Racers came from all over the place, California, Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas, Illinois, Main, Australia, Venezuela, Georgia, and Missouri just to name a few of us. For it being such a large group and most of us had never met there was a great sense of camaraderie from every body there. Some of us got there on the Friday before the race and got a chance to practice on the course and enjoy the pre-race party. Great big thanks needs to be given to Mary Goad and all the volunteers that cooked us all barbeque that night as well. Mary you guys were great; you made us feel welcome!
Saturday, race day started at about 9: AM. Unfortunately Dave Larson fell on the bottom left turn (one that many racers beefed on, just ask me, Wese, Glenn or
Alan Sidlo) and broke his collar bone. Get well fast Dave out thoughts are with you man. Qualifying and then head to head brought us to the top 16. But there were some memorable moments on the way. Eddy Martinez and C-Nova yelling smack and encouragement to each other on their runs, “Ok Eddy are you ready to switch stance, Ok Chris it’s just you and me”.
In the top 16 there were some extremely close races, Mark Mcree and Jonathan Harms, Patrick and Rick Stanziale come to mind right away. Here is how everybody ended up.
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1
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Keith H.
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28.026
|
|
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2
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Chris C.
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28.497
|
|
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3
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Bobby M.
|
29.633
|
|
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4
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Patrick C.
|
30.515
|
|
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5
|
Goad
|
30.782
|
|
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6
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Jonathan H.
|
30.963
|
|
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7
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Rick S.
|
31.487
|
|
|
8
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Jack S.
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31.954
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|
|
9
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Wes E.
|
32.066
|
|
|
10
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Jeremy J.
|
32.218
|
|
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11
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Mark M.
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32.413
|
|
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12
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Steve D.
|
32.596
|
|
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13
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Steven L.
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32.871
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|
|
14
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Ricky B.
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33.380
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|
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15
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Sean D.
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33.450
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|
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16
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John D.
|
34.002
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|
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17
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Leo O.
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34.891
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|
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18
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Jeff M.
|
35.443
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|
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19
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Carl K.
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35.631
|
|
|
20
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Clifton J.
|
35.688
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|
|
21
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John S.
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36.445
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|
|
22
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Josh B.
|
37.170
|
|
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23
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Chris F.
|
38.349
|
|
|
24
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Glen S.
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38.377
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|
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25
|
Marcos
|
39.688
|
|
|
26
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Will J.
|
39.830
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|
|
27
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Zach B.
|
44.194
|
|
|
28
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Eddy M.
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44.983
|
|
|
29
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Chris N.
|
45.183
|
|
|
30
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Alan S.
|
99
|
|
There were some great things said and things that I saw that are worth mentioning too.
"No more Margaritas the day before the race"
- Eddy Martinez.
"Poetic Justice"
- Unknown racer
"Come on can’t you beat a fat old guy"
- Mark MCcree
"Go ahead and take the picture, there are more out there of me doing much worse"
- Rick Stanziale
"So do you like riding those?"
- Marcos
I asked Jack Smith this not knowing who he was. He replied "I Hope so I make them." At this point I fell on my ass because, obviously both feet were in my mouth. Jack turned out to be a great guy and I had the honor of going up against and being beat by him. Just watch out Jack I’ll get you next time.
Best story was from Steve from Australia. He sold his car and his Motorcycle so that he could get a ticket to come to the US and compete. And all around the US.
Best beef on tape Alan Sidlo from flight to slam to the bounce.
The finals had to be called of due to rain, so the top eight were figured out by times. The awards were given out at the City Museum which has to be the weirdest place I have ever seen. Try and picture a skate park, a museum, and a bar and restaurant all wrapped up in to one. It was a great race and for being the 1st ever that the Missouri chapter has done it was great and I'm sure that it will just get better. My only question is when is the next one.
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