April 2007 MATT Newsline
Yes! Alright! Finally! Yes Trials buddies, we did have our first MATT event of the year 2007! The weather started off a bit nippy at Ken Brown’s ranch but it turned off beautiful and a very nice crowd of riders came out to enjoy the event. At the riders’ meeting, Ken said that because this is the first event since the Postage Stamp trial, the sections were setup on the easy side. Ken, I want to say that at least for the Masters and Experts: “LIAR, LIAR PANTS ON FIRE! NOSE AS LONG AS A TELEPHONE WIRE!” And Ken should know, a telephone wire is very long. Let me just say that as far as the Expert Class is concerned, Grieg Engel and I each had 1 clean on our score card at the end of the day. Yeah sure the sections were easy. For somebody who can turn 180 degrees in a four foot box on a 83.5 degree downhill off camber then with your front wheel about five feet below your back wheel, hop the aforementioned back wheel three feet to the left in a rock infested mine field, then drop down seven feet thru a very ugly, gnarly, narrow slot, hang a left, right, left, right, left (must be Ken’s military background coming thru) to the down hill exit, then yes, it would be easy for that person. As for us mortals, even the Masters didn’t like that downhill gnarly turn. I don’t think I have ever seen Grieg Engels eyes so big or seen him fall so hard as he did in this particular section of section (#5). But wait, I think I saw Paul Turnbull’s name on the section as the architect of this fiendish test of trials skill(?). Let’s get him!
LIFE’S LESSONS REVISITED: Do not wait till the last minute to perform maintenance or repairs on your motorcycle the day before an event. Yes, I did that. Lube the dog bone bearings, clean the filter, check the radiator fluid level, replace the transmission oil and replace the rear brake pads. Check. Almost finished in good shape. Oh, oh! No rear brake! Try to bleed it! It’s not working! I don’t have the tools I need! I gotta get some sleep! Didn’t sleep too good. Gotta find someone to help me before the event starts. Call Dale. He’s leaving for a Colorado ski trip! Ken will be busy with last minute Trials Master stuff. Hey, Randy Dennis must know how to fix this mess. After all, he has FOUR trials bikes to keep running! Randy did very graciously help me, and so did Mitch Wing from Wichita. Thanks so much guys, I couldn’t have done it without you! You know, this reminds me of one of the first events I ever rode in the quarry near St. Joseph, Mo. My bike would not start and an upper class rider helped me get it running, even gave me a spark plug. Come to think of it, this type of thing is not at all uncommon among Trials riders and it is one of the things I really like about Trials and Trials enthusiasts.
NEWS FLASH: A future Trials or/and soccer star has been added to our club. Trip Rawleigh Carpenter was born on 3-30-2007 at (believe it or not) 3:30pm! Trip weighed in at 6lbs 4oz and 18 inches tall. Mom and baby are doing great, although I hear Marc and Jen are getting less sleep these days. Big brother Cage is very proud his new baby brother.
NEWS FLASH: Jason Carpenter’s neighbor’s dog is doing fine after biting a jogger (Jason) who was infiltrating the poor dog’s space/road. The dog was said to have displayed no remorse or emotional distress after clamping down on the back of Jason’s knee. However, Jason must not taste very good because the dog released him and headed home. Though still limping, Jason did ride on Sunday as Non Comp, a mere 4 days after losing the dog fight with the poor pooch. Oh, Jason is doing much better now.
NEWS (NOT SO MUCH): Ken Brown did lead some discussion about the Atchison Quarry and the possibility of using AMA insurance for events. No progress has been made on these topics. The Atchison Quarry project is held up due to a very large increase in the insurance policy for the property. Ken is going to continue to pursue options and report back to the club with any future findings.REMINDER: Dues are due. See Treasurer Carl Hopkins if you are past due.
REMINDER: MATT April event is to be held this Sunday, April 15th at the Carpenter Ranch in Excelsior Springs, MO. I have been informed that some new sections have been uncovered. The Carpenter clan ALWAYS puts on a great event and it is sure to be spectator friendly as well. Start time will be approx 11:00 am and as always, spectators are free and appreciated. Here are directions to the site. There is limited parking at the house so people with vehicles (cars & low profile vehicles) that are unable to make it up the bumpy gravel road here are your Directions : From I-35 North, take Hwy 69 Excelsior Springs exit. Follow 69 to Excelsior Springs, stay on 69 at 69-10 split, go to Wornall rd (Big Water Tower). Turn right on Wornall, follow to Jesse James rd, turn left, go to Miller rd (Car Wash) turn right, cross RR tracks and continue on Dunbar to Linn Ave (about ¼ mile). Turn left on Linn Ave and follow rd to the end. House is the last one on the left (Carpenters Corner).Directions to Trials Area Parking: I-35 North to 69 Hwy Excelsior Springs exit. Follow to 69 – 10 split, keep right on 10 Hwy, stay on 10 into downtown. After you drop down into town, turn left at Kansas City Ave. Go to Broadway, turn right, go to Mariette St, turn left and follow road across bridge and bear to right to Red Flags. Turn left and go up bumpy gravel road to parking. There is also parking just off the road at the bottom of the hill. If you get lost or need some better explaining, call 816-630-9982.
BIKES FOR SALE:
2002 Gas Gas 280 Pro Blue Like new, never ridden in competition $2800 or partial trade Scott Pollock 816-668-4168
2002 Gas Gas 280 Pro Red Well maintained, runs great Steve Morgan 816-796-4477
2003 Gas Gas 280 Pro, motor is very strong, clutch works great, newer rear tire plus brand new fenders, $2700.00. It’s time for me to upgrade to newer model! Call Kelly Echterling 816-721-5116
AND NOW, BACK TO MARCH’S EVENT: Riders entertained 9 challenging sections per class set up by Ken Brown, Craig and Ray Lisher, Paul Turnbull and Grieg Engel. Sections 1 and 2 were in the creek by the parking area. Three, 4 and 5 (the hardest of the days event) were in the hillside across from the house. Six thru 9 were in the woods and creek on the other side of the property. Ten was out in the ledges along the driveway and 11 was a new section out by the road. After the event, Bill Sanderson was recounting section number 3. A VERY long section that came in over a huge log, then up a steep wash, over another couple of logs, and on and on. Bill said that he was clean thru 9/10ths of the section, and then of course fived it when he punched the front tire into a ledge at the exit. A three or less would have put him in first place for the Master class. Sound familiar?
Chris Williams just can’t get enough riding. If you don’t know Chris, he’s the one doing wheelies for about 5 miles on the loop between sections. Chris had so much fun in section 10 that he doubled its length by dropping below a tree too early and having to reverse directions and go back above the tree to stay “in the section”. Luckily, his fellow class mates instructed him on how to correct his mistake mid-section, both the first and second loop! Third times a charm!
NOTABLE QUOTABLES:
“Yes, a Rottweiller!” Cheryl Carpenter answering questions about Jason’s dog bite.
“Section 9 was ENGELineered” Grieg Engel invents a new word in reference to a section he laid out.
“Yes your in the right class” Kelly Echterling encouraging Chris Williams to stay in Expert class to keep Kelly out of last place! (NOT FOR LONG! Chris is doing great!)
“I need to change this 9T front sprocket so I can ride the same gear as you guys!” Chris Williams before the second loop at the big wet hillclimb.
“Yes! We don’t ride number 7. Twenty years ago I’d have been mad if we didn’t get to ride a section!” Greig Engel.
“Some day, but today is not the day” Carl Hopkins after holding off Matt from beating him for the first time EVER!
“DAMMIT!” Matt Hopkins after learning he had lost yet again to his Old Man. Note: Carl and Matt were tied after 2 loops, then Carl poured it on in the 3rd loop, winning by 5 points. Of course Matt agonized that he gave it away, taking stupid points on the last loop.
EDITORS NOTE: If you ever have anything you want to contribute to this Newsline, by all means tell me. I can’t be every where during an event and my memory is not so good, so please share your own experiences or observations and especially “NOTABLE QUOTABLES” so I can include them.
RESULTS FOR MARCH 2007:
MASTER: EXPERT:
1) Scott Carpenter 69 1) Greig Engel 60
2) Bill Sanderson 71 2) Kelly Echterling 81
3) Marc Carpenter 76 3) Chris Williams 98
4) David Walkinshaw DNF
INTERMEDIATE: NOVICE:
1) Carl Hopkins 40 1) Andrew Moreau 27
2) Matt Hopkins 45 2) Josh Mesecher 29
3) Randy Dennis 62 3) Philip Vernaeghe 30
4) Mitch Wing 68 4) Zayne Arndt 32
5) Joe Boyce 91 5) Seth Gray 54
6) Paul Turnbull DNF
Note: Due to the large number of Amateur riders, it was decided to split the class into Amateur and Senior Amateur. That’s a good problem to have.
AMATEUR: SENIOR AMATEUR:
1) Nate Dennis 27 1) Mike Carpenter 10
2) Kirby Woolston 30 2) Harley Griffeon 34
3) Jeff Arndt 34 3) Jim Bridges ??
4) Tim Kristl 43 Tie 4) Russ Amos 41
4) Dillon Woolston 43 Tie 5) Bob Sanderson 62
5) Tony Sargent 44
6) Scott Wheeler 67
7) Steve Smith DNF
Now all I have to do is replace the transmission fluid and water pump seal on my Gas Gas and I will be ready to go. Augh, that can wait till Saturday. And don’t forget taxes are due April 17th!
See you at the Carpenter’s!