Blue Ridge National

Blue Chip Report An unexpected snowstorm Thursday night tried to derail the Blue Chip Train, but a little frozen precipitation is nothing compared to the will to race of the Blue Chip hit squad heading up to the Virginia Horse Center.

Fortunately, once we got out of the Mountains the snow was no longer an issue and Fridays drive was “No problem”. The Horse Center is a little bigger than most indoor venues and has always had good tracks. This year’s version was as smooth as silk and flowed like butter on a hot summer day. Friday practice is always fun, and with a smaller turnout we were able to bash gates all afternoon and get a good feel of the very fast track. Then it was back to the Hotel for an update from the official (Blue Chip director of Pool and Spa Operations) how fortunate are we to have a former Miss Belgium making sure our hot tub facilities are always “Tip Top”. After a quick swim and some Country Buffet grub it was time to hit the hay and gear up for Saturday’s race.

Saturday was a long day of intense BMX racing and the Chips were on fire loading up the podium and pumping out a awesome 81 for the Team sheet.

At the end of Day 1 we had a couple of riders perched on the top step of the podium as (Mr Consistent) Jack rode like he is capable of, and The Enigma, Ethon Banks had his eye on the prize and pedaled to an easy victory.

Landing on the second step of the podium we had Antonio in both 20 and Cruiser. Josie and Christopher both raced hard and were rewarded for the effort. But the hard luck ride of the day goes to Walker who led the whole Main only to get nipped at the line.

Luca and Jaxon both had long hard days with big tough classes and getting 3rd left these two badgers itching for the next day’s racing. Sweet Emily Grice had a tough weekend with combined classes, leaving her with no option but to race girls twice her size. But this Tenacious Tiny Tot never gives in, but had to settle with a 5th for the day.

Logan (Too Easy) Edwards made the trek to Virginia and was a welcome addition to the travelling Blue Chip road show, and at the end of the day walked out with a well deserved 6th place, and some new respect for a track he informed me at the start of the day “was eeaaasy”.

After a Team invasion of the pool facilities it was chow time and another big dent was put in the desert Buffet by the nutritionally minded Blue Chippers.

Day 2 left me licking my chops after such a successful Saturday. Unfortunately if Saturday was our “Ying”, Sunday was our “Yang”, and the podium was missed more than it was hit.

Let’s begin with (Mr. Consistent) Jack went from winning the previous day to not making it out of the Moto’s, hence the nickname.

Josie, Luca and Antonio (cruiser) were our best finishers on the day with 2nds. While Antonio (20”), Christopher and the Enigma rounded out our podium finishes in the three spot.

Emily jumped up to 4th and should have been third but suffered a sudden case of (Bonk-itis) in the second straight scrubbing all her speed. Walker (KILLER) Shaw endured a battle royal throughout the day and walked out with a 4th in the Main, but gained some much deserved track respect with his elbow infused moto’s.

Logan Edwards jumped up a spot to 5th, and promises full track efforts at his next National.

Jaxon and myself used Saturday to introduce ourselves to the fine surface of the Horse Center leaving ourselves in the much desired 8 spots.

Team-wise, Sunday was not nearly as successful and we were forced to submit a 69. Next up for the squad is the Southern Charm National in McDonough Ga. Here’s hoping I’ve a few more Chips to stack in the hotly contested Team competition in the Southeast.