TEAM DIRTBIKEMIKE

Round  10 -----  Nashville, Tennessee  

February  16 - 18, 2007

February 17

                        Nashville was the last round of the series.  It's been a long road since heading up to Des Moines way back in November.  But it's been a hell of a lot of fun and I've learned a lot too.  I've been a lot of new places, met a lot of new people and even been offered several jobs along the way.  Beau showed up this weekend and he rode his best race all year.   I wonder what took him so long.  But he still failed to make the main.  Tolland was saddled with bad starts again and didn't qualify for the main.

February 18

                        Beau rode even better on Saturday, but still lacks the speed and consistency that he needs to get into the main.  Tolland made the the Lites main, but a broken chain ended his charge when he overjumped the catapult.  We helped set up the tables and chairs for the track party again.  I think we had the best time all year signing autographs in Nashville.  My boss Toyota Tim told me that I had done a good job this year and next year I would get a big pay raise.  He coudn't stop laughing after that though.  The Arenacross Main was something else.  Lots of drama, crashing and controversy.  I highly recommend checking it out along with all the other Speedvision telecasts of the Toyota National Arenacross Series.  Danny Smith wound up winning the Arenacross title with Robbie Reynard second and Kevin Johnson in third place.

February 19 

                       Tolland and I were announcers again on Sunday.  Luckily there wasn't a big crowd of riders and we finished early.  Dirtbikemike got a couple more tips when he fixed some bikes.  It was time to party.  We were ready to get it on.  After loading up the trailer and helping Toyota Tim with his stuff, we had to run over to the Wild Horse Saloon to clean up Tolland's bike.  It was on display along with several other bikes at the party.  Then we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the party.   Angel and her roommate Ky came down from Dayton for the weekend.  We got ready for the banquet and waited around for the Limo.  Did I tell you that Live Nation furnished Limos so we didn't have to drive after the banquet?  Of course we were ready to go when the first Limo arrived.   The bar was free and everyone was taking advantage of it.  Tim Cotter was the Master of Ceremonies and he got us going with a few jokes.  As things got rolling, I already knew that Dirtbikemike was going to get an award.   Ms Arenacross, Ashley was the presenter and Mike never knew what was coming.  When she called his name, we all had a smile on our faces.  We knew that he was the right one to win the Unsung Hero Award.  The food was great, the drinks were free and we were all in good company.  Pam awarded the Top 12 their checks and that was great too.  For those of you that don't know, Pam is the boss when Arenacross come to town.  She is in charge of everything and keeps the whole thing together and makes the show what it is.  Now it has come to an end I would like to say I am glad to be going home.  Maybe it could be a couple of more races but that's okay.  I had a great time being a part of everything that went on and look forward to being involved with Arenacross and

Toyota next year.  Till then we will be moving forward.  

Philip Mariage

Team Dirtbikemike Racing  

Lost Creek Park USA