GMB IV From My Eyes

[Dirtbikindad393]

My GMB IV Report

With much anticipation my wife Debbie and I leave the house Thursday morning at 4:00am. First stop to pick up goodies for BigMaico then on the road to Texas. We knew we were behind (b-bike393) Boyd and his wife Karen. I figured we would catch them in Arizona somewhere. Our plan for today, drive to Ft. Stockton, Tx., get a hotel and some sleep. We never did catch Boyd until we met up at the hotel at midnight Thursday night Texas time.

We arrived at the hotel on Friday and changed clothes and headed down to the Berg’s house. I was looking forward to seeing all the friends and extended family I made last year and meeting new ones this year. We arrived at the Berg’s to hugs and smiling faces. This was my first chance to meet John Lorenz with whom I had talked to in pm’s leading up to the trip. John met DBK at the airport and they were picked up by Mike Berg. I knew immediately John was a great guy!

I was worried that Debbie would maybe feel out of place and be bored while I was socializing with all my riding friends. That fear was put to rest the minute we arrived. We were fortunate enough to have Garrett’s grandparents Suzette’s mother and father in attendance and they all started talking. Next thing I know they are sitting in the driveway and going to town like old friends. Suzette, Karen, Katharine, Debbie, Gywn and I don’t know who else but it was awesome how they hit it off. Friday night bench racing was again one of the highlights of the weekend.

One request on this trip from Debbie was to eat breakfast at a Waffle House. We did that on the way to the track Saturday morning. Once at the track we saw the Hoots and Satch and all the gang. We pulled up and Char’s husband Dan came right up and offered help to unload. I was so happy to meet him and find he was a real down to earth wonderful father & husband.

As the day went on Saturday I started feeling worse and worse. We went to the store and bought Nyquil and cough drops for that night. Not feeling well made me tentative on the track. By the time we left I told Debbie I wasn’t racing on Sunday. I was too nervous about making a mistake and getting hurt along with the sore throat I was getting was making it hard to breathe. I must admit Pop Furhe’s hot dogs helped a little bit.

We went to bed early and I woke up Sunday feeling a little better. I knew I had an extra motive to be here and race which was to honor a fine man in Bigbearjoe. I felt good and decided to sign up for two classes. I signed up in the ATM/TT and the 250 beginner. I decided to run Bigbearjoe’s numbers in my races so once they went on the bike for the parade lap of love they never came off. I was honored to ride the Lap of Love. I talked to Mr. Berg and asked his permission to ride it even though Joe didn’t die. He is in a wheel chair and will never ride again so I felt he qualified as a fallen rider who rode. I had the support of Joe and my fellow district 37 racers on this one and wanted to do this for him.


My first moto of the day would be the ATM/TT race 1. After about 3 or 4 laps I ended up under the trees in the corner where the start chute joins the track before the rhythm section with Satch, Mike Berg, Pragmatic and many others taking a break until the last lap.

My next moto would be 250 beg moto 1 two races later. I had a decent run getting third after the fourth place guy fell on the last lap and couldn’t get up and catch us by the finish.

After finishing better than I thought I would in the 250 class I decided to only ride a few laps of the ATM/TT race to save my energy for moto two in the 250 class. One of the highlights of the weekend for me was riding the last lap of ATM/TT moto 2 side by side with b-bike393, Satch and Pragmatic. That was awesome and a most memorable moment for me.

I went out for moto 2 in the 250 class and knew this was my last race of the day. On the start Madcow started about 4 slots left of me. When the gate dropped I drifted his way and he was pushed my way by another rider. We cam very close to getting tangled up but we both got it under control and settled into race mode. I got a good start in 3rd place and followed 2nd around for about 2.5 laps then we come around the corner and find Madcow on the ground. I thought dang if he doesn’t get up quick he will lose the overall. I know I rode a little harder after passing him. It wasn’t to be as he passed us back by going between us in the air on a double that we were rolling. The 2nd place guy made a bobble in a corner on the last lap and I passed him. I knew he would be gunning for me so I rode for all I was worth after passing him. In the end I took 2nd and looked behind me expecting the 3rd place guy to be right there and he wasn’t. I was very happy with myself for getting into second knowing that would give me 3-2 and 2nd O/A.

The day was coming to an end which meant the weekend was coming to an end and that was sad for me. However there was one last gathering for us which was dinner. A bunch of the Humble Super 8 folks that were left went to dinner together. It was Josh, Tina, Rebecca, Howard, Donna, John Barnard, Daniel, Char and kids, Me, Dbk, Debbie and MxMike. This was a nice way to wrap up the weekend.

We got a good night sleep and left by 5am Monday morning. I however started feeling crappy again on the way home. We were caravanning with Boyd & Karen on Monday but due to my not feeling well we opted to not wake up as early Tuesday morning to hit the road. We said our goodbyes to the two of them and Boyd says oh you lost something on the road a little ways back. Well it turned out to be the kick starter on the 250. That was just another casualty to the 250 as the front fender shattered in a crash during DBK’s first moto. Along with that the clutch smoked this weekend too. We had to solicit Zach’s 250 for Tina to race as we had committed our 250 for her in the chick race.

Tuesday was funny because we caught up with Boyd in Tucson as we were looking for an Ihop for breakfast. I had Debbie drive the last 200 miles home as I wasn’t feeling well at all. We got home and unloaded, tired and happy that the weekend was a typical GMB weekend………..Totally awesome!!!!

The bad news I got to work Wednesday and was laid off from my job. Dang it all. It was all worth it in the end and we will be back next year no matter what.

I know I forgot many things but I am afraid most of you are asleep by now.

If your still with me thanks for reading.

DBD

[Satch0922]

Excellent write up DBD. I am very sorry to hear about your job though. Sounds like a good time to look for a gig in Houston....

[ekholms-mx-farm]

That just makes me kick myself for not making it to such outstanding event!!

[Keetoman393]

Great report DBD. I am very sorry to hear about the job though. Best of luck finding another one.

[crfjedi393]

Dane, It was a real pleasure to meet you and the family face to face. Hey, Texas has nice folks and I bet you could get a decent job there. Think about it. The cost of living is much less than in California!

[Motodad393]

DBD [Dane]
Excellent write up! It was GREAT to see you again and to meet your family. As they say in Texas, "Ya done good boy!" As far as your job goes, remember "desert riders always land on there feet" - you will be making more $ and enjoying it more before you know it! Keep the ole chin up. Let me know if you need something.

[popfuhre393]

Dane, Great write up, it's always fun to read all the different views, bummer on the job, like Mike says, desert bikers always land on their feet, I for one have put in a request to The Big Guy to look out for you and your family.

Mike

[psyklone393]

dane ... the ironman.

great writeup, for sure. that's horrible news about your job! crfjedi is absolutely right, the cost of living here in texas is much less than it is in cali ...

-Z

[pragmatic393]

Excellent write-up, Dane! That 4X ride was special to me too.

Hate to hear that about your job. Hows the market in Cali?

[char393]

Thanks for sharing your view of the weekend Dane. I always get a kick out of seeing everyone else's perspective.

Dinner on Sunday night was great...a good way to end the weekend.

[Dirtbikindad393]

PS I forgot we passed RC's motorhome in Texas on Thursday. I presume it was heading for Vegas.

[Florida 393]

Dane,
I'll keep you in my prayers to find a better job. That company's loss will be someone elses gain to get a good man. Thanks again for running my plates, that San Jac dirt sure looks good on them (thanks Howard ) Next year I promise we will ride. My you, Boyd, John L, Macho, Satch and Jedi got to do some laps.

Bill

[crfjedi393]

It's time for me to chime in again. I've been holding back but Dane is a great guy. I was fairly close to him Friday through Sunday. I never once heard him complain about the job loss. As a matter of fact, I never heard anything negative from him. Well, except maybe a few words about the score keepers. But my point is that he's a true champion on and off the track. One of those good people that are drawn to ATM. It's like Bill said. Another company will benefit soon.
Bill, I'm more than ready to ride those laps. If John is a chip off the old block, then you must be a pretty solid block.

[Imahoot393]

Wow Dane, sorry to hear about the job. We are wishing you the best in finding something new.

[MotoMan]

Great write up Dane, as the others have said, sorry to hear about your job, but something better will come along.

[John Lorenz]

Dane
great write up brings back all the memories again

I can not keep from snickering when you tell that Waffle Story

[Dirtbikindad393]

Originally Posted by crfjedi

It's time for me to chime in again. I've been holding back but Dane is a great guy. I was fairly close to him Friday through Sunday. I never once heard him complain about the job loss. As a matter of fact, I never heard anything negative from him. Well, except maybe a few words about the score keepers. But my point is that he's a true champion on and off the track. One of those good people that are drawn to ATM. It's like Bill said. Another company will benefit soon.
Bill, I'm more than ready to ride those laps. If John is a chip off the old block, then you must be a pretty solid block.

Thanks Dave,

I appreciate it. Some company is going to be very happy soon enough!