The journey to the “Lone Star State” is about to begin for the amateur round one of the 2016 ATV National Motocross Championship by CST, an AMA National Championship. The Fly Racing ATVSX at Daytona International Speedway has come and gone and served as a great prelude to the not only the AMA Pro ATV championship but as well a glimpse of the amateur racing to come. As the Texas ATV National at Underground MX Park in Kemp, Texas quickly approaches the anticipations are reaching a fever pitch. The new era in the ATV Racin’ Nation is building momentum and the future holds may wonderful and great surprises.

As witnessed in Daytona, everyone came into the New Year with an energy that seems to be building steady and constantly. I have witnessed some great times in our sport in the 20 plus years of my involvement but I have never seen the potential and path look so strong. It is as we know walking a fine line but we are standing more and more on firmer ground. The attitude amongst promoters, participants, sponsors, fans and the industry is seems on a track that could yield some very positive things.

The positives are recognized in the efforts that we have seen put forth on many different levels. The racing has elevated itself along every step of the way. The great thing about the ATV nationals now is that every single class offers something to watch. So this year you may want to have yourself a chair to sit in along the fences because you may need the break during track maintenances. I don’t think you will want to miss a thing.

Those of you that are traveling down early don’t forget to check out the ATV Spring Break at Monster Mountain. Last week we told you about it here in Site Lap and you might have caught it on Quad Radio with Glen Turner and Chris Harper as it is in conjunction with the SE Quads season opener at Monster Mountain one of the newest homes for ATV Motocross National Championships. It is a great opportunity to get to know the new ATV promoter. Monster Mountain also hosts a round of AMA Majors Championship so you know the facility will be top notch.

As the season approaches one thing I would like to remind everyone of is to keep pushing the self promotion and team promotions through social media and as important through any outlet you can find to run your story. I feel to help build the grassroots foundation that everyone should really consider making a standard press release complete with a few photos captioned to local media sources in your area. The obvious is your local newspapers but I challenge you to go one step further. Send to your local radio and if you are really creative maybe drop it to your local TV stations. I will assume that you may not get response at first but keep sending on a regular basis and eventually it may get picked up and ran. I know it sounds far fetched but that is one of the types of the “out of the box” ideas we need to really get things buzzing.

As the new season approaches it is exciting for most but unfortunately for some the excitement may have been depleted. I recently received an update from the Cody Gifford camp and things are not looking too good there. It has been a roller coaster ride in the off-season for the Pro-Am contenders, Cody was possibly more prepared coming into the season when he was sidelined a few weeks before the Daytona ATVSX. Then more bad news after Daytona where Cody dislocated his shoulder and could be sidelined now for they the entire season.

The initial news again is not good for Gifford but it is a long season and with his conditioning level we may get to see a surprise visit from the up and comer. The news comes at a bad time but then again it is a long season and the possibility still looms for a limited showing on his behalf. It may keep him from the spotlight he had hoped to attract early but extra time may not be a bad thing either. Regardless where or if he races this season, it is only adding fuel to his fire and he will likely be a threat to recon with eventually.

The other side of the Cody Gifford story is the one all those who are healthy and what round one and the season brings. The talent pool is deep in the Pro-Am and the Pro Sport classes as the many names join the ranks. Cole Sepesi, Dylan Tremellen, Wes Lewis, Parker Wewerka, Dan Hoisington and Tommy Vossman are just the start of a long list of rising stars to be watching in the near future. These and the many new names that will headline this season and the stage set for a great future in ATV racing. What does it hold and where will go are questions we all wonder but my suggestion is to just hold on for the ride and enjoy everything is has to offer. I know I am.

That’s it from me for now. Let’s check in with Gloop’s Loop and Ken “call me Harlan again and I will shoot you” Hill. Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.

In The Loop With Gloop:

Stay up to date with the Women's Champion, Megan (Manshack) Shepherd, on her Instagram account as she defendes her championship this season.

We are more than ready for Texas!

Keeping up with Ken Hill:

Time is flying by and there is no stopping the clock as we head towards round two! Underground kicked my butt a bit last year, but I aim to tackle it head on in a few weeks when we all cruise to Texas for another unknown round of ATVMX racing! Unknown in the fact that this is anyone's ball game as far as the Pro class goes. Daytona just offered a glimpse into what 2016 has to offer, and Chad Wienen rolled to a convincing win at the opening round. Once we are back to a normal format it is going to be very interesting to see who brings what and who comes out on top for what I feel is going to be a wicked good race! Beyond the top four or five riders we have some up-and-comers that should start to show their hand in the next few rounds, so I for one am pumped to see it all unfold.

I have heard nothing but good things coming out of the Daytona ATVSX through the industry. We seem to be catching the attention of not only companies we look to sponsors us and you, but possibly some players that are outside of the industry that could be persuaded to join the ranks as well. If you raced or even if you didn't, use that round and the numbers coming out of it to help pad the resume. Speaking of numbers, RacerTV released some stats from the opening rounds of racing and they look pretty good. I once again ask all of you to please share the links and info for RacerTV throughout the social media world so we can push our exposure even higher as we all try and capitalize on our young season!

Keeping an eye on the social media side of things it is apparent that many of you as well as myself have left the sunny south and are back to normal and wishing we were back in warmer temps and doing only what we want to do and that is train. Ok, I don't go south to train, but it sure beats being home watching the snowflakes and icefall one day and then preparing to mow the grass the next. With a few weeks separating rounds it will be tough to stay motivated, but be assured your competition is not going to slack off so turn your routine into a workout and do whatever it takes to come out swinging! I am already push mowing to keep my legs working and I know several of you have labor intensive careers so you know how hard it is to find time to workout beyond the workout you do on a daily basis, but it can be done so don't get the blues and give up, we need everyone out there at 100%!

That is all from me this week as I look forward to seeing everyone soon under more normal circumstances. Daytona was a train wreck for me from the standpoint of being able to chat as everyone was so busy and distracted that in depth discussion was almost impossible. The pre season run up to that race was just as bad as everyone either had no clue about specifics or couldn't release info as last minute deals were being signed so getting round one out of the way should help us all. Be safe in your training, practice and of course racing and until we all meet again in the Lone Star State of Texas, may the good Lord bless you all!