First Arenacross Experience...

RPM68
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1574
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DFW, TX US
Edited Date/Time 1/26/2016 2:38pm
This weekend the RIDE365 AX Tour visited Conroe, Texas for some tight and aggressive racing for Amateur and Pros.

Justin, the owner of the series, is an extremely nice and hard working individual, and ran a quick and smooth program.

I havent raced much moto since LL 2014, but for some reason thought it would be a great Idea to race the pro class, so I ran my 450 in AX Pro... Practice was sketchy, and im not much to risk things these days like I used to, so with zero surprise I qualified Dead Last, wasnt skimming the whoops nor hitting the big triple out of the corner, and didnt care; this was all for fun...


During my heat race I nearly had holeshot but was a little aggressive and went into the wall, and dropped back to 5th. Myself, Chase Adams, and Justin Kopcak battled back and forth and swapped positions about 6-7 times, It was super intense and alot of fun, but ended up 7th. No big deal, I at least had some confidence knowing I will have someone to race with.

I was back row during the Main, and after avoiding a pileup I came out of the start in 4th or so. Lost a few spots, gained a few, people were crashing, I just chugged along and made no mistakes. Started blitzing the whoops finally and only 3-4 riders were hitting the triple at this point (track was sand based and broke down ALOT!) so I was much more competitive. Ended the night 9th out of 13, and had an absolute blast.

I sincerely enjoyed the tight racing b/c its slow and safe, but you still push your limits. Sadly a good friend broke his tib/fib badly and had his night end quickly, and he wasnt the only one to have a night end early. Once again have to give huge props to Justin and his crew for running a smooth program...

All photo courtesy of Cody Lipps @151actionshots.







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cmarona463
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212
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11/18/2013
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Pinson, AL US
1/25/2016 9:43am
Sounds like fun and thats what its all about! Justin has been involved in the series for quite a while and always does a great job.

On a side note, you may know this but some don't, Justin is one of Cole Thompson's older brothers. Its nice to root for people that put work back into the sport lol
RPM68
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1574
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DFW, TX US
1/25/2016 9:57am
cmarona463 wrote:
Sounds like fun and thats what its all about! Justin has been involved in the series for quite a while and always does a great job...
Sounds like fun and thats what its all about! Justin has been involved in the series for quite a while and always does a great job.

On a side note, you may know this but some don't, Justin is one of Cole Thompson's older brothers. Its nice to root for people that put work back into the sport lol
I didnt know that! Cole has always been one of my favorites since I saw him smoke the B Class at Freestone back in '11.

Thanks!
1/25/2016 10:14am
Congrats on getting back on the saddle and just having fun on your bike! Sounds like you're no slouch either

At my first (and only) AX race in Charlotte 2001, I can remember being absolutely floored by how massive the whoops were. It was a humbling experience to say the least haha
1/25/2016 10:30am
My first Erenacross experience last year was a disaster. I rode like a chump...oh well I had fun..that's what matters most.

The Shop

RPM68
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DFW, TX US
1/25/2016 10:59am
My first Erenacross experience last year was a disaster. I rode like a chump...oh well I had fun..that's what matters most.
That was my slogan all day...

I had some people come up to me after practice and be like "Ryan, not trying to be rude, but you used to be really fast, what happened?" lol

Age, a job, and not riding happened...HAHAHAHA
1/25/2016 2:55pm Edited Date/Time 1/25/2016 2:57pm
My first Erenacross experience last year was a disaster. I rode like a chump...oh well I had fun..that's what matters most.
RPM68 wrote:
That was my slogan all day... I had some people come up to me after practice and be like "Ryan, not trying to be rude, but...
That was my slogan all day...

I had some people come up to me after practice and be like "Ryan, not trying to be rude, but you used to be really fast, what happened?" lol

Age, a job, and not riding happened...HAHAHAHA
Exactly..you nailed it.. When I raced that erenacross that was my first race back in like nine months. That and the everyday work and being 42 yrs old and outta shape bad... yeah I got some excuses haha.
Oh yeah..I'm race the AXTOUR Erenacross in Tunica Ms, February 6th... which by the way will be my first race again in like ten months.. so...Here we go again!!
mx836
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5578
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4/2/2008
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; BF
1/25/2016 3:38pm
My first Erenacross experience last year was a disaster. I rode like a chump...oh well I had fun..that's what matters most.
RPM68 wrote:
That was my slogan all day... I had some people come up to me after practice and be like "Ryan, not trying to be rude, but...
That was my slogan all day...

I had some people come up to me after practice and be like "Ryan, not trying to be rude, but you used to be really fast, what happened?" lol

Age, a job, and not riding happened...HAHAHAHA
Exactly..you nailed it.. When I raced that erenacross that was my first race back in like nine months. That and the everyday work and being 42...
Exactly..you nailed it.. When I raced that erenacross that was my first race back in like nine months. That and the everyday work and being 42 yrs old and outta shape bad... yeah I got some excuses haha.
Oh yeah..I'm race the AXTOUR Erenacross in Tunica Ms, February 6th... which by the way will be my first race again in like ten months.. so...Here we go again!!
You guys should have been out of shape and not ridden enough the whole time like I did. Now that I'm 30, I'm really not that far off of where I was in my late teens / early 20s. People still tell me I'm riding good all the time. Laughing
RPM68
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DFW, TX US
1/25/2016 7:22pm
Lol even at my prime I'd have nothing for those boys, they put in way more work than me and deserve to be where they are...like I deserve my career I'm putting effort into.
shane509
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123
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4/18/2013
Location
Lumberton, MS US
1/26/2016 12:59pm
good write up man and glad you liked it! the track layout was similar to the round before in Hattiesburg, MS which i raced. Track layout and the dirt was perfect there. I sound about like you, work part time and full time college student put me in the back of the pack in the pro class as well. I still had a blast racing! Cant beat going racing and hanging with friends either.
Socia
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3/27/2010
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Tyler, TX US
1/26/2016 1:46pm
Anyone that has the balls to line up has my respect, looking good man. Congrats on a good time and making it out in one piece!
Mini Elsinore
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1967
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8/17/2006
Location
Huntington Beach, CA US
1/26/2016 2:10pm
My first Erenacross experience last year was a disaster. I rode like a chump...oh well I had fun..that's what matters most.
RPM68 wrote:
That was my slogan all day... I had some people come up to me after practice and be like "Ryan, not trying to be rude, but...
That was my slogan all day...

I had some people come up to me after practice and be like "Ryan, not trying to be rude, but you used to be really fast, what happened?" lol

Age, a job, and not riding happened...HAHAHAHA
You showed up and raced. That's all that matters. Enjoyed your report and the pics.
Moto Mofo
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867
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1/17/2008
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TX US
1/26/2016 2:38pm
Spectator turnout in those pics looks pretty thin. Less than Dirt Wars, anyway.

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