimmage on her birthday and Grandpa thought it would be cool to give her a ride in the Vette.  Great!  I have a daughter who is anxious to drive and she's getting invited to go watch Football Scrimmage by one of the players.  Yes, I just got more grey hair on Monday!!!  Ugh!  

Attention boys!!!   

Here's a little info about me:  I like to go hunting and I have several friends in the Military, one of whom is an F-16 Fighter Pilot and some are US Navy SEALS.  I work with many MMA Fighters and I have a really, really fast car.  My philosophy about dating my daughter can be summed up in this song: Rodney Atkins "Cleaning This Gun" 

Now I'd like to get to know a little more about you:  Name, age, address, phone number, social security number, next of kin, report card, background check, etc.   Once you've filled out all this information you'll be provided with a GPS unit that has a timer on it.  You'll be required to get it back to me before the alarm goes off.  If there are any questions refer to the song above for clarification.

Naturally I'm only kidding about the items above, ok maybe just a few, actually I'm only kidding about one.  I'll let you figure out which one I'm joking about....  

Yes, I'm getting more grey hair with each passing birthday.  She's in 8th grade and she's getting invited to Football Scrimmage.  I'm not quite ready for this yet.  It seems like just yesterday she was playing with dolls and playing dress up....