Just Short Vol.3 #14

Ahhhh Houston…most commonly known as the round before Seattle SX.

Photos: Thee James Lissimore

Ahhhh Houston…most commonly known as the round before Seattle SX. T-minus-3 days and 14hrs until Seattle SX, for those of you wondering…not that I’m excited or anything. Lots of preparations are being made in anticipation of this weekend. None of which include doing extensive research on this week’s Just Short featured riders; don’t worry I’m good at faking it. Did I mention Seattle SX is this weekend?

Although the main events might have lacked excitement, that wasn’t the case in the 250 LCQ. On the final lap, #329 Chad Gores was in the “Just Short” position, then got a bit of whiskey throttle coming into the corner and T-boned Siminoe who was in the last transfer position. They both ended up on the ground, and Colton Aeck slipped by to take the last qualifying spot. Then Gores found himself crossing the finish line right back where he started; “Just Short” of qualifying. I watched it several times, and if Swisscore wasn’t on vacation bronzing his naked backside somewhere in Florida, he would have pulled the clip for your viewing pleasure. You will have to use your imagination if you missed it and if you have the race on DVR, go back and watch it. I think it was an honest mistake. Gores looked completely out of control, and in my slightly intoxicated vision, it wasn’t intentional. Gores explained it this way on twitter; “I cannot believe I’m dumb enough to roll the last rhythm section because of a flashing yellow. I blew it”. Apparently, attending the rider’s meeting to find out what the flags and lights mean is important.

#329 Chad Gores – The Privateer Journey / California Coast Plumbers

I like Gores look, but it’s hard to make a Honda look bad.

Gores makes some comments here and there on his Instagram page about scrubbing toilets and plumbing related humor. So, I looked into California Coast Plumbers that he has listed as a sponsor. They have been your full service plumbing company since 1997, licensed, bonded and insured. If you have any odor problems or just need a good snaking, you can call them 24/7 at 714-632-0170. In addition, a Gores related Google search provided more notable information: His van and race bikes were stolen back in 2012. He is buddies with the 7 deuce deuce. Based on the number of #wcw posts and selfies with her, it is safe to assume he’s in a serious relationship with @mrsmiketrout on Instagram.

#447 Deven Raper – Kelly’s Kawasaki, RJC Racing, The Mac D’s, Crank Works

After stalking Raper’s Instagram, I determined O’Neal has some cool looking gear.

Raper didn’t come up Just Short in Houston, or Just Just Short, he came up Just Just Just Short. I have already profiled Rusk and Herrlein this season, so it’s only fair to spread around the prestigious honor of getting featured in Just Short, which rolled down to Raper for his 7^th place finish in the LCQ. What an unfortunate name Raper is. I didn’t Google Raper…I don’t need that in my Internet viewing history.

I did find www.gofundme.com/deven447. This is one of the kick-starter donation sites. Raper’s goal is to raise 10k and he is currently at $1,195.00. Props to Joe Mabbett and the Browns for donating the most thus far with $300.00 each. This is a cool idea, and provides an easy way to support a privateer. I have no idea how this actually works and how much of the money Raper would actually get, but it’s forward thinking. This Just Short article is centered around getting the privateers more publicity, so if you have the means to help Raper out, please do so.

Gores is trailing in followers and lists his girlfriend with a heart in his bio, but the scrubbing toilets comment is funny. I’m not sure what Raper means with the “AP3” in his bio, because I’m not really up with the current slangs’. Raper is following 769 people…nobody has time to follow that many people, that’s just silly. Raper wins based on follower count.

The flying W showdown. Great photos of both wrecks here. Gores has perfect form going over the bars, and put in a valiant effort to save it by squeezing the bike with his legs. Raper’s crash has high potential to really, really hurt; it’s not looking good. I’m not sure what injuries he sustained, but I know 60 weeks later he’s ok. Raper wins because he didn’t die in this crash.

I’m a fan of the artistic track pictures, because it makes me want to go riding. Budds Creek looks like a fun track to ride with all those elevation changes. This long, rolling whoop section gives me arm pump just looking at it, but I bet I could make three or four good runs through there before turning into Popeye. I’m giving this one to Raper, those whoops are perfectly rolled and as smooth as a baby’s butt.

I don’t post funny pictures like Gores, but I do laugh at most of them that I come across. Raper is ripping a really deep rut, props to practicing on your weaknesses. Raper wins again because I said so.

Gores airs it out over a huge gap with a picturesque background, well done. Raper had a couple of pictures posted of this jump, but I still can’t figure out where he’s taking off from, and where he is landing. It is like one of those pictures where you cross your eyes, and then you see the hidden parts. Gores with the win, that’s a great picture.

Nice inside corner picture of Gores by @air_d617. Posting a picture of a picture is ok if the picture is worthy. This corner by Raper is good, but not that good. Gores can thank @air_d617 for this win.

I love food and sometimes seeing pictures of food makes me hungry. Neither of these pictures is appetizing…at all. Nobody wins after seeing this.

Gores, I know you can take a better selfie than this. Try using a filter like Raper did, it makes him look all dreamy. Raper wins this round, he’s mastered the selfie.

Gores needs to step up his whips, not much of a selection to choose from. Raper has a nice hills-whip picture here, a little heavy on the filter, but I’ll allow it. Raper with another notch in the IG headboard.

Thanks for reading please send any and all comments to jasonw@racerxill.com.