Disney Cup National, Orlando, FL Oct. 22-24, 2010

Race Report: Disney Cup National, Orlando, FL   Oct. 22-24, 2010

Orlando BMX was host to the penultimate round of the national series, the Disney Cup. McKenna had a hectic day of travel the day prior to racing, getting herself, her manager and mechanic, and all her gear from San Diego to sunny central Florida. Arriving at the track on Friday for National #1, McKenna was greeted by an awesome track and even more awesome humidity.

Ten 8 year old girls, some of the fastest in the nation, were on hand to battle it out for the weekend. As the gates dropped, McKenna rode solid and consistent, to transfer out of her qualifying rounds, and make Friday's main event. With the help of the steepness of the gate, and some good leg speed, McKenna was able to finish 5th out of the full gate.

Saturday morning saw more of the same heat and humidity, and more of the same fierce competition. McKenna was able to transfer to her main event by riding steady and smart. It was evident the weather was beginning to affect her. With a good lane assignment, and an awesome pass in the last turn, McKenna crossed the line in 4th position out of the full gate of eight girls. This great result was made even more special by having her Mam Mam, Uncles, Aunt, and cousins there to witness it.

Sunday morning started bright and early with the first gate falling at 8:00 sharp. McKenna had a good start, but pedal through the first turn, she lost her chain. Heroically, she tried in vain to stay in the race and get a transfer spot, but it was impossible with her blown transmission. After some stern words to her mechanic, he was able to get her bike dialed in time for the second round. After a shady first round, McKenna hung on to get the last transfer spot and qualify for the day's main event. Coming out of lane 7, and trying to negotiate tight traffic, 6th place was the best she could do. Racing was over, and it was off to get cleaned up, packed up, and shuttled to the airport.

The race weekend was over, and all that was left was the long flight home. With McKenna having to miss two days of school, she needed to do a lot of homework throughout the trip home. Remember kids,"Education First!". Overall the entire race weekend was very successful, very challenging, and very fun. McKenna would like to deeply thank all her family that came out to watch and support her. Also a huge thank you to the Georgia contingent for their shade, hospitality, support and camaraderie. Best of luck to McKenna's new friend, 7yr. old intermediate, Preston Evans, at the ABA Grand Nationals next month.

U.S. Open Nationals - Chula Vista, CA - Sept. 17-19, 2010

Race Report: U.S. Open Nationals, Chula Vista, CA   Sept. 17-19, 2010

This past weekend, the Olympic Training Center was host to an ABA BMX National for the second time this year. Dubbed the U.S. Open Nationals, Friday night under the lights saw the Pre-Race get underway. The eight year old girls category had nearly a full gate of racers and McKenna transferred to the main in her second round. With a great gate, and an awesome pass in the first turn, McKenna was able to hold on for third place and a great start to the weekends racing.

Saturday morning started bright and early with practice, and McKenna was able to get in several fast laps and some good gate starts. She was very excited about the days upcoming races, and felt she was riding the track really well. For Saturdays National Race, there were thirteen  8 yr. old girls racing , creating 2 groups. McKenna's moto had 7 of the girls, and though she raced well, she was unable to get one of the 2 transfer spots. The second round was taking two more to the main, and McKenna was confident she would nab one of the spots. Unfortunately, her Assistant Team Manager (Mom) got confused about the overall number of motos, and failed to get McKenna to her moto on time, missing her opportunity to make the main event. That ended Saturdays racing on a definite down note.

Sunday was a whole new day, and a whole new day of racing. McKenna tried to put yesterday's fiasco behind her and focus on the days job ahead of her. Again 8 year old girls were made up of two groups, McKenna being put into the first of the two motos. She was assigned to lane 1, and got a good start as the gate dropped. She made a great pass in the first turn, and went from 5th position, into 3rd. McKenna was then able to catch and pass another girl to finish second, and transfer to the main event. In the main, McKenna got lane 1 again, and came out looking to make up for Saturday, but it was not to be. Over the second jump, a girl went down in front of her, and Mac had nothing else to do but join her on the deck. After a little while spent untangling riders and bikes, McKenna was able to get rolling again, and crossed the finish line in 7th.

All in all, the weekend didn't pan out the way anyone wanted or expected, but things happen when you "Pin it to Win it". The weather was great, and the competition in McKenna's class was most of the best girls in the country, so it was still a valuable education in racing. McKenna realizes "What doesn't kill me, makes me faster!" Keep it tuned her for all future installments of 'The McKenna Dean Show'.

Great Salt Lake Nationals - South Jordan, UT - July 2-4, 2010

Race Report: Great Salt Lake Nationals, South Jordan, UT   July 2-4, 2010

 

The Great Salt Lake Nationals were held at Rad Canyon BMX track outside of Salt Lake City this past weekend.  McKenna's route  to race this national was a little different from races in the past. Instead of travelling directly there to race Friday night's pre-race, McKenna made her way to Sol Vista Bike Park in Granby, CO (outside of Denver). There she met up with current Downhill World Champion and mountain bike legend, Steve Peat, to do some downhilling. The day was spent doing runs down Moga's Mile and trying to give some pointers to Steve about looking way down the trail and keeping his speed up.

 

 

All good things must come to an end. Steve had to be off to catch a flight, and McKenna had a long drive ahead of her to South Jordan, UT. The race rig was loaded up and we headed out of Granby toward Salt Lake by way of Wyoming.

 

 

Saturday morning found us at Rad Canyon BMX in South Jordan, UT. The day was sunny and warm, with a moderate wind blowing. The track was awesome, with a steepish concrete start hill, and giant asphalt turns. McKenna started practicing and got comfortable with the track. She transferred to her main in the second round, and managed a 4th place in the main. 

 

 

Sunday morning came early, and with no practice, McKenna started day two of the Great Salt Lake National. This day mimicked day one, as she transferred in the second round. The gate dropped in the main, and it was looking like the third spot was hers, until being passed in the last straight, and finishing fourth. 

 

 

McKenna accomplished her primary goal of making her mains both days, and all the traveling surely took its toll on her overall speed and energy. She was satisfied with her results for this weekends work, especially how she rode downhill in Colorado. At the national, McKenna got to meet Mitch Ropelato, the current Four Cross and Jr. Downhill National Champion. He was flying on the track, round after round, and it was a real treat for McKenna to get to watch him. Is he this years future Jr. Downhill World Champ? 

 

 

McKenna's PR and Marketing Dept. would like to apologize about the lack of race reports lately and we hope you enjoyed this latest installment. McKenna would like to thank Steve Peat for riding with her and wish him luck at his National Championships next weekend. She would also like to thank the staff and crew at Sol Vista Bike Park. Matt and the rest of the guys there do an amazing job. She wants to wish Mitch good luck next weekend at the US National Championships, and at Worlds at the end of the year. Lastly, huge thanks to everyone at Rad Canyon BMX for such an class event.

Redline Cup Qualifier - Las Vegas, NV - April 3, 2010

Race Report: Redline Cup Qualifier, Las Vegas, NV, April 3, 2010

 

 

Ed Fountain Park BMX played host to a Redline Cup Qualifier this past weekend. McKenna travelled to Las Vegas eagerly anticipating her first ever Redline Cup. The weather was perfect for racing, and an abundance of out-of -town racers made for an exciting and action packed day of racing. McKenna had a stacked cheering section, with many family members calling Las Vegas their home.  

 

 

After a unexplained, seemingly eternal delay, racing finally got underway. McKenna was in the third moto of a total of 43. As the gate dropped for the first round, McKenna was the youngest girl in her bracket, the rest were all 8 year olds.She was unable to transfer in the first round, and after another extended delay, the second round started. 

 

 

As the gate dropped, McKenna was the last one out of the chute, and she chased the rest of the field down the first straight. It wasn't until the last turn that she caught the girl in front of her, and on the last straight, was able to pull ahead for one of the transfer spots. She was in the main in her first Redline Cup. She raced a strong and safe main event, finishing 3rd. 

 

 

Again, McKenna would like to thank all her sponsors, family, friends, and fans for your ongoing interest and support. Keep it tuned to this station for all the latest news and updates.

 

Remember race fans, #10 in your programs, #1 in your hearts.

 

 

 

 

Winter Nationals - Pheonix, AZ - March 5-7, 2010

Race Report: Winter Nationals, Phoenix, AZ   March 5-7, 2010

The first weekend of March saw McKenna Dean travelling east to Black Mountain BMX in Phoenix, AZ for the 2010 Winter Nationals. McKenna was exciting and welcomed the opportunity of lining up with some of the fastest 7 Girls in the country. Friday evening started things off with the Pre-Race, where McKenna handedly transferred to the main event, and finished 4th in the main.

Saturday morning dawned with blue skies and sunshine, and it would stay that way throughout the day. Racing got underway, and McKenna was able to transfer in her second round. After a long day of motos, 297 in all, McKenna loaded in the gate for her main event. The long day seemed to have taken its toll, as McKenna got a poor start and attempted to chase down the field, only to finish 7th on the line.

Sunday morning was the exact opposite of Saturday's weather. McKenna was greeted by gray clouds, wind, and rain as she made her way to the track. The wet was already affecting the conditions of the track with rider after rider sliding out in the muddy conditions. McKenna was able to make the main in her first and only qualifying moto. All qualifying motos had been shortened to one round due to the poor conditions. It was finally time for her main event, and the goal for the day was just to stay upright and finished. After a good but conservative, McKenna pedaled herself into 6th place.

Overall, McKenna was pleased with her performance on the weekend. Her goal was to make the main each day, and that goal was accomplished. She left Arizona with dirty race clothes, a filthy bike, several trophies, and a lot more experience.  She even got to meet a rising star in BMX, Olympic hopeful Dominique Daniels.

NEWSFLASH: Following up her performance in Arizona, McKenna scored her first vistory as an expert at her home track, Cactus Park BMX on Thursday, March 11th. Way to go Mac!