Welcome to another “2015 pre-season” update on the happenings around the world of ATVMX and the AMA ATV Motocross National Championship’s off-season. As Ken Hill mentioned a few weeks back, things are and have been for the most part quiet. However we have both been able to dig up a little information. Well not so much information from me but still some things of interest.

If you happen to be in the mid-west next Friday September 19^th, you may want to check out the Wienen Motorsports Training School going on at Sunset Ridge MX in Walnut, Illinois. Chad Wienen will be hosting the school and you know there will be plenty to learn. Chad will cover a little training, nutrition and of course riding. If you would like more details you can email Chad at [email protected]. Space is limited and there are only a few spots left.

On another note about the now 3-Time Champ, Chad is rumored to be looking into racing the Ironman GNCC. Chad has stated in the past that if his schedule could work out, he would love to give it a try. Remember Chad trained with 5-Time GNCC Champ Chris Borich most of last winter and became even more interested after seeing the animal that Borich is. These two have a lot in common as far as dedication to training and riding and championship lifestyles. It will be a good experience for him as well as a treat for the fans to get to see this.

While scanning Twitter to see what folks may be doing I noticed a Tweet from Josh Upperman (@upperman20) that said he is already ready to go for next season. It appears most of his sponsorships are dialed in and it is just a waiting game until the gate drops. It would be nice to hear some reports of new sponsorships added and see something happen there. The good news is that he has time to focus on that now.

Josh Creamer recently returned from Africa on another Safari hunt. Josh seems to live a pretty exciting lifestyle. If you recall he and ATVRiders.com Harlan Foley went on deer hunt in Ohio last winter just prior to the season kickoff. Josh recently tweeted his return and nearly immediately got off the plane and drove to Alabama to help a friend drive back home. That’s some travel I tell ya! Who knows how many hours he spent on a plane followed by nearly 48 hours behind the wheel of a vehicle driving from Connecticut to Alabama? All I can say is that Josh is a beast. I would have to think that with the obvious self-disappointment Josh had out of last season 2015 could bring a whole new animal, which would translate into a possible challenge for the championship. Josh has also been spending some time playing a little golf. All I know is that I certainly chose the wrong profession because Josh is living my dream off-season.

I haven’t heard much out of “Kid Dynamite” Joel Hetrick lately except he was pretty amped up about the then upcoming Steelers vs. Browns game. I am not 100% sure who he was rooting on but one would have to think he was a Steelers fan. If that’s the case then he was a happy fan. If not then he was a little disappointed. Either way it was a good game and that’s the kind of things we do this time of year. Watch football.

The “Almost Evil” Ronnie Higgerson #665 has been patiently waiting the new arrival of the iPhone 6. He did have the dilemma of 4.0 or 5.5 screen to which I am not sure he decided. However, he did wake up at 2:00am just to preorder. Talk about dedication! I guess that is a true sign of why we have seen the great advancements in his program over the past couple of seasons. I saw a post he made that for me summed it all up, “I touched down in ’89 and knew I was the man by the time I was 9.” It’s that confidence along with the dedication that makes it all possible for him to excel. I also could say a good support network behind him and the fact that he is having the time of his life.

I also picked up on tweet from @UKQuadSport, which is a major voice for the British Quad Championship. They tagged a few top ATVMX stars saying, “Wouldn’t it be nice if the USA had a team in the ATV MX des Nations? I would have to agree and to be honest; I didn’t realize that they even had that kind of race. I have heard of the race in France but never an ATVMX des Nations and if it isn’t really happening yet, let’s make it happen. If it is, let’s host an event soon! Someone get me some details on this. It really seems like a great idea.

I did have a chance to talk to Jeffery Rastrelli. Jeff says he has been busy working since the season’s end. He also said he “got a new ride”. He said it was a brand new Ford F-250. I asked him what kind of job he had and he said, “Haven’t you heard? I just inked the richest contract in ATVMX history! Details will be coming out soon.” And how great would that be if it were true! Actually he said he has been busy working with his dad moving dirt in Florida. Sounds like he is right on track though as we have seen this regiment out of him the last couple of seasons and it actually seems to be working to give him a break from the constant grind of ATVMX. Don’t get me wrong, he is still training but with a little different approach.

It seems I have more to talk about than I thought. I also just spoke with Thomas Brown like seconds ago while scribing this and he told me he is pretty busy with TQRA and getting ready for this year’s Caleb Moore Memorial Race. Next week I will have some more details on that and I will have more information on a Speed and Style event that Thomas just completed.

Now let’s check in with Ken “took my wife to Unadilla GNCC for our 23^rd anniversary and she said it was the most exciting thing they have done in all that time” Hill. (Kenny you keep up the grand times and you could be in my singles boat by your 25^th) 

Thanks Rodney,

Well it has been a very busy week as everyone got back to racing as the GNCC season fired back up after a two-month break. It was great to see everyone however not everyone actually got a break. For the majority, there may have been a 3 or 4-day hiatus and that’s it. It is hard for many to understand that the folks who put all this together literally work 24/7 from February through November with a demanding schedule that has a relentless pace. When they are not doing GNCC, there is ATVMX and when that is not happening there is Pro Motocross from coast to coast. It is no wonder some of the crew looks like they are well worn out by mid season yet they continue to press on and do the very best job they can for us all. I applaud them for their hard work and I hope you will too.

See, I kind of have the best of both worlds. I get to show up Friday afternoon, grab some images of the track, maybe a few pitshots and do my own thing and the heavily outlined routine that most have to follow so we have continuity at each event. There is not much of a need for me to be there days in advance to do the heavy work because no one really wants an image of a bare track and empty pits. I pretty much swoop in after everything is set up and ready to go, so in many ways that keeps me fresh. Of course, I get wore out as well from the schedule but I have a ton of freedom that doesn't go unappreciated. 

Now this is not all about me, I am hopefully setting the stage for some insights as we head into fall. I hope to give many that don't know or don't pay attention to how this whole deal works. I plan on trying to bring this entire crazy routine into a calm and chaotic resemblance of normalcy. It is just before 6 a.m. as I type this so the big words hurt but lack of sleep and coffee can awaken your inner self, well lets just stick with being awake for now!

So back to the GNCC and its return to racing at the legendary Unadilla facility. After 10 years on the series schedule, they managed to pull just fewer than 2100 race entries. That is an impressive number and set a new record for the series. The crew had to make a call about sky shot and sadly it was taken out of the course and man did that start the crying and whining. I basically told everyone that we should expect a huge spectator and race turn out when the ATVMX returns in 2015 as everyone wanted to see the quads air it out. If they show up, I promised them an incredible display of big air by those that do it best, you guys! Will it work? Who knows, you all know how the Internet and complaining goes but it stands as an open offer. I will also be watching the final round closely as the series heads to Indiana and that new motocross track at the Ironman, if you catch my drift. It is indeed cool to see the XC1 Pro treebashers get silly over a 120 foot jump after each 10 mile lap of pounding rocks and tree's but none of them compare to say Chad Wienen or Joel Hetrick doing it lap after lap!

Now it may seem a bit odd discussing GNCC on the ATVMX Site Lap but cross over riders are plenty. Word is that John Natalie is trying to get prepped for the next round held at the Somerset PA location. John knows how to go fast on any terrain and over the years has used an early round of cross country to help ready himself for the ATVMX season, and I don't mean lug around because the man flat out rips. Sure, he may call it a day after a few laps but that is to protect his hands, which can be a bloody mess after just a lap. We will be looking forward to the Ironman, John Natalie, lined up and ready to throw down! Megan Manshack will be hitting her first tree in GNCC competition at this upcoming Somerset round as well. I gave her some advice; you know, ice packs, things to help with blisters, heating pads and all the good stuff that she is going to need after taking the pounding she is going to encounter. I did not tell her about "Monkey Butt" but some things need to be experienced first hand so lets let her find out about that all on her own! Another rider that excels in both series is that of Westley Wolfe. This kid is an animal on a motocross track and a flat out beast in the woods, often competing back to back weekends and winning his class in both series. That's double tough in anyone's book! 

So if you are in the region, be sure to come out and cheer on the riders that brave both series, I know they would enjoy it and you will too! That is all from me, looking forward to next week as I get to scare the heck out of Megan with horror stories about Sasquatch knocking riders off quads 11 miles from nowhere and I will be sure to keep an eye on her beau Luke Shepard who will be a bundle of nerves and full of "I told you so" comments after her two hour debut under fire!

Thanks Ken! Good stuff again and full of fiber!

That’ll do it for now. Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.