Rusch Covers Every Step of the Podium

CSBRacing mid-west competed at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in Rockton, Illinois this past weekend. This was one of the best weekends yet. Not only with success on the track but also spreading the good word. Chapel service saw about forty people show up, which goes to show how entrenched we have become in the road racing community.

Although rider Eddie Rusch was not in contention for any championships, he was still hungry to get his first home track win. As Ed was out in first practice, he started to feel problems with his SV650. Fortunately they were minor and Don was able to fix them easily. The first race of the weekend was GT Lights which saw a field of about 12 or so. Eddie got a pretty good start and was right behind the two leaders for about half the race, then lapped traffic allowed the two leaders to open up a few second gap over Rusch. Eddie was very happy with his podium finish and also his personal best lap time at Blackhawk with 1:15.500. ìThat kid is flat out fast. Heís really building a reputation in the paddock as someone to watch.î says team manager Don Elfstrom. Thunderbike did not go as well as the first race did for Eddie. Rusch got a bad start and got held up by a couple slower riders for the first two laps. Unfortunately he was not able to make up the gap to the leaders but he still brought home a solid fifth place finish. As Sunday rolled around Rusch was intent on winning. During second practice Eddie was putting in some very fast lap times, unfortunately he came up on a slower rider and ended up getting his brake lever clipped causing him to lose the front and crash. By the grace of God Eddie was not seriously injured and the bike only needed to have the right rear set replaced. The first race of the day was Lightweight GP; Eddie led from the second lap on and never looked back. He picked up his first Blackhawk win as an expert! Unfortunately during the last race of the day, the motorcycle started experiencing mechanical problems, amazingly Eddie was still able to hold off third place and brought home yet another top three finish by taking 2nd place.

One of the CCS officials stated at the chapel service that he feels more connected to God at the track more than any other time in his every day life. Chapel service was well attended as usual (thanks be to God). God spoke through Don about ìCome as you areî. Donís personal testimonies lead the way as he described how Jesus will take us AS WE ARE NOW! No need to ìbe readyî, or ìget right with God firstî. Just like the prodigal son, God loves us so much that he will celebrate our knowing him and our progress in our spiritual transformation.