HISTORY

My name is Chris Nelson, I am 37 years old.  I live in the greater Seattle area.  I started riding trails on dirt bikes when I was 5.  My father and I used to take camping trips and use our dirt bikes to explore the great outdoors here in the Northwest.  When I was 16 I met some friends in school that introduced me to motocross racing and I've been in love with that discipline of riding ever since.

I really liked racing.  I became an active member of a local club that put on races.  I was pretty much at a race every weekend for the next 6 years or so.  I was a slow learner, but I finally got to be a fairly fast amateur back in my day.  Eventually though, life happened and I met my wife, we got married, I got a career, a house and basically 'settled down'.  Now my wife Amy and I have two beautiful daughters and of course a dog and cat to round out the picture.

About 4 years ago I ran into an old friend I used to race with.  I started to reminisce and mention how I missed the good ole days of us banging bars.  He suggested that I come with him to an 'Old Timers MX' event.  I thought to myself, isn't that for old guys?  But with the promise of more track time, a friendly yet competitive racing environment, a free t-shirt and a dinner thrown in to boot, I was sold.  Besides, we were to race in the 'Vet' class, not the Old-Timers!

Well, needless to say, I'm once again having a blast at these events and enjoying meeting new people to battle with.  After meeting Charlie Burchinal, the worlds oldest motocrosser, I can see myself attending these events into my 50's.

GOALS FOR THIS YEAR:

My main goal is to move up to the 30+ B class and race competitively in it.  To achieve this, I'm going to focus on two areas:

• Physical conditioning.  Cardio in particular.  I think this will be of the most benefit for the 5 moto format the OTMX races use.  To achieve this goal, I have purchased a treadmill and mountain bike to use for training.  I plan on doing a 30min speed walk M-F during my lunch breaks.  I plan on doing 30min, 3 times a week on the treadmill, mountain bike or equivalent.
• Seat time.  With a full on career, house to help take care of and kids, this will be perhaps my biggest challenge.  I believe to be competitive, you need to practice.  Because practice breeds confidence.  To get as much seat time as possible at practice days at local tracks, my wife and I have been going over realistic expectations so that family time is not compromised.  In fact, both my little girls both have 50's now and I'll support them in their riding as long as they show interest.  This is a family sport, so the more I can get my family involved, the happier everyone will be.

COMPETITIVE HIGHLIGHTS:

Due to not being able to afford traveling to a full series when I was younger, I mostly just raced at a couple of local tracks where I could work for entry and gate fees.  I did manage to compete in enough events to get an overall in two series. 

1988 - 1991 Jolly Rogers motocross track

My first MX race in 1988.  I got lapped by my friend who invited me, twice!

1992 Seattle Intl Raceway Friday Night Series - 2nd place overall 125 C.

Perhaps my fondest memory from racing because this was an 18 week long, every Friday night, race series.

1993 - 1994 Jolly Rogers motocross track, Washougal MX Park

These were my home track and favorite track respectively.  I raced a lot between these two and typically finished top 5 in the 125 B class. 

1995 Washington State Championship Series - 4th place overall 250 B.

Sad to say, at 6'1" 180lbs, I was forced to move up to the 250s because the stock 125s just weren't competitive for me.  I was always a better 125 pilot, but I faired ok in this series aboard a two stroke two fiddy.  However, this was about near the end of my early on competition.