Have you ever met a famous person? Well, I have, in the past few years I have met hundreds of famous motorcycle racers, and ever since that first time, I’ve been so "giddy" (as my Dad likes to say) whenever I see or talk to one.
The Women’s Motocross Association put on their first annual Motobowl fundraiser last week. It’s a chance for people to bid for a spot on a team of one or two professional motocross racers, and bowl with them for a few hours. I thought, okay, great cause, and plus I’d get to bowl with a professional racer. I ended up bidding $100 for a spot on Davi Millsaps and Ricky Johnson’s team. I was nervous for the entire week before the event even took place; the guys that I idolize were now going to be my bowling buddies. WOW, I think I am the luckiest girl in the world! I couldn’t sleep or think at all about anything else. Finally, the day came, and once school was done, I headed to Anaheim for the well-anticipated event.
The moment we pulled up, there was Matt Walker on his cell phone waving at each car that came in. My Dad had to tell me to calm down, because he knew I was about to be surrounded by these professionals, and he didn’t want them thinking that I had never seen a dirt bike rider before. We parked the car and walked towards the check in area, where we were standing face to face with Ricky Johnson. I was completely in awe. I couldn’t believe that I was about to spend an evening with so many of my hero’s.
At 6 o’clock the lanes opened up for practice. Davi Millsaps hadn’t showed up yet so it was just RJ and me practicing. Ricky brought his neighbor, Kristen, who was also excited about meeting Davi. So I had company waiting for him. The aniticipation was killing both of us. Around 6:45 I started to think that Davi wasn’t going to show up, but to my surprise there he was standing two lanes down talking to another racer. Ricky took me over and introduced me to Davi. All the time I was thinking to myself –Please don’t pass out--. Right on time, at 7:00pm we started bowling. The order was as follows: RJ, Davi Millsaps, Kendra(ME), Kathy, Eddy, and Bob (the other successful bidders on our team). Ricky bowled a 110, Davi got a 116, and me? I only got a 94. The evening was full of fun, laughter and excitement. It was one of the greatest days of my life.
The thing that will be forever branded in my memory is a little 2 minute conversation that Greg Albertyn had will the young Millsaps about keeping his faith. Davi recently stated in an interview that he had given his life to Christ, which coincidentally was the reason I became a fan of his in the first place. I amazed to see this retired motocross racer teaching the up and coming Davi about how staying faithful in his relationship with God was the most important thing he could do if he wants to have a great career and life. Albee said it’s not about religion but about one’s relationship with God. That Albee is one smart man if you ask me. After they were finished talking I waited to speak to Greg. I wanted to thank him for talking to Davi. I told him how much I appriciated what he had just said. He was curious as to why, and wondered if I was a good friend of Davi. To put it simply, I answered by telling him that I was a fellow Christian who wanted to witness and help encourage Davi in his walk with Christ.
Now that I think about it, everyone needs some kind of a hero or someone to look up to, whether it’s a fictitious Superman or a real living-breathing human. For me, one of my heroes is Davi, he is such an amazing racer and he always gives a 100%. I think it’s so great that I can have a hero who I can not only look up to on earth, but also live eternally with in Heaven.
Well, to conclude my evening, I did the one thing I’m best at, bugging the racers. I ran around taking pictures with all of them, and thanking them for a great evening. I will never forget that night, and it will go down in history as one of the best nights ever!
Stay tune for more photo's and news from: Motobowl and Glen Helen! Also keep checking back for some posts I'm working on about Davi Millsaps, David Pingree, and how Mike Alessi will pan out in '05, plus lots, lots more.
