GMBIII Race...WOW! (from KK's Dad)

[KenO393F]

Well...to say the least this has been one heck of an experience.
(hang in there...this might get long)

It's 3:41 Monday morning...we are home and settled in.
Zak is hurting, but in great spirits. Right from the start, he asked the doctor "how long"! Bottom line...both bones in the forearm "came from together" about 2 inches from his wrist. I'll know more later this week what the final verdict will be. I almost feel bad for pulling out my cell phone and taking a snap shot of his wrist all distorted. It could make a good poster for the trailer?

**Thanks to everyone who helped out. (I don't know all of the names) A special thanks to Mr. Fuhre and the person who mentioned prayers...meant a lot. Mike/Rick..thanks for being Zak's friend. The third installment is on the way...cash as ya'll requested.: Seriously though, he's come a long way quick, maybe even too quick. He has the nerve and (Zak...don't read this) I guess the ability (gotta work on that barrel thing, though)...but how to's and what if's come you and the peeps that have been doing this for a while.

Anyway...as Zak told me...it was worth it and this is nothing. (nothing? nothing? NOTHING?! Let's see what he has to say after he finds out that he has to "work off" the bill! <laugh>)
I had a blast watching everyone ride. Casey and Mike...first time ya'll flew by me and pointed...I thought I was doing something wrong with the flag! When Zak flew by me and started looking back...I thought I was going to have to use the flag! My youngest (Sean)...way too much air between his tires and the ground!

I can't wait to see the video of the crash. I'd like to get a high rez copy as well (for nothing good...I promise) I was swapping my view between "my jump" and Mike and Zak. I saw them side by side up and over the table top...looking "cool"...in sync like those water ballet girls...there went Mike...uh oh, no Zak! Then I saw the white barrel get hit...trees kind of in the way...never saw a bike...but saw Zak flying through the air! Hmmm...pretty sure that wasn't a good thing...nope...definitely not...riders are supposed to fly on the bikes...not in front of them.
Weird feeling...new experience because this is the first one I've seen of him wrecking. (excluding stopies...on MY bike)

So...here I am sunk in about a foot of mud and water...all Zak could say to me is sorry about the bike. Bike? Oh crud...he's on (well...more like was on) my bike!! So I look over at the bike...in the mud...oh well...doesn't really matter at this point. Then I look down at Zak only to see Mr. Fuhre cutting his Six-Six-One pressure suit! Clip $$ Clip $$ Clip $$ Ok...what's the deal with medical people cutting stuff off? (the nurse at the hospital cut the red "medical" strap off of Zak...it could have sooooo been untied...$$$) I mean his arm is a little crooked...of course...it's broken..but I know I could have managed to get that TIGHT sleeve around the "S" shape of his arm!
Then...as I'm recovering from this SHOCK...here is Mike with the Video camera about 2 feet away! I'm like..."now this is a true friend". He's in good hands...let's get in on tape! I couldn't decide to cry over the suit...or laugh at Mike...or be concerned with Zak who was more concerned about the bike and not being able to race! Oh wait...we need to get the goggles off...can't lift his head...so I took the lead this time...CUT THEM OFF!! That's right...MY decision!! <laugh>

Ok...it get's better...sort of. First, thanks to Rick and those who helped out getting our stuff loaded up. The bike looks relatively untouched. I think the rain helped both Zak and the bike! Has anyone told the ambulance drivers that people with trailers can't fly down the highway at 80mph...especially on hwy 59!!! I think the most damage came from the bikes getting laid over in the trailer due to me trying to keep up with them because I had no idea where the hospital was!!! Well...not to worry...Zak donated some of the track dirt to the hospital.

Now at this point I could go on and on and on about the whole race in general. Probably repeat what has been said before. I will just say it was totally incredible...Fantastic job! I let my mind wonder during the ATM/TT race...shed a few tears...witnessed an awesome finish...then had to explain it to two kids who could not believe everyone stopped and let that guy (Mr. B.) go ahead of them!

So...lessons learned from that day:

1. Whoever said "don't sweat the small stuff", has never seen the table top jump. Sometimes it IS the small stuff that matters.
2. When you are flagging...a rider pointing at you can be a good thing.
3. Barrels and motorcycles don't play well together.
4. The odds of something needing to be cut off are directly proportional to it's value.
5. Don't let your son ride your bike, especially if he promises to "take it easy".
6. Flagging is pretty cool...for about 1 or 2 laps! (just kidding...I saw first hand several times just how important it is and was glad I could contribute something)
7. Out of something tragic, can come something as wonderful as what went on here Sunday and beyond.

...oh and one last thing...did anyone notice that the sun came out during the first ATM/TT race...then it clouded up right before it ended? I know...I know...too much time on the hill!

Thanks for letting us be a part of it!

Ken:

[HLGuthery 393]

Ken, Sorry to hear about KKs accident. Other then that sounds like you quite and experience. I am sooooo sorry I missed this years race.

[MrsTwister393]

Originally posted by Ken O
...oh and one last thing...did anyone notice that the sun came out during the first ATM/TT race...then it clouded up right before it ended?

I noticed this as well Ken! It was beautiful, just as you heard all the engines going off the starting line the clouds parted and the sun shine came down and then slowly the clouds came back........

Thanks for taking the time to update us and your writeup was great!!

[Satch0922]

Originally posted by MrsTwister393
I noticed this as well Ken! It was beautiful, just as you heard all the engines going off the starting line the clouds parted and the sun shine came down and then slowly the clouds came back........

Thanks for taking the time to update us and your writeup was great!!

It was amazing. Several of us on the line pointed at the sun coming out just before the gate dropped!


Glad to hear KK is in good spirits. We were obviously worried about him but it sounds like he is in good hands! MXMike will all have us reliving the crash soon on video (not so sure I want to see it).....I know KK wants to see it!

[psycho393]

Originally posted by Ken O


...oh and one last thing...did anyone notice that the sun came out during the first ATM/TT race...then it clouded up right before it ended? I know...I know...too much time on the hill!

Ken I noticed the sun had come out but I didn't know for sure which race it was. As I was flagging somewhere on the backside of the track. But this truly cool and I don't think that words can describe it....

[Z-Man 393]

my arm hurts... where r those pain killers again?

[LoKi]

Sounds like it was a good time. Other than KK's arm. Maybe next year I can come out.

I had a compound fracture on my left arm once from a skateboarding incident. I didn't even know it was broke till I tried to pick up my board afterwards. My hand wasn't quite there. :

Heal up well KK.

[Keetoman393]

You scared the heck out of us KK! I got there and all I could see was you wadded up in the bottom of that ditch. You and Amber heal up fast and lets see you guys out there again

[TexTwister 393]

Dont worry Kid youll be back out there soon enough, just remember, the barrels are for looks, you dont play with them!! Heel up quick buddy!!

[MxMike393]

ooohhh man where do i start! lol I had a good time pointing at you from over that stepup thats for sure! Gettin down in the mud filimg zak laying there with his arm all contorted was awesome! HAHA niiice! Im glad hes ok...You know Zak...you coulda parked your bike against a tree instead of tryin to park it up on that barrell!!!!


LMAO!! When i went to him to film him in the mud he was sayin stuff like "Mike...this sucks! I wont be able to ride for awhile" and "Hows the bike?" LOL great kid man! Well anyways you get better soon so we can try that again lmao! THIS TIME NO HITTIN THE BARRELL!!!!!

[MxSean393]

thats an awsome pic... who took it?

[MxMike393]

FlyinYZ240

[Woody_YZF]

Thanks for sharing, for those of us who didn't get to come out and play.

[Roostman]

Thats an awesome shot of your demise KK!! Hard to believe someone actually caught it with the camera!! That will be a good one for the scrapbook.

[LoKi]

Who the heck puts a barrel on the downside of a jump like that? :

[Keetoman393]

They are used as markers to let you know where the drop off begins. If the thumb wasn't in the way, you could see that it drops off into a creek/pond just to the left of the barrel... where KK ended up. It is really wide right there and most people miss it by several feet. KK just tried to jump the barrel

[LoKi]

I think I'd rather end up in the creek without a paddle.

[Dirtbikindad393]

KK,
First of all heal up soon! I am sorry I didn't get to meet you while we were there. I did come over and get a look at you while you were in the creek with no paddle. Seriously I am sorry about your accident and hope you are able to ride soon.

[zoohoot393]

Heal up soon KK. It is a bummer to have an injury like that, but thank goodness it wasn't worse.

[KTM250rm393]

Zak,

Hurry up and get well bro so when I come down after Christmas we all can go riding and then you can show me some of your free style moves ON YOUR BIKE, NOT YOUR DAD's.

Glad I was there to help you and you and Sean looked awesome racing.