This week my contribution to Site Lap comes from the great state of Texas where we are gearing up with the TQRA for the third annual ATV Pro Challenge in memory of Caleb Moore. Colton Moore, his brother, as well as his mom Michelle and his dad Wade are all in attendance, and from what I hear there are some pretty special things that will take place when the ATV Big Air Tour takes the spotlight. All I am at liberty to say is if you are a true ATV racing fan you are going to be sorry you miss this. Hopefully someone captures it and shares it online somewhere because it is rumored to be huge. 

There over $30,000.00 in prizes and cash awards that will be handed out this weekend. Gift cards for youth and amateur classes for the top three. There will be youth and amateur hole shot awards and of course trophies for all the classes. To say the least the prizes are once again monumental for such an event.

As the long off-season for the nationals slowly trudges by we had a chance to catch up with one of the top AMA Pro ATV from 2015. Ronnie Higgerson may be on the verge of his break out season if this past one is any indication. We had a chance to catch up with Ronnie as he talked about this past year and gives us a glimpse of what may be possible in the future:

I raced the pristine pro class in 2015. My season went good; it was my first full season racing only the pro class. I met one goal but didn't meet another. The first was to finish top 5 in the championship and the second was to show people that I have what it takes to run up front in this prestigious class. I was definitely a top 5 rider and I showed that. I would have met my first goal but unfortunately we had 3 races where the quad had some problems and resulted in DNF’s, which killed our points standings. 

The second goal I met for sure, I think I showed everybody what I'm capable of and got my name out there way more this season than any in the past. I had so many supporters coming into this season and it helped so much from family, friends and all my sponsors.

My family will always be my strongest supporters, they do absolutely anything for me within their power to help make sure that I am successful and I couldn't do any of this without them.

The Vechery family for all their great support, help and great times we had this season, I can't thank them enough. The McGinty family is like my second family and in truly blessed to have them in my life, they do more for me than I could have ever asked for. Then there's the Hill family, who provided, helped and motivated me all season long through the good and bad and I'm super happy how close we became this season. 

My favorite round probably was Red Bud this year, the track was sick and I had my best run of the whole season there. It was that weekend where I showed people the potential I have. 

Plans for 2016 are in the works right now, it's kind of a secret at the moment and once all the details are worked out look for a big announcement! I'd like to thank Vechery Racing, Elka, Maxxis, Six5 Designs, Fourwerx, Fasst Company, Pafford EMS, Rath, Troy Lee Designs, SSI Decals, Impact Solutions, TLX, DASA, Hinson, Yoshimura, Baldwin Motorsports, CP-Carillo, TDR and last but not least Aunt Linda! Without all the help from these great sponsors we wouldn't have had as good of a season as we did, thank you all so much!! 

Thanks for the words Ronnie and I can't wait to see what the future holds. That's it for me for now. Let's check in with Gloop and Ken “hunting season…. ahh” Hill. Till next next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.

In The Loop with Gloop:

I'd like to give a Good Luck Shoutout to all the racers at the Caleb Moore Pro Challenge this weekend in Texas.

Keeping up with Ken Hill:

It appears this will be a busy weekend for many in the racin’ nation as several events are about ready to fire off the gate. The Pro Challenge is happening in Texas and will draw some big names as well as a race in Jersey that will have Joel Hetrick and Nick Moser shredding so I expect to see social media light up. Speaking of Nick Moser, I see he is making a return to racing full time in 2016, which is pretty cool. He is a fun rider to watch so we are very happy for his return!

I have two interviews this week, one from Nick Gennusa who had a pretty solid season winning the Pro Am championship as well as finishing out the season in fifth in the Pro class. I asked Nick to sum up his season and here is what he had to say:

“2015 was probably the most fun season I have had in my life of racing. This year I raced the Pro-Am class and won the championship! I also moved up to Pro class this year and ended up in 5th place for my rookie year! To be honest, I couldn't have met my goals anymore then I planned. I did exactly how I wanted to place this year. I also won "Rookie of the year" which was a huge bonus to my resume.

 I can't complain at all with this season. I didn't let much stand in my way at all and just moved forward! My biggest supporters in 2015 was of course my family, my mechanic Tracey Gennusa, Mike Walsh from Walsh Racecraft, Bren Marra from AGX Designs, my trainer Dom Sumpolec, the Ford family from Ford Brothers Racing, and Jonathan Parrish from Corrosion specialties. We all put this program together and made it happen this year! 

I have to say my favorite round this year was my favorite track Unadilla! I absolutely love that place and feel home every time I race there. My plans for 2016 are to run the same program as I ran this year and shoot for an even higher position In Pro class! In life you need to do what makes you happy, I love teaching people how to ride and race and love working with people in the sport I have the most passion for. In this off-season I have started my own riding school. It has been great so far! I have many students that I train with in private classes and group classes. I really enjoy working with everyone and it's great to see people improve every day. Nothing beats the smile on their face and excitement after they see the results they always wanted to put out. I plan to do some traveling in the next few months for my riding school. I train riders/racers of ALL ages on any size bike. Anyone that's interested just emails me at [email protected]. I would be more then happy to work with any riders! Thanks Ken I'm looking very forward to the 2016 race season and my future! “

Nick is headed in the right direction with solid support and results to back up his teams efforts so we will be watching Nick close in 2016!

Next up was a young racer who I had the pleasure of getting to know a bit this season. His on track performance in several classes was well worth watching but it was his off track actions that impressed me the most. When he was not on the gate, he was cheering on other racers or giving those younger than him a bit of advice or encouragement. Even when no one was around to see him, I watched him give thumbs up or a fist pump proving he was genuine and sincere, which is a rare trait these days. Trevor Thatcher is this young mans name and here is what he had to say.

What classes did I race in 2015?
90 Open Sr, 90 Shifter 12-15 & Supermini

How did his season go?
This season went pretty good. I had a few ups and downs, but with this year being the first time in the 90 Sr classes & Supermini, I can’t complain! I knew 2015 was going to be a learning year for me, and I learned quite a bit. 

Did you meet your goals?
Yes. I went into the season hoping for top 5 finishes in all three classes. I finished 3rd in Supermini, 4th in 90 Shifter 12-15, & 5th in 90 Open Sr. 

Were there any issues that stood in your way this season?
The only thing I can really think of that stood in my way this season is living in Ohio, with long, cold winters, making it really hard to get any kind of on track training during the off-season, while a lot of my competition was able to. It is however, a pretty good feeling knowing that even with that disadvantage, I was able to run up front with them, most of the time. 

Who were your biggest supporters in 2015?
My biggest supporters for 2015 were, of course Fierce Powersports, which is owned by my mom and dad. They do so much for me on and off the track. Without their love and support, I definitely wouldn’t’t be where I am now right now. My dad makes sure he builds me some fast motors, and my mom helps keep my diabetes regulated, those are just 2 huge things they do for me, the list is very long! Root River Racing & Makson, Inc. Without Rich Gillette and David Eller’s support, I may have not been able to make it to all 10 rounds of the nationals. Joe Scarrow & Cole Sepesi, who have both taken a lot of time, not just this season, but for the last few seasons, to train me, to push me beyond my quitting point, and to give me advice whenever I needed it.

What was your favorite round in 2015?
My favorite round this year was Unadilla because up until this year, every time I went there, my quads always had issues, and I didn’t finish very well. This year, I won my very first Supermini overall there! I feel like I conquered my nemesis! 

What are your plans for 2016?
As of right now, my plans for 2016 are to race the same classes I raced this year (90 Open Sr, 90 Shifter 12-15, & Supermini), and to be a little more prepared for the season by training down south with Cole Sepesi this winter. Thanks to one of my sponsors, Back to Nature (Scott Sepesi) for the opportunity to do so.

Who would you like to thank for 2015?
I would like to thank all of my sponsors because without every single one of them, I wouldn’t’t be able to compete at the level I do…
Fierce Powersports, Root River Racing, Makson Inc, Elka Suspension, Goodman Racing, JB Racing, 488 Web Design, Rage ATV Racing, Galfer USA, 6D Helmets, Back to Nature Lawn Care, Hot Rods, Cylinder Works, CV4, Hot Cams, Pivot Works, Vertex, Fasst Co, X Brand Goggles, Fly Racing, Boyesen/Carbon Tech, Works Connection, Wienen Motorsports, ODI Grips, Rath Racing, & last but not least Leatt. 

Trevor’s mom stated to me that he worked harder on these questions then he did his homework! He is a very bright kid with a very bright future due to his solid work ethic and strong family ties that keep him well grounded in todays world!