Going fast & having fun

Written by Chris Hahn:

Today was another good day for the 805 Racing Team. Southern California’s best sprinter, Bart Clifford, organized the Taylor Elizabeth Clifford memorial, in Costa Mesa, for his daughter whom he lost some years ago.  It was well organized, with pretty good cash prices, cash primes, and a good attendance.
It was a  square around a research park, almost flat, somewhat bumpy, and very fast. Making it extra fun was the rain, which let up just as the race started, but left the pavement still quite wet.
I was in the 60+, and Mike Penta in the 55+, which raced together but were scored separately. 
It was Mike and me against Bart and at least four of his teammates.  Even though the 60s and 55s were scored separately, I wanted to win the overall. I had told Bart that even though I really respected what he was doing for his daughters’s memory, I still wanted to beat him.
I decided to test the legs early and went for a $50 cash prime, which I won, barely.  There were a number of pretty good breakaway moves, but it became pretty clear that all of Bart’s teammates were going to chase everything down to set it up for a sprint finish for him.  Mike and I communicated well, and decided that we would just stick together for protection and most likely wait for the sprint.  I stayed pretty much near the front for protection and kept my eye on Bart.  With one lap to go his team went to the front and begin railing it.  After a little bit of bumping, I was able to settle in on his wheel.  Halfway between turns three and four, I felt his lead out train slow down a bit and decided to jump around the left of his train.  Bart jumped at pretty much the exact same time, around the right of his lead out train. (Instinct.)  I got on his wheel and we approached the final corner one and two.  Through the corner, I thought I would back off just a bit, and then get a run at him. Big mistake.    He jumped out of the corner and though I gave everything, I could not catch him. He won the overall and 55+. I was second overall and won 60+.  Even though I really wanted to beat him, I was glad I didn’t. He gave a moving speech about his daughter and everyone cheered. I would probably have been booed out of there had I beaten him.  Mike got fifth in the 55+.
I then raced with the young guys, 35+40+, which was fast and fun. Mike and Jim from Santa Ynez hung around. Jim did the Masters 3/4 and then they both did the 45+/50+.  Jim was stoked on how thrilling crit racing is! Me too!
My first podium in the new kit. I love it. Thank you sponsors!