2014 Lilliputian Hare Scrambles

Prairie City, Sacramento’s very own bad ground rock pile of an OHV park and home of the world class Hangtown motocross track. Over the years the Dirt Diggers who are the only motorcycle club to promote a national motocross event, have hauled in enough dirt, sand and rice hulls to transform this part of the park into a national caliber MX track.

A couple of times a year two clubs (Dirt Diggers and the Polka Dots) put on cross country events at the park. The fall event is called the Lilliputian (I don’t know why the Dirt Diggers picked this name) (It comes from the book Lilliput and refers to a Lilliputian as a very tiny person) A lot of people just call it the Lilliput.

Saturday and Sunday was the umpteenth annual for this event and the turnout was large. District 36 cross country events have gotten large enough that in order for everyone to have a full length race it takes two days. The district also has one of the largest youth programs in the country which bodes well for the future of our sport. Normally bad ground, rock pile, little vegetation means lots of dust, but overnight rain worked its magic and the turnout reflected that. 

District 36 runs a vintage bike class at all their cross country events and there were twenty riders on the starting line for this race alone. (There was a husband and wife riding in this race) In fact all the rows were full, my row had at least thirty riders. Although there were only three of us in my particular class, heading into the first corner with that many others always make for a tight sphincter muscle.

The course was around nine miles long. Although it appeared to be very fast over this rolling hills open area and even though there were sections where you could go as fast as your gearing or bravery would let you the lap times indicated it was overall much slower than it looked. Only a few of the top vintage A riders were able to get in five laps before the hour and a half race flag. Speaking of vintage bikes it’s amazing how fast these older technology bikes are. We all get caught up in the newest trickiest must be the best.  

 

I got a mid pack start and tippy toed my way around the first half dozen corners, while my main class competitor sliced and diced his way to the front as if he was a twenty something. He’s an old Pro flat tracker and rides aggressively and fearlessly off the starts.

Most all of the cross country events these days feature some sort of Enduro Cross section and I caught up to Fred in this rock pile section near the end of the first lap. We went through the scoring shute nose to tail. Fred passed me back a little ways into the second lap and kind of disappeared. I finally started to loosen up and caught back up part way through the third lap and passed him on a rocky (Imagine that) up hill (My four stroke working better in that area than his two stroke) and slowly rode away from him.  At the end of the fourth lap I had managed to pull out quite a minutes on him finishing first in our little three rider dual. 

Besides the great weather, great comradery, good traction followed by bad traction, rocks, mud, the ambulance didn’t move all day. And this was just Saturday, Sunday was another beautiful day and the racing was just as good.

Doug 21J

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MX Makes County Money!

Motocross industry brings revenue into Grady County

Posted: Oct 30, 2014 1:38 PM PDT Updated: Oct 30, 2014 1:39 PM PDT

By Catherine Patterson

 

 

  

GRADY COUNTY, GA (WALB) - Some of the best young, up and coming motocross riders in the world come to south Georgia to train.

And a new study shows the economic impact they have on Grady County.

Motocross riders from across the globe start every day like this.

Training and racing at Millsaps Training Facility in Grady County.  

And while the noise bothers some neighbors, they may change their opposition to the industry now that research shows how much revenue motocross brings into the county. 

Grady County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chadd Mathis said, “We knew that they were impacting the local businesses.  We knew that there was an economic impact here.  We just didn't know to what extent.”

So Mathis applied for and received a grant from the Economic Development Research Program to gather more information about visitors' expenses as well as other business activity relating to motocross. 

Millsaps Training Facility Program Coordinator Paul Bevan-Thomas said, “We always thought it was a lot.  We didn't really realize it is as much as it is. $3.9 million a year.”

The study showed that the motocross industry brings in more than 50 jobs into the county and over $260,000 in state and local tax revenue. 

And the economic impact isn't the only thing these riders want to contribute to Grady County.

Riders from Millsaps have decided to step away from their bikes and volunteer for projects around the community.

Bevan-Thomas said, “Certainly, we train them to ride the dirt bike, but we want them to be well-rounded people who understand the community that they live in. And just be part of giving back.” 

And now Southwest Georgia Tech is collaborating with Cairo High School to create a new program that teaches students more about the technology behind the bikes.  

Copyright 2014 WALB. All rights reserved.

MX Training Diet ?????

Wienerschnitzel’s 'Visionary Department' launches campaigns to woo younger customers

 

Oct. 21, 2014

Wienerschnitzel has announced its partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing, a North Carolina-based professional supercross and motocross team, as a sponsor and the "official hot dog."

According to a news release, the sponsorship agreement was spearheaded by J.R. Galardi, 25, son of Wienerschnitzel’s late founder, John Galardi, and CEO, Cindy Galardi Culpepper. The partnership is one of the first activations of Wienerschnitzel’s newly developed Visionary Department, which is focused entirely on "capturing tomorrow’s consumer."

"We are expanding and want to introduce our brand to a younger audience. Supercross and motocross is a perfect match for our strategic plans," J.R. Galardi said in the release. "This partnership is a great way to kick off big things to come for Wienerschnitzel."

As part of the sponsorship, Wienerschnitzel logos will be placed on bikes of pro-racers, Justin Barcia, No. 51 and Weston Peick, No. 40. The company-branded bikes will debut at the 2014 Monster Energy Cup Oct. 18 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.

A Day At The Beach!

Thousands turn out for Weymouth's beach

DorsetECHO 

THOUSANDS turned out despite the cold weather and biting wind to watch nearly 300 motocross riders take to Weymouth beach today for this year's Beach Motocross. 

Organised by Weymouth and Portland Lions Club and Purbeck Motocross Club in association with Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, this year marks the event's 30th anniversary and is also the first year the event had been held across two days.

On Saturday crowds watched Squibb freestyle stunt team perform amazing jumps and enjoyed children's entertainer Gorillaman's quad-bike antics on the beach.

A practice session for motocross competitors took place on the beach at midday before Mayor Kate Wheller and Weymouth Carnival Queen Emma Whitbread officially started the races at 1pm.

First aiders were called in to help with minor injuries, and there were a few falls during the day, but nothing prevented riders from going all out to beat their competition and complete the race course.

Ruth Margetts, 78, from Sherborne, said: “I have been coming down to Weymouth at weekends for over 10 years and I watch the motocross every year. I always enjoy it, the weather’s been cold which has helped, but this year has been just as good as last year.

"We came down yesterday for a bit and saw the stunts, they were good. I’ve even brought my 85-year-old sister down because she has never seen it so I thought she’d like it. She’s enjoyed it too.”

Alf Stearn, President of Purbeck Motocross Club, said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic. There have been around 20,000 visitors just on Sunday, and another 10,000 who came to watch events on Saturday.

"All the riders want to win it and there’s lots of talk of people coming back next year. The weather held out and it was good in the end, it’s worked out well for the two day event.”

Mr Stearn added plans for the 2015 and 2016 events were already underway.

Perry King to emcee 2014 American Honda AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Harley-Davidson

PICKERINGTON, Ohio, Oct. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hollywood actor and longtime motorcyclist Perry King will serve as the master of ceremonies for the 2014 American Honda AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Harley-Davidson, on Friday, Oct. 17, at the Chapin Theater in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The induction ceremony takes place during the 2014 AMA Convention, Oct. 16-19, in conjunction with the American International Motorcycle Expo.

"It is a tremendous honor for me to pay tribute to my heroes and motorcycling's best and brightest as the emcee of the 2014 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony," said King, a member of the AMA Board of Directors. "I've been fortunate to perform this role for a number of years now, and each event is a treasured time for the inductees, and their families, friends and fans.

"I encourage all those who love motorcycling to join me for a memorable evening," King said.

The American Honda AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Harley-Davidson, will officially welcome the Hall of Fame Class of 2014, which includes race tuner and innovator Byron Hines; motocross pioneer Pierre Karsmakers; Tom White, acclaimed motorcycle collector, former nationally ranked racer and founder of White Brothers Cycle Specialties; George Barber, founder of the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum and the Barber Motorsports Park; national off-road racing champion Scott Summers; AMA motocross champion and current supercross/motocross team manager Mike LaRocco; and legendary tuner, engine builder and team owner Rob Muzzy.

Also honored will be AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend William "Willie G." Davidson. Willie G. is the grandson of Harley-Davidson founder William A. Davidson and is responsible for many of the innovative motorcycle designs that ushered in a new era for the iconic company.

Vintage Thunder Valley

Thunder Valley track in Lakewood modified for vintage dirtbike races By Austin Briggs YourHub Reporter Posted:   10/09/2014 12:01:00 AM MDT    Larry Flint takes his 1980 Yamaha YZ250 through a corner on the race track at Thunder Valley in Lakewood on Oct. 3. Rocky Mountain Vintage Motocross Club is bringing vintage MX racing to Thunder Valley for the first time on Oct. 12. (Seth McConnell, YourHub)     LAKEWOOD —Dirt bikes used to be heavy, rough, unreliable pieces of machinery. The guys who rode them were the definition of gnarly. The rules were minimal and riders often worked full-time jobs so they could travel the country racing for bragging rights. Members of the Rocky Mountain Vintage Motocross Club are bringing back vintage motocross racing to Jefferson County this Sunday, Oct. 12. They've modified the track at Thunder Valley in Lakewood to replicate the original, more mellow tracks the old motocross machines once roared over by reducing the taller, steeper jumps and smoothing rough spots. "This is the first time we've done this, and it's really cool," said Thunder Valley owner David Claybaugh. "The surface will be hard-packed and smooth, versus deep and loamy." It's not only a chance for the old-school racers to relive their youth, but also offers an opportunity for families and modern racers to sign up on race day to ride a modified pro-caliber track alongside Colorado motocross legends. "We basically have a class for everyone who has a dirt bike," said club president Morris Herbert, 58. "We've developed a neat culture of people who want to come out, have fun in a laid-back atmosphere and have a chance to race a less intimidating track." Herbert said the club formed about five years ago and has rapidly expanded to about 250 members who run the gamut from youngsters, families, women and people who haven't been on a dirt bike since Richard Nixon was president. They race on about seven different modified tracks on the Front Range. "It's really one of the greatest groups of people you'd want to be around," said Gerry Fostvedt, 54, a pro racer from the late 1970s and '80s. "Vintage bikes cost a lot less than modern ones, and the club is a great way to bring people back into this sport for not that much money." The Maicos, Elsinores, Bultacos, Yamahas, Husqvarnas and other dirt bikes from the '70s and 80s will be on the track this Sunday. The old bikes often weighed more than 300 pounds, had minimal suspension and shocks and were hard to handle and unforgiving. "If you come up short and make a mistake, the modern bikes are much more forgiving and won't send you to the hospital like the vintage bikes can," said Larry Flint, a multiple award winner in vintage racing classes. Fostvedt said he gained his racing chops in Colorado as a teenager in the 1970s before turning pro at the age of 21. He recalls working a full-time job to save money for parts and traveling around the country in a van packed with his racing buddies and dirt bikes. "Those were fun times in all of our lives," Fostvedt said. "For me, it taught lifelong lessons in core values; I had to work to buy parts, spent time training and competing ... that's something we want to share with other people and have fun doing it." Austin Briggs: 303-954-1729 or abriggs@denverpost.com

McGrath & Matrix Concepts Together

Jeremy McGrath & Matrix Concepts Continue Relations

The King of Supercross Jeremy McGrath / McGrath Motorsports and leading garage and track necessities brand Matrix Concepts continue relationship into 2015. We are honored to have Jeremy use, test, and help develop our line of products. 

Jeremy uses all of our Custom ID motorcycle stands, ramps, tie-downs, mats, and utility cans. On top of using the core product, he also uses some of our accessories on the truck racing side. The M51 & M52 Funnels, M21 Worx Trays, and the M50 Roller Caddy are all stocked in his race shop

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New Mexico Track To Reopen

City's Motocross Track may enter new management agreement

October 7, 2014, 4:50 pm

By Joey Peters

After fits and starts involving temporary closures during the past two years, the city's only official motocross track is on the verge of staying open on a permanent basis. 

During tomorrow's evening session, City Council will vote on allowing a nonprofit to manage the publicly owned Buckman Motocross Track.

The track, which first opened in 1968, is a 55-acre obstacle course located near NM 599 for mountain biking, motorbiking and ATV riding. Two years ago, the city completed upgrades on the track totaling nearly $500,000.

But the city closed access to the track later that year, citing problems with potential liability. Some of those issues included problems with a nearby arroyo, a potentially dangerous intersection and fencing issues. The city eventually hired Great Outdoors Colorado to put together a plan to resolve the issues. 

The track opened again earlier this summer, but problems remain with the city's inability to manage the maintenance that the track requires. Another issue lies in the fact of no existing national standards for motocross tracks. 

Several of the people who ride on the track, however, have stepped up to fill the void.

"To maintain a track like that you've got to be out there every day," says Bette Booth, who chairs the city's Parks and Open Space Commission. "People who use it are willing to do that." 

I Ride NM is a nonprofit recently established by Daniel Coriz, who regularly uses the track for leisure activities. The contract City Council is scheduled to vote on tomorrow would allow I Ride NM to take charge of the maintenance while the city still technically manages the track.

Booth says that she believes public-nonprofit partnerships like this have great potential for how city parks should run in the future.

"The city will bring out the equipment but the volunteers will maintain it because they ride it," she says.

Coriz, for his part, says the contract will keep the track accessible. 

"We just want to see the place stay open to the general public," he says. "For a lot of people it's a release."

Hundreds participate in Tieton motocross event

 TIETON, Wash. -- Hundreds jumped on their bikes for the Vintage Motocross Race in Tieton Sunday. Riders were jumping dirt hills on the Jim Pomeroy Memorial Track.

There were more than a dozen races throughout the day. Riders from all over the Pacific Northwest came to participate.

Unwrapped toys were also donated for the Toys for Tots drive.

A motocross rider says the races are a fun adrenaline rush.

"A lot of the fun is of course racing, the competition, but also the comradery,” said Lance Forsee. “You're with a group of people that have shared interests so it's just a lot of fun to get to know people."

The race is part of the Pacific Northwest Vintage Motocross Racing Series.