Welcome to Site Lap!

I have been accused of having an overactive imagination on occasion and I won’t waste mine or anyone else’s time arguing that fact. I get nervous and short of breath. I am rather anxious and even a little on edge. I know it is tax season, but that’s not what has me feeling this way. It’s the final moments of the off-season (especially this season) leading into quite possibly one of the most historic seasons to date. It’s not taxes but it is quite emotional waiting and anticipating that first call to the gates.

In less than one month the first calls to the new racing season and the historic first-ever Fly Racing ATVSX will literally be in the history books. Then of course our focus will be on the soon to come opening round of the Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship that is poised to hold its own place in the ATV Racin’ Nation History Book. So, with a little extra time on my hands these thoughts become race fuel for my imagination. I imagine things completely out of the realm of likelihood but from that I grasp some possibilities and a whole world of what ifs. One of the greatest things about this is that “what ifs” can really happen. I have witnessed it in the past and what if I am right? Everybody wins! 

Now, there are a lot of things to weigh in on and as we know a lot of surprises that folks may pull out their bag of tricks for this upcoming race season. I have mentioned Thomas Brown and the changes he has made. He is working with his dad as a major part of his program again. We all know that Joel Hetrick is back under the Hetrick Racing tent with his dad back as a major player in his program. We heard about the changes Sean Taylor has gone through and again a major family program that has proven to excel in previous eras. Now, we can add to that list at least one more.

Earlier this week I spoke with #726 Tyler Hamrick and was pleasantly surprised of some changes he is very happy and excited about. He said it was getting back to what worked best for him and how he realizes he wants his program to run at this point in the process. He told me things have come together slowly and he hasn’t gotten much seat time this winter but was planning a trip to South Carolina. Tyler said “I’m making a trip down south to get some much needed outdoor motos with one of my Eleven18 teammates Cassandra Warrick. I haven’t gotten the seat that I like to but don’t count me out! I’m hungry and I will be to my old ways on the Hamrick Racing machines powered by Janssen Motorsports which I am pumped about.”

As I had mentioned earlier, Tyler Hamrick like a few others in the highly competitive AMA Pro ATV class has made some moves back to their roots. The true root of their successes if you look at the big picture and Tyler said “Having my Dad working on my bikes again is huge! Words cannot explain how happy I am about that. I am confident we will pick back up where we left off in 2013.” They will be contesting in both the AMA Pro ATV and Pro-Am classes. The focus will be to continue to improve in the pro class and win a championship last year in that class. Tyler also said “most of all I want to have fun riding my four-wheeler and with the help I’ve acquired this year from Eleven18 Powersports and many other great supporters, there is no reason I shouldn’t be on the podium.”  Tyler also wanted to note that “I am embarrassed of my performance in 2014 and take complete responsibility. I will be the Tyler Hamrick everyone remembers!”

I'd like to take a moment and share with everyone some news I received earlier this week. The ATV Racin’ Nation was informed of some rather shocking news earlier in the week... John Clemens, father of ATV National racers Austin and Even Clemens, passed away last Saturday. John was the driving force for his wife Kelli and their two boys. John was a quiet man of sorts when I talked to him. He was certainly proud of his two boys and you could tell he thrived on seeing them succeed and live a full life.

Services for John will be held this Monday February 16, 2015 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. You can click here to follow the link with full details of arrangements. Our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to the entire family. God Bless You All!

In The Loop With Gloop:

So as you may already know Sean Taylor will be racing for a different team this year. I recently talked to Sean and asked him what he was planning on changing with his equipment and training program for the 2015 season, and he had this to say:

"I will be staying on a honda for 2015, but a lot of changes to the bike as far as suspension, suspension components, I went to a different tire brand and switched up a few other small things that you will see at Daytona."

"As far as training, I haven't been able to ride as much obviously, but still working out off the bike. Playing in a basketball league twice a week here in my hometown and then working out at home as much as I can. Going into Daytona, I will have a little disadvantage but I'm just happy to be racing again. The stamina will come the more seat time I get."

Sean took a little trip, 1,800 miles to be exact, to Louisiana this past month. I had the chance to ask him how everything went with his solo adventure, and here’s what else he had to tell me:

"The Louisiana trip was a nice get away for a few days, even though Mother Nature only let us ride two days it was still worth the drive. Got the privilege to go down to the Pafford training facility and ride/hangout with Joel Hetrick and Tim Dettling for a weekend. Sure do miss being able to ride every day but that just isn't something that I could make work this year, maybe next year will be different.”

A new rider to the Pro class in 2014 was Silas Lamons. He didn't have the best season, but has seemed to be trying to turn that around for 2015. He has been down in Florida training and working hard with the Jeffrey Rastrelli and Rastrelli's family. I got the chance to check in with him, and see how everything has been so far in the off-season. He had this to tell me:

“ Everything has been going great, just minor bike problems for me but we’ve been training our butts off day in and day out! I’m doing everything completely different from last year. I've been eating way healthier; we go to hot yoga twice a week, road bike throughout the week, run in the mornings and ride as much as possible. Being down here with Jeffery [Rastrelli] has changed everything for me, the way I ride and train, he has turned me around big time, if it wasn't for him and his family I couldn't have came down here. Last year was an embarrassment for me and I'm ready to put that in the past and really show what I got."

Now lets take some time and hear from Ken Hill:

We are down to weeks now before the Daytona ATVSX and the web continues to give us a glimpse of the action yet to come! Everyone is in full training mode as the days edge closer to a new season with new opportunities as our racers and teams prepare themselves for what could be the closest battle they have ever faced. I did get word that WORCS racing Pro’s David Haagsma and Garmin Fuller will be making the trip to race Daytona. We will be excited to see them on the gate! 

The battle in the Pro class will be of epic proportions as our series Champion Chad Wienen looks to be ready to put up another title defense that will take some real undoing if one wishes to claim the number one spot. While the opening round will be one race that every rider would love to claim a win at, the season probably won’t be won there but it will give us a glimpse as to what we can expect for the remainder of the season. 

Thomas Brown seems very determined this year and his social media has been filled with training. With Brown running his own team he may not have the free time to enjoy the break, which could spell trouble for those seeking the podium. Browns head mechanic, Nathan Hibbs, was eager to get a few words in for this weeks Site Lap.

“Thomas and I are going to be tough this year. We are the most focused and determined we have been since I have started with Thomas. We are stoked to see how the field holds up to the constant timing and rhythms needed for the Daytona Supercross.”

From one end of the Pro class to the other, Nick Gennusa will make his pro debut at the opening round. He sent us over an update on how his off-season training has been going and what will be happening for him in 2015.

“In racing, you will not get to the top without the right people behind you, supporting you and your program. A last minute change in plans at the end of December determined that I would be training this winter in Texas at the Ford family house with John Natalie and the Ford brothers. The Ford family is a huge part of my program for 2015, as well as John Parrish and "Corrosion Specialties.” Hands down, these two families are what made my racing possible this year. John Natalie has also been a huge part of my training. It's awesome to ride with a veteran Pro and to really experience what it's like to ride and train with him every day. This guy is the one Pro who will actually communicate and relate the rights and wrongs of track performance, so in the end he is the one who is a real leader in the industry, he taught me what he knew with no reservations, in an effort to make me the best rider I could be. Similarly, this was the same type of real training I also received from Veteran Pro Travis Spader. In addition, I have also been fortunate to ride with Thomas Brown at his own personal track here in Texas, and am grateful for what he continues to teach me. We are riding the track at the Ford family house and putting in many laps daily. Making the switch to Pro class this year is definitely exciting, but I know it will be very hard. I know what I'm up against and have a lot of respect for these guys. Being that Daytona Supercross will be my first Pro race, I'm not sure what to really expect, but I can tell you I will surely go out and give it 200 percent! I think it's great exposure for our sport and is a great step in the right direction for all of us ATV Motocross Racers. All said and done, I'm ready to start racing and get things rolling for 2015. #GennUSA Racing!“

Nick looks to be taking every opportunity offerded to him and that can only mean he will be that many steps ahead of everyone else when the season starts!

Our Women’s class champion Megan Manshack also threw her two cents in this week, as she is busy training as well, Ohio winter style! Megan's first winter in the Buckeye state is giving her the cruel lessons many of us have grown up with, including her first “ditching!” Be safe Megan, save the tree bashing and getting stuck for the GNCC series! Megan gave us her scoop on things and we are always excited and proud to hear from her.

“I am more excited about the Daytona SX than I am about any other race this year! It is a huge step for ATV racing in the right direction. I know a lot of people can't commit to racing the entire national circuit, so I feel that this race is perfect for those people who only plan to hit one or two races out of the year. You get to compare yourself to the best riders in the country, while getting yourself and your sponsors more exposure than you would at any other race. Not to mention, you would be apart of ATV racing history! It is really going to be a spectacular event, and I love that Fly Racing is sponsoring the race. They have always supported ATV racing more than any other gear company in the market so having them backing us is really great. I have been doing a lot of preparation trying to get ready for this race. I've been spending just about everyday in the gym, and now that I just about have quads ready to go, I will be hitting up indoors every chance I get until the big day. I figured I needed one last chance to defend my title this year before I became a full time tree banger! I have been hearing whispers of who is planning on racing the women's class, and from what I've heard, it's going to be a great race with a lot of talented girls! If you haven't signed up for this race yet, do so now before the rest of the spots fill up!”

Thank you Megan for that update, and we wish you good luck in both styles of competition this season!

That is all I have this week! Now, I actually get ready for my first weekend back in action as I head down to South Carolina to do some shooting. I hope everyone stays safe out there and continues to stay on point as we load both barrels for one hell of a season!

In case you missed The Racer X Show with Greg White this week features highlights from another exciting round of Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, as well as an interview with Yamalube/Star Racing Yamaha's Cooper Webb, following an impressive performance in San Diego. 

Round five of AMSOIL Arenacross, featuring Ricky Carmichael's Road to Supercross took place in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania over the weekend. Host Greg White talks to Team Babbitt's Monster Energy/AMSOIL Kawasaki's Matt Goerke to hear more about his victorious weekend. We also get a first look at the 2015 MotoGP season, as riders have completed their first round of testing. Be sure to check out The Racer X Show every Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET, only on RacerTV.com.