A Privateer Journal - Clayton Miller #147

Houston, Texas (January 25, 2006) - A couple things have changed for Clayton Miller in 2006.  First off, his number changed to 147.  The other is that Clayton is now riding for Honda of Houston.  Last, Clayton has entered the Supercross Lites class on the East coast.  Clayton Miller left Texas on his way to California set to race the Supercross Lites class.  By the time he got to Anaheim (Thursday Jan 5th), he was entered into the Supercross class and riding his CR250 2-stroke.  So for the first six weeks of the year as a privateer, what do you do ..... you ask?  You ride the Supercross class on the West coast so you can get track time.
 
Clayton's FMF/JM Racing Honda CR250F was ready but not his CR250.  When given the task, mechanic Charles Marchant put the two smoke together and Clayton went out.  At round 1, Clayton could not make the gate for his heat race and with only two-twelve minute practices, going to the LCQ (Last Chance Qualifier) with the last gate pick was even harder.  Like a true Texan, Clayton didn't go down without a fight and finished 5th in the LCQ.
 
At Round 2, the Amp'd Mobile Supercross Series went to Phoenix, Arizona.  In his heat race, a first turn miscue created an uphill climb as Clayton would come back to finish 12th.  The winner average lap time was 58.8 and Clayton's average was 1:01.3.  So from 1st to 12th there was only 2.5 seconds difference.  When the LCQ gate dropped, it was on.  On lap three, Clayton was up to 5th when he got boxed out and off the track.  When it was said and done he would officially finish 16th.
 
Back on the road to Anaheim for A2 would give new light as Clayton would switch to the CRF450.  With no time on the bike, new FMF exhaust, new suspension and adjustments were all that could be accomplished before Saturday's practice.  When it was time for the Heat race, Clayton would get a decent start but learning has always been part of the game.  In this case, Clayton was learning the track and a new bike.  There seem to be something obvious this time.  While Clayton finished 10th in the Heat, it was the starts that were better.  Come time for his LCQ and Clayton would get his first Holeshot of the year.  Clayton held the spot for only a couple sections but held onto 2nd most of the LCQ.  On the next to last lap, a clean pass was made on Mr. Miller and one spot from qualifying.
 
With three more rounds left before the Supercross Lites East round begins, Clayton will continue to get seat time and sharpen his Supercross skills.  You say you want to make it as a Pro racer.  Remember, you get two-twelve minute practices before your four lap heat race.  If you don't get off the gate, forget it..  If you don't have sponsors, you don't get there at all.

For 2006 Clayton Miller is supported by MILLER ELECTRIC, DUNLOP, SHIFT, JM RACING, HONDA OF HOUSTON, GARY BAILEY MX SCHOOL, SPY, SILKOLENE, FMF RACING, EBC BRAKES, RENTHAL, ALPINESTARS, TSUBAKI, CONCEPT HAULERS, WISECO, ENGINE ICE, VORTEX IGNITIONS, WORKS CONNECTION, SANO SYSTEMS, KICKER AUDIO, OGIO, DC SHOES, ONE INDUSTRIES, PRO CLEAN, MOTION PRO, VFORCE3, CTi2, NGK, UNIVERSAL, DIGITAL RAGE, MOTO-XREPORT.com, CARBONFIBER WORKS, WHITE BROTHERS, EMIG RACING, VP RACE FUELS, HINSON CLUTCH COMPONENTS, www.FREESTONEMX.com, and www.CLAYTONMILLER.com.