Whose Faster? A Policeman or a Fireman?
Monday, March 28, 2011 at 10:01PM 2011 Fire/Police MX
Have you ever been to a race that you felt really safe?
I recently attended the Opening round of the 2011 Fire/Police MX, put on by a Fireman named Ed Wilson. Ed has been putting on motocross events since 1989 in the Southern California motocross community. But the biggest difference in the races Ed promotes is that you must be with a badge carrying Police or Fire agency. So the fact that you are in the pits, lining up with and racing against guys that most people hold in such high regard gives you a really good feeling. Actually I would have to go one step further and say that it makes you feel proud to be associated with a group of this caliber.
These guys obviously put a lot of time and effort into their chosen profession and it definitely carries over into their recreational activities. Some of them are riding at the Expert level of competition which shows the kind of commitment they are willing to put out just in the name of friendly competition. There are no purses, paychecks or big time sponsorships on the line. Only the Gold, Silver or Bronze medal awarded in each class, and the fact that they performed to the best of their ability at the end of the day.
A couple of very fast and talented riders in the Open Expert class were Ryan Chapin and Alex Zapata. They put on quite a show with Ryan Chapin mounted on a Yamaha being the big winner over the two days of racing at the Cahuilla Creek facility. That must be why Chapin is the 2011 #1 plate holder for the FPMX series.
The Cahuilla Creek track was very well prepped with overnight rains to make sure there was no dust anywhere on the track. Track workers did a fantastic job of keeping the track in good condition throughout the 2 days of racing. It was an excellent layout with high speed sections, fast down hills, uphill jumps, table tops, hill top flyover jumps and a couple of rhythm sections to incorporate almost any kind of obstacle you could imagine. The lap times were running close to the three minute mark.
If you ever get a chance to go to a FPMX you should take it. Ed also has civilian classes and support classes to give husbands, wives, kids and friends or family a class to ride.
Check out their schedule of events at firepolicemx.com
Reader Comments (2)
Thanks for the kind words Eric. You left out the part about you racing the first day and winning! See you next time.......Ed
Eric even though I dont ride any longer I really enjoy reading your articles, keep up the good work. I was wondering if you still ride mountian bikes??? Thats what I am doing now here in Mendocino, and we have some GREAT trails. We are haveing a Fat Tire Festival next Oct. come on up and ride.
Jack