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Springfield

I knew what I was getting into when I started dating Mister. A life of racing. Moto. Road. Flat track. Enduro. Harescramble. Late nights in the garage working on bikes. Early mornings traveling. Hot humid nights sleeping in tents. Long days baking in the sun. It was a life fit for a king, if you ask me. 
Springfield is the pinnacle of flat track motorcycle racing. It is known as the "Fastest Mile on Earth". Every Memorial Day and every Labor Day, the grandstands fill with moto enthusiasts and the track fills with the best racers in the World. From the time that we started dating in 2004, Mister and I (and usually a couple of friends) went to the Springfield Mile, twice a year. It was about 5 years ago that the streak ended. And somehow we never made our way back. Until this Labor Day weekend...
This was a perfect opportunity to take Big Red on an actual camping trip. So we loaded her up with the bare necessities and headed West. Sticking with the current lifestyle, we made a quick stop at Kickapoo for a little mountain biking. An hour of riding before a day of drinking and bad food choices is exactly what we needed!
Heading West!

We made it to Springfield shortly after two and stopped at the local grocery store to grab the basics. Beer, water, chips. Schnucks has always been the first stop on Springfield weekends. Back in the day we would grab a couple cans of soup to cook on our homemade penny stove and a case of cheap beer. Oh how things have changed. I couldn't imagine drinking a case of beer between the two of us anymore. Especially in the 100 degree heat index! This trip was a case of water instead, and a 12 pack of beer. We set up camp and made our way to the short track for some close racing action.  
Set up, enjoying a beer!

Saturday night short track

One of the best things about Springfield is the people. After going twice a year for many years, you start to make "Springfield" friends. I have more than one contact in my phone that starts with "Springfield." There was always the couple who rode Harley's from Indianapolis. She rode a bright yellow bike and was part of the Motor Maids. There is "Old Man Larry" who lives down south on the Ohio River. You have Springfield Rick from Minnesota who argues with me every chance he can that Henry is the worst. We met under a pop up tent during a torrential downpour one year at the short track. Even after missing 5 years, it was the same people. And that is a feeling that I can only describe as "home." We finally made our way back home. 
Saturday night after the race was a little different than years past. I was in bed by 11, pretty much sober. Springfield was always a "stay up all night partying" trip, but with the years flying by, my body doesn't do partying.. Sunday mornings were always terrible. The hangover at Springfield was always one for the record books. This year, we were up and looking for breakfast by 0730, feeling pretty good! 
After breakfast we made our way over to the mile track. The pits were open at noon for spectators. Of course, being away for so long, we had to make our way through the pits and get autographs from our favorite racers. The first stop is always Henry. We have been friends with Henry for many many years. He is my favorite flat tracker and one of my favorite guys in general. It is tradition to get a photo..
Henry!
We also came across JD Beach and Hayden Gillim in the pits, and I snagged a photo with them. Next to Henry, JD and Hayden are two of my favorites. 
JD Beach

Hayden Gillim

After a couple of years away, I would say that this Springfield trip was a success. We saw people that we hadn't seen in many years. We saw some really great racing! I got an updated Henry picture. I met JD Beach. We broke in Big Red. We were at the 100th Running of the Springfield Mile. And I can't wait to go back next year! 

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