Site Lap: Ridin' Muddy Creek
by: Rodney Tomblin
Friday, April 12, 2013 | 2:15 PM
The second round of the Mtn. Dew AMA ATV Motocross National Championship finally approaches and though it has only been three weeks, it seems almost as if the season is now starting its actual kick off. Weather conditions literally dampened the season opener so maybe for a number of riders the AMSOIL Spring National will bring a whole new outlook as it rolls into Muddy Creek Raceway in Blountville, Tennessee.
Muddy Creek has long been a staple in the motocross racing world since its inception in the 1970s. When current promoter and ATVPG President Sam Gammon took the reins of the facility and began building careers and dreams through Loretta Lynn Area Qualifiers, The US Mega Series, The Mtn. Dew AMA ATV MX Nationals and soon it will welcome for the first time the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing.
This will mean a few changes for the ATV Racin’ Nation as the facility goes through some major changes as it gets ready for something that has been dreamt about and worked toward for many years. It will mean some fresh new areas around the facility and hopefully parking will be another step further than even last year’s major improvements. Muddy Creek has been featured in Sports Illustrated, Racer X Illustrated, Motocross Action, Dirt Bike, ATV Sport and Dirt Wheels magazines and the victory Sports crew continues to make strides in order to increase the exposure for the racers and make it more fan friendly.
As far as the racing goes heading into this weekend, there should be an amazing battle ready to be forged in the east Tennessee hills. A number of riders have been busy the last few weeks prepping for round 2. Kyle Fix, John Natalie, Jeffrey Rastrelli and a few more have all been holed up at Duck Lloyd’s place in Virginia. Many of those guys made an appearance at Saturday’s Steele Creek GNCC in Morganton North Carolina this past weekend.
Duck Lloyd is one of a handful that is competing in both the GNCC and the ATV Motocross Nationals. Duck is running”¦excuse me”¦.crushing the field in the Junior A 22+ class in GNCC competition and has won all three rounds of the season with another huge win in the majestic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Duck has also gotten stronger each race in the overall scoring just outside the top 20 and could soon be looking to battling for a top amateur spot or two throughout the season. Duck is joined in the battle for two national titles in two separate ATV disciplines with Westley Wolfe who took 3rdoverall and 2nd in his 125 Sr. 12-15 class and Jordan Digby who is also starting to see some success rolling in his favor after a season ending injury last year. According to what I have been told, there has never been a dual national championship in GNCC and ATV MX and history could be written at the end of 2013.
I spoke with Rastrelli early on Friday and told me, “We’re going to walk the track with Duck!” with a chuckle. 10 miles and a few hours later I ran into a very tired and dragging Rastrelli claiming his first and last GNCC track walk in his life. AMA Pro ATV MX Rookie Kyle Fix was also along for the trip and when asked if he would like to try his hand at GNCC he just simply stated, “After seeing what I saw, the track isn’t wide enough for me to think about that!”
John Natalie, who is the focus of a new Motosport.com video series called Natalie’s Way and episode 1 is a great prelude to what the 2-time champ is facing in the 2013 season bid for the championship. Natalie spoke with me on Saturday and told me he was working on some things and could be seen at the GNCCs on occasion as well as the AMA Pro ATV Nationals. John said he is just having fun riding his quad.
I got a note from Jagar Halbleib after the opening round and it sounds like he is ready to get at it this weekend at Muddy Creek. I am sure he is not the only as there was a lot left on the table after Aonia Pass. Jagar sent these words:
Hey Rodney I hope you’re finally dry from the crazy weather at round one. I’ve worked super hard this off-season preparing for the 2013 season. I didn’t get to ride much this off season as I had planned to due to an injury but I have been in the gym keeping the conditioning up to par. I am running the College Boy, 4 stroke-A class and also made the jump to the Pro-Am class this year. I had some bike issues at round one because mainly of the weather that I didn’t really get to see where I stand in pro-am, but I felt really good and I’ll be ready to come out swinging in Tennessee and shock some people. I couldn’t do it this year without some great friends, family and sponsors. The big one this year is Corrosion Specialties helping me out a ton and also helping our sport. I’d like to thank all my sponsors for all they do for me, Corrosion Specialties, Apex collision center, Hetrick Racing, Dynamite ATV, trp, Walsh Race Craft, Maxima Racing Oils, K&N Filters, Flex Handlebars, Rath, SSi Declas, FM, Fox Shocks, Hinson Clutches, Matrix Concepts, Oury Grips, CheapTearOffs.com, Patrick Tays, Jonathan Bryant Training, Motosport, Get Dirty MX, Ranzani Family, Shepherd Family, Parrish Family, Fortin Family, Kenny family and most of all my Mom and Dad!
As we head into the weekend, don’t forget all the information you will need to make things go smoothly this weekend can be found in the tabs at the top of the ATVMotocross.com webpage. There is information concerning practice and race orders, gate and signup times, camping for fans and racers as well as recent updates in the results from round 1 due to the crazy muddy situations we were faced with to open the season. Also when printing race and practice orders remember this will be an even round.
Something to think about right now as well is the planned memorial and benefit in the honor of Bob “Smitty” Smith at the Birch Creek round of the ATV MX Nationals. There will be special things planned for the weekend as well and any and all proceeds will go to Smitty’s family.
This weekend on Saturday night there will be special activities that include Moto Bingo again and or something new and exciting but there is always something for the family planned every Saturday night. Then on Sunday morning around 7 am, chapel services will be conducted and is open for all.
That’s it for now. Till next time God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.