My First Norba Podium

Can you name this crew?

My first Norba Podium was back in 1995 at Shanty Creek.

It was quite some time ago and I don't remember all the details, but it was one of those races where I was in the ZONE. Even the day after the race I remembered very few details. Here is what I remember:

1995 was all about the Mojo...whether it was on your person(Missy Giove's dead pirranha), on your helmet, or on your handlebar.

The road runner was with me that day!

I remember being at the Grip Shift box van right before the race getting new cable and housing. Today I would never make a change to my bike that close to the race, but I had no clue.

I lined up next to JHK, I was confident I was going to win, I had no idea the caliber of the competition. I was the best Jr. in Michigan so I was going to win the Norba in Michigan, right? Two years later JHK told me something like he wanted to fight me because I was really cocky on the line...I don't remember saying anything.

I don't remember the start I don't remember the first climb. I remember a few people cheering for me on the last lap right before the water jump.

The course was 2 long laps...somewhere during the back lap I remember JHK stumbling around. It was really hot that day and he said he over heated. After the water jump there was a long sandy descent and I was on the gas trying to gap 3rd and 4th place.

Next thing I know and it was over. Needless to say I was really pumped. I had no idea there was even a dude up there in first place. It was my 3rd Norba National. The year before I had raced at Shanty Creek, and a month before I raced at Mt. Snow.

It was this race that started my career of almost 10 straight years of the NORBA circuit. It was also this race result that landed me on the Devo team for the 96 season. It wasn't always this pretty though...stay tuned for the first race of my career report.