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It was the Monday before the 2011 Grands and we were gathering at Dan's house preparing to start the long drive to Tulsa Oklahoma. With 11 bikes and many bags, gear and helmets all loaded up we headed out just after 10 am. The drive was going good with a little rain but not too bad.

We headed south and as we got farther down the road the sun came out and made for good roads and clear driving. After we stopped Dan opened up the back as he remembered that BB, the new Bike Master mascot was making this trip.

We opened the back and anxious to come up front was BB. She said it was pretty

crowded in the back and the bikes were all upside down so she couldn't ride BB on Driller foot on any. So upfront she came with the rest of us. As we traveled along she helped watch over us as we slept and made sure the driver was not sleeping. The original plan was to drive to Bakersfield and sleep but with 4 adult drivers we decided to just keep on trucking and drove straight through. Onthrough Bakersfield in a real thick fog and headed east on 58 towards Tulsa. Through Monday night and all day

Tuesday we kept driving with not a lot of stops. Fuel and food were usually done at the same time with only a couple slightly longer stops. Just before 2:00 AM Wednesday morning we pulled into Tulsa.

Wednesday came pretty quick but it was breakfast and coffee then over to check out the track. One of the first things you notice when you drive up is the huge building and Driller out front. A real tall statue of the driller. BB just had to get a picture with him. Problem is that in order to see BB you can only see Drillers foot.

As we entered the building we saw the many areas in process of being setup. Right inside the door we saw Burlin getting his pit area ready. BB just had to go give him a couple prime training tips for him to use in his clinics. Then we saw Mike Redman and of course it was time for BB to give a couple annoucing tips. They were working to much on the pit areas so off we went to check out the track. As we were heading there we ran into John David. BB had a talk with John about running the races and as you see John gave the thumbs up. BB also talked John into a couple Pull magazines so we could check out the new edition. BB felt she should share the cover with Josh since BB on gate

he got both

the front and back covers.

Now it's time to check out the track so off we go to see what's in store for us this weekend. First we look from up in the stands and see that it's going to be a good long track. The first straight is short, the 2nd has a decision maker/Pro section. The 3rd straight has a rythmm that goes forever.and last straight is a decision maker. No real big pro jumps like some of the past years. We then head down to the gate so BB can check it out and get a little closer view of the track.

Then it was off to get some food and rest before this weekend gets going. It was Western Sizzling and too much food then delivered bikes and other things we packed here for people. We then sat in the room resting and waited for Beans and Maddy. They are also known as Brittay Bates and Madison Pitts. They were riding with Danny and Stephanie Calaug from Kentucky where they are all going to school. Right away when they came in the room BB had to get with them. It was now 3 girls and 2 guys so Keith and I were then out numbered. We were soon all asleep and getting some rest as the next day was practice and Thanksgiving.

The morning came soon and it was time to head to the track. Now as we enter the arena the pits are pretty much set up and lots of people running around.

Since I had some time

before my practice we thought it would be a good time to go check on our sponsors. Ray and Matt had the Fly pits looking good like always with the helmets and clothing. BB had to get with them and give them some of her vast knowledge. Then we headed over to Hyper hoping to see one of the newframes that are coming out. Word is that it just got into New Jersey and they are being prepaired to be tested. We did get to spend a little time with Robbie Sherwood. We sold Robbie his first bike back when he started out on a mini. We met him and his dad at a gas station in California as we were passing through on the way to a National. BB and pro purse

BB noticed the schedule that was posted so since I never got pre-signed it was off to stand in line and get myself and the team signed up. While standing in line we admired all the cups and the pro checks for the big winners. BB thought she should get the Girl Pro but we told her she needed to first get out and get the wins. Not just coach all the rest of us. She's thinking about it. With our signup done and the money gone it was over to get one of the famous

Grands goodie bag. She wanted to go through and find one with a good prize but we had to take the first one. Of course they are all good with stickers, pamplets and other goodies. Just always wonder why Dan's Comp doesn't put racing pictures on the calendar they give away in the bag. As we headed up to the stands BB had to take a look at all the shirts and clothing in the ABA/USA BMX booth. This year they also had a ROC shirt besides the Grands shirts

and many others.

Like many years in the past a group of us all headed to Ryann's for our Thanksgiving meal and over indulgence. BB had someone grab her plate and she started to raise her voice then remembered it's Thanksgiving and let it all go. Yes we can all get along. Plus there was plenty of food for all. With all the running around BB needed lots of water. If BB would have spiced up the food with all she saw there the water would have really gone down. Then of course you can't do Thanksgiving without some

dessert. When this was over it was back to the hotel

for a short break then return to the track so Tim

could get his practice. Being in the next to last practice it took us until

late at night to again hit the sack and get some sleep for the Presidents Cup/ROC.

This year on Friday they merged the Presidents Cup from the NBL with the ROC from the ABA so we were a little unsure how things were run. They had aparade of states with people from each state caring

the State flag and sign. We had a small group from Washington on hand to represent and with BB helping carry the flag all was good.

With the ROC off and running with over 400 moto's we had plenty of time to cruise through the pits. BB wanted to check out the bikes out there. Hopping on many to see how they felt.

These are a few of the bikes that BB checked out. From the Crupi like her budy Josh to the new GT

and Phoenix bikes. But you have to remember that BB is a girl so the pink was really catching her attention.Then, there it was sitting so nice all by itself. This is it she said. and don't try and say she needs the training wheels. She says they can come off anytime. Just look at the smile on her face.

Maybe this one for cruising the neighborhood and one of the other race bikes to go after that Pro title.

Then after looking at the newer bikes we had to go check out the vintage bikes. There is always a good supply of vintage bikes to go check out and this year was no different. BB thought she fit in good with the awards for the vintage bikes.

The ROC went well for the team with Drew, Dan and Rich all winning the #1 plate. Hayden took 4th in Cruiser and Ashleigh got a 5th. Couldn't complain about results like that.

With the ROC over it was late Friday night so we headed back to the hotel and then walked over to get something to eat before hitting the sack.

We ended up at Cracker Barrel for some good food and drink. BB thought a good rootbeer would hit the spot and it sure seemed to.

BB and rootbeer

BB was getting into the game on the table with Maddy trying to figure it out and help her.

BB and Maddy

After a good meal and conversation with the group, it was back to the room to relax and then get some sleep. Morning came and the moto count was high. Over 600 with many groups having 1/8th mains. Josh had the moto count with 73 riders. Hayden's group wasn't far behind with 61 riders and 1/8th mains. We started off strong with all but Tim and Hayden's class race making it into the mains. So Sunday would be round 3 for each to get one more chance to move on.

Saturday has always been team dinner night and this year with the new format it was tighter to get it in. The pro spectacular is now on Saturday night instead of Friday and with the race running slow on Friday it was too late after racing to do it. So it was off to Corino's for a good dinner to load up before the big finish on Sunday. Then it was off to the races for Beans and the pro's. Beans missed making the mains after they had to go to the second tie breaker. Good job Beans.

With the Pro program done it was just ameteurs on Sunday but still a long day. With Tim and Hayden left to qualify. Hayden went first and moved on to Quarters but Tim didn't make it out of the moto. He did have a tough moto as the guys went on to the main that beat him. Then Hayden's 1/8th and he cruised on through but with the short 1st straight if you got in the wrong position in the 1st corner it was tough after that. BB and Drew

Hayden came up short and missed making it to the main. Ashleigh made it BB and Hayden

through her quarter but got stuck in the wrong place in the semi and missed the main. Great job by both going as far as they did and being very competitive. We did lot's more cruising of the pits seeing many people. One stop was the ORP group out of Houston, Texas.ORP is run by Chris Rickard who was a young racer and his dad's bike shop back when I first started. Now they

have a big team that is doing pretty good.

We sit in

the stands in the same place every year so others can always find us. This year was a good group of Washington riders up in the area. It's always great when you're that far away and all us Northwest riders get together. It doesn't matter what team we're all together and enjoying a great sport.

When the dust was still flying and racing still on hand it soon became main BB at VIP

time with only a few of us left. In the main the team still had Dan and Rich along with Drew with both her cruiser and class bikes. We have to give respect for the one's that didn't make the main. With the tough competition and only 8 making a main there are many great racers up in the stands watching the mains. Good job by Hayden, Ashleigh, Beans and Tim. You can't do any National without BB and Rich

noticing Yo Yo man and all his toys. BB thought it was a family re-union and very happy hangin with the old gang. When semi's BB with 1st

were running BB made sure I got my coffee to keep me going when the main arrives. Some traditions we just don't mess with and BB as my coach/trainer we had it all down. Before mains BB thought she should go have a talk to Rich and make sure he remembered all she taught him. There was a little worry about getting stuck in the suspenders but BB and saver stamps

all came out good. The mains came up and Drew was set but coming out of lane 8 she got hung up in the 1st corner. She continued on for a 7th place finish. Then it was Cruiser josh award

time and Dan came up 1st and won his race then Rich followed suit with another 1st place finish for back to back Bike Master wins in the old guy cruisers. Then Drew again came up in her cruiser and another lane 8. Down the 1st straight she was almost even with Kelsey but outside and ran out of Josh and Gork

room again in the 1st corner then coming unclipped and another 7th place finish. She still is our star and we know she's the best. Watch for her in future years to be battling for the top National title in both class and cruiser. The trophy's Josh and Greg

are nice but BB said we should just take the saver stamps and save the room so it was off to get them. BB jumped right up and took the stamps as partial pay for her hard work. With the 3 of us in the main we finished the Grands with a 9th place finish for the race but our points moved us up to 6th place for the year.

A few of our past team riders that did pretty good were Kelsey VanOgle BB with beer

missing a back to back cruiser title by inches at the finish line. Great job by her. If Drew couldn't get that win we would be happy with Kelsey getting it. Lain also did pretty good with 2nd in Jr. Elite at the ROC and 4th in the Grands. Then there was this guy people are getting to know pretty good called Josh Klatman. He listened well to what BB told him and BB at checkout

pulled through with back to back National titles. BB did get in the picture with Josh and Greg. I think Greg was trying to recruit BB but after she took my saver stamps and I promised to let her help drive home she decided to stay with us.

With all the race over it was back to the hotel and off to get something to BB ready to drive

eat. BB had heard that Lance Armstrong had Shiner Bock beer sent over to drink after Tour d' France so just had to have a couple. Looks like she got a little sideways with it. It off to bed and then the morning it was checkout time and start to the long drive home. BB jumped behind the wheel and said BB behind wheel

'let's get this truck moving'. So off we headed and the long trip back home began. BB starting off driving with Ashleigh waiting to take over. Some say that is why our trip home was 3 hours shorter than going. I think BB was anxious to get home to Mom. Of course we did stop for food and fuel and BB had to always be right up front ready for a treat. The trip did get to her though so had to have Ashleigh help carry her into Burger King. She did get a little energy after she saw the sign for ice cream. Almost as excited as when she saw the toys there. Then she finally got home and back with mom. BB and mom