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Jarrod McClure Pro Race Report “Yadkin Valley
Stomp”
Jarrod McClure |
“You’re going to the podium!” was all I heard
as I crossed the finish line. I didn’t realize
it at first because I had run in fourth place
for most of the race, and after Bill Ballance
got by me, I was certain I was finishing in
fourth. Then it became clear that Brandon
Sommers had dropped out, and I was actually
third overall. What a feeling; my first ever Pro
Podium! I haven’t been on the podium since 2005
when I won the GNCC Morning overall at Powerline
Park in the Stock class.
This memorable weekend began We arrived at the
track around 8:00 Saturday morning, and watched
the morning races, which made it obvious that
the afternoon race was going to be a dust bowl
because the track was already dry and I mean
very dry. Dry to the point that it looked like
you were riding in powder. Also, I heard they
were having the creek jump again this year and
after the morning starts I went down to check it
out. It was about an eight-foot drop onto a flat
landing. I jumped it last year, but I told
myself that I wasn’t going to do it unless I
have to, because it was such a risk breaking
something.
I got back to the trailer, and did some pre race
stretching and got ready to go. I headed over to
the start, and prepared to line up. My mechanic
Jonathan Bowers told me, “Go inside, you always
have a good jump, you just get pushed outside.”
I knew a good start was crucial today so I took
his advice. The flag was thrown and I got a
great jump, as I was beat to the turn only by
Brandon Sommers and Bryan Cook. I fell into
fourth place behind Adam Mcgill going into the
woods, and I thought “Great, a good start!”
McGill and I were flying along in third and
fourth, and we had a great pace going, but we
just couldn’t hang with the dust. We came
through the pro pits on the first lap, and Adam
went wide on the last turn and clipped either
someone’s tent or maybe one of the job johns (I
hope no one was in there!) which put me up into
third.
On the first lap, I had jumped the creek, just
because McGill did, but after that I kept going
around it because I didn’t want to break
anything. I knew Ballance was jumping it,
because I saw him gaining on me, but then I
would pull away from him in the dusty sections.
Finally, on the third lap Bill got by me. He
made a nice clean pass right after the creek
jump.
I was staying within view of Bill, but on the
final lap right after Pro row, I clipped a tree
and went down hard. Somehow when I flew from the
bike I stayed on the path and didn’t hit any
trees. I’d like to thank God for that one, as
well as Shift because the chest protector saved
me from my handlebars. Luckily, I recovered
quickly and tried not to panic or ride over my
head. I would just breathe and say “Smooth,
smooth” over and over to get a nice pace rolling
again. I did, and at the finish, I ended up on
the box! I couldn’t believe it! I was first to
speak so I had to try and remember all of my
sponsors, and also how to open the bottle of
champagne!
I really felt great today. I tried a new
suspension setup recommended by Leumas
Enterprises that worked great. I could also
really tell my training was playing a huge part
in how well I did. If you are serious about any
ATV racing you need a trainer.
Motoprotraining.com is whom I work with, and
since I have started, I have had nothing but
great results. I will be training hard the
next two weeks, and hopefully get on the podium
again in my home-state of PA at the final round
before the summer break. I hope to have a lot of
fans there cheering me on!
Finally, I’d like to give a shout to my
sponsors: Bowers Motorcycle Supplies,
Atvriders.com, Motoprotraining.com, Maxxis, Elka,
HMF, SHIFT, DWT, Team-Ind, Tag, IMS-Roll,
Clarke, DP Brakes, DBR Industrial services,
Hinson, Laeger’s, Maier, Rage ATV Racing, 317
Graphics, Leumas enterprises, and my parents.
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