July 26th-27th

Round 9 at Washougal MX Park was not a scheduled round for North Racing Inc. However, NRi owner David Briggs knew the importance of this AMA national for his racer Jimmy Albertson. Brigg’s made flight arrangements for Jimmy and his brother Gregg{mechanic} to attend. Allan Brown with Moto XXX lent his assistance by transporting #702 Honda cross-country from New York to Washington State.

Saturday greeted the racers to 80 degrees and sunny skies. The Washougal track layout winds throughout the evergreens and up and down some incredibly steep hillsides. The track and scenery is a motocross fantasy for racers and fans.

To quell any rumors, Albertson was racing his NRi Factory Connection suspended Honda 450 at Washougal.

Dubach Racing’s #702 didn’t waste any time as he posted 4th fastest in the first practice. Jimmy was within 3½ tenths of a second of Honda’s Andrew Short who had 2nd fastest time . Albertson would end up 4th fastest qualifying on the day on his first trip ever to this fantastic race facility.

Sunday would start off with cloudy and misty skies and a short period of rain. The additional moisture would make for perfect race conditions. The Huffman’s{track owners} and their crew had done a remarkable job preparing the race surface for a great day of competition.

The Answer , ProTaper and Shoei backed Albertson reeled off the 3rd fastest lap time in the first gate qualifying on Sunday, and was within a second of James Stewart’s best lap. He would eventually head into the main event with 4th gate pick, as local Josh Hill slid into the third position.

MOTO 1: Albertson started around 4th position rounding the first corner. Byrne would get by in the 2nd corner as Jimmy backed off, to avoid ramming a “slideways” Andrew Short as they headed up “Horsepower Hill”. #702 made a quick inside move and overtook Byrne for fourth. The #26 veteran immediately retaliated with a pass and took off after Cooper, Short and Stewart. Albertson held fifth spot until lap 4 when Josh Hill was making his way forward. Albertson and is Honda would stay running strong to the end and finish in 6th position.

MOTO 2: The start would almost be a carbon copy, with Cooper grabbing the holeshot again. The same “players” in positions 1 through 4, placing Jimmy in 5th. Hill was making his way forward again and would move Jimmy back to 6th on lap 5. Tim Ferry had started in 9th and by lap 7 was all over Albertson. By lap 9 Ferry would make the move into 6th, and that would put the #702 Honda to finish the 2nd moto in 7th postion.

OVERALL: A result of 6th position would come from two consistent motos of 6th and 7th on the day. This would be the best national finish for Albertson. NRi owner Brigg’s was ecstatic with his racer’s performance. David shared his views of the privilege of working with Kyle and Jimmy, and that North Racing will be a team committed to excellence at the top level of the sport.
Albertson stated, “Every race I feel stronger and more confident. My speed and line choices are improving as I practice and race with the top guys”. He credited Greg DiRenzo at e Fitness Academy with increasing his physical conditioning, which is enabling him to race hard to the end.

Jimmy would like to give special thanks to David at NRi for making it possible for him to compete at all the nationals. There were no plans for an actual place to “pit” at Washougal. Big thanks to Allan Brown and his crew at Moto XXX for lending a canopy, table, and use of their power washer. The Albertson brothers shared the “loaner canopy” with the #1 plated Honda mounted Jessica Patterson. She would claim first overall on the day, while swapping motos with fellow Red Rider Ashley Fiolek. Thanks to Eddie Ray for use of his tool box all weekend!

UPCOMING EVENT: Next Round will be at Spring Creek MX Park in Millville, Minnesota on August 16th-17th. Expect to see #702 Honda CRF450 under the Honda Red Bull Tent.