Finally the motocross race day has arrived so I get on the net to check the 450/250 championship standings so I have some idea of who I should be taking photos of.

I am all set to go at 9:15 but I look outside and light rain is falling.  I wait for the shower to pass and the delay works out to be about 45 mins before I have clear skies.

The road is a bit damp but still a good ride along the back roads and through the forest.  I am going really well until about 5 klms from the track where I get a bumper to bumper traffic jam.  The road to the track is very narrow and I had bugger all opportunities to go around the outside but did so where I could – the last 5 klms still took me nearly 40 mins.

I pull up where I see a large tent and go over to buy a general admission ticket.  I end up being in the wrong place that turns out to be the right place as I was able to buy a general admission ticket that included paddock access for $60 USD.

Motorcycles are allowed to park right up beside the track entrance gate however I was running late and there were limited parks unless you were happy to try and park on the side of a slope.  Fortunately I found one right in front of a Sheriff;

I was able to walk straight in through the entrance gate and did not have to line up in the long que that was in front of the ticketing booth.  Once inside I made my way into the paddock area as I only had an hour before the racing started.

In the paddock I saw a line of people waiting to get autographs from the factory team riders (Barcia/Plessinger).  I thought I should join in so I lined up as well and in no time I was having a chat and getting a couple of posters signed;

The guys ask me if I am from New Zealand and I replied, “Do I look like a sheep shagger?”  That totally cracked them up and so the line ground to halt for several minutes while we had a joke (sorry to my NZ mate Fossie).

From the Yamaha team I move over and check out the Kawasaki truck.  Again I see a very long line of people waiting to get autographs from all 4 of the factory riders – Cianciarulo/Marchbanks/Savatgy/Tomac.  Just as I join the back of the que a crowd controller announces that the session is closing in 5 minutes and everyone from where he is standing will miss out – DAM!

A lot of disappointed people move off but I spot one of the Kawasaki crew and politely ask him if he can get something for me given that I have come all the way from Australia.  He tells me to wait a minute and when the crowd controller turns his back he sneaks me under the rope to the back of the line.  I am the very last one and get to have a good chat with all 4 riders and a poster signed from each.  What was extra cool is that Tomic is the current 450 champ.  Both Tomac and Cianciarulo (250) are leading their respective classes and likely to be this years champions!  I take a few photos;

From the paddock I go over to the track and take up the same spot where I stood in 2017.  The National Anthem is sung and we have a magnificent fly over of 2 x Air Force jets;

The first race up is the 250 Moto 1.  I am standing so close to the action that big chunks of mud are landing on my head as I take photos;

After the first round of 250’s the big 450’s come out and they are unbelievable in how fast they go;

I watch the second race of each class and have a ball.  Towards the end of the last race I am positioned to make a quick exit and manage to beat the rush. The ride home was fun;

So the winners for the day were;

450 – Tomic (both Races)

250 –  Ferrandis (both Races)

I get back to the house and get sorted for tomorrow as I am heading to Coeur d’ Alene in Idaho.

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