18 Jun 08 ... I elected to sit out the High Point national in Mt. Morris, PA last weekend because the price of fuel to get there was just too much. We stayed in Texas last week and just got in to Colorado last night. We will be practicing around here and getting our bodies and bikes acclimated to the altitude. The air is so thin here, it is gnarly how much you can feel it when riding and working out. Hopefully this move pays off next weekend and I am a little better prepared than the others. Keep checking back for changes and updates on the site. Thank you to the crew at 488webdesign.com for staying on me to keep these updates coming and doing such a tremendous job with my site !!!
12 Jun 08 ... AMA Toyota Trucks Motocross Nationals - Round 3 @ Freestone MX in Wortham, TX
This weekend was as close to home as they come for me and Outdoor Nationals. I had tons of family and friends there this weekend and high expectations for myself. Unfortunately I just missed the cut for the main motos, but it wasn't for lack of effort. In the first round of qualifying practice I was 37th, 1 tenth of a second off of 35th and a direct ticket to the show. In the second round I was 30th in the "ranked riders" practice and 2.3 seconds a lap faster than every one of the riders in the "non ranked" practice-easily in the show. But with the track being rough, rutted and slower in the second round of qualifying practice, I was forced to ride the consi race Saturday afternoon. I am not even going to go in to how dumb I think it is to take qualifying times from the first session and reward the guys that can hang it out for 1 lap on a smooth as a freeway track, but that's the rules (as of Friday before Freestone) so I have to work on my first session out speed!
The consi was very eventful and I showed that I have the speed and deserve to make everyone of these things. I started like 30th but thanks to a few pileups and some rather aggressive riding on my part I completed lap 1 in 13th. I made short work of 5 guys on the next lap and was in 8th to the line on lap 2. I got around 7th place and was about to get the next guy when he went off the track. He got back on in the next safest place, but unfortunately it was right in front of me. When he entered the track he must have been in neutral or something because he just stopped and I clipped his rear tire and went down. I got up as fast as I could, but had already lost 5 or 6 spots. I put my head down a charged the last 3 laps, but everyone was already so spread out that I only got back up to 9th. I did clock the 3rd fastest time of the race while coming through the pack and never gave up-so I have no regrets, I left it all on the track.
Even though I didn't make the motos, I left there knowing that I am still on the right track and improving by the day. I will miss the next round at High Point, but will jump back in to the series at Lakewood. I can't wait!!!
Currently tied for 33rd in the MX Lites Points standings.
Thank you,
Charles Castloo # 424
4 Jun 08 ... AMA Toyota Trucks Outdoor Nationals - Rounds 1&2
Round # 1 Glen Helen - San Bernardino, CA
No Comment. I had some issues with my 450 class debut and didn't make the main motos. I could go on and on about why I didn't, but I don't want to waste your time listing a bunch of excuses !!!
Round # 2 Hangtown - Sacramento, CA
I switched back down to the Lites class this weekend it turned out good. I made the motos straight out of my Saturday timed qualifying practice and it felt great going to bed that night knowing I was getting to race the National motos the next day!!! Gate pick qualifying didn't go too well, my bike was making a funny noise and I just couldn't seem to get going fast enough to qualify better than 33rd. I checked everything that I could before the race started, but couldn't find anything wrong (you can only check so deep in the motor between practice and racing when you have to get ready to race also). In the first moto I figured out that the noise was something serious when it locked up half way through the first lap, leaving me with a lot of work to do to make it back to the start for moto 2 and a 39th in the first moto-apparently somebody made it less than half a lap. Moto # 2 on my practice motor went okay, I had some issues but all in all it was a decent race. I started 28th and finished 26th. I made some mistakes early and slowed down way too much for the leaders when I was getting lapped, so I lost contact with the group of guys I was battling with. I learned a little and feel really good about going back to my home state for Freestone next weekend. Hopefully I can build on this and keep putting my # 424 Chaparral/Team Green/EBR Performance KXF 250 in the mains!!!!
Results:
39-26-30th overall
Currently tied for 28th in Lites MX Points
May 23 2008
Yesterday was my birthday, by the way !!!
Sorry for the lack of updates lately, but its crunch time and I haven't had much time to sit down and write something up. It is 5:00 Friday evening and I am finally finished with all my bike prep, loading, unloading (dumping the RV) and packing duties for the opening round of the AMA Toyota Trucks Outdoor Nationals. Glen Helen is a short 30 minute drive from the Bash's house, so I will just head up there in the morning. It is almost time for all the sweat, practice and preparation that I have put in the last couple months to shine. I have had some minor set backs and slacked off a couple times when I probably shouldn't have, but the bottom line is that I know I have put in the work necessary for me to reach my goals. I feel good about myself and think that I have spent my time wisely on and off track throughout the weeks leading up to this weekend. When that 30 second board goes up it's the moment of truth and there is no more BS'ing yourself-ready or not. This will be my debut AMA Pro race on the 450 and I kind of like the new/unknown feeling that I have. It is a new challenge for me and hopefully it puts some extra spark under me tomorrow. Wish me luck !!!
April 30, 2008 Race Update
This weekend I raced, or attempted to race, REM at Glen Helen. I fell in the first corner, got up and was moving up really good before I had a huge get-off. I am alright, but hit my head pretty good so I am taking a week off from riding. My headache is just about gone (lasted a solid 3 days) and I feel alright while working out, so I think I should be good to ride by Monday or something. I definitely had some issues this weekend, but still felt good about what little racing I got to do. Just a minor set-back that shouldn't have any impact on my outdoor season. Glen Helen is less than 1 month away and I can't wait !!! Thanks for stopping by and checking out my site - I will keep the updates coming!
April 21, 2008 Race Update
This weekend I raced the 21st Annual MTA World 4-Stroke Championships at Glen Helen. There was a big turnout of pros with a good amount of top national numbered guys. With Glen Helen being the first round of the Outdoors this season, this was treated like the "Prequel" warm up race that they have had the past few years. The motos were long, the track was rough and it was a really good tune up for the upcoming national.
I ended up with 9th overall in both the 250F and Open Pro classes. I learned some things that I need to work on over the next month, but at the same time saw some big improvements in some areas that I have been working hard on since my horrendous SX season. All in all it was a good weekend and I am really happy with the way I rode in 3 out of the 4 motos. Things are on the up swing and my confidence is building by the day. I am going to continue to find races to hit and keep working on my weaknesses between now and the May 24th Glen Helen National.
April 14, 2008 Update
The month of April has brought a lot of publicity for me, for some reason. I am not complaining though as it is good for me and all of my loyal sponsors. I got my first magazine cover and feature interview in the 2nd 2008 issue of Holeshot magazine. This is a very popular Texas regional magazine that covers and is distributed in all of its bordering states. I also got some publicity in the April 2008 Motocross Action magazine (Tim Ferry on the cover). On page 172 there is a full page story split between fellow Wonder Warthog racer Ramon Guzman and I. Its a cool article, even though some of the facts are a little off. They got almost all of my sponsors right, except SDG seats-it got misprinted as STG, sorry guys! Another first time for me is sharing the cover of the 2008 Panolin Oil catalog with a few other sponsored riders. This is my first year with the company and I have nothing but positive things to say about the way they run things as well as their products. You can also find me on the back cover of the 2008 Pro Wheel Racing catalog. I have been running their products for a few years now and things just keep getting bigger and better over there. I'm really pumped that they think highly enough of me to add me in their catalog. The only catalog that I had a heads up of being in was the 2008 DeCal Works one that I saw for the first time at the Houston SX. On one of the back picture pages there is a good shot of my MDK/WWR/Chaparral KXF 250, me trying to model a sweet new DeCal Works sweatshirt and a picture of my Leatt Brace & MSR chest protector hanging on my bike. Take a look at the attached files to see all of the above pictures.
All I have been doing lately is riding and racing as much as possible to get ready for the Glen Helen National. I will be racing the 4 Stroke National next weekend, April 19-20 out at Glen Helen and will probably be hitting a few more REM races out there between now and May 24th.
* Holeshot Magazine - Issue #2, 2008. Available at Texas and regional motorcycle shops or by subscription at www.holeshotmag.com .
*
Motocross Action - April 2008 with Time Ferry on
the cover. Page # 172. Available nationwide or by
subscription.
I have attached files for each one of these for you guys to view in case you missed them or do not get them. Copies are available upon request.
March 24, 2008 Update
Things have finally got
somewhat back to normal after Elizabeth's crash at the
Lake Whitney season opener. We are back in California
and I am feeling good as the first round of the outdoor
nationals is coming quick! I did a race at Buffalo
Creek in Texas that had a $5000 pro purse while
Elizabeth was in the hospital there. The track was
really good and the racing was awesome. There was a
good group of pros and each moto was 30 min. + 2 laps.
4 of those, plus a few morning practices was gnarly for
1 day. I felt decent even though I sat in a hospital
for 2 weeks straight before the race. I ended up going
9-5 on the 250F and 6-4 on the 450. I crashed in a
couple of the motos, but ran up in the top 5 all day. I
am not sure of my overalls and they paid by moto, so who
cares. This past Saturday I did my first REM race
(every Sat on a track in the back) at Glen Helen.
Again, there was a strong group of pros there preparing
for the Outdoors, so it was good racing. The track
gets super rough and they were doing 20 min.+ 2 lap
motos for us. I ended up 2nd overall on the 250F and
went 2-DNF(bike broke) in the Open Expert on my 450. I
got better and better as the day went on and left
feeling really good about the way I'm riding right now.
Things seem to be turning around and headed where I want
them. I am going to try and race as much as possible
between now and Glen Helen because I think its good for
me to line up and ride in race situations. I will keep
the updates coming and lets hope they continue to be
positive !!!! Counting down the days till' Glen
Helen....
February 28, 2008 - West Coast SX Lites
The West Coast SX Lites series is on break while the series heads East. I have not been getting results anywhere near my goals or expectations thus far in the 08' SX season and I really do not know why! I have spent lots of time searching for the answers, but have decided to just put my head down and do what I know works for me. I will eventually stumble across the reason for my lackluster results while re-working every aspect of my racing program. Bryan with Long Shot racing has been working hard with me on my mental game and thanks to Power Start and their Victory Lap timer I can really monitor my progress on the track. I am really excited to put the SX season (minus Seattle) behind me and get outdoors! The change of pace and scenery will be good for me. I have some big goals for myself in outdoors this year and all the pieces to the puzzle should be coming together for me by then. I started riding outdoors a week ago and felt really good, right off the bat. I honestly can't wait for Glen Helen already !
Jan 5, 2008 - Monster Energy West Coast Supercross Lites Round 1 at Anaheim Stadium
As most of you know, the opener of the Supercross series this year was a MUDDER! The rain held off all day Saturday, but the rain from the night before was enough to ruin the track. I was feeling good and staying optimistic because I tend to do well in the mud. After track walk I thought it wasn't going to be too bad and lined up for practice/qualifying group A with my race bike. It was 10 times worse than I thought and absolute worst case conditions in my opinion. It was super slippery, but just good enough for everyone to have to go for 90% of the obstacles-very sketchy. My new year's resolution was to be more positive-so enough with the negetivity. I missed the night program (by 4 spots and less than 1 second) for the first time in my short Supercross career. I am not dwelling on it and will go in to Phoenix with something to prove. The circumstances weren't normal at Anaheim 1 and I plan on showing what I got this weekend. Stay tuned for a better, more in depth update after round 2!!!
Results: 44th in timed qualifying-DNQ for Night Program
Jan 2, 2007 Privateer Power: Charles Castloo
Check out the feature on me and my new race bike for the 08' season on www.vitalmx.com There is a small story and a picture gallery with captions of the bike and me riding it. Go check it out.....
Dec 28, 2007 Wonder Warthog Racing "Hog Haven"
I just locked in a deal with the Wonder Warthog Racing "Hog Haven" team again for the West Coast Lites Supercross Series. This allows me some of the perks of a satellite team rider, but the freedom to stick with all my loyal sponsors. Things should be good and I can't wait for A1, I wish it was tomorrow!!! I would really like to thank all the people that have stepped up for me this year, take the time to check out my Sponsor page and go scope out some of the links !
Nov 21-25, 2007 - USA Team Championships at Cycle Ranch MX in Floresville, TX
The week started off a little slow, but I felt better and better every single time that I went out. Its a good thing that I did the "A" classes earlier in the week with the amateur races to work out the bugs. By the time Sunday came around I was ready to go and knew what I could do.
125 A - The first moto I got off to a top 5 start, but immediately got stuck in a little pile-up and went to next to last (the guy that started it was last). I got going quickly only to get stuck behind a rider that stalled his bike in a tight corner a lap later. I worked my way passed half the class despite a bad case of arm pump before halfway even came out. I ended the moto in 10th and not very happy. Moto # 2 was Saturday. It started off a little better and I came around 4th the first lap. It was a pretty uneventful moto as I finished 4th and was never really close enough to make a pass on 3rd or get passed by 5th. It was a step in the right direction though and gave me a 7th overall with 10-4 moto scores.
250 A - In Moto # 1 I started 5th but quickly got in to 4th. The 3rd place guy went down on the 3rd lap bumping me up a spot for a couple laps. Again I had a little arm pump issue and had to back it down the last lap and a half. That allowed 1 rider to get by me-putting me back to 4th for the moto. In the 2nd moto on Saturday I started 5th and moved in to 4th on the first lap again. I locked on to 3rd this time and was able to pressure him for a few laps. With the arm pump thing now behind me I pushed the whole moto and made the pass for 3rd with a couple laps to go. I pulled out a good lead, but was still a little mad that 1st and 2nd left me so bad. I knew I needed to get up there earlier if I wanted to finish any better.
Open Pro - Sunday brought out a few more riders that were just coming in for the big Pro/Am race on Sunday with the $8000 pro purse. It also brought a lot of rain and muddy conditions to add to the already freezing cold weather. Only a couple guys elected to practice Sunday morning and most of us just went straight to the line for moto # 1. The cement starting pad had standing water in every gate, it was interesting to see how everyone went after trying to dry them up-while it was still drizzling a little. I didn't even touch mine, just rolled up, jumped my Dunlop a few times, set back and let er' rip. I almost had the holeshot, but I faded out in to the deep stuff a little too much. I came out 2nd and ran there for the whole 20 minutes, just not the + 1 lap part ! That plus 1 lap cost me a bunch !!! I went off the track but I saved it and made my way back on only losing 1 spot. Then I crashed half a lap later costing me another position. To make matters worse someone ran my bike over breaking a radiator, bending my pipe and subframe. All of this in 1 lap and 3 or 4 corners. Luckily my bike started up first kick after 20 minutes of mud riding and I was close enough to finish with a badly leaking radiator. I finished up 4th in the moto and went straight over to the Kawasaki support truck to buy a radiator (thanks Matt for staying there through the bad weather). I bent back the subframe with a huge wrench and stuck a 250f silencer on for the 2nd moto. Moto # 2 started off just about like the first, but this time I was 3rd. I was working on 2nd for 4 or 5 laps before I decided that I was getting caked in mud and was going to run out of roll-offs if I didn't watch it. By that time I realized that 1st had checked out and the guy in 2nd had a bad 1st moto. After some quick math in my head I knew I could get 2nd overall if I stayed where I was. I backed it down a notch and cruised to a safe 3rd in the moto and 2nd overall.
The conditions were extremely tough with the wet AND cold. It was worth it though and I feel that I progressed a lot though out the week and left there faster than when I came. You can't ask for much more that that. Now it is Supercross time. Only a little over 5 weeks until Anaheim 1...............I can't wait !!!
Overall Results:
125 A/Exp - 7th
250 A/Exp - 3rd
Open Pro (main race for the event) - 2nd
I will try to find some pictures from the event and get them up on my website soon!!!
Next race up will be the USA Team Championships Thanksgiving week at Cycle Ranch in Floresville, TX.
10/21 - US Dealers Challenge at 3 Palms-Conroe, TX
125 Pro 4th/250 Pro
6th
This is a fun event every year and is one of the closest tracks to my
parents house in
Texas. I got back to a little bit more of a normal practice
schedule and was feeling really good going in to the weekend. I had a
little bmx crash (thanks V-mac and Pimp C) the day before the race and
knocked my head a little, but it turned out alright. I again suffered
from mediocre starts and my finishes showed it. I am not sure what was
up with my starts, but I just wasn't getting it done. I felt really
good on the 250f, but I am still trying to get dialed in on the 450. I
haven't ever really been much of a 450 guy, but I don't get to spend
much time on them. I will work on it though. Hopefully I can spend
enough time on the big bike to gain some confidence and it will
translate in to some better results on that bike.
10/13 - Texas Pro Challenge at Swan MX-Tyler, TX
125
Pro 6th/250 Pro 13th
The Pro Challenge went okay this year. This was the first race on my
Kawasakis and also the first race back from my leg injury at Freestone.
I had not been riding very much prior and did not have any expectations
going in. At the end of the day though, I was happy with the my
riding-just not my starts or finishes.
8.14.07 Charles Castloo # 424 Race Update
AMA Toyota Trucks Motocross Nationals Rounds 7-9 (Rounds 5-7 for me) Round 7 Thunder Valley MX - Lakewood, CO
The track at Lakewood was one of the best prepared and organized events we have been to this year. I felt good in practice and was confident in my speed to put me in the show, but an unfortunate mechanical failure put a slow on my qualifying hopes. The bike started cutting out upon impact in the first practice session, so we checked the obvious things and went back out for the 2nd session with some different jetting specs. It continued, eventually completely quiting and losing all spark. Aside from the issues I still ended up 42nd, some 2 tenths of a second off the final qualifying spot. My mechanic/brother trouble shooted until the consolation race took off with out us. We finally found that one of the ignition wires got disconnected from one of the plugs and was losing connection on impacts until it finally pulled all the way out-causing the motor to lose all fire. We had gone through precautions when building the bike to prevent a problem like this, but stuff happens and I believe it kept me out of the motos this week.
Round 8 Washougal MX - Washougal, WA
I do not have much to say about Washougal. I felt like I rode great, the bike worked well and the track was pretty fun but some how I ended up way off the pace and didn't make
the mains. I didn't turn things around for the consi and ended up finishing 6th place.
Round 9 Spring Creek MX - Millville, MN
Before Millville I finally got to return to a normal practice schedule. My practice bikes have been broken for a little over a month now and thanks to some down time at Lorettas the guys at EBR were able to get all of my stuff fixed up and ready to thrash in practice. I have raced at Spring Creek more than any of the other National tracks on the circuit (amateur day 3 times and national day once), so I always have a little more confidence going in to the Millville race. Weather caused the AMA to change up the schedule and go with only 1 20 minute qualifying/practice session on Saturday with the top 10 guys not having to participate as they were seeded to the main for some reason !? That's a hole other issue. Anyway, the track was quite sloppy but got better with every lap-unfortunately I was in the first session out on the track. I ended up 6th in my practice and that put me in the mains on Sunday with a little room to spare-FINALLY. If anyone has seen me lately, I shaved the beard last night (I had a little bet with my self and it involved not shaving until I made the motos again).
Sunday morning I kind of blew the gate pick qualifying and ended up with 38th pick at the gate. I got less than stellar starts both motos from way outside but came around 32nd on the first lap in both times. I only got a couple laps in before I had a huge get off that involved hitting one of the track crew workers, I did find out later from Doc Bodner that he was fine, just a little sore. But by the time I got going with my bent up bike I was way back and could only muster up a 30th-2 laps down. I felt good in the 2nd moto, I just took a little too long making passes early on in the race and only worked my way up to 27th. I worked my butt off for that 27th-it seemed like nobody was slowing down or giving up. I feel good about the race and it is something to build off of. Can't wait for Steel City !!!
This weekend I will be doing a local race in New York that has a little pro purse, I will try and remember to put the results in my next update.
7.18.07 Charles Castloo # 424 Race Update
AMA Toyota Trucks Motocross Nationals Round 6 (Round 4 for me) Unadilla Valley Raceway New Berlin, NY
Unfortunately I do not have much good news from this past weekend. I came in with high expectations after last years results at Unadilla, but I was left watching the main events on Sunday afternoon.
Charles Castloo # 424 Race Update
AMA Toyota Trucks Motocross Nationals Rounds 3 & 4
Southwick, MA & Budds Creek, MD
Unfortunately I had to skip round 2 of the AMA Nationals at Mt. Morris
this year and pick up the series June 9-10 at the 3rd round in
Southwick, Maryland. Southwick is the site of the first AMA Professional
main event I ever made. Needless to say, I was excited to get back there
and get my season headed in the right direction.
June 9-10 Round 3 at Southwick, MA:
The weekend was not looking too good as I found out a couple days before
that I would not have my race motor in time for the Southwick National
and I was forced to ship my practice motor out there for the race. $233
for two day shipping and the motor arrived there Friday afternoon in
time for my mechanic/brother to put in a new top-end and clutch. We had
some issues with the engine and some parts being a little worn out-it is
my 8 month old practice bike, what can you expect! We got it taken care
of and patched together in time to get to bed at a decent hour Friday
night. Saturday practice started off well and I was feeling decent on
the track. I made some good changes to the bike, thanks to the
over-the-phone help of Josh at EBR Performance. I set a solid top-40
time on the last lap of the first session and at a 2:03 flat it held up
threw the remainder of the Lites practice sessions to put me in the Main
Motos. Sunday morning qualifying for gate pick went okay
and I was 33rd with a 2:04.3, a little over 2 seconds off the 20th place
time. That was a little more than I would have liked, but I was happy to
be in the motos with a shot at some points. MOTO 1 - Started off slow
with a bad start and a crash on the opening lap. Another rider's front
wheel got locked on to my footpeg and it took us forever to get them
apart. I rounded the first lap in 39th spot, but once I got going I felt
pretty good and caught the back pack of riders fairly fast. I made my
way up to 26th on the 15th lap, before I took another sand sample. It
took me a while to get my bike re-fired forcing me to lose 3 positions
and another lap to the leaders-leaving me with a 29th in my opening moto
of the year. MOTO 2 - I was fired up and ready to come out swinging. I
got another not so good start and came around 31st on the first lap. I
sprinted really hard at the beginning and felt good making my way up to
25th by the 5th lap. As the race started settling,
I made some really dumb mistakes and lost a few positions along with the
momentum I had moving forward. I fell off the pace the second half of
the moto as I was getting lapped and I am not too happy about it. I
ended the 30 minute + 2 lap moto in 27th place, 2 spots better than the
first moto, but I was honestly more happy with the 1st moto ride.
Conditioning shouldn't be a problem for me as I put in some serious work
in the months prior to Hangtown, but I just had a mental block late in
the moto that caused me to drop off the pace-I think it was just the 1st
main of the year excitement. That should be all behind me now and I can
go after some points in the next few races.
29-27-31st overall
Currently 47th in the AMA Lites National Points
June 16-17 Round 4 at Budds Creek, MD:
This weekend was a weekend I would rather forget and I do not have much
to say about it. I had a mechanical failure a lap in to the first
practice/qualifying session causing me to miss the whole session. I knew
that times typically get slower in the second practice and it would be
hard to get a good time in, especially when I still had to learn the
track! I studied the times and came out with a plan in my practice, I
put down a lot of hard laps at the beginning while learning from the
riders I took off with. A little passed halfway I got a pit board with
the name of a rider with top 5 times. I pulled off before the finish and
hopped in behind him to try and learn. The last laps were my fastest,
they just weren't fast enough and I was forced to ride the Consolation
race. The Consi was rather uneventful as I got a mediocre start and
never made anything happen. My lap times were very consistent and I felt
fine after the 20 min. plus 2 laps, unfortunately my laps just
weren't fast enough and my start wasn't good enough to put me in the top
2. Not the way I planned on this weekend going, but you got to take the
good with the bad and I will be ready come Unadilla July 14-15th.
DNQ
Currently 47th in the AMA Lites National Points
Thank you all for the support and sorry for the lack of good news in my
latest race updates.
