The days in Moto are long gone in the lites class where you can buy a bike spend another $1,000 dollars on a few mods and have a competitive bike. A 125 might need some cylinder and head work and a suspension revalve, but these days a privateer has to spend about $4-$6,000 to build just a motor to have a competitive motorcycle. The numbers showed this is a tough thing to tackle also when the entry list for the lites class was only 41 riders at Hangtown. I remember racing Nationals with over 100 entries per class so to see only 41 riders entered that scares me. Pro Motocross has done everything they can to make it easier on a privateer with a one day program and timed qualifying but something has changed. 

I made the 8 hr trip up north to Hangtown solo listening to Joe Rogan podcasts and chewing Spits sunflower seeds, because that’s what you do on road trips right? We were told up front the program was short and quick Saturday and hell who would complain when you get the opportunity to race for free on the Main Stage at a National. Joey and Meghan from the FMF 125 Dream Race Series were so organized and pleasant that it made the entire day just about the racing. We had a brief riders meeting at 9:30 Saturday where you picked your gate out of a hat and we were given the low down for the exhibition. This is where my mechanic for the day Donny Emler let me down. Donny picked gate pick 40 which is the last possible spot on the gate. It was laughable to say the least and it pretty much took the pressure off because I knew I had the odds stacked against me.

 Practice was 4-5 laps long and then we would turn around and get in staging for our 4 lap exhibition moto. I lined up on the gate with Donny and I couldn’t help but to grin! This was awesome! My buddy and industry leader Donny Emler Jr. iwere on the gate at round 1 of the Pro Motocross series and I’m racing a 125.  The gate dropped and I did my best to get a good start from the way outside. I came around turn 1 in say 12th but by the end of the 1st lap I was 7th I think. I had my work cut out for me, but I managed to make some moves and by the white flag. Three laps later I was in 3rd and the leaders were right ahead of me. I made quick work of Josh Hansen and with a half a lap left young ripper Robby Wageman was just ahead of me. I made the pass on Robby and dropped the hammer. I was in the lead with a ¼ of a lap to go and I could hear the crowd cheering. I just needed to navigate my KTM USA, Bonanza Plumbing 125 a few more turns and the race was mine. Then BOOM just like that with 100ft to go I pushed the front end and I was on my head! I could not believe it I had pushed the front wheel into a big breaking bump and I was on my head in a instant. I managed to get back up to finish 4th on the day but I was pretty upset with myself and very very sore! I had no one to blame but myself and I had to remember this was just for fun!

I got to spend some time after the day talking with Joey and Megan from the FMF 125 dream race team who put this all together. I thanked them over and over for putting their time and effort into something that I feel our industry needs more then ever! The crowd loved the show we put on and even though I ran out of talent with only feet to go. With that being said I hope my body is healed up so I can race Glen Helen and the rest of the FMF 125 dream race events.

I would like to thank Casey Davis from Transworld MX for letting me borrow your bike or lining up for this race would not be possible. A special thanks also to Bonanza Plumbing for sticking behind me for a select amount of events and the rest of my team that supports me. 

To Learn more about the FMF 125 Dream Race and Triple Crown Series read this interview from Transworld Motocross - http://motocross.transworld.net/news/joey-lancaster-pipe-dreams/#m2kbI0BhTCXyT7Sw.97