That being said, we are still a ways out from Daytona ATVSX by Fly but we are not as far as you may think. So if you have not registered yet it may be a good idea to get on the ball. A shout out to everyone who has been sharing this information as well as all the things on social media. I have seen some of the greatest offseason riding I think I have ever seen ever. Keep it up!   

As the offseason progresses I have been able to catch up with a few folks that are looking forward to 2016. One of them happened to be Sam Rowe aka Factory Sam and most recent “Pro Ammy Sammy." He said things are going very well and looking up. Sam told me that the root River racing riding school a few weeks ago was a lot of fun and they had a great group of children and adults that were ready to learn. He said “I feel like we helped everyone pick up some speed and technique on the track. Saturday afternoon we got a little bit of rain but that didn't stop us from riding and teaching. I thought it was actually kind of cool to try and teach everyone as the track conditions were getting worse but it did get a little chilly toward the end.”

As far as differences go for Sammy goes next year. He said as well that Root River Racing changed the colors on the bike and they look like a retro 250R and that he thinks “the bikes look sick!” He also said as far as he goes personally “My main focus this year is on Pro-am. I really want to get that championship this year! There's going to be some super-fast guys so I've been working harder than ever for the 2016 season. I'm excited to make the step up to pro and I feel like I'm definitely going to learn a lot this year! I'm excited to get up in the mix of things with the fastest guys on ATVs in the world.”

I also heard from Brandon Smitley who is a rider we have enjoyed watching work his way through the ranks. Talent has never been an issue for Smitley and he will make the move up from C to B in the upcoming season. Brandon is also a part of a new team this year that may help fill in all the holes that have kept him from being where he really wants to be and seems to have the speed to be there. It often times can turn around for you if you the right place and from the looks of things that may be the case.

When asked about the team Brandon said, “My dad Kevin Smitley is our team manager. The team owner is Matt Smittle. We have an awesome group of riders! We Kolton Smittle in the 70 and 90 classes. Kolton is looking good on his bikes right now. He looks way comfier on the bigger bikes. The team will also have Rian Smittle who is moving from youth bikes to C class. He is on The Program and is getting ready for the big boys now. Watching him on the big bikes makes me think he will be your new C class champion only because he’s way smoother and he’s working with Dominic as a coach. I am going to B class and I am also on The Program now, which I feel way better than I ever have. It has been a big step for me.

We currently don’t have an A rider but searching. We do have Aubre King as our WMX rider and she will race in another class, which will be kind of surprise everybody. Wes Lewis will race in Pro-Am and Pro and he too is now on The Program and is working on being on top of pro-am. Then, the team was fortunate enough to pick up Nick Moser. He is a big part of the team and all the team has been working on their part.”

Brandon also said “We all work as a team can’t wait for the season to start at Daytona. We have our bikes almost done and ready to go. We’re going to be twisting a lot of heads this year with our performance.” He said the team will be signing autographs (pro and amateur riders) and they have some really good sponsors and looking for more!!

That’s it for me for now. Let’s check in with Ken “I’m from West by God Virginia not Maryland” Hill. Till next Wednesday, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.

In the Loop with Gloop:

Matt Blommel, of Blommel Motorsports, supports and helps many of the ATV Motocross racers and by the looks of things on social media seems like he is hard at it for the 2016 season already.

Nick Gennusa is training hard in Texas with John Natalie and just released a GoPro video of some of the action.

Keeping up with Ken Hill: 

So Site Lap will be packing its bags and moving to a new day! This makes me pretty happy, so I hope the move will help get the news and stories out there as we continue to try and get things rolling even better for 2016. And if you are interested in getting into Site Lap, please contact us so we can include you in a future edition! 

This week, I had the chance to roll a few questions past a rider that is insanely fast and super fun to watch. His name has been blasting off the speakers for many years as he worked his way through the ranks and for 2016, we will be hearing the name of Sam Rowe even more as he makes the final step into the Pro class!

The word is you will be running pro in 2016 and I know I am not alone in saying I look forward to watching how you tackle that pace. Are you nervous about making the big step?

Yes, I am making the jump into the pro class this year and of course I'm nervous racing with the best guys on atvs in the world but I'm super excited as well. I think I'm going to learn a lot this year running pro and pro-am. It's crazy that for years I've always loved to watch the pro motos and now I'm going to be apart of that and I couldn't be more thankful for everyone behind me. 

You just finished up with the RRR riding school, how did that go? 

The root River riding school was a huge success I feel like we had a great group of children and adults that really worked hard. We did get a little bit of rain and that actually worked out kind of cool teaching them as the track conditions changed. All in all though it was a awesome weekend with some awesome people. I also got to ride with some other pros and that was nice to have us all pushing each other. 

What goals have you set for your program in 2016?

My 2016 goals in pro is to be in the top 10 and mix it up with them guys and really learn a lot.I know pro is going to be a whole new level but I've been working harder than ever so I'm excited. In pro am I really want to win the championship or top 3, last year I missed third by 2 points but I learned a lot and finished the year with 5 straight podiums. I'm looking forward to battling with both classes this year they are both super stacked this year!