ATV Motocross

Site Lap: The Live Finale

Site Lap: The Live Finale

Friday, August 8, 2014 | 11:30 AM
by:
Friday, August 8, 2014 | 11:30 AM

If you missed Rodney's Site Lap: Tuesday Edition, check it out HERE!

Before we hand it off to Ken Hill we'd like to remind you that while you're surfing the web this week, jump onto www.racertv.com and catch up on everything happening in the world of motorsports with The Racer X Show with Greg White presented by Chapparal Motorsports.

Alright, take it away Ken!

The week between Loretta's Amateur National and the ATV National is the perfect time for relaxing and floating down the river at The Ranch
The week between Loretta's Amateur National and the ATV National is the perfect time for relaxing and floating down the river at The Ranch Photo: Ken Hill

Thanks Rodney!

Wrapping up Redbud and then heading down to Loretta Lynn's has me still in a daze as the past few weeks have all blurred together. The weather was stellar and I can only hope and pray it holds for this weekends ATV national. The week leading to this event is a vacation for many and down time is well earned after a season of travel and extremely hard work. Loretta’s makes for a nice place to kick back and enjoy time with friends as we all prepare to end our season together. Already people have chairs in the creek and are enjoying what Loretta Lynn’s Ranch has to offer. Nashville is but one of the local areas that folks flock to during the week while calling the ranch home base for this week long racing vacation. 

The sign says it all... 
The sign says it all...  Photo: Ken Hill

Seeing the Amateur bike national the week before our own race provided once again a very enlightening view of the differences between the two styles of racing and how the sponsors and companies support the varying riders and events. It would be easy to complain but business is business and all we can do is keep trying to show the world what we do has merit and deserves support. My train of thought all week was keyed on this and I came to the conclusion that we are not fighting a loosing battle, merely a battle that will require different tactics and different approaches to get the growth we all seek. I see us as highly specialized and unique versus small and outcast. Where some view ATV motocross in decline, I see it at a point where we can try new things and help capture a new market as our numbers have been holding steady this season. Going outside the boundaries may be where your next sponsors come from so give that some thought as you start preparing for next season which should begin the day you leave the final round, those getting support will be making calls and putting in the work needed immediately!

Do not miss the LIVE action from Loretta Lynn's ATV Dirt Days National this Saturday starting at 2:30pm CST (3:30pm EST)
Do not miss the LIVE action from Loretta Lynn's ATV Dirt Days National this Saturday starting at 2:30pm CST (3:30pm EST)

Ok, enough soapboxes, let’s dig into this weekend’s event. Once again, RacerTV.com will be broadcasting live starting Saturday roughly at 2:30pm CST and ending at 5:30pm CST. The live broadcast should be shared everywhere you can so that we can have the kind of impact we need to help keep your racing in the face of everyone we can. Having people state they did not know about it or were not aware of a live broadcast should be a thing of the past and if you are not hitting a few keys on your phone to help spread the word then shame on you! Using the coverage, as a tool should be paramount as you seek sponsorship and notoriety and there is no excuse you can give me as to why one wouldn’t help get the broadcast going viral. 

The racing itself should be epic. Chad Wienen has the championship locked so he will be riding for the win without the pressure he has faced all season. You do not carry the #1 plate and lay off at the final round, expect him to be going for another win regardless! Of course there are quite a few pro’s that want to leave the 2014 season with a win or at the very least on the box so the pressure will hit them head on. The points battle for the top 5 positions is close with Thomas Brown and Joel Hetrick being two riders that we need to watch here at Loretta Lynn’s. The Ironman John Natalie will want his mark left here as well so expect him to come out swinging and if he gets the holeshot he may prove to be the man to beat. Natalie has had some issues at the past few rounds but you are a fool if you count him out!

Joel Hetrick has had an impressive 2014 season, and will be one to watch at Loretta's this weekend as him and Thomas Brown battle for second in the Championship
Joel Hetrick has had an impressive 2014 season, and will be one to watch at Loretta's this weekend as him and Thomas Brown battle for second in the Championship Photo: Ken Hill

Josh Creamer and Jeffrey Rastrelli could be poised to post good finishes here as well; Loretta’s is a fast track with enough challenge that we face once again a round where the podium could be taken by almost anyone. Josh Upperman always is a threat so without even thinking we have 6 top tier riders that can blow the podium out of the water! This should make for another great round of racing that will play out live for the world to see!

Although the week will seem to fly by, we all hope you can find some fun and rest while you are here enjoying the days leading up to the final round. While the internet seems to keep us all in touch, it just is not the same when you can’t give a handshake or see a smile or even hear the words that make up great conversations. God bless and lets take the 2014 season out with the best racing of the season!

The ATV Racin' Nation would like to give a special congratulations to the Natalie's who have announced they will be having another baby girl!  
The ATV Racin' Nation would like to give a special congratulations to the Natalie's who have announced they will be having another baby girl!   Photo: Ken HIll