Rider Updates
Dec 8 2007
Hey Everyone
Last weekend had the first round of the Honda of Houston Texas winter series held at the Amateur track at Freestone Raceway. The weather turned out prerfect and the track was once again prepped very well.
I was a little bit rusty this weekend. The bike that I was using siezed and I never rode the whole of this week, luckily I managed to borrow another bike.
My day was plagued by bad starts. In the first race I had a terrible jump off the gate and got caught up behind some guys who were slower than me. I clipped on of their back wheels in a turn and went down. I got up to finish in 5th.
Another bad start in moto 2 but pulled an awesome passing move in the second turn which shot me into third place. I was all over the guy in 2nd but just couldnt get by him. The leader was just in front of us too. I came across the line in 3rd.
So my first podium in the states! I was pretty stoked, but I know I can run upfront, just have to get used to these short sprint races.
Thanks to my sponsors Oakley, Cti2, Leatt-Brace and Whasp.
Speak to you soon
Richie
Nov 28 2007
Hey Everyone
Last weekend was the 7th Annual USA Team Motocross Championships held on Thanksgiving weekend at Cycle Ranch in Floresville, Texas.
I raced the 250cc A class and the 250 Pro Class. The racing was spread over from Friday to Sunday and besides all the rain and near freezing temperatures, the organisers did an awesome job to get the track in riding condition.
The formats were quite different to what I was used to. For the A class on Friday and Saturday, we would be the first guys on the track then only race around 25th. To say the track was rough, was an understatement. For the Pro Am class on Sunday, the races were cut to 20min plus a lap because of the muddy conditions
Being a concrete start I wasnt used to, I got a bad start in the first 250cc A class race. I picked off a couple of guys but coming out of the mechanics turn, my front wheel got taken out by another rider and I went down. I remounted, passed a few guys and came round in 8th. I wasnt happy at all with that. The second heat went a bit better. I rode a lot better and was more comfortable with the track. I came across the line in 5th and got 6th overall.
In the first heat of the Pro Am class, I got a cracker of a start and was 4th in about a class of 25. The leaders werent pulling away and I was feeling strong. It stayed like this for about 4 laps until I lost the front end on the finish jump. My gloves were full of mud so I stopped to get fresh gloves and goggles. I lost a couple of positions and finished 15th. Second heat got a mediocre start and just wanted to finish the race on two wheels. The track was a muddy mess. I came 10th for 13th overall.
Even though the results arent too great for now Im learning all the time. The whole racing scene is quite different to what Im used to so Im adapting everytime I race.
Thanks to Robbie for all his help on the weekend and my sponsors Oakley, Leatt Brace and Cti2.
Nov 17 2007
Hey Guys.
Its Richard Van Der Westhuizen here. Im 21 years old and am from South Africa. I have been South African National Champion 4 times and have come to America to become pro and better my riding to try be amongst the best in the world.
I landed on the 31st of October 2007 so havent been here for too long. I really like it here, I am based in Bayou Vista Texas, Just outside of Houston.
Im looking forward to racing here and meeting new people and sponsors.
See you at the races