Tonight was the last IFMA of the season for many of us as the remaining rounds
are to be covered by other riders and announcers, and the crowd decided to try
and push us harder to see if we responded. Well - the show went great and the
riders gave the crowd what they wanted. Dustin Nowak, a.k.a. Wacker, decided that
he needed one more win before heading off on the summer tours and took the rest
of the riders to task on the floor. Wearing his lucky Hannah Montana shirt, he
threw four backflip combos to include a one hander, no hander, nac and "just"
a standard. His score was a 92.7 and while three of the other finalists scored
within seven-tenths, it was not enough in the Maverick-Adventures First Stop Final.
Derek Burlew went first to get a 92.2 with great extension on his run and was
not challenged heavily by Jimmie McGuire who had some trouble in his run. While
going for his signature Christ Air, Jimmie kicked his clutch lever spinning the
perch up on top of the bar. The lever blocked his left hand from getting back
to the grip quickly and had him a little rattled after a great save. A true shame
since he was having another great weekend. Like a true pro he finished the run
and even went back at it doing the trick again after the clock ran out. His 88
sent him packing early. Wacker used his aforementioned run to bump Burlew and
took his turn in the Maverick lazy boy. Sean Nielsen came out strong but his flip
came after the clock expired and held him back a little bit giving him a 92.5
on the night. Brian Foster, who has been riding with a renewed sense of confidence,
came out with a slow start and missed his No Hander Lander from a McMetz but soldiered
on making sure he gave the fans what they wanted while even if it sacrificed his
score. The judges still gave him 92 points. The Supermoto race tonight had a new
wrinkle in the form of a left right section called a chicane. This slowed the
riders up allowing them to regroup and tighten the pack. The racing was close
until the second to last lap where Foster cranked it on for the win. Moto P-I-G
was another tight heat as it took four rounds before any of the eight riders went
out. It ended on a flip from Wacker, but Neilsen asked the crowd for a rebate,
then went and knocked out a few flips. Wacker responded and it was a flip war!
The fans were so into it, I asked if this could be considered a tie and they all
agreed. Hell On Wheels did a great show for us yet again although Dave Voelker
had to sit out after pinching a nerve in his shoulder and losing feeling in his
hand and arm. Keith "Phantom" Wineland showed Idaho just what moto trials is and
bunny hopped his machine over five guys! I want to thank Idaho on behalf of all
the riders and crew for giving us a great send off in 2008. Canada- it's your
turn so get your tickets now!
