After an exciting and intense season of racing in 2008, I accomplished one of my long-term goals, 2nd Overall for the Central Roadracing Association Expert Championship. In addition to racing in the AMA Professional circuit, I also race in my regional series back home with CRA. I set my schedule based on my select AMA events that I will race and then try to fill any remaining dates with the CRA at my home track, Brainerd International Raceway. I feel that to be on top of my game and to stay competitive in racing at the highest levels, that you need to be training and racing on a regular basis. Plus, I love to race with all my friends back home! When I began the 2008 season with the CRA, I knew I had a chance at being the #1 Expert. It would be a lofty goal, but being a front-runner, a consistent racer and making the change to a Yamaha YZF-R6, I knew I had a great shot at it. As I began to prepare for the season, I took one last snowboard trip with my snowboard team and injured my knee in April 2008. The knee injury was not "new" news, as I have been plagued with knee injuries all throughout my former professional snowboarding career. After meeting with my surgeon, he gave me a plan to rehab my knee so that I could race throughout the summer and have surgery in the Fall. The plan was tough; it was really physically and mentally challenging and I had to utilize my strengths at every avenue possible. Once the season began with the CRA, I definitely was testing myself to see what I could and could not do. I soon realized, that I could push the limits and that my knee could sustain most everything. So, now on to my competition. My biggest threat to the #1 was Brad Zajic. Zajic is an aggressive and highly skilled rider with a few fast machines! I knew Zajic would also be tough competition, because he also raced a lightweight bike and was able to accumulate more points than I could on an given weekend toward the Championship. Throughout the season, Zajic and I swapped positions and wins, but always had a thumbs up for each other when the day was done. At seasons end, Zajic prevailed and I was awarded the title of Second Overall for the 2008 CRA Expert Championship. I am definitely excited about this accomplishment. It was also neat about possibility of me becoming one of the very few women, if any at all, to ever win an overall Expert Championship (#1 Plate). Along with the Overall, I also took many Class Championships and was named the Most Improved Expert for the CRA. I am really excited and thankful about how well the season went. When faced with challenges, I was able to overcome and accomplish my goals. Coincidentally, I just had my knee surgery on November 7 and hope to recover and heal soon to snowboard this winter and race in the Spring. A big thanks to my crew, friends, family, fans, sponsors and supporters for their endless support and cheers! A special thanks to my Uncle Butch, who was my biggest fan, cheered me on at every race and passed away this summer; I know he's very proud right now. Can't wait to get back on the seat again in 2009! |
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