By Derek Cassaday
5/6/2007

I just wanted to let you know that it felt good representing the team in the new threads at the innagural Vernon Hills Grand Prix. It was a nice event and a fast course inside this industrial park if you didn't count the 20-25 mph eastern wind.

I rode in the Cat 4 race (35 minutes +1) which ended up being really fast right from the start. That strong polish quad was controling the race. Well, when three guys went off the front, the whole pack chased and caught me off guard...always something to learn at a race. I was dropped and for a moment I felt like taking it easy, but when you pay for a race, you better make it hurt...so thats what I did. I chased the main pack for the majority of the race and continued the pass those who had given up off the back. It stung that I couldn't make up ground back up to the main pack, but instead just maintained my distance from them. It ended up being a good workout and a positive learning experience. I'll be racing up in Milwaukee next weekend and then in Madison on the 20th. I hope I can help you guys out come Memorial weekend.