First trip to the Mini O's. Crazy how many people spend a week at Gatorback every year for sure. Matthew rode Collegeboy, 450 B, and 450 B Limited. For not raining. I got tired of riding what looked like mud motos. Collegeboy was first, they watered before 450 B Limited, and 450 B was first moto of the morning on Friday. Matthew was 3 spots shy in collegeboy and 450 B from qualifying and fell in the limited moto. So three LCQ's. Starts in the LCQ's were not the hottest and we had to pack up in Collegeboy and Limited. In 450 B, Matthew rode in 3rd, but finished 5th in the LCQ and got into Moto 2. Moto 2 he has a very outside gate, so he was dead last in the first turn. Ended up 30th in the moto, rode 10 laps, and Gage Linnville Lapped him in the 11 lap moto. Not sure how they determined the laps. I thought it was a 8 lap moto, but Matthew was scored on 10 laps, and was lapped, so must have been 11 laps.
Some take aways. You can be a superstar locally, but when you go on that National stage, there are some really really fast B riders. Told Matthew he needs to figure out how to be on the gas throwing roost down hill!! Some of those kids are amazingly fast down hill. His conditioning is fine, just flat out raw speed is what he needs more off.
Track was good. It got super rough. I spoke to one guy who had been there for like 6 years in a row and he said the prep was lacking some this year, but I have no comparison. Tons of motos, so you know it is going to be rough. Last time I was to Gatorback was about 20 years ago. They have added some sand for sure. It is no longer the hard pack, blue groove limestone it was when I raced there in the early 90s.
Amazes me the amount of amateurs that ride out of semis with full time mechanics, etc. Honestly amazes me that the factories and others invest that much money into a Amateurs program. Times have changed for sure.
For shits and giggles, look at the lap times of the B classes, the pro sport classes and the C classes. The lap times of the C riders will make you laugh. Just do away with C and make them ride B class. Start a beginner class, 1 or 2 on your AMA card or your riding B.
The pits and camping are ok. I hear they are adding more full hook ups into the back lot next year. The pit riding is out of control! Honestly, they need more security to patrol. Make pit bikes for transportation to and from the track, but not riding through the pits, raising hell. I cant believe parents don't stop kids from making circle tracks in the drive lanes of the pits, making foot deep ruts where people drive. Then to all the people doing practice starts in the pits at 40 to 50 MPH, STOP!! If you're at the Mini O;s and you need to practice 15 starts, its too late! Practice at home, not in the pits! Besides, your starting off a grate, not dirt anyway. Oh, but one father had a grate for his kid to practice on it the pits as well. Hershey almost became his victim, riding back in the pits.
I suggest CTMX address pitbikes and riding in the pits before their event. No one on a pit bike under 16. They should be used only for transportation, not riding around. And have a burn out area for people that want to do starts. You break the pit bike rules or doing starts in the pits, no warnings, DQ a couple people. I guarantee, you DQ a couple people, and the problem stops. If they have these issues at CTMX, I am sure the fair board will not be happy.
Overall it was a good trip. Could not have asked for better weather. For the most part, sunny and nice most of the time. I would probably go back again. Maybe...............
