Rogues had a good showing at Tuesday’s, 23 June, Ace Speedway crits. Sam H. and I rode down with Reid. It was unexpected surprise to run into Matt L. once down there. He had the same plan that I had. Combine two races into one drive and claim points for a Cat 3 upgrade. We both entered in the 4/5 and 3/4 races. Turn out at Ace was extremely high this week with 58 in the 4/5 and 63 in the 3/4 race.

The 4/5 was challenging race due to a very unsteady speed. However, Matt and I were able to get in and help a break pull ahead by one whole lap and rejoin the field. Efforts where made to break again, but the field wouldn’t let us go. The race finished in a confusing sprint as both lapped riders and leaders went for the finish. I lost count of the laps and wasn’t sure if we were on the last lap, thus my sprint was pretty poor. Regardless, Matt L. finished 4th and I came in right behind in 5th.

10 minutes later the 3/4 race started. Matt, Sam and I were in this one together. The race pace was steady, with minor acculerations, and mostly stayed together. Matt and I talked about positioning and making sure we stayed behind the front, but not lost in the back. We managed to work together a little helping each other stay out of the wind, but no real tactics to speak of. About half way into our 40 minute race we were about 14 and 15 back when three guys made contact and went down in the middle of the group. I was right behind this as it happened, but was able to go high and miss it. Matt got slowed down a little as they were sliding towards him. Luckily, none of us went down. However, nerves were shot a little. The next lap, the race picked back up. About this Sam took his leave to save up for the Pro 1/2/3 race. This race I was much more aware of lap count and time left. With 2 laps to go the acculeration started and the sprint took off on the back
straightaway one the last lap. I was on the outside to get a clean lane. I was able to move around the group in the last turn and took 10th across the line. Matt finished 19th.  This leaves me with 3 tops 10’s towards my Cat 3 upgrade and Matt L with 13′ish points towards his 3.

Sam raced the Pro 1/2/3 next. I missed part of the race as I was changing, but when I returned I saw Sam working with the first of two breaks that were trying to catch the back of the main group. He dropped from the first break and quickly intergrated with the second group. A few minutes later this group caught on to the back of the main group. Sam slowly worked towards the front as the lap count started dropping under 10. While I can’t remember his exact place, he did finish well within the top 10 in a mixed field sprint.