One week ago the Willamette Valley in Oregon was under heavy rain and the creeks were rising and threatening to take out this weekends GP and XC at Shedd. By mid week the weather had turned and sufficiently dried out the parking area, but many of the creek crossings had been floated away and most of the course in the dense trees was still a slimely mix of clay and wet leaves. Adjustments were made and after a short delay the racing was on. Troffer on the 165, Mark and Nelson on TXC310Rs saddled up to do battle at 11 am just as the sun broke through the fog and turned conditions from iffy to sublime. Troffer picked up a giant nail early and was taken out, but the 50 Expert duo continued to rack up strong laps. David Winters on his ancient KTM250 once again got the holeshot on the 50Ex field, with Mark hanging a short distance back for the first few laps. At the halfway point Mark made a pass and made it stick, then stretched the lead all the way home. Afterward we made the short trek to BMP in Salem to celebrate the event and GP Series Championship with Bill and the gang..... Back to back to back OMRA 50 Expert GP champion Mark Johnson with sponsor BillF of BMP. With 8 of 10 races in the series complete, Mark wraps it up again. And Nelson once again soldiered in 3rd, maintaining his 3rd place position in the GP series. Looks like 2 of 3 guys on the 50 Ex podium at the OMRA awards banquet will be Husqvarna mounted this year. Thanks to Bills Motorcycles Plus, Watson Suspension, Husqvarna and our friends at Zip-Ty,Motosportz, FMF and Battery Stuff.com
