July 12th-13th
David Brigg’s North Racing Inc. {NRi} rolled into Budds Creek ready to repeat last week’s strong effort at Red Bud. This would be the 3rd AMA MX national for the team in 2008. NRi backed racers Jimmy Albertson #702 and Kyle Tobin #335 would compete on their Factory Connection suspended Honda 450’s.
NRi received some well deserved exposure after Saturday’s practice. A Speed TV interview with Albertson by the lovely Miss MX Erin Normoyle would provide Jimmy’s perspective about the track, and also last weeks 7th overall results at Red Bud. This would later “air” on the “Motocross.com Pre-Show” presented by RacerX . Jimmy would post the fastest lap time by a privateer without factory assistance on his Dubach Racing Honda 450.
Sunday would greet the teams, racers, media, and all the fans with another day of warm sunny weather at the infamous Budds Creek facility. Beasley’s track crew had done a spectacular job for great racing. The corners were left with several small “berms” in each corner that would work into different ruts for all the racers. This approach led to great racing with alternative “lines” to pass in every corner.
Answer Racing’s #702 Albertson went to work Sunday morning and garnered himself 6th fastest lap time . When asked about his performance, he mentions Brigg’s brief speech that morning that really pumped him up. Jimmy stated, “David shared with me, that many people think last weeks 7th overall was a fluke, and that it was time to go out and show everybody that I belonged in the top ten. It really motivated me!” .
Photo- GuyB Vital MX
Photo- GuyB Vital MX
Photo- GuyB Vital MX
MOTO 1: The 1st moto had Albertson with a decent jump rounding the first corner in about 10th position. He overshot an off camber corner and ended up over the berm, and would record 15th place on the 1st lap. Mistakes in the 2nd lap would put him back to 17th position. Jimmy would put his down the rest of the race and battle his way up to a 11th Moto 1 finish.
MOTO 2: The parade lap for the 2nd moto showed signs of a slipping clutch. There was not time for repairs, and Jimmy would just have to make the best of the situation. The jump off the gate was poor, so as other riders slowed for the first corner, he “held it on” and still came out about 16th place going into turn 2, and then moved up to 13th by the end of the first lap. At the half way point Jimmy had moved into 11th and had gained considerable ground on Wey and Alessi who had started out in 5th and 7th respectively.
Laps 11th through 16th would finally move #702 Honda within bike length’s of the #801 CR450F machine, and the #27. Wey would sneak by Jeff first, and then Albertson would follow within a few corners with two laps to go. Jimmy and Nick would “go at it” until the checkers, with Wey edging him out by less than a second at the finish. Moto 2 would be an 8th place finish.
OVERALL: Budds Creek moto scores of 11th and 8th would place the NRi rider in 8th overall position at Round 7 of the AMA MX nationals. Staying healthy and top ten results were Albertson’s earlier goals. After two top ten overalls, Jimmy let us know that his next goal move it up another level to where Cody Cooper and Josh Hill are running. Jimmy has moved into 14th place overall in the standings after racing 4 out of the 7 rounds.
Albertson wanted to give special thanks to David Briggs and his family at NRi, and also Factory Connection, Dr D.{Dubach Racing}, Greg DiRenzo at efitness Academy, Answer, Torco fuel, Pro Taper, Dunlop, Donnell’s Motorcycles, Freeride Bike and Skate, DVS, OGIO, Round Wheels, Hinson, Zip Ty, Scott USA, Alpinestars, Snap On Tools, Shoei, Motorex, Regina, Cycra, Factory Backing, Shan Niday MX, Shawn Mcmahon, Trey Canard, and his mechanic Gregg Albertson.
UPCOMING EVENT: Next Round for North Racing is Round 8 at Unadilla Valley Sports Center July 19th and 20th.
Go to www.Northracing.com to learn more about the team.
For more information about the NRi race team go to www.northracing.com
Thanks for reading! See you next week!