Site Lap: The Off-Season Standstill

Site Lap: The Off-Season Standstill

TimeFriday, October 10, 2014 | 10:55 AM
by:
TimeFriday, October 10, 2014 | 10:55 AM

Welcome to Site Lap.

I am not sure but I may have mentioned or alluded to the fact that this is just about the hardest time of the year for me from a racing standpoint. Everything is winding down or wound down and the off-season is upon us. GNCC is the only series still underway but the finale of that one is coming up in only a couple of weeks now at the Ironman GNCC in Crawfordsville, Indiana. This will be a must see for any ATV racing fan as for the first time in over 20 years has the GNCC ATV title has come down to the finale. The last time was in 1993 when Barry Hawk won his first of 7 ATV championships.

I have had some contact with Thomas Brown and we are trying to find a time when we both are free to talk a little about what’s going on in his program for 2015. If you follow him on social media you have probably seen the messages. Thomas appears to be on track and positive about the upcoming championship fight. If you haven’t heard, Thomas has elected to run his own program again and seems to be more excited than normal. That’s saying a lot especially since he is one of the most optimistic people in the championship. Thomas feels like he is destined for great things and he works, trains and lives a life to try and achieve that. Don’t be surprised if 2015 brings a tighter title chase with Thomas Brown in the middle of it all.

We can't wait to hear what you have going on for 2015, shoot us an email to keep us up-to-date!
We can't wait to hear what you have going on for 2015, shoot us an email to keep us up-to-date! Photo: Ken Hill

Joel Hetrick has been mainly quiet recently. If you follow then you know he may have been experiencing some problems with his Twitter but seems to have rectified that. Joel is another rider that has got a lot on his plate for 2015. I am not sure where Joel stands at the moment. I assume that JB Racing will still be backing that program. It’s without a doubt that he is destined for greatness. The big question though is what brand of choice the team will be sporting next season. I only mention this because it has been said that Can Am may be backing down on support for ATVs and focusing on the Side-by-Side market a little more. If that’s the case, we know that JB will still have associations but what does it mean for the whole sport ATV program. I suppose those questions will be answered in time.

Scanning the overall top 10 list posted on ATVMotocross.com I can’t help but be a little excited about what the possibilities of the new season holds. We have announced the immediate move of Cole Sepesi from Youth Division to Open A and Pro Am under the guidance of Wienen Motorsports. Root River Racing also announced at the conclusion of the season that top 450 A and Open A rider “Factory” Samuel Rowe will be making the move to the Pro Am class. This is the progressive step forward and if this past season is any indication of what is to come then Sammy will be a player.

Nick Gennusa had a pretty good 2014 season, we're looking forward to seeing him in 2015.
Nick Gennusa had a pretty good 2014 season, we're looking forward to seeing him in 2015. Photo: Ken Hill

A reminder for you if you are going to be in or near Illinois and looking for something to do, don’t forget to mark your calendar and join 40+ champion Kevin (Rev-N'-Kevin) Pocrnich at a race for his late racing friend Ron Henderson at Lincoln Trail Motosports in Casey, IL this October 26th. Below are some of the details.

Ron Henderson Cancer Awareness ATV race (Casey, IL) 

The Classic track and Lincoln Trail will be all ATV's on Sunday October 26th for a memorial race to honor the late Ron Henderson. The cost is $35 race fee with a $5 of each race fee being donated to the American Cancer Society.

The gates open at 6 am and the fee to get in is $10.
ATV Race Registration 8am
ATV Practice 9am-11am
ATV Riders Meeting 11am
Ron Henderson Memorial Lap 11:30 am
Racing begins immediately after the memorial lap

Come join the fun and have a great day with family and friends, while knowing Ron is smiling and watching us do what he loved the most...support and RACE ATV's!

Who can't wait for the high flying ATVMX action to be back?!
Who can't wait for the high flying ATVMX action to be back?! Photo: Ken Hill

Also don’t forget the banquet is coming up and if you haven’t made your reservations yet you really need to be getting this done. The 2014 ATVMX Awards Banquet will be held Saturday, November 8, 2014 at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown, WV.

Waterfront Place Hotel rooms are available to ATVMX Racers and their families at a discounted rate of $115 + tax by calling (866) 782-9974. Be sure to ask for the “ATVMX block” when reserving a room, the cut off for this special rate is October 10, so call and reserve your room now!

Banquet reservations are now available HERE. Adults (12+) $35, Youth (6-11) $20, kids 5 and under are Free.

And now let’s check in with Ken “Neither, rain nor sleet nor…..is gonna stop me from getting the shot” Hill:

John Natalie had some outstanding rides in 2014, will he find the top spot of the podium some more in 2015...
John Natalie had some outstanding rides in 2014, will he find the top spot of the podium some more in 2015... Photo: Ken Hill

I seemed to be missing in action as it were as my submission for last weeks Site Lap somehow did not make it! I sent it, but it was misconstrued I think as something besides what it was intended to be. So here it is just so I don't get called a slacker...

Hey Rodney! (6:22am) 

I read about your request to have people from the Racin' Nation write in to you about what is going on or what the scoop is during the off-season etc. Man I can't pass up a chance to get some free publicity that speaks directly to the core of our sport so I decided not to let this opportunity pass! 

The off-season for me has been filled with tons of work! The honey-do list ran me down, beat the snot out of me and I was forced to tackle the majority of the projects I was putting off due to racing season. The biggest project was that of my new deer hunting blind. It has been a 10 year quest that I was finally able to finish with the help of the family! The good Lord willing, we will hunt in a bit of comfort this year and fill our freezers with venison!

As far as work goes, the Amsoil GNCC series presented by Maxxis has us running non-stop until the final round. It is a slower pace now that the Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross series has concluded it's season. While the workload was cut down, I cannot help but miss seeing the action and listen to the stories as the riders relay their motos throughout the weekend! It will be exciting to see and hear about the changes for teams and the series as we all look forward to what 2015 will bring!

I will continue to send in a brief recap of what is going on in my program as we trudge through the off-season and I want to thank you and the series for giving me a voice on Site Lap! I need to thank my sponsors, Visa, MasterCard, Home Depot, Lowes and the wife for whom I am eternally grateful. I would list more but I am currently seeking more help so that my program can continue to grow!

Be sure to follow me on Facebook (Ken Hill) and on Instagram (KenHill127)!

Thanks again,

Ken Hill (6:26 am)

What I had intended was to show that it can take as little as five minutes or so to get Rodney a little info on what you are up to and it does not have to be all racing related. We love to hear about behind the scenes stuff that goes on so don't be shy!

Joel Hetrick has been pretty silent on social media, but we look forward to hearing all about his 2015 plans soon
Joel Hetrick has been pretty silent on social media, but we look forward to hearing all about his 2015 plans soon Photo: Ken Hill

Now as far as the Racin Nation goes, it is all quiet and non-existent as far as social media goes. I went and searched some of the heavy hitters just to make sure I wasn't missing out on things and sadly I found out you guys have gone silent which is a big mistake and another reason your team or program should have a dedicated social media plan that is updated year round. The companies that support you are indeed looking just as others and I do for information and they want to see promotion of their products and services even if they have not told you to do it. Advertising, self-promotion and a positive public image can land you some support that will last your career and it only takes a few minutes each week to accomplish. And for the most part, using social media is a free asset! I know you think a sentence or two doesn't matter but it does.

Nick Moser made a couple of fans happy by autographing his gear and some t-shirts for them this past year
Nick Moser made a couple of fans happy by autographing his gear and some t-shirts for them this past year Photo: Ken Hill

Editors or those in charge of social media are dying for snippets of info they can use and share. If you make their life easier, I promise you that they will be looking at you as a source and that snippet can mean exposure through their sources. We face a new type of media that has yet to be fully grasped and one needs only to look at Supercross or the bike world of racing to see how viral things can get when the heavy hitters take their social media into the marketing realm of their programs. Use those hash tags. Tag the people who back you and we can start keeping the racing world filled with exactly what they want.

That is all from me this week. I hope you all have a successful and safe weekend doing what you do!

Thank you Kenny for that bit of information and try to stay dry and warm and cozy and all that good stuff in your new deer slaying condo!

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