Ricky Carmichael says something that strikes his friend and fellow racer Ernesto Fonseca as funny prior to the start of the Binghamton National Motocross in 2005. (Larry Lawrence photo)

Ricky Carmichael says something that strikes his friend and fellow racer Ernesto Fonseca as funny prior to the start of the Binghamton (N.Y.) National Motocross in 2005.

Carmichael was always loose before a race, joking with the other riders. He was supremely confident and could quickly snap into focus just before the gate dropped. Unlike many racers RC didn’t seem to need to put on a “race face” before the start.

Carmichael went on to score 1-1 moto finishes at Broome- Tioga Sports Center that day to take the overall riding the factory Suzuki RMZ450.

Fonseca took third behind Kevin Windham.