exhaustman
2010 - It's Good To Be Brad Baker
It was finally time to get back to what all GNC racers love to do - race grand nationals! After the two month break from Daytona, I was more than ready to drive the 22 hour trek to Arizona. My parents and I pulled into Prescott late afternoon on Friday to find that the temperature wasn't any warmer than what it was in Washington. Luckily, there was clear blue sky and we were loving that.
My dad and I decided to find a vacant stretch of pavement to run my bikes on so we could get our jetting figured out because of the big elevation change. By the time it was dark, we had the bikes completely dialed in and ready to run like a top for the first mile race of the season. We arrived at the track the next morning - happy to see all the familiar faces that we haven't seen since the last grand national. The first time I stepped foot on the track I quickly realized how slick the surface of the track was.
Kenny Coolbeth and I looked at each other - thinking "how is this going to work!" With the hard surface and the loose, dry pee gravel on top it was going make for some challenging racing. I would be the first group out on the track so it would be our job to lay down the first rubber. I started out behind Jeffery Carver and Steven Vanderkuur. Unfortunately, Steven decided to go through the first corner full throttle like he was on a wet cushion.
He quickly found out that it wasn't going to work that way when he slid out coming out of 2 on the first lap slamming himself underneath the guardrail. He was lucky his injuries only extended to a broken leg because it could have been a lot worse. I took my time with the track, but was still able to put in some fast times. I was really happy with my bike. My new Woody Kyle motor was running strong and my new Boughner Racing suspension was handleing great, as well as my new D& D exhaust. To top this off, I was wearing my new Shift leathers and boots with my Lightshoe hot shoe. I was feeling great! I had the fast time covered until the last lap of Cory Crawford's session when he nipped me out by .001 of a second. It couldn't have been any closer, but I had confidence that I had them all covered in the races. In my heat, I got a horrible start and had to work my way to the front from sixth place. On lap 3, I was in the lead and pulling away. I ended up getting fast heat over Carver - who also dominated his heat. One great thing about this race was the fans that were there. The stands were packed and everybody was full of energy when they were walking through the pits.
Now it was time for main event. I decided to take the outside pole because I seen Sammy Halbert pull the hole shot from there in the dash. I did the same thing and never looked back. After awhile it felt like I was out here all alone because I couldn't hear anyone or see anyone. By the end of the race, I had a 4 ½ second lead over Carver in second. I would be the first person to win on this racetrack and it also marked my first Mile win of my pro career. This had me really pumped and I was able to do an awesome stand up wheelie with the checkered flag for the fans. I came into the race in 5th place in points- 12 pts behind Carver in 1st. I am now in 2nd - only 8pts behind. From now until Springfield, I will be working my hardest to get my stuff ready and bring in new sponsors to keep my racing dream possible.
I want to thank all my sponsors - I couldn't do without you! my sponsors are Rod Lake, Mike Velasco, Brothers Powersports, Woody Kyle, Shift Racing, Boughner Racing Suspension, D & D Exhaust, Top One Oil, Celorie Brothers Trucking, Lightshoe, JG Photoworks, CP Pistons, A & A Racing, Fusion Graphix, Motion Pro, MT Racing, Acerbis, Powersports NW and Zebra Computers.
2010 - It's Good To Be Brad Baker
It was finally time to get back to what all GNC racers love to do - race grand nationals! After the two month break from Daytona, I was more than ready to drive the 22 hour trek to Arizona. My parents and I pulled into Prescott late afternoon on Friday to find that the temperature wasn't any warmer than what it was in Washington. Luckily, there was clear blue sky and we were loving that.
My dad and I decided to find a vacant stretch of pavement to run my bikes on so we could get our jetting figured out because of the big elevation change. By the time it was dark, we had the bikes completely dialed in and ready to run like a top for the first mile race of the season. We arrived at the track the next morning - happy to see all the familiar faces that we haven't seen since the last grand national. The first time I stepped foot on the track I quickly realized how slick the surface of the track was.
Kenny Coolbeth and I looked at each other - thinking "how is this going to work!" With the hard surface and the loose, dry pee gravel on top it was going make for some challenging racing. I would be the first group out on the track so it would be our job to lay down the first rubber. I started out behind Jeffery Carver and Steven Vanderkuur. Unfortunately, Steven decided to go through the first corner full throttle like he was on a wet cushion.
He quickly found out that it wasn't going to work that way when he slid out coming out of 2 on the first lap slamming himself underneath the guardrail. He was lucky his injuries only extended to a broken leg because it could have been a lot worse. I took my time with the track, but was still able to put in some fast times. I was really happy with my bike. My new Woody Kyle motor was running strong and my new Boughner Racing suspension was handleing great, as well as my new D& D exhaust. To top this off, I was wearing my new Shift leathers and boots with my Lightshoe hot shoe. I was feeling great! I had the fast time covered until the last lap of Cory Crawford's session when he nipped me out by .001 of a second. It couldn't have been any closer, but I had confidence that I had them all covered in the races. In my heat, I got a horrible start and had to work my way to the front from sixth place. On lap 3, I was in the lead and pulling away. I ended up getting fast heat over Carver - who also dominated his heat. One great thing about this race was the fans that were there. The stands were packed and everybody was full of energy when they were walking through the pits.
Now it was time for main event. I decided to take the outside pole because I seen Sammy Halbert pull the hole shot from there in the dash. I did the same thing and never looked back. After awhile it felt like I was out here all alone because I couldn't hear anyone or see anyone. By the end of the race, I had a 4 ½ second lead over Carver in second. I would be the first person to win on this racetrack and it also marked my first Mile win of my pro career. This had me really pumped and I was able to do an awesome stand up wheelie with the checkered flag for the fans. I came into the race in 5th place in points- 12 pts behind Carver in 1st. I am now in 2nd - only 8pts behind. From now until Springfield, I will be working my hardest to get my stuff ready and bring in new sponsors to keep my racing dream possible.
I want to thank all my sponsors - I couldn't do without you! my sponsors are Rod Lake, Mike Velasco, Brothers Powersports, Woody Kyle, Shift Racing, Boughner Racing Suspension, D & D Exhaust, Top One Oil, Celorie Brothers Trucking, Lightshoe, JG Photoworks, CP Pistons, A & A Racing, Fusion Graphix, Motion Pro, MT Racing, Acerbis, Powersports NW and Zebra Computers.