Site Lap: Ready to Roar
by: Rodney Tomblin
TimeFriday, November 2, 2012 | 10:15 PM
The 2012-2013 off-season continues to roll on and more and more rumbles are starting to be heard from the trenches. There are a number of positive things that are being leaked and amazingly I have not heard much negative to this point. This is good and the general consensus seems to be, "Bring on the new season!"
There are a number of folks asking when the new schedule will be out for next season and the word I got just today is that it has been made and waiting for finalization. So in essence, it should be a matter of only a few days before it becomes public and plans can be made on your part.
Speaking of plans, make sure you get your reservations in as soon as you can to ensure the secure rate and a place for the celebration. Once again, if you have not heard, the banquet will take place only a little more than three weeks from now in Morgantown, West Virginia. The location actually seems to be a little more central for the masses of the ATV Racin' Nation.
If you haven't noticed yet, RacerTVOnline.com hosts all the past Racer TV shows online for you to view at your convenience. The current race up for your viewing pleasure is the Ballance Moto-X where history was made with the first-ever night race. So if you missed it on NBC Sports a couple of weeks ago be sure to check it out online.
Last week we began to hear some concrete news on some of the plans for next season for some individuals and teams. In my efforts to find out more about what's going on I stumbled upon something very interesting.
As I was "creeping" around Facebook looking for fodder for Site Lap I hit on the Root River Powersports page. There I found some disturbing news to read as the the actual Root River Race Shop is shutting its doors on November 10. The good news to this is that there will still be a strong Root River Racing team influence in the pits like before. Almost as if there was nothing any different than last year, from the outside looking in. The only real difference is that there is no longer a business location.
A little further poking around and I found some really inspiring things that the team is up to these days. When one would think things would mean the worst for the team with the shop shutting down, it actually doesn't seem to affect their goals for winning championships and maintaining the best machines they can on the track. I am not sure, but I don't think the team will be quite as large in numbers initially but the presence they will have will undoubtedly make yet another mark in the national championship.
As far as the team members that I am told that will be returning in 2013, here's the breakdown:
#199 Sean Taylor Pro Am Unlimited & Pro Am Production
#29 Brent Sellers Pro Am Unlimited & Pro Am Production
#33 Dalton "Bubba" Hicks 450 A & Production A
#19 Mikey "Barney" Barhart Vet A 30+ & Open A
#38 "Factory" Sam Rowe Production B & 450 B
#88 Alex Gillette Open C 450 C
#135 Haedyn Mickelson Schoolboy Jr & Schoolboy Sr.
#100 Noah Mickelson 90 Modified & Supermini
Some of the plans for the team include building at least 8 new race quads and rebuilding 6 of the quads from last season. The team will have a practice headquarter located in Texas with the team transporters on site for riders to have plenty of familiar surroundings while training this off-season. They will also be heading to Dee Manshack of Rage ATV for motor building and tuning leading into the new season.
It looks like the team will once again have a presence on vendor row in 2013, supporting Motowoz shocks and Rage ATV. This has been a blessing for many folks in the past season. Dee Manshack who was John Natalie's Mechanic and motorman when he won the 2005 championship will be on hand at many events offering service work through the team pits of Root River Racing.
Another thing that impressed me with this team was what the team expects from the riders and the riders' families throughout the championship seasons. It is actually an expectation list that nearly any team owner or parent should abide by. The "Expectations" list is rather simple and requires the attention of the whole family.
Education - Every rider that is in school must maintain a C= or better average.
Trouble - Whether in school, at work, at the track or with the law, nonsense will not be tolerated.
Respect - Riders and family members should never disrespect other riders, teams and family.
Ride with Class - in heated moments be the better person and maintain your cool at all times. Safety for everyone is the most important thing you should keep in mind.
Ride Smart - Ride to the best of your ability and don't ride over your head.
Training - Stay in shape year round for at this level failing to do so could result in undesirable consequences. Also ride as much as possible to keep in tune with yourself and your machine.
Professional Appearance - Riders and families should act as professional as possible remembering they represent the whole team and all of its sponsors.
I would have to say that though I only touched on the actual Rider and Family Expectations for the team, it is a little more in depth but gives you an idea what kind of integrity they are looking for at Root River Racing.
I hope it has been some food for thought for you. Some other food for thought before we go is the Sponsorship Do's and Don'ts segment on www.QuadRadio.com with Seth Fargher formally of DWT Tires and Wheels. Seth goes into some detail about what you may need to know this time of year. The continuation of the conversation will take place next Tuesday evening around 9:00 pm eastern standard time.
The words "standard time" sounds so much better to me than "daylight savings" time and even better for me is the fact that this weekend we fall back. So set your clocks back this weekend and get back to normal time. Yeah I know it means that it will get dark at 6 rather than 7 and I say if this is an issue for you, get up earlier to catch that extra hour of daylight in the morning. Your day will just start earlier and you won't even feel the difference.
If you happen to be going to the GNCC races this weekend at Loretta Lynn's in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, remember ATV racing will be on Sunday and the Motorcycles will run on Saturday for the finale. Chris Borich has wrapped up XC1 but the XC2 Pro Am championship goes down to the wire with #591 Pat McGuire and Pro Am Rookie #19 Braden Henthorn. Come check it out if you are in the area.
That will do it for now. Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.
There are a number of folks asking when the new schedule will be out for next season and the word I got just today is that it has been made and waiting for finalization. So in essence, it should be a matter of only a few days before it becomes public and plans can be made on your part.
Speaking of plans, make sure you get your reservations in as soon as you can to ensure the secure rate and a place for the celebration. Once again, if you have not heard, the banquet will take place only a little more than three weeks from now in Morgantown, West Virginia. The location actually seems to be a little more central for the masses of the ATV Racin' Nation.
If you haven't noticed yet, RacerTVOnline.com hosts all the past Racer TV shows online for you to view at your convenience. The current race up for your viewing pleasure is the Ballance Moto-X where history was made with the first-ever night race. So if you missed it on NBC Sports a couple of weeks ago be sure to check it out online.
Last week we began to hear some concrete news on some of the plans for next season for some individuals and teams. In my efforts to find out more about what's going on I stumbled upon something very interesting.
As I was "creeping" around Facebook looking for fodder for Site Lap I hit on the Root River Powersports page. There I found some disturbing news to read as the the actual Root River Race Shop is shutting its doors on November 10. The good news to this is that there will still be a strong Root River Racing team influence in the pits like before. Almost as if there was nothing any different than last year, from the outside looking in. The only real difference is that there is no longer a business location.
A little further poking around and I found some really inspiring things that the team is up to these days. When one would think things would mean the worst for the team with the shop shutting down, it actually doesn't seem to affect their goals for winning championships and maintaining the best machines they can on the track. I am not sure, but I don't think the team will be quite as large in numbers initially but the presence they will have will undoubtedly make yet another mark in the national championship.
As far as the team members that I am told that will be returning in 2013, here's the breakdown:
#199 Sean Taylor Pro Am Unlimited & Pro Am Production
#29 Brent Sellers Pro Am Unlimited & Pro Am Production
#33 Dalton "Bubba" Hicks 450 A & Production A
#19 Mikey "Barney" Barhart Vet A 30+ & Open A
#38 "Factory" Sam Rowe Production B & 450 B
#88 Alex Gillette Open C 450 C
#135 Haedyn Mickelson Schoolboy Jr & Schoolboy Sr.
#100 Noah Mickelson 90 Modified & Supermini
Some of the plans for the team include building at least 8 new race quads and rebuilding 6 of the quads from last season. The team will have a practice headquarter located in Texas with the team transporters on site for riders to have plenty of familiar surroundings while training this off-season. They will also be heading to Dee Manshack of Rage ATV for motor building and tuning leading into the new season.
It looks like the team will once again have a presence on vendor row in 2013, supporting Motowoz shocks and Rage ATV. This has been a blessing for many folks in the past season. Dee Manshack who was John Natalie's Mechanic and motorman when he won the 2005 championship will be on hand at many events offering service work through the team pits of Root River Racing.
Another thing that impressed me with this team was what the team expects from the riders and the riders' families throughout the championship seasons. It is actually an expectation list that nearly any team owner or parent should abide by. The "Expectations" list is rather simple and requires the attention of the whole family.
Education - Every rider that is in school must maintain a C= or better average.
Trouble - Whether in school, at work, at the track or with the law, nonsense will not be tolerated.
Respect - Riders and family members should never disrespect other riders, teams and family.
Ride with Class - in heated moments be the better person and maintain your cool at all times. Safety for everyone is the most important thing you should keep in mind.
Ride Smart - Ride to the best of your ability and don't ride over your head.
Training - Stay in shape year round for at this level failing to do so could result in undesirable consequences. Also ride as much as possible to keep in tune with yourself and your machine.
Professional Appearance - Riders and families should act as professional as possible remembering they represent the whole team and all of its sponsors.
I would have to say that though I only touched on the actual Rider and Family Expectations for the team, it is a little more in depth but gives you an idea what kind of integrity they are looking for at Root River Racing.
I hope it has been some food for thought for you. Some other food for thought before we go is the Sponsorship Do's and Don'ts segment on www.QuadRadio.com with Seth Fargher formally of DWT Tires and Wheels. Seth goes into some detail about what you may need to know this time of year. The continuation of the conversation will take place next Tuesday evening around 9:00 pm eastern standard time.
The words "standard time" sounds so much better to me than "daylight savings" time and even better for me is the fact that this weekend we fall back. So set your clocks back this weekend and get back to normal time. Yeah I know it means that it will get dark at 6 rather than 7 and I say if this is an issue for you, get up earlier to catch that extra hour of daylight in the morning. Your day will just start earlier and you won't even feel the difference.
If you happen to be going to the GNCC races this weekend at Loretta Lynn's in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, remember ATV racing will be on Sunday and the Motorcycles will run on Saturday for the finale. Chris Borich has wrapped up XC1 but the XC2 Pro Am championship goes down to the wire with #591 Pat McGuire and Pro Am Rookie #19 Braden Henthorn. Come check it out if you are in the area.
That will do it for now. Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.