Kenny Carlile

Last Thursday night, I entered my first race of any kind at Portland International Raceway's Thursday Night Motocross. I have always wanted to race since I started riding when I was three years old. I'm not sure why, but for some reason it never seemed attainable until just recently. Unfortunately, 26 years of wanting to race meant 26 years worth of anxiety to fight through. I decided that I just had to get out there, do it, and get over my anticipation, which, in the end, I'm really glad I did.

The line of trucks and trailers seemed to stretch on forever as I drove to the end of the line as we all waited to get let into PIR. I passed a few friends on the way in and a few more passed me on their way in. A few of the NWDR members had raced the previous week and this was proving to be an even bigger showing for both NWDR racers and spectators.

Once I got into the racetrack infield, I parked near some friends and unloaded my gear. Thankfully, I had some great guides to show me the ropes around the races: go here to register, go here to get your NWMX membership, go here to access the track, etc. After registering, I walked the track with Luigi, and Miss Black, which was rushed, but beneficial.

PIR runs three or so groups of practices and they run multiple instances of those groups. That is, I was in the "big bikes" practice group and they ran 3 to 5 practices of big bikes; I don't recall how many exactly. You only get to practice in one session (in theory) since you have to turn in your practice ticket. I went out with Luigi on the second session for big bikes…along with 90 or so other riders. I don't know that it was 90, but it felt like 600, so I think 90 is a safe bet. The entire track was covered in bikes, fender to fender. It was practically worthless. You couldn't try any lines, get any speed, try any jumps. All you could do was try to not get run over by someone else and try not to run over the riders in front of you. Since PIR doesn't have regular practice days and since the practices prior to the races are like this (and you only get 3 to 4 laps), it makes for a very difficult track that you have to learn as you race.

Once the races got started, I had to do a lot of waiting. My moto was #15 of 19, so I had 14 races to watch before mine, then 4 more, and then we repeat the whole thing over again. I got to see some of my friends race and they all did great and I applaud them for getting out there and doing it. Way to go PC, Luigi, Miss Black, Trackmaster, Quad11, Kraftbagger, Crane, and Dally.

The races started at 6:30PM, but my first moto didn't start until around 8:15. I lined up at the starting gate after a little bit of confusion. (Apparently, if you ride a 250 4-stroke, you're supposed to tell them that you ride a 125…even though there are WAAAAAY more 4-strokes than 2-strokes.) I tried to remember all of the things I had read about starts, specifically on concrete pads. The starter signaled that the gate was about to drop. I brought up the RPMs and slipped the clutch out to where I was nearly lurching toward the gate.

And…it dropped.

My mind went blank as my bike rocketed forward. I forgot all the things I was supposed to remember, but somehow I was out in front. I looked around and panicked a little bit as I wheelied off with the holeshot (video to come later), off the line anyway. I started envisioning 20 riders crashing into the first corner as they all aimed for my spot. I chopped the throttle in fear of getting slammed in the first corner and not being able to finish my first race. That's okay. I got a great start and got to feel what it was like to be out front, even if only for a few seconds. And it was great.

The rest of the first moto was a mix of survival and learning. I wasn't that fast, but that's okay. My goals for the night were as follows, in descending order: 1) Don't get hurt, 2) Finish, 3) Have fun. I didn't set any land-speed records and I got passed a lot in my first moto, but I learned a lot and I accomplished all three of my goals.

I finished 15th out of 20 riders in Moto 1.

My second moto was very similar to my first moto except without the exciting start and with more exhaustion. I was still trying to get comfortable with both the track and racing in general. Unfortunately, my body decided that it was going to stop supplying me with adrenaline as soon as the gate dropped in Moto 2. After the start, I just felt completely drained. I think it's because I knew that I just had to survive that moto in order to complete my goals for the night. My personal finish line was in sight and I knew it was within my reach if I just didn't do anything stupid.

I finished 16th out of 20 riders in Moto 2.

I rode my best, but my best wasn't terribly good. But that's okay. I have a lot of learning, practice, and growing to do as a motocross racer. My speed in the straights and corners was pretty good, but a few of the obstacles really ate up a lot of my speed and time on the track: the whoops, the rhythm section, and a couple of the step-down tables. If I could ride those in the way they are meant to be ridden, even if I wasn't terribly fast, I would be a lot more competitive. That will come with time and confidence on the track.

My overall finish for the night was undetermined as they only published the overall scores for the top 6 racers, which is unfortunate.

I had a great time with some good friends and I learned a lot. One of the things I learned is that I like racing motocross, not matter how good or bad I am at it right now. I can't wait to get back this week and race again!

Incidentally, I was running my hacked-together numbers with #13 for the race since my DeCal Works pre-printed backgrounds/numbers hadn't arrived yet. My current race number is #528 which I will continue to use for at least the rest of the season, unless, of course, if I go pro and have to be issued an AMA-sanctioned number.

Thanks to my Supporters

Thanks to Dena and Paxton and all of my NWDR friends for coming out to support me and my fellow racers. It really does make a difference to have great supporters.