It’s almost as if a silence has blanketed the land and the ATV Racin’ Nation waits in anticipation as we stare right into the eyes of the 2016 Daytona ATVSX by Fly Racing. The next few days leading into the first gate drop feelings will intensify, as everyone is anxious to show and to see what the season may hold. The 2 card has gone up, we have seen the one and now the card sits sideways while the revs are bouncing off the limiters. And then………………..The race is on!

Riders and teams are converging on Florida with a vengeance. The latest buzz is that everyone is ready and everyone is just waiting to see what this first round of AMA Pro ATV racing will bring. The players are many and more than in recent years. Not only do we have the returning stars but a couple of new faces will dawn the starting line. It was only a few weeks ago we told you about the new northeast ATV star making his way in under the guidance of Dave Porter. Jon Glynn will be a 30-year rookie in the AMA ATV Motocross Nationals. And then of course the arrival of the west coast sensation Davie Haagsma that many folks are excited to see what he could do.

Davie Haagsma has now made his way to Florida from California and is training near Waldo MX this week. He has been busy already racing this season winning the last WORCS race a little over a week ago but according to Davie, he is focused on the nationals. I spoke with Davie earlier this week on Quad Radio and you can meet the newest face by clicking here. You may be surprised just how much attention he has on this season and we may be surprised with a new player in the game.

I also spoke with Joel Hetrick. Joel is extremely pumped and wants to get the season underway. He has been training in Louisiana at the Pafford Compound and reports are he is not only faster but also even smoother than before. Joel admitted to his biggest problem and why he thinks has yet to win the championship yet. However, he sounds more ready than ever to face the task. You can hear his interview by clicking here.

I myself am on the road making my way south as I scribe this contribution. I spoke with family and friends back home and I may have left just in time as they were getting dusted with snow and cold temps this morning and all the while I squint through the bright morning sun rolling down I-95. Life is good is it not?

We are truly blessed as a racing community and the future like this morning’s sun is as bright as any I have seen. What answers lie in wait? One week from today we shall find out. The great thing about Daytona as it was last year is that we were treated to a couple of surprises and this year could see more. Who will win the AMA Pro ATV season opener? Your guess is as good as anyone but whoever it is should have a fight on his or her hands to the checkers finally fly.

If for some reason you cannot make it for this first round, you can catch the action live on RacerTV.com. Broadcasts schedules should be posted and a quick glance sees a very busy week during Bike Week for the crew. RacerTV will be live on Saturday and Sunday around 1:00pm eastern with coverage of the Moose Racing Wild Boar GNCC from Palatka, Florida. Then on Monday we will be live at RCSX (Ricky Carmichael Amateur Super Cross) for the opening round of the 2016 AMA Motocross Majors tour. Tuesday will once again see the live coverage of the ATVSX, which will cover some of the amateur racing as well as AMA Pro ATV qualifiers, heat races and the Main. Just click on RacerTV.com to join us with many of the happenings from Daytona.

That’ll do it for me for now. Let’s check into Gloop’s Loop and with Ken “I can used to all this sunshine” Hill. Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.

In the Loop with Gloop:

Make sure to head over to Facebook and follow Quad Radio for some great preseason interviews you can listen to while driving from round to round.

Thomas Brown has been putting in the work and is ready for some ATV Supercross.

Keeping up with Ken Hill:

A big howdy from the sunshine state! I must admit that I have enjoyed the weather during the past two weeks but would still rather have been at home. Well maybe not, seeing they are still getting ice and snow but that age-old adage that there is no place like hone is most definitely true. For the riders however, this weather just means more time for training and riding and there is no time to be homesick as the first round is coming up fast. 

The cool part for me has been watching how things come together as racers arrive here in the south and officially begin their run up to the new season. For many, it is no big deal beyond a few days of sore muscles, some attention to detail on their set up and continued training at the gym. For others however, the cold fact of difficulty and problems seem to grab ahold of them and shaking those demons loose can seem like a monstrous task. I hate seeing any rider or team struggle but it is part of it all and money and support can really be helpful but not the sole answer, as small details over looked can often be the root cause of bigger problems. Slowing things down and refocusing on things to prevent issues before they turn into season affecting tragedy may be job No. 1 for many. 

Being tied to the Internet has also given me a glimpse into how things are going for riders that I have not been able go see and chat with. While social media is excellent for updates, it is paramount for keeping sponsors updated as well as they are searching for your posts as the swell of the new season means material for them to share and promote. I know for myself, it has been a crazy road trip that has had its share of success and goals not met but again, that is the nature of the beast! I think the most anticipated person in most of all this is the UPS man! Waiting on parts, graphics or the final or much needed items sometimes means the difference between me getting a photo shoot in or sitting in a shady spot watching the world roll by. The lack of having what is needed may be the most frustrating aspect I’ve witnessed. 

With some down time the past day or so I have also been scrolling nonstop looking at who is doing what and where and I was able to listen to Quad Radio and The Quadcast with the Toddfather as their interviews rolled out info from the top talent across several series. Hearing the interviews and taking direct it appears to me that we have a real barnburner of a season coming over the horizon across both the ATVMX and GNCC series. The common denominator is we just have to many riders who want to be carrying the championship title when the roost settles come season end! The fire that is simmering pre season will be turned into a volcano in just a few short days as the lips stop moving and the gates start dropping. Wienen, Hetrick, Brown, Natalie, Haagsma and Rastrelli all seem ready to go and look to be the group that will have the worlds attention this season but I wouldn’t count out a few others who may find their hard work thrusting them into the mix at any given round. It should be intense, it should be exciting and I know I am not alone in wanting to get things started! The Pro class won’t be the only class to watch this season as Pro Am and Pro Sport are looking to be filled with incredible talent that should provide us fans with nonstop action.

I had the pleasure of spending two days shooting images of our champion Chad Wienen that was a first for me. I don’t think Chad and I have spoken more then a handful of times over the years at the track simply because he has a job to do and so do I so detailed conversation just never came about. That changed a bit during our shoots and I learned quite a bit about Chad that crossed over to just about every other pro rider I know. The determination and drive these riders have is unmatched and it is easy to see and hear. What I took away the most and have heard from others as well is their wish that they could do something or make something happen for the riders coming up through the ranks. You hear that in the interviews nonstop and to me that is a defining character trait that they all share. It speaks volumes to what makes these guys tick when they could easily just look out for themselves and concentrate on those who support them and make them money. So if you are an up and coming racer or fan and only get a few seconds to chat with our pro riders at the races, thank them. Thank them not for who they are or the amazing skills they have, but for their dedication to you and the future of our sport. 

That is all from me this week and can you believe it is the last Site Lap before Daytona! Next week I will be sitting at the Daytona International Speedway in my truck writing my contribution instead of a hotel parking lot! We want to pray for all of our racers and fans making the trip and we wish you all the success and safety in your endeavors!