After all my luck this season, I was happy to hear that I had to go to Italy for a test with the RedBull Rookies Cup program. Mostly so we all had the chance to sign the 5 year contract for them and to get and meet the other "Rookies". I had a real good time over there. Me and my dad showed up a day before any of the other riders or parents, which made a good time to get to know some the workers. We ended up eating with Josh, who does most of the talking in the meetings, a lady that does the press media for KTM, and another lady that works for WWP, which was who all the mechanics are from. The next day people started coming in. We ate dinner with Dean Mitchell and Stewart Mitchell and Stewarts granddad who vaguely reminds me of Bert Munroe from "The Worlds Fastest Indian"! After meeting the English participant, we head back to the motel thinking we would go to the room to settle down and go to sleep. As the elevator barely big enough for two people doors open, we see JD, Cameron, and Norm trying to sqeeze out I began to realize that this night was going to be longer then I thought.We ended up going to eat with them coincidently at the same restaurant. We finally get back and get to bed which was good because I thought I was about to pass out anyways. The next morning I ate breakfast at the complimentary breakfast thing and waited for the group to make their way down so we could take off to the track for the first day of the official test. Luckily we ended up doing exactly what I wanted them to do. They lined us up and let us go, of course after a practice and qualifying practice. I grided 2nd row disappointingly. I got a bad start and started trying to make it all up. I passed an English kid and lead him about a lap before he tried his first out of positioned pass. Running his bike up the inside of me on entrance of the hairpin ran both of us off the track. I finished 8th after this little incident. Cameron lost his chance to ride both days after a high-side his second practice. He fractured his arm a few weeks ago and was healing from it. He did not re-fracture it but made a good attempt at it, leaving him soar in the hip area and arm. The next day was horrible with fog in the morning. We all had to wait for the fog to settle and clear up before we could ride. So we all made our way to the cafeteria/restaurant for some food. After lunch we headed down to get ready. In qualifying I met with the English rider that ran me off of the track the first day. After passing him down the back stretch, he makes another very out of place pass. He ran up the inside as I crossed the track for the chicane and tried to pass me back. He hit me almost in a T-bone position. His elbow hit my front brake which I was already on. This sent my bike fish-tailing! I barely was able to save it. I qualified 7th again on the 2nd row. With my ex motocross background, I knew exactly how to start (the bikes we rode had Husky 125 motocross motors in them.) I had a good start until the first turn came. A failing attempt on an inside passed left me a little behind than I would like but I made a good effort to make it up. About lap 14, I caught JD who was riding with the leading pack till he made a mistake into one. I followed him for a few laps and made a pass on him into one on the brakes. As soon as I passed him and the bike settled in the turn, I crack the throttle and head down the back stretch. As I reach about half way down the back straight I see an amazing crash. I saw bikes going into three which was a sweeper left following a flick right where it all took place. All of a sudden A bike flips and a rider gets body-slammed hard. As soon as I saw the red flag I throw my hand up realizing that I would be scored 5th instead of the third I was in when it came out. That's where I was going across the line last time. So a disappointment I didnt try the pass on JD sooner that way I could atleast say that I beat him. After all this, I didn't realize that it wouldn't turn out as bad as it seemed at the moment. The night before our plane left I got to see Vinnince which was something amazing. The water canals as roads the lessened noise from no cars and the peaceful environment was just awesome. I cant wait till I get the chance to go back. Well my year is officially done. Time to hit the motocross tracks for winter training!!

...And the bad luck continues. The GNFs at Road Atlanta is this week, my races were on Thursday. The bike ran real good during both the morning practices, the first being a short break in the motor practice and the other being an all or nothing practice. When the first race rolls around, I'm already a little upset because of the way they grided us. They placed Clubman in front of us, which turned out to be a bad mistake by the first turn. I made a real nice move by railing the outside in the roughest part of the track and passed almost all of them and a few 125s also. Staying in my unique line up the hill and tapping the grass on the outside-to-inside move turned out real good by time I got to the end of the chicane. I had almost everyone passed and was leading my class when I came around the finish line the first time. Little did I know that right before the halfway point my luck would turn around. Coming down the hill on the back strecth, my bike is wound out as I get all over the brakes for 10a. I float the rear tire into the turn, and apparently set it down to late, right in the middle of the turn. Now if you have ever been to Road Atlanta, then you would know how far the gravel trap is from the inside "gator-backs". As I set the rear tire down the bike starts to step out, then it threw me off, I "...got threw off from the inside of the track and landed face first in the gravel..." and "...went further then (my) bike." as Miles described it to me later that day. So a DNF in the first race would soon continue the streak of bad luck that I have had here lately. I get the bike fixxed and Tony came and teched my bike at my pit to keep me from having to go all the way to the other side to get it teched. Formula 2 is up next and my last chance to grab a grand national title (remeber Mid-Ohio). The start comes and Im ready. A bad start puts me in third for my class yet still in striking distance. As I work my way through a few in my class and some in the expert class, I see the black flag. Not sure if it was me or not, I keep driving. I was running down Russel Wikle Who was winning my class and I catch a glimpse of the black flag again. Still not 100% if Chuck was holding my number as to come in or not, I keep pushing yet again. Now Im really reeling Russ in. I come down the hil torwards the finish line and as I cross for the third time, Chuck is standing in the middle of the track with my number on his board and a black flag. I decide I better get off the track. I knew right when I pulled off what it was. My countershaft seal had a very minor leak and would drip a little bit of oil on the pipe and would make a puff of smoke. I ride down to the start where a few WERA officials are standing to make sure I was right about the problem. After a brief discussion, I rode back up to the pits feeling like a nothing. Feeling s if the national champion title was just stolen from me because I was riding a two stroke, though it was a more mechanical error. So my seasons over. A little soar from all the crashing here lately, but over all wrapped up o.k. I cant wait for next year!