You can read about the details of our soggy track below ... but, the long and the short of it is ... we won't be racing tomorrow. We are trying to rescudule our season ending party on a Saturday in November. Details will be forthcoming ... but, based on the availability of the lodge, we're planning a swap meet (vendor donation of $5 for an 8' table space), picnic style buffet (brats, burgers and hot dogs courtesy of Milwaukee BMX) and a whole lot of bench racing. We'll have an LCD projector set-up with a DVD player and Laptop so that we can play Joe Kid on a Stingray and show photos from througout the season. We'll also be giving out some special year end awards.
Specific date and time details should be out in the next couple of days.
Rain, Rain ...
Well, it looks like tomorrow is going to be a washout. File this under the careful what you wish for category ... but, when our track area grew last month ... our makeshift drain tile job ceased it's primary function ... draining the track. As of yesterday, there was standing water in the second and first turns ... and with more precipitation expected throughout the day, our chances of running a race tomorrow look about as bleak as the skies over Milwaukee as this is being written.
So, although we're likewise feeling a little glum ... it has been a really awesome season and we're so glad for all of you who volunteered, sponsored, raced, or even just came out to check it out ... without you and your ongoing support ... there would be no reason or ability to have a BMX track in Milwaukee. But, together, we not only proved it can be done ... but, done well ... and we'll just keep improving everything we can as we move forward.
An "official call" will be posted here later today after John takes a peek at the track early this afternoon. We'll also have word on the status of the little after race party that we were planning as our way of saying thanks. Because of the uncertain status of the race ... we may still decide to postpone the party as well.
Racing Around the Area
We received word from the Weimer's at Fond du Lac BMX this morning that they are planning to run outdoor races as long as weather permits. They are hoping to run one this Sunday - October 21st, and, after taking the next weekend off (there's a multi point race at Walworth County BMX on Sunday the 28th -- as well as the ABA's Disney national) they will attempt to be back with a Saturday and Sunday race on November 3rd and 4th.
Speaking of Walworth, the track is built, and, although the turns remain the same as they have been for years, the obstacles are decidedly different from what we ran last year. It ought to be a fun track. I was able to join many of the same guys who have been so key to building and maintaining the Milwaukee track including: Mike Froh, Bryan Dickerson, Fred Yanke, Todd Zimmerman, Curt Zizzo, Todd Lewis, Mark Kluth, and a few of Jake's regular track volunteers. The track came together in about 2-1/2 days, and should be smooth and fast as usual. Below are a few photos from the build and early rides.
I'm told that the dirt was a lot easier to work with than last year ... and you can see how everything is already packed in that this track is going to hold up throughout the year and roll super fast. One of Jake's normal track volunteer's sons gets an early shot at the step down out of the first turn.
A little older, a bit more grey ... but, like me ... everyone of these "kids" still seems to get a kick out of playing in the dirt. L-R: Fred Yanke, Curt Zizzo, Todd Zimmerman, Todd Lewis-Smith, Mike Froh, and "bow legged" Bill Dickerson.
Almost done ... track and ancillary items (gate, staging, etc.) are all in ... couple more water and roll sessions, some lines ... and a whole lotta riders ... and the indoor season will be on.
By the time I arrived Saturday a.m., the crew had already roughed in the second and third straights ... big obstacles on the first straight, corner packing, and installing the gate and staging areas were still on the "to do" list at this point.
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