It's a great time to be a part of the ATV Racin' Nation as times really seem to be as good as they ever were. We have seen a small but steady pick up in racers after a sharp drop due to the economy problems in the U.S. And even though the economy takes a toll on our sport the attitudes and folks involved are as passionate as I have ever seen in our sport and that is what makes our sector of the racing world so special. What does 2015 hold? No one knows for certain but from all indications it has the potential to be even better. 

As the dust settles on the 2014 season I have made my way to beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah for the finale of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship. I am excited to see how this championship will play out with Ken Roczen and Ryan Dungey. It's a lot like what we witnessed for the second place battle of AMA Pro ATV championship. I am sure there will be a lot of drama built up before the end of this one. 

I also received a preliminary list of the top ten in each class and should see that coming out soon. I know their may has been some confusion with ties and I suggest you go back a read the rule. I think it is a little different than is years past so there may be some differences from what you may expect. As soon as it is made public though, you will know.

I am going to cut it a little short this week and hand you over to my literary comrade. We should have plenty to discuss next week as silly season is starting and things should be getting good soon. We will try to decipher any that comes along and break it down.

Let's check in with Ken "the canning master" Hill: 

This week kind of snuck up on me as my family and I try our best to get in all the gardens and get canning done so we have some good food to carry us through the winter. Since Loretta Lynn's, we have managed to put up over 100 quarts of tomatoes and salsa and many other things that round out the winter pantry.  It is a great feeling knowing you have taken the steps needed to be successful and have the team in place to get things done no matter what is thrown in the way that makes things difficult. In this day and age, living off the land doesn't make sense to some, it is a way of life for others, but it is our choice to tackle such an immense project each year.

If some of that seems to match what you have faced this racing season, welcome to doing things on your own and taking responsibility for yourself. Racing requires talent, a team of dedicated people helping on and off the track and of course, hard work, sometimes for what may appear for little gain. Yet we do it each and every year because it is who we are and we enjoy it for reasons sometimes only known to us. It is a lifestyle choice that we openly partake in and mostly enjoy.

Many that just a few short weeks ago were driving into corners and sailing over jumps are now back to work, earning a living. Still others are heading back to the classroom, some for the last time, and others at the very beginning of their scholastic careers. Trading MX gear in for new school clothes, the race hauler for the mini van, the registration line for the lunch line, the off season is just a break until we all reach a point where we start looking for the new seasons schedule. It is kind of crazy when you look at the lifestyle we have chosen versus what some would call normal.

Now just because the season is over doesn't mean the work stops. Everyone can look at the Pro and Pro Am classes and see that year round training is a must. For those that cannot ride through the winter, the gym becomes a second home and the physical part of all this is just scratching the surface of the work to be done.  Many companies are right now taking resumes for next season, so do not come up short on getting your resume updated and out to sponsors. Thinking your results alone will have you gaining support is not guaranteed and you should be treating this as one of the most important aspects of the upcoming season as you start acquiring support even as we are just closing the door on the season. 

And don't just think outside the box in fact forget the box. Create a new way to get support, use creativity and look to companies that may have no clear vision of what supporting you could do for them nationally or locally. I have started looking at other forms of sports to see if we are missing anything that could help fill gates or seats in the stands and some of what I am learning should help. Like I have said in previous Site Laps, we are unique and specialized. We need to be looking at things from different angles if we want any type of growth. Think of things you buy and use at the track that are not racing specific, those items have use to others and many large companies have budgets to support local advertising. This is money left on the table if no one goes after it! The ones who get the support will find a way and will not give up so if you want it, get after it!

Ok, enough of my pep rallies. I really do hope some of you go after the support that is sitting there just waiting on the right person to take it. Each year a new, never seen before in ATV MX racing sponsor pops up on a trailer and on a graphics kit so you know I am telling you the truth, you just have to swap your riding gear for a business suit and put in the work to obtain it.