Jim Neese Foremost Insurance Suzuki Column

After the poor performance in Grand Rapids last weekend, I couldn't wait to get back home, spend some time with the family, and get back to work. The weather had finally cleared up so we were able to put in some good laps at the track and have no excuses coming in to Baltimore. I was ready, 100% no doubt about it.

We even arrived a little early to be sure to get plenty of rest and set up the pit area. That's also when we saw the track for the first time. It wasn't exactly what we were expecting. Instead of some good old tacky eastern AX dirt, it looked like a combination of asphalt with a waxy pink dye holding it all together. Not my favorite! No big deal though, it?s the same track for everybody, right? I was still ready!

After two lackluster practice sessions, the doubt started creeping slowly in. Should we change tires, is the gearing right, the jetting, did I put the right underwear on? All good questions, but none were the problem. I'm old enough to know the difference between bike problems and brain problems. My qualifier was a joke, I rode around like I was waiting for the track to jump up and put me in a headlock. Then I got taken out in the first turn of the lcq. Just like that, my night was over.

Saturday, a new day, after a good heart to heart with the track , I finally started riding more like myself. I'm not sure but I think I may have even won practice. I was ready again! The qualifier was good up until I clipped the rhythm section and landed on the ground in the corner. Back to the lcq again. The lcq is a crap shoot every time, no matter how you?re riding. Unfortunately, after an inspiring last lap charge, I still missed qualifying by about 3 inches. Toyota AMA Arenacross Series, gotta love it !

I'm not sure which gene it is that racers have that keep us motivated after weekends like this, I'm sure thankful for it! Even right now , I can't type this fast enough to so I can get out to the practice track and then head to the gym. Can't wait for Dayton!

Fortunately for the team, Tyler did a great job and stepped up like we knew he could. A few mishaps held his finishes back Friday, but Saturday he was rollin, barely missing the Lites win. He got a great start in the AX class and was in second place when a front flat tire forced him to pull off.