San Diego Supercross Event Update

Awesome shot by Austin White. Check out www.insidermx.com
for more of his work and race updates.

Ryan Clark Event Update

San Diego Supercross

Qualcomm Stadium - San Diego, CA

February 11, 2012

Round six of the 2012 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series rolled South to San Diego for the final event before heading East. I had a decent week of training, cut a little short by a broken radiator on Wednesday which left me scrambling and unable to ride on Thursday. I was able to repair the radiator before the weekend, and was really looking forward to a positive result. On top of that, Ross Miles lent me a hand with the mechanical duties and freshened up my trusty steed before battle.

Saturday was an early morning, as my family and I were staying in Huntington Beach with a friend. I got through tech inspection and sound with ease, and headed out to the track walk. The track looked fairly technical, with a really long whoop section and a few treacherous rhythms. I was excited to get on my 2012 Kawasaki KXF450 and get it dialed in.

Practice went a little better this weekend, and I was easily into the program with a 50.3 lap time. This left me with the 14th gate pick in the first 450cc Supercross Heat Race. I had a couple good laps in practice, but I was having a tough time finding a flow around the track.

The first heat started off great, with a solid jump off the gate and a great position around the first corner. Unfortunately, the guy ahead of me opted not to jump the rhythm section and I went from around fifth back to 12th in one fell swoop. It was really frustrating to be up that far and lose it all at once, but I guess I should have chosen a better line. From there, I was just off my rhythm, much like in practice. My lap times were okay, but I made mistake after mistake, and failed to make the transfer with a 14th place finish.

In the LCQ there were quite a few solid riders, so I knew I would need the start if I had any shot at the transfer. Out of the gate I was decent, but going into the first corner I got pushed wide and was near the tail end of the pack. I started picking off riders right away, but being that buried in the pack never leaves you a good line choice. I was able to methodically work up to eighth place by lap six, but that was six places shy of the transfer to the main event. 

I was extremely disappointed with my ride at San Diego. I felt that I had a really good opportunity in the heat race, and I was unable to take advantage of it. My arm is now almost 100%, but my mind is still struggling to get in the racing groove. I am hoping that a change of soil next week at Dallas will give me the boost I need to pick up my pace and get in the all-important main event.

Thank you to all my supporters for sticking with me through the injury and recovery. I am doing all I can to get back on track as quickly as possible.

All the best,

Ryan Clark

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Horseshoes and Hand Grenandes 2

Welcome to 2012. Cassandra and I were talking about how old we are the other day (apologies to anyone older than us) and began reminiscing about childhood. It dawned on us how many different musical devices have come and gone in our lifetime. Eight tracks, 45's, cassette tapes, cds and now MP3's. Then you have video tapes from Beta to VHS to DVD to BluRay and on-demand video. My kids will never have to drive a standard transmission, reach across to unlock the passenger car door or blow on the cartridge of a video game to get it to play. My point being, it is crazy where we are now and I am sure it will be just as crazy where we end up 33ish years from now.

I took a few involuntary weeks off from riding my dirt bike. Exactly 23 days after I fractured my humerus just below my shoulder socket, I got back on the beast that caused the injury in the first place. Surprisingly, I felt pretty good. I am going to forego the race this weekend in Phoenix, not so much a sign of my maturity as lack of preparation (no graphics, one bike, bent subframe, no money). I am hoping to have at least two of those four rectified by LA next weekend; not sure which two yet.

My kids are awesome. Unless you are a relative of mine reading this or you have kids yourself, you probably don't care. And neither would I when I was your age, so don't feel guilty for feeling that way. I am good at making babies...maybe not so much the act as the end result. My new little man is just a bustling little bundle of snorgulance. What is even cooler is the fact that my vowels have taken to their new little brother like Techron takes to Chevron. So in spite of my injury, lack of money and my complete loss of self-respect via the purchase of a gold minivan, I am happy. And in love. And that may be all I have right now, but somehow that is enough.