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Tales From The Road with Jason Mitchell & Greg Fadell:
April 30, 2010
Just back from an Epic skate adventure with fellow PPS Racing team rider Greg "Hell" Fadell which included Unreal skating locations like: Louisville, CO., Flagstaff, AZ., Dana Point, CA, Sector 9 bowl, Ca., Venice beach, Ca., and San Louis Opispo, Ca. From the very get go after picking up the Hellion from DIA arriving from the Motor city, it seemed that we would be destined for a good one - to keep on skating - and not look back. Coincidental hook- ups led to surprise bowl jams, and we found good skating and great friends at every turn.
Following our instinct, we planned our trip so as to skate every kind of terrain known to man. Fully equipped with an arsenal of PPS Racing and Shralping Machines we found ourselves ready for the challenge and committed ourselves to destroy everything in site. And so we did: Bowl jams, street shralping, surf, hills, sun, hairpins, skateparks, meeting up with friends, family, and colleges all culminating with one of the best race venues on the planet. The Jonny Miller "Two days of Turri" skateboard racing extravaganza in San Louis Obispo, Ca. I cannot say enough good things about BLR's Jonny Miller and the efforts he goes to run this great race on his own b-day. Most skaters would probably treat themselves to some good skating on their Birthday, but Jonny Miller treats his bros, Thanks pal!
Miller - Fadell - Mitchell
Fresh from almost a week on the road skating, and lucky enough to ride and meet up with legends like, "Khiro" Bob, "The Gnar" Dave Hackett, "Chicken" Barret Deck, EG, " Dudebro" Jeff Budro, and many young rippers. Hell and I sensed that it was time to head North to San Louis and prepare ourselves to do battle on Turri road. Knowing that we would face off against a lineup of the words fastest most badass skateboarders, upon arrival we began by preparing ourselves with good food and warm up sessions at the Toyland Ranch bowl. Locals Mike Kresky of Team Effigy, Vasser, and Jonny Miller showed us the lines.
The race weekend had begun as the energy and excitement could be felt all over camp toyland that Friday night. In the later hours of the night guitar jams and the noisy chatter of catching up with pals around the camp fire filled the air and it seemed to help calm nerves and ease the spirits for us all. Skateboarding warriors were preparing to do battle in their dreams.
Saturday came and so did the wind. Variable head wind most of the day, then turning to slight variable tail at the end of the day. Luckily no rain - yet. All in all it was stacking up to be a great day for racing. The racing was very competitive as it always is, However, as it is with timed runs, some would get favorable conditions while others would not - this is racing.
Yours truly "X" found a good balance of board and line (thanks jonny) and with favorable conditions, jumped out to an early victory taking the Timed Downhill event on my PPS ATX + X-tensions. Close behind was Jonny Miller in second then Kyle Wester in third.
The Super G was long and drawn out and had riders playing with styles and setups, slalom or DH was the question? Legendary racer Jaime Hart proved that it would be his perfect line, awesome style and PPS Racing Machine that would own this course. Close behind in second was John Stryker then Yours truly "X" holding on for third.
Sunday's events were held on the opposite shorter side of Turri which included the "Hairpin of Death". With a roaring tail wind going into the hairpin it was looking like today would be the day that would test all riders and equipment. The days events would include; GS, Fastest through the Hairpin, then group DH on the opposite side.
Greg "Hell" Fadell charged the course as if their was no tailwind at all and dominated the GS from start to finish taking First place - his comment " I didn't worry about the hairpin". That Hairpin would prove to stuff people all day with more carnage than you can shake a stick at. Close behind was young tactis ripper Kieth Henderson in second and hanging on for third and riding a three wheeled board through the finish line after breaking an axle was yours truly "X".
Next would be the fastest timed run through the Hairpin. While most were checking their speed to maintain control for exit speed, it was Kyle Wester who would charge in a full tuck and nail the hairpin giving him a well deserved First place. Mike Maysey taking second and David Quezada taking third rounded out the podium.
The final event would be the group DH on the long side with a roaring head wind and impending rain. Many riders opted to just head back to the Ranch, But for the die hards it was still on. Kyle Wester again took 1st place honors. Close behind to round out the finals was Nick Ronzani 2nd, Key Dougherty 3rd and local favorite and MTV rock star Jonny Miller. Then came the rain.
All in all PPS racing took 3 out of 5 races and continues to dominate the podium everywhere they go!
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