Hey gang,

Well I finally got to ride the Rush Racing S & S powered Buell V-twin and all I can say is “WHAT A RUSH.” It was so awesome! I can’t believe the difference in the sound and the feeling of the V-twin motorcycle compared to the Suzuki. It overwhelmed my senses and really caught me by surprise. As we pulled into the burnout box for the first run, I was a nervous wreck. I couldn’t catch my breath and I was really scared. My hands were shaking so much that I was unsure that I would be able to hit the shifter button on time. Garret, my crew guy, looked up at me and asked, “Are you ready?” Just as I was about to say yes, I said, NO. I was so nervous that I forgot to put the bike in third gear for the burnout.

I had to tell everyone to give me a second to gather my thoughts and calm myself down a bit. I guess I was a little over anxious because the people from Rush Racing Products were watching along with quite a few other spectators and I knew that this was it. I had one shot to show them that I can do this, that there would be no skipped beats, that I am capable of jumping off of the worlds quickest Suzuki and onto the Klement Racing V-twin and ride it like I’ve been on it for years. After gathering my thoughts and telling myself , "Angelle, this is just another motorcycle." I looked down at Garrett and said "I’m ready."

He started the engine and I began my burnout. I have to admit that it wasn’t that good. I am so used to the rpm level of the Suzuki that I over revved the V-twin quite a bit. A Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle requires a higher rpm to break the tire loose, but the V-twin doesn’t need to rev as high. I have to say that, all in all, the burnout was the toughest thing for me to accomplish due to my habit of revving it. I made my way out of the water box and after putting the bike back into first gear I took a few deep breaths and drove forward to the staging beams. I could feel my heart pounding over the vibration of the engine. I couldn’t believe that I was about to do this. I staged the bike, took one more really deep breath and after turning on both beams, It was wide open throttle.

The sound of the engine was so different from the Suzuki that I nearly shut off the throttle because I thought something was wrong. Just as I was about to roll off of the throttle, the ambers lit up and I subconsciously released the clutch and off I went. The track was cold and the tire spun pretty hard which caused the rear tire to kick out to the right and drive to me to the left. Just about that time, Curtis, my other crew guy, told me that he thought to himself, "She’s going to shut it off" but instead of shutting off, I hung my butt off the right side of the bike and brought it back into the groove and made a pretty straight pass, clocking a 7.05 at 193 mph. Not too bad for my very first run on something that felt like a ride in the paint shaker at Lowe’s. Well, it wasn’t quite that bad, but compared to what I have been used to I’d say my new sponsor’s slogan “ Feel it!” fit the occasion perfectly.

I crossed the finish line and of course tried to apply the back brakes but couldn’t find them because they are on the left hand side of the bike instead of the right side like every bike I’ve ever ridden since I was six-years-old. I then remembered that they were on the left and finally managed to safely bring the bike to a stop as I switched off the computers and removed my helmet. My heart was pounding, my lungs were gasping for air but my face was smiling so big that you could see my teeth from a mile away. I did it. I finally rode my Rush Racing V-twin and actually looked like I knew what I was doing. I was so proud of myself.

We eventually made seven more passes over the next two days despite a rain delay. My E.T.s were between 6.94 and 7.08 and my reaction times varied from .003 to .055, which the whole team agreed was a pretty good start.

Speaking of my team, I am so excited to be working with them. I was a little worried that after leaving my U.S. Army crew guys that I would have a hard time finding replacements that would be as great as they were. But God has taken care of me once again. He has joined me up with a great group of individuals that I am very comfortable with and I just know that we are going to have so much fun together. Garret, Curtis and Angie took such good care of me that I felt like royalty. They were on point with every task that was given to them including preparing dinner for the team at the end of the day. I thought to myself, ‘Wow, I have guys that can build me a really fast motorcycle AND cook me an awesome dinner when they are done!’ You just can’t beat that! All kidding aside, Garret and Curtis and very professional and polite, but at the same time, really laid back and supportive. I couldn’t ask for a better combination. Angie, who is Curtis’ girlfriend, will be helping out in hospitality and will play a very important role for me. ANOTHER GIRL ON THE TEAM! YAAAAH! Being around guys all of the time is fun and interesting but sometimes you just have to have a girl to be there for you.

I have to say that I am the happiest I have been in many, many, years. A few months ago my career plans were uncertain and I thought my world was coming to an end. Now I realize that it was God’s plan to put me exactly where I needed to be. My mom always tells me that everything happens for a reason. Okay, mom, you were right again. This is going to be the best year ever.

Thank you Karl, Kim, Rush Racing, Curtis, Angie, Garret, George, Jackie, and each and everyone who is involved with this team for giving me the opportunity to continue my dream and to do it with the greatest group of people that I could have ever imagined. No matter what, I promise to give each of you the best that I have to offer on and off of the race track. I feel so lucky and so blessed right now that I pray that I will be able to win several races for all of you to show you how much I appreciate what you are doing for me. To the fans that have shown me your support recently as well as throughout the past 11 years, God Bless you guys and girls. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, you truly are the wind beneath my wings.

Well that’s all I have for now. Oh, wait, I forgot the Cajun stuff. Okay, let’s see. The other day this cop pulled over a guy for speeding and as he walked up to the driver’s side window he noticed three really big knives on the back seat. He asked the driver, "Are those your weapons on the back seat?" The driver responded, "No sir, I am a circus performer; I juggle those knives in my show." The officer said, "Yeah right, well step out of the car and prove it." Just about that time, Boudreaux and Thibodaux come driving by and saw dis happening on side dah rode. Boudreaux tells Thibodaux, "Man, look at dat; dat DUI test is getting harder and harder."

That’s all for now folks!!