With alot of anticipation leading up to Rnd. 1 of the Outlaw Series, Matt was mostly busy helping with the setup of the trial, not getting much practise in at all. That just made his result that much more satisfying! I had stated at the beginning of the year that, before the season was over, I believed Matt would beat his sponsor, and our friend, Dave Fair. Dave rides Sen. Int. class, but the same lines as Matt, so we usually compare scores at the end of the event. Matt got off to a terrific start and tied Doug Moore for the low loop of the day! Dave got off to a slow start, one that he could never recover from! So, it was to be the day, very early in the season, that Matt fullfilled my predictions, and in convincing fashion I might add. Not only that, but some of our other friends who travelled from as far as Alberta and the Okanagan were witnessing first hand Matts dramatic improvement over the last year! He not only beat all of them for the first time, but nearly posted the lowest score period for any of the Int. line riders.
A couple of unfortunate fives on the last loop, in sections that Matt had easily cleaned first time through, prevented Matt from posting a 2point last loop!!! One of the fives saw Matt take a nasty spill and falling backwards off a slippery double step and landing awkwardly on his back with the bike falling on top of him. (Bad read by his minder!!) He was in a lot of pain and had to take some time to collect himself. Although I offered to take him back to the car park, and we call it a day to avoid risking any further injury, this was never an option for Matt! He managed to re-focus and go on to some very impressive cleans to preserve his placing in a tight race! Once again showing me and everyone his great determination. All this acheived at the age of only 12!
Now, more excited than ever and looking forward to the first WEC Nationals in Summerland. Lots of good training and practise in store now before the May long weekend!