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2007 WrapUp
As you all know the 2007 GNCC season has come to a close...what do I say...where do I start...all in all it was a GREAT year with a ton of awesome experiences.
As every year - the Ironman was the last round of the 13 race series. Phil, Myself, The Kraft's, and Laura Strother walked a few miles of the course to get an idea of what we were in store for. I had never raced there before so I was wanting to get an idea of what laid ahead of me for Saturday morning. The course was beautiful...as was the pitting...the leaves were all turning which was neat to see - since you know we do not get to experience that here in good ole Florida!
It was chilly and overcast for most of the day Friday and around 4 pm the skies opened. We knew after walking the course that the conditions were not to bad but we were unsure of what the rain would do...we did know that the pits were going to be messy so we tried to head out to the hotel before it got to bad..but we ended up getting stuck anyway - LOL!!
After raining all night we decided we would park up on the only dry ground - we walked everything back to our pits...the parking was a mess - and the pictures do not do it justice...
The race went well....the traction improved and so did the conditions as the time passed...I pitted all but one lap for gloveds & goggles - I did not realize I had not gotten gas all race until I was past Phil who had the dry break tank in the air...I decided to push forward - I took the white flag and prayed. I knew the race was going a little long - 5 laps. I lugged the quad through most the lap..and I lost time in the fields because I was trying to conserve gas...I had to finish and within a certain number of positions to earn fourth for the year and that was all I could think about - it would have been my fault for not stopping - but I took the chance.
..on the last lap I came to a horrible bottleneck at a nasty ravine. Next to this was a nasty hill climb some riders made it up and others flipped down. I opted to do the hill climb - it was like no other I have ever attempted or experienced in all my GNCC racing. But it was the last lap and I knew I did not have any time to spare - the bottleneck through the ravine was insane and I had to go. So - off I went - This climb was straight up for a long ways and luckily I made it. The weightlessness was eerie...I held my breath the entire way!! It was by far the most intense moment of my entire season!!!!
I made a pass in the last lap which placed me into fifth - I went by the pits excited and went on to take the checkered after 2 hours and 17 minutes. I went through the chicane and turned the corner...went about 20 yards and the quad ran out of gas!!!!! I could not believe it - I was lucky....
I ended up finishing 4th for the year which I consider to be a great accomplishment!!! Unofficially I earned #205 for next year - which top 5 in the morning "overall" is great - I am very happy and so is Phil...we BOTH worked hard this year and it paid off. Next year will be even more exciting...and over the winter I will train harder and as you know I will race the A class - hopefully I will learn a lot and gain some momentum heading into March!!!!
Thank you to EVERYONE for their continued support - It means SO much!!! I also owe Thanks to ALL o f my sponsors...please click on the links to the right and support those who support our sport!!!!!!!!!
Lastly - I could not be where I am without Phil...his dedication and support is something i am very blessed to have...I am very lucky!!
See you at the races!
Jennifer
As every year - the Ironman was the last round of the 13 race series. Phil, Myself, The Kraft's, and Laura Strother walked a few miles of the course to get an idea of what we were in store for. I had never raced there before so I was wanting to get an idea of what laid ahead of me for Saturday morning. The course was beautiful...as was the pitting...the leaves were all turning which was neat to see - since you know we do not get to experience that here in good ole Florida!
It was chilly and overcast for most of the day Friday and around 4 pm the skies opened. We knew after walking the course that the conditions were not to bad but we were unsure of what the rain would do...we did know that the pits were going to be messy so we tried to head out to the hotel before it got to bad..but we ended up getting stuck anyway - LOL!!
After raining all night we decided we would park up on the only dry ground - we walked everything back to our pits...the parking was a mess - and the pictures do not do it justice...
The race went well....the traction improved and so did the conditions as the time passed...I pitted all but one lap for gloveds & goggles - I did not realize I had not gotten gas all race until I was past Phil who had the dry break tank in the air...I decided to push forward - I took the white flag and prayed. I knew the race was going a little long - 5 laps. I lugged the quad through most the lap..and I lost time in the fields because I was trying to conserve gas...I had to finish and within a certain number of positions to earn fourth for the year and that was all I could think about - it would have been my fault for not stopping - but I took the chance.
..on the last lap I came to a horrible bottleneck at a nasty ravine. Next to this was a nasty hill climb some riders made it up and others flipped down. I opted to do the hill climb - it was like no other I have ever attempted or experienced in all my GNCC racing. But it was the last lap and I knew I did not have any time to spare - the bottleneck through the ravine was insane and I had to go. So - off I went - This climb was straight up for a long ways and luckily I made it. The weightlessness was eerie...I held my breath the entire way!! It was by far the most intense moment of my entire season!!!!
I made a pass in the last lap which placed me into fifth - I went by the pits excited and went on to take the checkered after 2 hours and 17 minutes. I went through the chicane and turned the corner...went about 20 yards and the quad ran out of gas!!!!! I could not believe it - I was lucky....
I ended up finishing 4th for the year which I consider to be a great accomplishment!!! Unofficially I earned #205 for next year - which top 5 in the morning "overall" is great - I am very happy and so is Phil...we BOTH worked hard this year and it paid off. Next year will be even more exciting...and over the winter I will train harder and as you know I will race the A class - hopefully I will learn a lot and gain some momentum heading into March!!!!
Thank you to EVERYONE for their continued support - It means SO much!!! I also owe Thanks to ALL o f my sponsors...please click on the links to the right and support those who support our sport!!!!!!!!!
Lastly - I could not be where I am without Phil...his dedication and support is something i am very blessed to have...I am very lucky!!
See you at the races!
Jennifer