Christopher (44u) went 1-6 for 2nd overall in Classic 125 Novice. Since his grouping had 125 Classic Expert and Novice starting at the same time it was hard to tell how he was doing. In moto 1 he pretty much rode by himself. He got a bad start in moto 2, but was able to pass a couple of riders and move to the front. Then he lost concentration, cross rutted and fell. He finished last in moto 2. He may have come in 2nd in moto 1 ...I did not get to review the results and with 2 separate classes racing at the same time it was confusing.

I (50v) planned to race in 2 classes: +50 on a '73 450 Maico and Classic 125 on a '72 Penton - all Intermediate. In practice the Maico died. In +50 you can ride any vintage legal bike, so naturally I wanted to take advantage of the large Maico and its MX pedigree. But that was not to be due to poor preparation on my part. The death of the Maico meant the Penton would get ridden in +50 as well as Classic 125. The race schedule had me +50 in Race 15 and Classic 125 in Race 16. Back to back races, what a way to enter the world of Vintage MX.

In moto 1 of Race 15 (+50) I got a mid pack start. I was prepared for guys to blow by me on the straight but that didn't happen. I got pulled but not passed. By the start of lap two, I had overcome my fear of being out gunned and started to ride aggressively. I went deeper into the corners and by the end of race must have passed 6-8 guys. I came in 5th. +50 was a big class - 47 riders signed up so they broke it down into Gate 1 & Gate 2 groupings -- so maybe 20 guys were in my moto. I was pleased with the result but totally fatigued at the end of 4 laps. I exited the track and went to the starting line for Race 16.

As I lined up, the extent of my exhaustion set in. I was whipped! I knew I had made a mistake by riding so hard in the +50 class. I had made a mistake by signing up for 2 classes. I wanted to do well in Classic 125 as these were "like machines" and held the promise of better racing and a better indicator of rider skill. 125 vs 125, CZ vs Penton vs DKW vs Husky, vs Carabela vs Monark vs Bultaco ... Well, I had come to race so when the gate dropped, I went out as hard as a I could. As we entered the first turn, the holeshot belonged to the rider who was going to go in deepest. The holeshot was mine, but I had no strength. Man, was I tired. I tried to settle down and just ride my line and make those behind me work to get around. After 1-1/2 laps, the CZ got past. Then another rider passed me and another ... and another. Luckily I had enough sense to just slow down and not crash and get hurt. Although I didn't fall, my ego was badly bruised. Getting passed is not something I like.

At the break between motos, Christopher & I rode the pit bike to Pentonville for a free lunch. After we got back to the pits we got out our Therma-Rest pads and both of us laid out under the E-Z Up -- totally wiped out. I decided to skip moto 2 of +50 and try to redeem myself in 125 Classic. We could hear the race progression via the PA system, so we rested until the last moment. I did not want to race but I did not want to be a quitter either. I went to the line hoping to do better but had no idea where I was going to get the strength. When the gate dropped, I came out number 2 but by the exit of turn one, I was back to the 4th spot. No energy, no desire ... but I came to race so I decided to hang on and see if I could muster some enthusiasm. The winning CZ of moto 1 got a worse start than me but he soon got around. Now I'm in 5th and thinking this totally sucks. But, the guys aren't getting away too bad, except the CZ who is headed for a repeat win. As lap 2 begins, I'm not feeling any worse and in fact had loosened up a bit. I decided to see if I could move up. I pick off one rider then another ... and another, most of the passes occurring on the inside of tight turns. This is fun and my confidence is coming back. At the beginning of the last lap, the CZ is in sight.

I'm closing the gap with each turn. There is no thought of fatigue. I'm going to get that CZ. With a half lap go to, we come out of a flat grass turn opening to the fastest part of the track. I'm on the inside and getting on the gas early. So early that I nearly fall, but I recover without backing off. Can I pass the CZ on the back straight going into the chicane? I close up, my front tire by the CZ foot peg. I decide that a pass attempt now, at this speed, is too risky. After all, this is for fun. I drop back and follow the CZ through the chicane, ready to pounce. Coming out, I'm on the gas hard ... full song ... third gear, fourth gear ... top gear. My Penton is quicker than the CZ but not enough to just power by. If I'm to get around, the pass will come with brakes, not the throttle. This is it. Now or never. The tight left hander is my best chance, my last chance. I passed a rider here in moto 1 of +50. I know I can do it. Is there room on the inside? The CZ swings a little wide setting up for the turn. Here is the opening I need. I dive inside, keeping the bike straight up for maximum braking. I'm on clean, dry grass that no knobby has touched. I'm in tight, very tight. Too tight? Will this Penton turn on a dime? The tires stick to the grass like contact cement. No slip. No slide. I square the corner. The CZ is forced wide but still on the gas. Out of the corner hard, not the time for a missed shift, over the jump, third gear, fourth gear, brake and turn, over another jump, gassing it hard, taking the next turn a little wide to protect my turf. The CZ doesn't like being #2 and makes a strong charge. I tell myself, "Ride your line, make good shifts, protect the inside ..." For the remainder of the race I can hear but never see the CZ. The Big Bore Berkshire takes the win. What fatigue? Score 6-1 = 2nd place overall. Grand time for sure!