Site Lap: Historical ProportionsMay 3, 2013The 2013 Maxxis Tires Bluegrass ATV Motocross Nationals this past weekend at Ballance Moto-X in Oakland, Kentucky proved to be a race of epic proportions as expected. While riders and families rolled into the beautiful South Central Kentucky farm country and settled into a weekend of racing, so did the rain. Local weather warnings read that nearly 2 inches of rain fell over the course of the weekend.
Site Lap: In The Ballance!April 26, 2013The 3rd round of the Mtn. Dew AMA ATV Motocross National Championship at Ballance Moto-X Park just outside Bowling Green, Kentucky is warming up today and this weekend’s event promises to hold a few surprises as the drama builds towards the world’s most prestigious ATV motocross championship series.
Site Lap: Second Gear PinnedApril 19, 2013Round 2 of the Mtn. Dew AMA ATV Motocross National Championship rolled into Muddy Creek Raceway with a vengeance. Though over an inch of rain greeted the masses early on Friday morning for practice, one could only hope the forecasted sunny skies would rush their way in. Finally late in the day, things started turning around and with some hard work by the Victory Sports crew the track was ready for racing on Saturday morning.
Site Lap: Ridin' Muddy CreekApril 12, 2013
Site Lap: Dreams On The Line!March 29, 2013The 2013 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship kicked off this past weekend in less than stellar conditions. The rains may have dampened conditions but it did not dampen the high spirits the ATV Racin' Nation brought with them to Aonia Pass Motocross in Washington, Georgia. One could say that is a muddy mess, while many others see those memory making moments that will last a lifetime.
Site Lap: Time to Dew It!March 22, 2013The 2013 Mtn. Dew AMA ATV Motocross Championships kick off this weekend at Aonia Pass Motocross in Washington, Georgia and the ATV Racin' Nation is rolling out in full force. The two big questions this weekend are: Who is bringing what to the table this year? And, will the forecast of rain showers set a different tone to the new season than what folks are expecting?
Friday Site Lap: The Season is HereMarch 15, 2013It's a busy time of year here in the ATV Racin' Nation as the 2013 Mtn. Dew AMA ATV Motocross National Championship kicks off at Aonia Pass in Washington Georgia. I myself am already here as the 2013 Amsoil GNCC will be paying a visit this weekend.
Site Lap: It's Getting CloseMarch 1, 2013March is finally here and things and the pressure continues to build as the new season of the Mountain Dew AMA ATV Motocross Nationals. Only three more weeks and Washington, Georgia will once again roll out the red carpet for the arrival of the ATV Racin' Nation.
As the new season approaches the news continues to poor out of the different camps that are seeing more and more faces the closer we get. Waldo Motosports in Florida seems to be a hot bed of action and many of the top competitors throughout the ranks are testing, tuning and training for the big year that lies ahead.
The preseason talk heats up as well and some of the hot topics include the return of the 2010 champion Josh Creamer and the not so likely return of Pro Am champ and expected rookie Cody Gibson. Another hot topic is the fact that there are nearly a dozen new AMA Pro ATV riders this year and the deck appears to be getting stacked in the favor of the fans for an amazing season ahead.
As mentioned, yes JC9 will make his return to the nationals this season with a full on effort to reclaim his title he was unable to defend in 2011. Josh made a few appearances in 2012 and proved himself to still be a contender. I know in speaking with Josh late last season he was hoping to make this commitment and in a recent conversation with him, he confirmed to me that he will be back.
Creamer will be riding for BCS Can Am which is the same team he has raced with for the past two seasons in the NEATV and selected national events. Josh is not being extremely loud about things but seems to be taking a laid back approach. He said he is training mainly by himself in Florida right now and he also told me when I asked what the objective was that he was "going to get the #1 plate back." .....and the plot thickens....
As the 2013 season dawns there are a lot of conversations going on right now about Cody Gibson. What happened to him? Where has he been? What's he going to do? Well, I can't answer all the questions but I can answer the ones that tell the tale. After hearing a few rumors that Gibson had basically dropped off the radar I contacted him to find out what was up. He told me when I asked how he was doing a simple "I am not racing man!" I like anyone else has to wonder the obvious question which is "why?" And he simply said "I just didn't think it would be best." Not an answer I was looking for but probably the best answer he could give. And honestly that is all we need to know. Cody is extremely talented on an ATV but if your heart is not there, then you should not be there either. I know he really enjoyed coming back and hoped to continue but circumstances and life sometimes weigh heavier on the scales of decision and though I may miss his presence on the track, I know he has to do what is right for him. So like any true Cody Gibson fan should say, "Good Luck Cody! I hope the best for you and hopefully things will change." And who knows. it may or may not ever change but thanks to Cody for the awesome rides he has taken for us in the past.
We also got some updates from some of this season's up and comers. Kyle Hanes sent us a note to let us know what's going on. Kyle will be moving up from 300 in the Schoolboy classes this season to a Honda TRX 450 machine into the novice division. Kyle sent this update:
I have been training this off season more than I ever have. The reason for this is because I will be on a 450 this year instead of the Schoolboy Jr 300 classes and Schoolboy Sr classes. I just plan to hopefully come out swinging at round 1. Hopefully I can wrap up 2 championships in 2 of the C classes this year. It's been my dream to be on the podium ever since I started racing nationals 2 years ago and I think this year that all the training I have been doing is going to pay off. Also I have my sponsors helping me and would like to thank Dynamite ATV, Rath Racing, Ssi Decals, Gaerne boots, Fox Shocks, tiger Racing, Fly Racing and most importantly all my family and friends helping out.
I also had a chance to communicate with Robin Ford who is the mother of the amazing Ford boys Cody and Bryce. It seems the off season has been a busy season for these two young Texans. Robin sent this update to let us know how things are going:
The Ford Brothers just finished TQRA - Round 1 this past weekend in Ft. Worth, Texas. It was a great way to tune up for Nationals. Cody won the Youth Co-Ed and Super Mini followed by his little brother Bryce. Bryce took first in Mini Jr, Mini Sr. and Mini Mod followed by his big brother Cody. Bryce also finished his regular season Basketball by winning the Championship on Saturday in the U10 league. The boys grandma (Nana) was the highest bidder at the Caleb Moore auction and brought home Caleb's helmet and jersey from his X Games where him and we look forward to seeing you and all our friends soon. -Robin
Before we go this week, I just wanted to remind folks that are Florida this weekend about the Caleb Moore Benefit School. Here is the infromation once again in case you missed it:
Joe Byrd Quad Riding School & 88 Live to Ride along with Special Guest Host Instructors Including:
John Natalie, Josh Creamer, Josh Upperman, Mark Madl, Aaron Meyer, Jeremy Lawson, Travis Moore,
Cam Covil and many more would like to formally invite you to a Benefit/Fundraiser for the family
of Caleb Moore.
Date: March 3rd 8-5pm (Sunday)
Events: This school will have a special school format where each student will have a chance to learn from each of their favorite special Guest Hosts. We will also have a “free ride†where the students will get a chance to ride the track with all the PRO'S. We will also have an auction of all the sponsored parts we have received. 110% of all the proceeds' go to the family of Caleb Moore.
Place: DADE City Motocross 36722 State Road 52,
Dade City, FL 33325 Dadecitymx.com
Contact Joe Byrd for any questions @mailto:[email protected]
The Cost: $299.00 minimum donation per rider / $15.00 per person for gate fee
This event is open to the public, if you are unable to make it to the Event and would like to donate, feel free to write a check out to 88 Live to Ride and mail it to:
10849 Navajo Court, New Port Richey,Florida, 34654 (ATTN: Joe Byrd)
If you have anything you would like to pass along for next week's or an upcoming Site Lap article, feel free to drop us a note to [email protected].
That'll do it for now. Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.
Site Lap: Pressure BuildingFebruary 22, 2013Whoa! Did I just look at the calendar right? I count only four weeks now until the start of the 2013 season and the preseason crunchtime is about to kick into full swing. Aonia Pass Motocross is prepping for the return of the season opener as we speak and it's full steam ahead into the Mtn. Dew AMA ATV Motocross Nationals.
Site Lap: Prepping For A Big SeasonFebruary 15, 2013Another week passes and we are that much closer to the kick off to the 2013 Mtn. Dew AMA ATV Motocross Nationals. This past week seems to have stirred quite a bit of interests and should have people excited for bigger and better things to come.
Site Lap: Preseason UpdatesFebruary 8, 2013As the pre season heats up reports are beginning to poor in from all around the ATV Racin' Nation. This week we decided to hear from a few riders from all different classes. The up and comers are the future of the sport and this is a good opportunity to see what the future is beginning to shape up like.
Site Lap: Tough WeekFebruary 1, 2013The 2013 Mt. Dew ATV Motocross Nationals are yet another week closer to competition and the news continues to heat up with reports from all the ranks. As exciting as this all is the ATV Racin' Nation was hit hard by the loss of one of our own when former ATV National Motocrosser and ATV Freestyle Innovator Caleb Moore lost his life after a tragic accident while competing in the hugely popular WInter X Games.