The weekend actually looks to be even better than what we had at Sunset Ridge on the weather front and that means the racing will again be at peak level. The championships as anticipated may be starting to take shape and we are in for an exciting end to a rather surprising start. The one championship on folk’s minds is the obvious battle between Chad Wienen and Joel Hetrick. As exciting as it seems there are a few tighter battles in the amateur ranks that you may want to be keeping an eye on.

The obvious battles waging in the A, B, C and College classes continue to be what we expected and will likely only intensify as we get closer to the end of the season. The youth are equally as exciting and even a couple are within only a few points and look to be heating up more and more each round.

The Schoolboy Sr. (14-17) is one of the first one to catch attention. The beginning of the season it seemed it was going to be the Peyton Zimmerman show but as the nature of the class goes, it’s not what it always seems. Troy Hill was also an expected threat and not only has he risen to the occasion he may have even stepped his game up a notch or two. Hill has claimed two more wins than Zimmerman so far this year and the real test for both riders starts now. The gap between riders is seventeen points and depending on how the rest of the year goes for both will be a challenge to make up but certainly within the realm of possibility. Can Hill maintain his composure and control or will Zimmerman figure out what he needs to get the job done? Both riders face a challenge the rest of the season and each one appear to be ready for the fight in this class.

The Super Mini (12-15) class is one that we have been watching since the word go. We talked about the intensity of the battles between Trevor Thatcher, Bryce Ford and Brandon O’Neill. Since the early part of the year there has not been a lot to change. Thatcher has seemed to gain a little control of the situation but not really by a lot. Figuring drops in soon though may change the picture and put him in a dominate position as far as points go but the coming rounds could bring some surprises. Seven points separate Thatcher and Ford with O’Neill being twenty-two points from the point lead right now. Thatcher and Ford each have three wins apiece and you can bet the next rounds with these three could be scaled as monumental.

The Schoolgirl (13-17) may be one of the most heated of any on the charts right now honestly. Kiersten Keane and Nimah Shaw are tied with only a nineteen-point lead over a quickly advancing Johanna Vossman. All three of the girls have now hit a point where they are advancing in speed and talent is really making this a must watch class. It really seems to be becoming one of those nail-biting battles that make for some great racing to witness. The  champion in this class will surely deserve this title and it will not come easy for whoever ends up with it.

Trevor Thatcher is the center of another exciting championship battle in the 90 Open Sr. (12-15) class. He currently leads the class by seven points over a former Jr. class rival Lance Walker. Walker has a couple of wins to his credit at the moment but has not seen the consistency he hoped for so far. The fact is though that if he can find the consistency again like everyone expects him to these final rounds he will be the major force Thatcher expects him to be. It won’t be a surprise for anyone when he does and the final rounds will be critical for both riders in this title fight.

Parker Rhoahrig and Justin Messina in the 90 Open Jr. (8-11) class are only two points a part heading into the homestretch. Rhoahrig may have the advantage though once drops become a factor but even with that it is far from over. Messina has shown he is capable of wins and if he can pull off a few wins this battle could be what it looks like it could be. Mason Jackson who has two wins could be a major player in this one by seasons end as well. He has two wins and he is capable of more, which coupled with drops puts him right in the mix of things for this title. The two seem to be looking at the same scenario shaping up in the 90 Shifter (8-11) class as well. The next rounds will tell the tale for these two but it is a battle to watch.

The battles are obviously many this year and the contending field is deep in each class. The fact that youth classes will only be counting seven total rounds for the championship is what is going to even the field out for some and possibly elevate others into a different light. The position is points could make some big swings over the coming rounds in many classes and it will be fun to watch. It’s not over yet for anyone and the battle this weekend at Millville will shed some big light on the who situation.

That’s it for me for now. Let’s check in with Gloop’s Loop and Ken “this has been a rough summer” Hill.  Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.

In The Loop with Gloop:

Can Brett Musick pull another Pro holeshot this weekend in Minnesota?

Thomas Brown and Chad Wienen have been putting in the work before they head to the Spring Creek ATVMX National this weekend!

Keeping up with Ken Hill:

How things can change in just a few hours, sometimes for the better or sometimes for the worse! For many of you that are not aware, my home state was hit by serious flooding just as the GNCC Racin' Nation was heading to the Snowshoe Ski Resort at the end of last week. Nine inches of rain fell in a relentless fashion that put an ominous tone over the excitement of this usually festive event. Lives were lost and the property damage will go into the millions upon millions. Some of my own family was cut off for a few days as their hometown was all but destroyed. The devastation is unreal and the region will take some time to get back to normal as roads, bridges and homes get rebuilt so please say a prayer for those affected and if you see a way to donate please do so!

With the craziness of that storm and the angst of not knowing how family was, the last 7 days have been a bit surreal. Usually I am keeping a finger on social media to keep dialed in to what is going on but unless you have ATT there is no Internet at Snowshoe so I must admit I am flying blind this week. I did not even have time to check out my Instagram, which usually is blowing up especially as we, head into another round but I will have plenty of time during the 16-hour drive to Spring Creek! 

Joel mentioned from the Sunset Ridge podium that he knows he is at a slight disadvantage at Spring Creek as this track can get brutally tough and being shorter than Chad Weinen really hurts him as he gets beat on relentlessly. This is true however Hetrick is not the same rider he was a year ago, he is stronger and in better shape from what I have seen on the track. And remember, Joel went down and had his bell wrung big time during practice at last years race so I am not ready to throw all my money on Chad for a walk away win. It should be a high energy and intense battle between these two and I can’t wait to see it!