Nov 17-23rd - racing season Tw0pOint0

Nov 17th 2013 - 100 Mile House

After driving for around 14 hours from Fort Mcmurray AB to 100 Mile House BC I was beat, but still so excited to see my new 2014 Ski-Doo 600rs race sled. I arrived around 8pm in 100 Mile House, a little bummed it would be after closing time at Performance All Terrain and I would have to wait another day to see my new ride. On my way through town a cruise past Performance and notice Jim is still there and I quickly pull in and knock on the glass. Jim lets me in and directs me to the freshly un crated beauty, all I wanted to do was jump on and ride. I had to settle for standing on it and a couple pictures with work on it to commence in the morning.

Nov 18th 2013 - 100 Mile House

The plan was to be up really early but I think all the driving had caught up with me and I ended up sleeping in till 8. I headed to town and grabbed a coffee for me and a take 10 from Timmy's for the boys at Performance. Luckily they were one tech down on Monday and I had an area to work on the sled in the shop.
I had what seemed to be a small box of parts to install on the sled to get it ready to race but it was a very deceiving small box of parts. Rox Speed FX handgaurds and number plates, Woody's Traction studs, C&A Pro XT Ski's with Woody's Carbides, Woody's snowflap anchor kit, Fox Racing Shox Evol X Kashima coat front shocks. 7 hours later I had all of that gear installed, but yet to figure out my foot holds, apparently Ski-Doo just sent the old XP chassis foot holds and not new XS chassis ones. After some back 'n forth messaging to Kris in Chile we came up with a good location to install the foot holds. 2 more hours of cutting and modifying of the XP foot holds I had them installed and sturdy.
Jim gave me the boot from the shop around 6pm.

Nov 19th 2013 - 100 Mile House - Kamloops

Another wake up early fail, I ended up getting out of bed at 8am. packed up all my stuff and cleaned up the trailer and it contents. I got my 2011 race sled some what put back together and headed to town again, trailer in tow this time. More coffee to fuel me up and prepare me for another day of long hauling. When I got to Performance they were pretty busy and I needed to get on the road ASAP. I bought some race fuel and mixed it up with some Lucas Oil full synthetic snowmobile oil and flashed up the beast for the first time. After a short ride around the yard I quickly learned it was clutched like a trail machine and in dire need of more work. A panic text or two to Chile ended in Kris getting a hold of his dad Robin in Kamloops and setting up a quick clutch job. On the road again, cruise control set and nav coordinates set to Robin's Marine and snowmobile service. When I land at Robin's I unload the sled and drive in the shop and find myself part of a NASCAR pit crew style clutch job. They had my new sled's clutches off and apart in seconds, chain case off and apart shortly after. Robin upstairs digging through clutch springs and ramps, fabricating the best possible set up. Less than 2 hours later they had completely re clutched, re jetted and re geared my sled perfectly ready for the green flag to drop. Thanks guys, A LOT!
Back on the road again, nav set to Seattle WA. Half way down the Coquihalla Highway I start to notice the truck making a vibration on light acceleration and instantly start having flashbacks of last March when Kris and I were stranded in Cour D' Alene ID from the front differential coming apart. When I stopped for fuel i checked diff temperatures and found front and rear are similar and I suspect possibly a U-joint is going bad but I have no choice but to continue on. When I arrive at the border I noticed the border guard had a BADASS movember stache going on and figured he wouldn't give me too much trouble. I was correct indeed, it didn't take long to explain my racing and work schedules and he didn't even look in the trailer or search the truck (like last year)
Free and clear! 'MERICA!!

Nov 20th 2013 - Seattle WA

I slept in today in hopes to continue the trek across the country when Alison gets off work. I was eventually woken up by FedEx, my new shipment of Lucas Oil fully synthetic 2 stroke snowmobile oil arrived! Pretty sweet wake up call. When I eventually got moving and showered and dressed I had a few things to do around town. I had to ship some things back to HMK and get some food packed for the long drive. While I was driving around town without the trailer on thew back I noticed the U joint getting MUCH worse! I headed to an Oreilly's Auto Parts and bought a Ujoint, put on my coveralls and pulled the driveshaft off and replaced the U joint in the trailer. By this time it was much too late to be starting our drive across the country, so we opted to get food and a beer and head out early morning.

Nov 21-22 2013 

So to be quite honest these two days were almost completely filled, wake to sleep with non stop driving and nothing more. Alison and I drove from Seattle through Spokane to Billings to Fargo and on to Bird Island MN home of Rehab Wraps. We arrive in Bird Island at around 8:45pm on Friday where we met with Jesse of Rehab Wraps our newest sponsor. Jesse had booked us a room at a local hotel, I cant thank him enough for all he's done for the team. We discussed wrap designs, sponsorship and business over some tall Alaskan APA's. I would just like to say it's pretty awesome having a personal relationship with a sponsor in addition to the business relationship.

Nov 23 2013

Alison and I had a well deserved sleep in this morning. When we got up I ran straight to the continental breakfast as I usually do! I got my fill of eggs and bacon and Greek yogurt I brought Alison her morning coffee and started the truck up. We drove 10 miles down the road to Rehab Wraps HQ where we got a quick tour of their operation. I cannot wait to see what they come up with for my wrap! Last year I never had a wrap sponsor and couldn't afford to have one done, so the sled just had a bunch of random sponsor stickers on it. So not only did Rehab Wraps spoil us with booking us a hotel they hooked us up with storage for the truck and trailer, a wrap, T-shirts and a ride to the Minneapolis airport which is a 2 hour drive from Bird Island! Sponsor of the year!