Who am I?
       My name is Keith Clark. We have been desert racing since 1996.  I say we do it because it is a family thing. In 1995,  I was working for Espanola Ambulance when one of our units did the standby and that's how I found out about the race. The following year I called my brother Konrad who was living in Las Cruces and told him to bring his bike so I could put him in a race. He did not want to but I harassed him enough that he brought the bike. He took third in the 250 novice class and was hooked. The next year he raced the whole season. While going to the races to watch him I thought to my self " That looks like fun, I want to try". Knowing that I had no ability to ride a bike I bought a Banshee and started racing. The first year I raced 2 races and the second I raced the whole season. Back then there was only one class for us, Quad. I took second place to Dave Scott that year. During that year I tried to ride Konrad's spare bike so I could race the OMG which did not allow quads at the time. While riding out at Montessa Park south of the Albuquerque airport my poor riding ability was very evident by me not being able to keep the bike on the trail. The day ended when I was launched in the woops and ended up with a third degree separation of my shoulder. I finished the season on the quad but sold it shortly after that to buy a house. My son Kyle raced for the next two years in the 50mini class, I could not stand it anymore watching all the fun and not being able to participate. I did not get another quad, instead, I bought a 1999 CR250 and practiced at least 4 times a week to get good enough to race it. The first year racing it, I finished 5th in the 250Novice class, The second year I won the class. I then moved up to the over 30 amateur class where Konrad and myself battled for the lead all year. He won the battle and I took second for the year. This year I am back in the over 30 amateur with new competition like Jimmy Crawford who I raced with in the novice class.

Camp or Hotel?
        We camp along with our friends the Neiswenders and the Rickerts who are both starting the third season with the NMDRC. They run the 554 and the 555 bikes in the open novice class. Darrell crashed in the Shotgun 100 last year breaking his arm and leg. Hopefully he will be racing soon. Konrad and I run the 361 and 362 bikes. Last year I put up a tall flag pole on the rear of the Fleetwood fifth wheel, so now that you know where we are, stop by and say hi.

What about my personal life?
       I have been married for almost 10 years to my wife Bernadette. We have four children, Kyle 9, Kevin 7, Kristyn 4, and Kristopher 1. We live in Edgewood just east of Albuquerque. I work for Bernalillo County Fire Dept and for Lifeguard. I do most of my riding south of the airport during the week. Konrad is my brother and riding partner. He and his 3 kids camp with us.  When I tell outside people about the racing I always tell them that the racing is just the reason to be out there. The real fun is the camping, hanging out with friends, and meeting new people. I tell them that it is like a big family out there with most people knowing each other and helping each other when needed. When asked about the racing itself, I put it like this. It cost me at least $300 to go race for a weekend and the best I can hope to come out with is a $20 plastic trophy. That is why if you fall or are stopped out on the track you can be assured that almost every racer that goes by will ask if you are OK and would not hesitate to drop their own bike to help you if necessary. Some check point workers know me as the Tootsie Pop guy because I attach Tootsie Pops to me and hand them out at the check points (some times I toss them if I am in a battle with someone and don't have time for an extended stop).
       
       OK, I already bored you. Have a nice day. Keith