2009 Season Champion 2 Classes!
The last race of the season, always a bittersweet one. You love the race but it's been a long year and your almost glad to see it end for a bit of a rest. Going into the last race Gauge had enough of a points lead in the 65/125 Mitey Class that he didnt need to race to take the Championship.
After Round 6, which was a combined Utah State/National Amatuer Round we had decided to make some equipment changes. The Pitster Pro X2 had been a fantastic bike, taking him to 5 class wins and a 4th and 5th in the National but we felt it was time to step up to the Kawasaki KX65 2-stroke. This was done more for future preparation than current necessity. Gauges ultimate goal is to Road Race and the next step for him is a 125 2-stroke GP machine. We made the decision to get 4 years of 2-stroke racing under his belt before he runs USGPRU.
We made the decision to bump him up a Class and run the 85/160cc class where the Championship was still up for grabs. This was his first race on the new bike. Not only did he have to contend with the change to a 2-stroke but his Pitster was a 4 speed without a clutch. He had alot to deal with.
When the flag dropped he got a great start and ran 20 seconds a lap faster than his previous best. Thanks to Pro Circuit for providing an exhaust that created a perfect powerband and Rad manufacturing for setting us up with Supermoto wheels for the new bike Gauge had a shot at the Championship.
When the dust settled Gauge had won 2 State Championships! Thats 4 in 3 years as well as being Nationally Ranked.
We have alot of people to thank for the excellent season:
TrackStar1.com for parts and financial support!
Pitster Pro for the great bikes!
Pro Circuit for the amazing exhausts!
No Fear for great gear!
Scorpion Helmets for keeping his head safe!
Smith Goggles
Ralph Dunkley Insurance for helping with entries.
Newgate Motorsports for the KX65!
Rad Manufacturing for the excellent wheelset!
Fastline Michelin Race Tires
Miller Motorsports Park
And of course the best Mom in the world, Joy Rees, for being at the track every weekend and supporting this sport!
Utah Supermoto Round 5 and AMA National!
Round 5 of the Utah Supermoto Championship at Miller Motorsports Park was fantastic. The weather was hot and so was the racing. With a large grid of Mini's lined up for the Heat race Gauge pulled the holeshot. John Dingman was pressing hard behind Gauge and as they came up on a lapped rider Gauge went for the pass. The rider went down and took Gauge with them. Gauge managed to get back up and save a 2nd place finish for the Heat.
Determined to win the Main Gauge lined up in the #2 slot and again pulled the holeshot. He led from flag to flag and took home another win!
Round 6 was combined with the XTRM AMA Amateur National Series. We were excited to see how Gauge stacked up against the National level kids. Unfortunatly we were not made aware of what the rules or classes would be until 2 days prior to the race. Gauge was seriously outgunned by the other riders equipment. In the Heat there were 11 rdiers with only Gauge and 1 other on 4 strokes and Gauges being the only stock engine. The rest of the field was stacked with KTM and Cobra 2-stroke machines. Gauge pushed the Pitster Pro to it's limit and took 4th in the Heat race. We were extatic!
In the Main Gauge battled hard in a 4th/5th place war that came down to the wire. He ran nearly a second faster in the last lap but it just wasnt enough to make 4th place by less than 1/2 a second. It was still a fantastic weekend and we now know what we have to do to take our program to the next step.
Gauge has the #1 plate locked down for the 2009 season in the mini-65/125 class and has his eye set on a double Championship. He will be gunning for the Mini unlimited #1 plate in the last round of the Series.
Thanks to www.trackstar1.com, Scorpion Helmets, No Fear, Pro Circuit, Smith Optics, Pitster Pro, Rooster Racing and Ralph Dunkley Insurance for the support!
Some video action!
We shot some video during an asphalt practice session last Friday. This is a 1 mile loop, we didnt have transponders on but laptimes are in the 1:20 range.
Supermoto Round 4
Round 3 and another WIN!
After 2 postponed races due to rain we finally got to hit the track last weekend. It was overcast and there were occasional light rain showers. The asphalt was good and the dirt sections had some greasy mud in the bottoms but was fairly rideable.
Miller Motorsports Park and KSL News were there filming for a segment they are doing about Gauge. He was pretty nervous at first but when we hit the track he let it all hang out. He put down consistent personal best times through the 2nd practice, pushing his brake markers deeper in the corners each lap. In the Heat 1 Race he passed his Dad at will in any corner he chose.
In the Main he got out to a good lead and held it. The rain was falling harder but so were his laptimes. He continued to push the limits but with the help of a new set of Michelin tires he was gappiing the field. Somewhere in the last 3 laps opf the race he blew a crank seal and oil began to leak from the bike. It was covering his rear tire but he said he never felt the tires slip. He took the Win.
Round 4 is in 2 weeks and there is alot of preparation to be done. Track will be configured for the long asphalt section and both dirt sections. We will be training at OCA Moto-X track for the next 2 weeks.
Thanks to Pro Circuit, Michelin, No Fear, Scorpion, Smith, Trackstar1.com and Ralph Dunkley Insurance for making this season possible!
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