Fluid Ride Finals - Darrell and Chase

Chase on the podium proving once again that fast, uh hum, very fast things come in small packages!

I don't think that I have ever seen the Mt. Hood course in such great condition, no dust, dry roots, and tacky dirt, it was an awesome day. I was stoked that Chris and I could practice together and maybe his speed could rub off on me. Going into the finals Chris all but had it wrapped up but I was still in the hunt for the silver. Almost two hours before the posted start time I made my trek up the lift to the start, I laid down and started running the course through my head and started to doze off, next thing I know they are calling me up to the gate(the start time was posted 1 hour off) and I arrive 1 minute before the start, as they are counting me down they are calling for Chris as I turn I don't see him in sight. The gate drops and off I go with a clean run (2:46) three minutes later here comes Chris (2:43). Team Sega sitting 1 and 2 and that’s where it stayed. Next year should be very interesting with the Semi pro class dissolving. The target on the back of the Chris and I just keeps getting bigger, as a matter of fact one rider told me that his wife is going to yell out Chris's name while he is training and if that's not working she will yell out mine. I'm sure Chris will know who I'm talking about.

I can't help but be proud of my 9 year old boy Chase who continues to shave 15 to 30 seconds each race. With consistency and a couple of podium finishes during the series he was sitting in the lead. Chase came up with the idea that if he did a 4:32 I would buy him a cell phone, I figured it was a safe bet since his fastest time was a 5:02 and that is what the fastest kids in the class run and they are 13 and 14. Well I'm safe for now he did a 4:48 good enough for second for the day and first for the series. It was truly an epic day on the mountain and Cheers to Team Sega!