The 2014 AMA Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship resumes this weekend in the heartland of America at one of the championships more unique venues. A mix of sand and loam seem to produce some of the best race surfaces that create some of the best racing the championship sees all season. Located in the middle of farm country Sunset Ridge is one of the most energetic crowds cheering their local hero and defending champ Chad Wienen onto a victory.

The only problem I see with this race this year is that I cannot be there. I am in California for the Hangtown Motocross Classic. I do have to admit though my heart is with the ATV Racin' Nation and I will wait with baited breathe to hear the outcome.

A lot of attention will be focused on the AMA ATV Pro and Pro Am classes but round 4 will also feature some great competition and battles in the amateur and youth ranks. To actually say "you need to watch this class" is a statement that you would be saying nearly every time the gate is loaded. But I will try to point out a few battles to watch out for. 

One of those ones to watch this weekend will be the 450A class.  The talent is pool in this class runs deep but two riders seem to standout after the first three rounds. Dylan Tremellen and "Factory" Sam Rowe have posted the most consistent and challenging results to date. Tremellen seemed to be pulling away as the one to beat but a 13th place following his two season opening wins tightened this championship up to just 4 points when Rowe finally found the winners circle in this class. Dylan is looking to be the man to beat but a different Sam showed up at High Point and if he keeps to form this week, the 450 A class could possibly produce some of the best racing this weekend. 

Sam Rowes name also pops up in the Open A class, as it too should be another exciting class to watch. Rowe currently leads the points but could see pressure from two riders that are only 5 points behind and each have the talent and ability to take a win. Argentina's Vital Cazenave runs second and Nick Cavigliassosits third but how knows after this weekend what those point spreads will be like. 

A great championship battle is starting to brew in the 450 C class between Vince Mirman and Logan Dusenberry. Mirman a relative newcomer leads the class by only one point over Dusenberry who seems to be finding himself on the big bike. Dusenberry spent a little time in the youth ranks and has been climbing his way to the top of the charts this season after a slow start. Logan says he is ready to start winning more and hops to turn a one-point deficit this weekend into a points lead. 

Cole Sepesi and Tyler Mack will be two to watch in the Schoolboy Sr. (14-17) class. Sepesi opened the season with two wins while Tyler found a few struggles but the overall win last race brought him to within 5 points and all of a sudden things are starting to get interesting. The confidence of the win and the tight points race should fuel Mack into this weekend but the flip side is that Cole does not like to lose and could come back tougher than ever. All I can say is you don't want to miss this one. 

Cole also leads the Schoolboy Jr. 13-15 class where he enjoy only a 5 point lead over Noah Mickelson who won the season opener and has been in the hunt nearly every drop of the gate. The sleeper in this class though sits only 9 points back in 3rd. Westley Wolfe has posted a couple of second place overalls in this class but anyone who has watched knows that it is a matter of time before this class is a must watch affair.

Though there are more the last class I will mention this week is the 125 (8-15) class. This class has at least three riders that could wow the race fans with some of the best action of huge week. Eli Lingle, Logan Stanfield and Cody Ford are all within 5 points in the championship. Stanfield has two wins; Lingle one and consistency for Ford with two 2nds and a 3rd have this point race tight. Each rider also has the confidence to bring each other to a whole new level that will only be a treat for race fans. It's hard to say who will come out on top of this one but in the end I feel there will be some great stories told.

There are obviously more and even the 70 Shifter class has four former champions competing against each other but that I'll be fodder for next week. Now let's check in with Ken "my garden grows nicely" Hill: 

Thanks Rodney, safe travels to the west coast and we will miss you this weekend! 



Round 4, Sunset Ridge, well this is a location I have never been to so I am excited to see something new to me. Everyone hypes this location as the bomb so I hope I can do it and the riders justice!

I do not have a ton to add this week, it has been fairly quiet since High Point, and maybe there is a ton of planning and regrouping going on. Joel Hetrick’s win was not a huge surprise as we al know he has what it takes to get the job done. And of course seeing Chad Wienen and John Natalie battle is becoming the norm this year. The biggest loss to the top three so far as been the absence of Thomas Brown although I expect some changes before this round that should see him back in the mix for the podium.

What were great to see was riders like Casey Martin and Ronnie Higgerson put in their best Pro finishes to date. Let's face it, the world watches the podium but the real racing many times is going on just outside the top 3 and it is often way more intense than the battle for the win. Throw Jeffrey Rastrelli in that group and we had some serious racing both motos! Rastrelli is going to be tough in the coming seasons as well as Higgerson as they have shown a remarkable jump in speed and endurance. I know many will be watching how they do the next few rounds to see if they can continue to build on their momentum.

The social media side of things is rolling along quite well. Our media partners are helping spread the news and showcase the series and its sponsors. Leading that charge in numbers is our friends at ATV Rider Magazine and we can't thank them enough for their continued support. Their web presence is unmatched when sheer numbers are looked at and getting well over 10,000 likes on the gallery they have been hosting after each round has to have an impact.

That’s all from me; I am closing up the laptop and pulling out of a service area here on the PA turnpike heading to Sunset Ridge. I hope everyone has a safe and victorious weekend of ATV Motocross! 

Thanks Ken! That'll do it for now. Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.