P130
CN
III CROSS-RUTTED
T
he first day back at the
races after being out for
months with an injury—many
of us have been there. It's the
sign you've been waiting for, that
the worst is behind you, and life
is finally getting back to normal.
That feeling was shared by every-
one in attendance at the recent
SRA Grand Prix at Glen Helen
Raceway, obviously not because
we've all been out with injury, but
because the Great Pause left
us with nearly 100 days without
racing. I can't remember the last
time I raced one of Glen Helen's
monthly SRA GPs, but simply
because it was taking place, I felt
compelled to be there.
I do also happen to be nursing
an injury but needed to at least
start a race. I needed the adrena-
line rush of the flagger pointing at
me on the start. The sound of the
dead-engine start. The chaos of
the first lap. Perhaps I'd only last
a lap or two, but just to be there,
buckle my helmet while butterflies
danced in my stomach and hold
it wide open up Glen Helen's
hills would be enough. Just the
throttle therapy I needed to reas-
sure my soul that the fog is lifting.
It's not only a reminder of
"normal" life, but the best of
normal life, and that these blood-
pumping celebrations of speed
and dirt and freedom are still ours
to enjoy, through good times and
bad; in sickness and in health.
It seems our secret is out. For so
many people and families left un-
able to enjoy their regular pastimes
for a lot longer than 100 days (who
knows when we'll be able to enjoy
a basketball game, or a concert
again?) they are turning to powers-
ports. Perhaps they're coming back
to it, perhaps they're trying it for the
first time, like the guy on the start-
ing line next to me at the SRA. "I
bought this to test my marriage," he
said of his shiny new YZ450F.
"And?" I asked.
"So far so good!" he said with
a laugh. The kids were there with
mom to cheer on dad at his first
LIFEBLOOD ON TWO WHEELS
BY JEAN TURNER
Riders file in to the start
area for the SRA Grand
Prix at Glen Helen.
PHOTO BY JEAN TURNER
