KurtPickard154.com

It has been an awesome past 2-3 weeks, Sun, training, best tracks, the riders and shopping... I already miss California.

 My build up was perfect and I felt in the best form of the season. This is the first year in two years that I have been able to complete a season injury free. So this year my goals were set around learning race routines and gaining valuable experience. All in all I was like a big sponge, I absorbed everything at all the races. I focused on learning as much as possible from watching the other riders. The big results didn't come my way but I know with hard work over the summer and heading back over in November for the ABA grands in Oklahoma, next year might just fall into place for me.

 Anyway, Chula SX...

We had a small team, Sarah Walker, Marc Willers, Trent Woodcock, Kurt James, Myself and Matt Cameron also come over. Marc had a crash in practice which put him out with a shoulder injury. With over 150 guys and a track that hasn't changed in 4 years Time trials were going to be close. Unfortunately it was only Sarah and I who made it through and qualified for racing. I ended up 30th in TT and was happy with a clean comfortable lap.

 Show time.

Drawing Joris W1 in my mottos I knew I had to be switched on... with my tray of GO FAST I was full of rocket fuel... I actually felt ready to race and excited for the days racing, so mentally it was the first time I had ever felt excited and not anxious.

 My first motto I got off to a shaky start, I hit joris about 6times down the first straight and we both couldn't jump the triple into the first turn. I slotted into third and went to make a move into 2nd in the 2nd corner. It seemed Raymond also was thinking the same and dropped down to pass for first. We hit and I washed out. Burnt a hole through my shoe and sock to my foot and got a killer graze under my elbow pad?? weird. 7th place

My second motto I was full of adrenaline and super angry from the first motto. I came from lane 6 and got the hole shot. I lead till the last straight when Joris decided to push me to the line. 2nd place

The third motto went the same as the 2nd motto with a mega over clear out of the first turn. I lead till the last straight and finished 2nd.

Quarter final.

Feeling good from my last two mottos I had 4th lane choice and went for lane 6. I did what i wanted to do and got a good start. I had a bike length lead going into the 2nd jump. I over cleared it, not by a lot and landed in a Manuel and lost my lead and couldn't move across enough on Nic Long coming from lane 1. I still tried to move across on him in mid air on the triple but we just hit and he went up the inside... then Joris came under who then decided he had enough of me and tried to put me onto the third straight. I almost had to pull out and pump the 2nd straight. I went as high as the moon and carried no speed.

Therefore ending the Supercross season and day with a 5th in the quarter final. Three races in a row....forth time lucky?

(Videos of races can been seen at bmx-videos.com. I was heat number 7. and quater number 4)

I'm getting closer and closer every race and learning so much. This years race experience has been so valuable. Thanks To the team staff, Ryan Hollows, John Cowell and the big man Ken Cools. Also a big thanks to Team Crupi for being so accommodating while we were there.

Next up for me are the North Island titles in Gisbourne then the ABA grands in November.

--Shred

KP