Chris, to explain my novice status:
I forgot to mention that I didn't ride all through college. I've only been back on a bike for about a year and a half now after a 4 year layoff. I couldn't afford to race while in school, but as soon as I graduated and got a good job I was ready to get right back into it. I got a bike and then quickly took another year off when I demolished my ankle by coming up short on a triple, which was also the very first time I had ever ridden my current YZ250, and the first time I had ridden anything in years. So after the long layoff of growing up and an ankle injury that left me with crutches for 6 months, serious soft tissue damage, tendonitis, tibial tunnel syndrome (carpal tunnel of the ankle), and a lifetime prescription to the strongest arthritis medicine, I changed the way I rode forever. I could no longer ride like I used to, nor could I heal like I used to. I am finally getting back my speed and timing and I am considering the move to intermediate soon. I got 2nd this last weekend at cross creek in the 250 novice class by only about 3 or 4 bike lengths in the 2nd moto. I had won the 1st moto and only needed to beat this one guy to take the overall. He got a better start and I never passed him. It was very disappointing to lose the 2nd moto and the overall, but I can live to ride another day. I was able to show this guy a wheel a few times and come pretty close to passing him, but to make the move work I would have had to lay it out on the line and take a chance. In the old days I would have done whatever to get around, but nowadays I do not ride over my head at any time. I may not win every race with this attitude, but I will finish every race and be back for the next one. I have not, and never will jump the new triple at cross creek, or the triple step-up at liberty hill, and I don't think that any novice rider should. So as soon as I clear the triple at cross creek i will move up to intermediate. Just kidding, I will make the move if I win the Spring Series.

check attachment: ala 1987-ish.