Jake Maddox - Motocross Double-Cross

Jake Maddox Books are published by Stone Arch Books,
A Capstone Imprint
1710 Roe Crest Drive
North Mankato, Minnesota 56003
www.capstonepub.com

Copyright 2008 by Stone Arch Books

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Maddox, Jake.
Motorcross Double-cross / by Jake Maddox; illustrated by Sean Tiffany.
p. cm. (Impact Books. A Jake Maddox Sports Story)
Summary: When Carlos competes against his best friend Ricky for a place in the United States Motocross Association Nationals, each of them thinks the other is trying to sabotage his chances at winning.
ISBN-13: 978-1-59889-845-3 (library binding)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59889-897-2 (paperback)
ISBN-13: 978-1-4342-8861-5 (ebook)
[1. MotocrossFiction. 2. Motorcycle racingFiction. 3. Competition (Psychology)Fiction.] I. Tiffany, Sean, ill. II. Title.
PZ7.M25643Mot 2008
[Fic]dc22

2007003636

Art Director: Heather Kindseth
Graphic Designer: Kay Fraser

CHAPTER 1

D ONT L OOK B ACK!

Carlos headed down the long straightaway. It was the easiest part of the Del Rey Motocross Racecourse, but Carlos was still worried.

He knew what lay ahead. There was a series of three hairpin turns. Then there were two big jumps on the way to the finish line. Thats not why he was worried. After all, Carlos had spent most of the last two years on this track.

No, Carlos was worried about something else.

The long straightaway was the last chance on the course to take a quick peek to see if anyone was coming up from behind. Thats exactly what had Carlos worried.

Hes got to be close, Carlos thought. Ricky is never too far behind.

Carlos couldnt see him, but he could sense that Ricky was there. He knew if Ricky was close, hed soon be making a big move to win this race.

Dont look back, he thought. Looking back will slow you down!

Carlos knew it was risky, but he decided to look back anyway. He turned his head to look over his left shoulder.

Just then, Carlos felt the handlebars slip.

The front wheel had turned ever so slightly. Then the dirt track beneath Carloss motocross bike had caught it.

So Carlos lost his balance a little. He jerked the bike back up.

He kept himself upright. But the bobble had cost him precious time.

He got back to full speed. Ricky was alongside him on the right. Carlos had made a big mistake by looking back. He had looked back over the wrong shoulder!

Now it was a race for the finish.

Carlos had the inside track on the first hairpin, which turned to the left. The short path allowed him to get past Ricky.

Carlos held his balance through the turn. He sprayed Ricky with dirt off his back tire.

Carlos knew the next two turns went right. Being on the right side, Ricky would have the advantage.

Ricky caught him on the next turn. On the third and final turn, Ricky pulled ahead. This time he sprayed Carlos with dirt in the turn.

All that remained were two big jumps and the finish line.

Carlos and Ricky were side by side, with Ricky slightly ahead.

Carlos knew their bikes were about the same speed.

The winner of this race would be the one who handled the jumps the best.

Carlos held steady on his bike. He was determined to beat Ricky this time.

As they sailed high off the first jump, neither rider looked at the other. As their bikes dropped back to earth, both landed softly. Now the riders were running neck and neck.

At the final jump, Carloss bike hit a small rut. He went airborne. His front tire was turned slightly sideways. That had happened to him many times before. Earlier in a race it wouldnt make much difference. But they were close to the finish line. Carlos knew this mistake could cost him the race.

Ricky landed with his tire facing straight ahead. He surged ahead toward the checkered flag. Carlos was close, but finished a tires length behind him.

Looking back had cost Carlos the race.

CHAPTER 2

T HE N ATIONALS

As he rode past the finish line, Ricky raised a hand in victory. Carloss head hung low as he pulled his bike over and shut down the engine.

In a matter of seconds, Ricky pulled up alongside Carlos. He popped his helmet off.

A little nervous out there, Carlos? Ricky said, grinning. Its not like you to be looking over your shoulder like that.

So what? Carlos said, shaking his head. I was just checking to see where you were.

I was beating you, thats where I was, Ricky shot back. And thats three times in a row! Not that Im keeping track.

Very funny, Carlos said. Just remember that I won the four times before that.

Ricky smiled. Thats why I like being your friend, he said. Without you to compete against, how would I ever get better?

If I have to lose a race, Carlos replied, it would be nice if someone other than my best friend beat me. That way, I could leave the track and not hear about it all night!

Both boys laughed. Seriously, though, you ran a nice race, Carlos said.

The boys bumped fists. Thanks, man, Ricky said. Lets go check the schedule and see when the next race is.

The boys walked back toward the track office.

Outside the office was a bulletin board. Thats where Mr. Martin, the track owner, posted the schedule for the next month.

The boys practiced at the track all the time. They looked forward to the races that were held each weekend.

They were clearly the two best riders at the Del Rey track. Almost every race in their age group was won by one of them.

The boys reached the office. Mr. Martin was outside, taking down the last months schedule.

Looks like our timing is good, Carlos said. Time for the new schedule to go up.

Sorry, boys, Mr. Martin said. I dont have the new schedule ready yet. I have to wait until I hear from the guy at Benson Motors.

Benson Motors? Thats the company that makes all the bike engines, Ricky said. What do they have to do with the schedule?

Mr. Martin looked down at the boys. He had a serious look on his face.

You know, boys, Ive owned this track a long time, he said. Ive tried to make it a first-class operation. One that good racers would really enjoy.

Racers like us, said Ricky.

Right, Mr. Martin said with a smile.

He went on, Well, it appears somebody has finally noticed. Benson Motors wants to come here and watch some races. They are looking for riders they can sponsor for the Nationals.

If it was possible, Mr. Martins smile grew even bigger. I told them about the two of you, he said.