Report : NPS 4x Round 3

Round 3 of the 4x serries was blessed by stunning weather and a dusty hard baked track. Martyn was invited to join the 4x team for the weekend and sends his account of 3 days intensive racer-jump practice and the comp itself.

Sunday May 24th 2009 and what a day. Bank Holiday weekend usually means rain here. Not this weekend! Temperatures soared, girls undressed, not a cloud in the sky, and a chance to go 4x racing!!!

I did intend on racing both rounds at the weekend, but stupidly I had hit up the BMX tracks of Cheshire so intensivley, that my poor hands were in no fit state for a white nuckle ride.

Saturday was rescheduled as a spectating day and gate start tuition. I was once told 'a clever person learns from his mistakes, but a wise person learns from those of others'. Never could this ring more true!!

never have i felt more sorry than when a junior rider fell sidways out of the gate, just as 'riders ready, whatch the gate was called!'

After an hour, or so trying to understand when people start to react to the gate, lights or sounds, i took a walk down the course to see what i needed to start worrying about.

The first straight was really simple. 3 big rollers which could be pumped, manualled, or for the quick boys pump in double out. Then after another few cranks a small step up with a long landing area to catch those who over jump.

The racing wraped up at a helthy 6pm, with 'Boom Boom' taking the honors by a healthy meter. just in time for the coutry air to fill with the sound of party and the scent of burning meat. this is when i snuck under the tape for my first run of a 4x track! and boy did I land with a bang!!!

Race day came, and i headed up to the gate for my first attempt at taming teh Beeps! boy do i need to pratice that!

In teh race i won 3 of my motos, and got a 2nd behind scroobs, my team mate. allowing me to progress to the knock out phase.

In the first race a got a good gate, and then held 2nd down to the line.

In the semi's i tried to hard at the gate and did a wheelie up it! not advised. had to back of the pedals for a moment until the front end came back down. it was all over after that and i finished 3rd in the semi.

gutted, but i will be back to stick it to the 4x contingent again soon.

jhgj

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