I popped along on Sunday to watch the final race of CJMX’s Winter Championships to check out how Neo and the other racers got on, and I can’t say I was disappointed! The final race of the Winter Championships is also the first race of the Club Championships, so there was a lot on the line for these guys as the points would count for both series.
It’s normally an early start for race meetings, but with the sun out on Sunday and the track looking in great condition ready for a good day of racing it doesn’t put you off. First things first – Nitro got his new kit on which has been pimped with his race number 1 in hot pink and neon yellow leopard print – gotta love a bit of leopard print, and hey, he wears it well 🙂 Looking around the rest of the racers it seemed quite a few have been treated to new kits for the new season – looking good guys!
Next thing is the announcement of scrutineering – now I don’t know if you’ve been along to a race before, but the tannoy systems are RUBBISH, so it’s a bit of guess work on the order of the day and when to take the bikes for scrutineering. So 9am comes around, and off pops the team manager and Nitro Neo to have the bike and helmet checked over. Everything has to be in tip top shape or there’s no racing, but a lot of love and attention goes into that 2014 KTM 50SX – so it’s always gonna pass.
In the autos the ages range from about 6 (like Nitro) up to 8 year olds. For some, it’s their first year racing (like Nitro), and others have been in this class for a while. The older ones are quick, no doubt about it, but it gives the other racers someone to chase, and try and beat so it makes it interesting.
First out for practice laps were the adults, then youths then autos. Nitro Neo gave it a good go, taking it steady to learn the track and make sure he knew where the best lines were to keep his speed up for the real race ahead. Neo would have three 20 min races over the course of the day. The first race started with picking a good gate to start off from and getting into a good frame of mind, before starting up the bike and filling the air with that great sound – braaaaaaapapapappapappap!
GATE DROP TIME! Engines are revving and all the kids are fighting for the hole shot – Neo makes it to third position. Round a sweeping left bend they all head, tussling between them for a better position before heading up hill and towards a few jumps. Everything was going so well, until Nitro is side swiped and knocked off by another rider! Quick to pick himself up, the next setback was his bike not restarting – imagine the frustration in the middle of a race. Eventually he got going again, but it was going to take hard work to regain his place at the top.
Pushing on through the set back, Neo went full throttle and managed to work his way up two places – despite the fall and mechanical issues, there were two races left, and that’s what he had to focus on.
In the time leading up to the second race his bike got a good once over so it was ready to race once again. This is the time to unwind, refuel and chat to friends – it was nice to see that some Facebook followers came over to say hi, and two fans also came to watch him race.
-
- Neo keeping his cool at the start gate
-
- The gate drops, action!!
-
- Taking the inside line on the first corner
Race number two: Neo know’s what he’s got to do to regain his place…. Preparation is key, so he spent some time smoothing out and treading down his line out of the gate to make sure his bike wouldn’t hit any ruts that could slow him down as he tore off the line. Neo exploded out of the gate, doing well to stay on his bike! There was a crash on the first corner, luckily the kid was ok!
By this race the track had big holes and deep ruts from the bigger bikes so the autos had to hold on tight as their small bikes bounced around taking the force from the bumps – at one point, what should have been a good stretch to lick some speed they were bouncing all over, I’m surprised at how well they all did to stay on their bikes! Luckily, Neo had found his rhythm and as he gained confidence with the track and started to push himself and his bike harder – right up to 8th position.
In the break Nitro gave a big shout out to a friend he’s made in the Clubman class; Ricky ‘Bobble’ Mitchell, who has a KTM 125 SX (ps Ricky, I hear you did well and got a good score, well done!)
Race number three: Unfortunately, during another race there were two bad accidents in the 85cc small wheel class, so the final race was delayed. Two kids were stretchered off by the paramedics – I hope they’re being fixed up and get well soon, it looked pretty painful and it’s not nice to see! While everyone waited for the track to be cleared, Neo did some pre-race exercises before getting on his bike so when the gate dropped he was more than ready. He came storming out of the gates when the time came and was FLYING!
This race was super exciting, easily the best of the day. Honestly, I think other people had seen how well Neo had bounced back from the first race, and saw how he was creeping up on some of the more experienced riders and they didn’t see it coming – it’s safe to say there were some parent-kid talks in-between racing (nobody wants to be beaten by the seasons newcomer!).
-
- Eat my dirt!
However, the luck wasn’t in for the other riders as whenever Neo had someone in his sights he chased them down and took their position, finally making his way to fourth position. Neo was battling to keep fourth position with Jacob Moore, a older more experienced rider. Neo took Jacob for one lap, then Jacob would come back for the next….. at the end…… it was…….. Jacob’s. It was so close right to the end, with only seconds in it.
Race results:
Given Neo’s amazing performance as newcomer, the points from Sunday’s race secured him a podium finish of third place in the Winter Championships.
I caught up with the race scorers at the end who confirmed Neo came ‘unofficially’ 6th in the first race of the season (will check back when the points are up and officially confirm), so not a bad start and the only way is up for this kid! Overall everyone raced well that day, it was great to watch the autos especially as they are all so young, but love the sport so much already – they all try so hard and all want to win.
It’s great to see such a good start to the season for Nitro Neo, who pulled in the last three races of 2013 as a test to see if he wanted a race license and to start properly in 2014. Those races saw him in the bottom three, which isn’t surprising with such little race experience, but to compare to what I saw on Sunday was an amazing turnaround…. WOW. Out of nowhere, Neo is jostling in the top five and from what I saw, the only way is up.
It just goes to show, that winners never quit, and quitters never win – Nitro Neo chooses to win. Well done dude, all your hard work certainly paid off and I can’t wait for the next race – I hope I’m kept on the edge of my seat again!
Also see:
Moto Magazine Race Report (Neo’s in the auto section towards the end)
more photos on Instagram and Facebook
Neo’s website nitroneo.co.uk
Nitro Neo 