JoeyD23
#utvunderground
Friday April 12th 2013- Driving through the gates at the Lucas Oil off Road track was pretty cool and since this was my first time, I was freaking out a little. We unloaded, got signed up, paid our fees and we were ready to practice. But, after only four laps of practice my RZR XP overheated and went into limp mode. Needless to say I was very disappointed. I called Richie at Alba Racing to tell him what was going on and he decided it had to be a head gasket. It was 3pm on a Friday and I was an hour and a half from San Diego. At that point, I thought my weekend was done and I wouldn't get to practice, let alone race. Then a ray of hope, Richie asked me to hold on. I could hear him talking to Nate the manager as I am holding, he comes back on the line and says "Dave, load up and get here right away, don't stop to talk to anyone, don't stop to eat, just get here ASAP!” I arrived around 5:30. Richie, Dave and Nate stay late on a Friday to diagnose and fix my RZR by 9:30 am. It was a blown head gasket and slightly warped head as Richie had suspected. I can’t thank them enough for staying late on a Friday so I wouldn’t miss my race. Alba Racing is awesome!
Saturday April 13th 2013 I’ve got butterflies in my stomach I’m full of anticipation for my first ever race in the Lucas Oil Regional Series. There are so many people who helped get me to this point and I feel a lot of pressure to do well. I was worried that I might have problems with my motor, I might not do well, I might crash, etc...etc... Needless to say I was a mess and feeling like a fish out of water. Its 11am, time to go out and qualify. My heart is pounding and I feel as alive as one can feel. This is what we live for! The track staff runs a pretty tight ship and even though I have no idea what to do, they take care of me. Okay its time, I'm rolling onto the track, first lap: I take it slow. Then the next, a little faster, faster and then I'm going as fast as I can. Man, it feels good and I do well. I qualify second in the unlimited class! I wasn't expecting to do that well but, I'll take it.
Time seems to be flying by now and the next thing I know it's time to race. My first Lucas Oil Off-Road Race! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't freaking out because I was. We lined up and off we went behind the pace truck, one slow lap, two, three and off we go, peddle to the wood. I'm passing people like they’re not moving then I realize...someone jumped early and they had to restart, ooops.
Okay, we all get back inline and then the green flag drops and off we go. I get a great start and I'm in the lead! I drive as hard and fast as I can and it feels unreal. The RZR is running great, the suspension is perfect and I’M IN THE LEAD. On the second lap, I was trying to pass an SR1 car on the outside from the group in front of our class, he loses traction and slides wide into me pushing me into the wall! AAAAaaah, I'm stuck and I have to put it into reverse to get unstuck. Two cars pass me and I'm in third...I get moving and quickly catch second place, I pass him. I'm back in second. Then I reach for a tear-off as my helmet visor is quickly becoming too muddy to see through...WHAT, no tear-offs left!? Nothing I can do, must drive, must go fast. I'm doing well and as I make the turn onto the main straight away, there’s a spin right in front of me. No, no, I didn't pick a good line and I'm stuck again. I have to drive around him and I'm back in third. Okay moving again, I take back second. Woo hoo, this is fun! Then something doesn't sound right with the rear end. Oh no, something broke or is breaking, suddenly, the car doesn't feel right. I can hardly see out my helmet, it doesn't matter, must go fast. The car won't turn, something’s wrong, I almost roll, aaahhh, must go fast. Yellow flag comes out. The pace car gets us lined up, off we go. Car is still fast, but my right rear CV is destroying itself. The car is starting to launch off the jumps sideways. Can't see, must go fast. Two laps to go. I lose a position. I’m in third now. I'm fighting the car. It’s not doing what I want it to do. No one behind me, I can podium. I just have to get to the finish line. One lap to go. I can't see, sounds like the rear end is going to fall off. Almost there, almost there. Last turn, over the last jump, checkered flag. I got third, I got third!!! It wasn't pretty but I got third.
I wouldn’t be able to do this without a lot of help. Thanks to all those who supported me and helped make this happen: Alba Racing Richie, Nate & Dave, Black Rhino Kenny Osborne and Jason , Racer X Mike, Jessie and Jeff, Fusion, Chuck DeWent at Action Powder Coating, DWT, Maxxis, UNI Filters, Wayne & Kristen Matlock, Greg Row and my wonderful wife Maricela for her love and support.
