I know you have only done two xc races. But I thought you were some kinda racer. Like MX or SOMETHING. You must be like a friend of mine. All or nothin. Skill out the you know what. He allways made it look so easy. This next part is in no way meant in a negative manor toward you. Bill Kranek was and is a major inspiration to me and is the reason I started racing this season, and will continue to race until I cant do it physically. On Fathers Day, 2005 Bill broke his back at mulberry motocross and now hes a parapalegic. It was a common accident.
NOT JOKING. But when we started riding together years ago, he moved up through the classes like you wouldnt believe. When Bill had his accident, I felt compelled to challenge myself more than I had in the past and I decided to start racing because Bill would if he could. To make the story a little better. He still rides quads with me almost every weekend and has a beautiful wife and daughter. I can appreciate someone like you. :)Natural ablility, skill, family man. Ive got no problems riding behind someone I can learn from.
You said " new high dollar steering dampner" , well, which one did you get. Im thinking about getting the precision concepts dampner. 
I wanna race this weekend but MY Jen wont let me unless she can race too, and shes too scared to do 2 hours. SUCKS to be me. Guess Ill be racing with my wife at the next harescramble on the 21st. See you ftr crazys later.