Pre Race: The time had come for my first GNCC race, and I was very excited. We left Fort Smith at 5 p.m. Friday night, and drove about 6 hours to Tupelo, MS, where we slept in a Wal-Mart parking lot. We woke up early Saturday, and drove the rest of the way. We arrived at the track around 2 p.m. It took us a while to find a place to park because we were trying to find a good place to pit. Once we got parked and unloaded, my brother and I explored the area. We checked out the MX track, and admired all of the factory rigs. Then we got signed up, and got the bikes ready to race. The track looked really fun, and the forecast looked great for race day. I was ready to go.
Race: I was quite nervous on the line, watching the XC1 and XC2 classes take off right in front of me. I got a mid pack start, and just followed everyone for the first lap. My arms were so pumped up, I felt like I couldn’t ride fast at all. About an hour in to the race, the arm pump went away, and I was able to start pushing. I got through my gas stops pretty smooth, and rode pretty well the rest of the race. I worked my way from 13th to 7th in 250A, and 56th overall by the end of the 3 hours. The track was the most whooped out, and rough track I have ever ridden. It was completely different that anything I have ever ridden, and that is something I’m going to have to get used to. I was expecting a top 3 finish, so I’m pretty disappointed, but I will get there soon. All in all, It was a good weekend. I came home safe with a descent finish. I’m looking forward to the next one!
Results(250A): 1. Hayden R O Kelley
2. Zackery Smith
3. Zach Nolan
4. Nick S Davis
5. Zach F Klamfoth
6. Chad M Tallman
7. Zach Ingram
8. Joseph Sherer
Thanks to the following for their support: Bill Eddy’s Motorsports, KTM, Moose Racing, Rekluse, Enduro Engineering, Source MX, Alpinestars, Smith, Sixsixone, Acerbis, FMF, my family, and most importantly God.
