Here’s a submission from the newest Texas Outlaw, Chris Doan. Known on the ‘Fish as GorillaBiscuits, Chris went on down to race slalom and to report on the Texas Outlaws’ Cold Fusion Sizzler for Silverfish Longboarding. He uncovered several conspiracies, a plot and more…but this is about the racing! Here’s GB’s report:

The Texas Outlaws put on a killer weekend of racing! On February 25th & 26th, racers of all ages came from coast to coast to race in the South. With over 50 skaters registered to race, including big names like Eddie Martinez, Gumby, Wes Tucker, Greg Fadell, Claude Regnier, Todd Oles, Richy Carrasco and Chris Chaput, it promised to be fast, competitive racing. I was actually sorta nervous about coming down to race with these guys, but my apprehension proved misplaced. The Outlaws put on a great event, and I’m only sorry you all couldn’t have come on down!

On Saturday, we ran the GS course, which was single-lane, jam style racing. The course was set up on a rainy morning in front of the Chief of Police’s house. Seriously! He came out and watched us –a really cool guy! Morning rains was delayed our start byu a while but, once the rain stopped, the leaf blowers and fans were started immediately to get the course dry. Once it was dry, the course was laid out and things were ready to practice.

Unfortunately, we had an injury during practice: one of the organizers of the race, Bosco from the Texas Outlaws, took a fall and blew out his knee during practice. It was bad enough that he had to be taken to the hospital, and we had some fun by putting down a chalk outline of a body where he fell. Bosco came back later, after getting fixed up, but it is sad that he was not able to race with us. The race continued as the sun was trying to make its way out. Everybody got two runs minimum and then we just raced it until the sun went down.

Chris Chaput showed everyone how his six-wheeler worked on the course, by ripping a real fast first run. In between heats, Chaput let anyone that wanted to ride the six-wheeler, and opinions seemed to vary from “Wow!” to, “Ho Hum”. After a few rounds, Chaput’s fast time was still at the top of the list, but then Richy Carrasco tore down the course and moved into First Place! He was so fast, and pumped so hard, we thought Chaput was baked. Chris might have thought so, too, because he let it all hang out in his last run, really charging it! When it was all over, we looked to the timing officials, and Chaput took the day, by tenths of a second!

The next day was the Hybrid Slalom course. I arrived around 8:30 am while the ramps and cones were being set up. The weather was sunny and a little chilly, but it warmed up once the sun was up all the way. The racers slowly started rolling in as everything was getting set up. Once the course was set, the racers began practicing. The new racers were trying out different set ups that others were lending. The Delco Center was right off of the highway and we got some curious visitors that came by to watch the event. Everyone hung out and fine-tuned their set ups for the course. The injured, but smiling, Bosco was there to be the announcer.

After a lengthy practice session, we began qualifying. There were only three classes, A, B, and C. They started off with the C class race. Texas Outlaw Eddy Martinez took first in the C class. Joe Iocarelli won the B class on his FatBoy (someone say “pie”?) with Ricky Byrd coming in 2nd. The A class came down to The Brown Bomber and Chaput again! We could feel the intensity as the two battled it out for first place, ripping the course and laughing in between runs. Chaput was fast, but Carrasco was having none of that and wrenched out a screaming run that nobody could beat. Richy came out on top with his Axe, also scoring a First Place Overall for the event.

After the race was Gumby’s $100 challenge: who would beat him down the course skating switch? Some people tried, but then the award ceremony was to begin. Thanks to all the sponsers that made this event happen for everyone and thanks to all that came from all over the nation to race in Tejas!