This is the first weekend I have back to back raced at different events in different regions. I did Saturday and Sunday racing at Battle of the Clubs but we stayed in Taupo the whole time and had 2 or 6 of everything we needed. Yesterday after leaving Awakaponga at 5.30pm we had to drive back home, clean down, service, unpack, repack and get some sleep before getting up again in the dark. It was a nice surprise to get home and find some mates from the Mighty Manawatu staying over to do Sand Prix too. I was really tired when we got to the track this morning and a bit stiff after sleeping crooked in the car on our way home and it showed in practice. I came off at least twice every lap and dad did consider pulling me off the track as he was worried I was going to do some damage to myself as well as others around me. Mum gave me a bit of a pep talk and helped me get my focus back again and I took it one race at a time. I finished race 1 in 8th with only one small fumble. I learnt a lot about the track conditions and watched the bigger riders choose their lines and how they rode the deep sand track and placed 4th in race 2. I had some really good battles in race 3 and even tough I was tired I rode smart and finished in 3rd. 8-4-3 got me 5th overall for the day and I got my second trophy in 2 days. This event is part of the North Island Champs along with Valley Champs and King of the Mountain so so far I’m 5th for North Island Pro65. Going in to the next two events I will not be as tired and will be ready to ride hard get a podium finish. I’m very proud of myself for not giving up because I was tired and sore, even when it got hard I kept fighting.
Soren Staudinger 