It’s here! The “unofficial” last round of the 2014 Mtn. Dew AMA ATV Motocross National Championship and can I say, wow what a year we’ve had. Looking back to March at this point seems so long ago, and yet again it doesn’t. Where does the time go, and why does it seem to go so fast and so slow all at the same time? I, for one, do not have an answer to any of those perplexing wonders, but I am glad to see that the 2014 Night of Champions is finally here.

In the last couple of weeks there has finally been some buzz about some of the upcoming changes. Last week we mentioned the move of Josh Upperman, and this weekend we get to see the folks face to face and get the full scoop. Also, Rich Gillette seems to have some announcements coming up and I wonder if any light might be shed on any of it this weekend? He told me a couple of weeks ago he had something working and he would let me know.

Big announcements are one thing the banquet is famous for. It is the time when we are introduced to new teams, new sponsors and supporters. It is when we hear about plans for the upcoming season. Things like the MAVTV deals, Live RacerTV.com coverage, and anything else that can be done to help the great sport of ATVMX survive and hopefully prosper.

This weekend’s banquet will without a doubt be a long, long night for us all. Me especially since I get to be the host for most of the activities. The only thing I ask is we keep it short as possible because we have nearly 40 classes plus many specialty awards, so anywhere we can gain a minute or two is the more time we can all mix and mingle at the after party. (I hope that doesn’t sound selfish…. haha)

If you haven’t seen the competition bulletin from earlier this week there is a schedule of what to expect. There will also be meetings held to discuss proposals of class structure and supplemental rules. On Saturday at 3 p.m. the Pro Riders meeting will take place. On Sunday morning at 9 a.m. the Amateur Riders meeting will happen, and then at 10 a.m. the Youth Riders meeting.

Those of you who cannot attend will have a chance to look online at the tentative classes and supplemental rules. You will be able to post public comments or suggestions before for final approval. The Tentative Class structure and Supplemental Rules will be issued on Monday November 24, 2014. The public comment period will close on Monday December 8, 2014. Then the following Monday is the expected date for the final structures and rules to be issued. Any time you would like to comment you could email [email protected] or call 304-284-0084.

A few things to look forward to during the banquet this weekend will include more than just honoring the top 10 in each class. There will also be special recognitions for Youth Rider of the Year, Amateur Rider of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Award of Media Excellence, Hard Charger Award, Team of the Year and Sponsor of the Year. So as mentioned before, it’s going to be a long night but a night full of laughs, excitement and smiles all around.

This will also be a last ditch effort for some folks to sign deals or at least get the ball rolling. If the rumor mills are true then there will be at least two top tier riders without rides and possibly gone forever. I don’t really want to mention any names but many of you know what’s happening.  I am waiting for final confirmation from the riders themselves on what they want to say at this point. It may be that they hope to have something big to announce or they hope to fade away quietly. Whichever the case I respect it and hope for the best.

Now lets send it over to see what Ken Hill has for us this week.

Thanks Rodney!

So here it is, Friday morning and I am rushing again to get my part of Site Lap written and get some hot coffee down my neck so I can pack up and roll out to the ATVMX banquet! Now the banquets aren't my bag, it is in a fancy hotel with a lot of room and a lot of people. It gets noisy and I can't hear anyone, so if you see me smiling and nodding you will know I am not hearing anything but jumbled noise. 

Now I am yanking chains, the banquets are a lot of fun, and it is always good seeing you all have fun away from the track for one last time before we all head home and start getting ready for 2015. The hearing part is true, however, I am all but deaf so if you have something important, yank me aside please! 

Social media lit up a bit in the past week or so with some 2015 builds underway and some images and videos being posted as the black hole slowly starts to fade away. Some big news coming out last week about Josh Upperman and the new riders announced for Wienen Motorsports there was some light at the end of the tunnel for those of us who live to get information about all things ATVMX related. There is more news jammed up in the "can't say a thing" pipeline and of course, we can't say a thing about it! I am sure we will get some more information this weekend during the banquet, which adds some mystery to this night of fun! 

Last week I stopped into one very busy Racer Productions office on my way back to Indiana where I found everyone in full go mode as they finished up the detail regarding awards and specialty awards. You guessed it, I know the names and such but mum is the word! It always amazes me at how hard all those folks work behind the scenes to make things flow. I have introduced all the heavy hitters that you usually see at the track and will be hitting the office with camera in hand soon to get some serious behind the scenes stuff that many don't know about as well as some killer history that sits all over the building! I could have grabbed some images last week but it was Halloween and I did not want to make the racin’ nation look a tad insane! 

That's all from me this week. If you haven't noticed, all the video and shows from RacerTV have been slamming every social media outlet we have. This is the first year where they have an organized press release/video release going on and it is important for everyone to hopefully help spread the word by sharing the links or doing the tweet thing. Our form of racing lacks the year round impact that is needed to keep people focused on what you all do so please keep that in mind and hit that "Share" button!

Everyone have safe travels to the banquet and we will see you all very soon!

Thanks Ken!

That’ll do it for now. Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.