You have probably read some press releases and you have probably heard some rumors and you probably have some questions about the format change in AMA Pro ATV Racing. Today we talk to Harv Whipple AMA Pro ATV Referee and get it straight.
Photo By: www.ATVRE.com
Harv Whipple looks to the future of what can be in AMA ATV Motocross.
Harv Whipple: Pretty good Rodney, what's up?
We have a new column on atvmotocross.com called Friday Sight Lap & I was calling to see about a quick interview.
Sure no problem, anything for you - (laughing)
So what have you been doing recently?
We are going into round 3 of 14 weeks in a row for the AMA Arenacross Series, so it's going to be a long stretch. I think most of my ATV friends know it but for those that don't I am also the Referee for that series as well.
How has that Series been going so far?
Actually very good, we have had more riders at our first 2 events then what we had at the same 2 last year & the racing has been phenomenal. You're from Ohio aren't you? Jeff Gibson is an Ohio boy & he has won the first 2 main events in the premiere AX class.
Speaking of Ohio I noticed that Sunday Creek was an addition to the ATV Nationals as well as a couple of other venue changes. What brought those changes?
Well at the end of last season we had several teleconferences with some of the Teams and Riders asking for input for the 2011 series. There were some facilities that they simply were not satisfied with for a variety of reasons. Jeff Cernics track in PA was 1 of them so he went searching for a new venue. Its kinda a funny story, I think he use to own Sunday Creek and sold it to Jeff Russell & now Jeff is leasing it back to him for the weekend or something like that any how. Plus Ohio has the most participants out of any other state that races our series, so it was a no brainer. Muddy Creek moved to Georgia and will be the opener and Birch Creek will be replaced by Budds Creek. That's a lot of creeks huh? (Laughing) The same promoters will be running the new events and I do want to mention one thing about that. Just because we are leaving these places does not mean we will never be back, these promoters put a lot of work into there facilities and they take it to heart when there are issues. I would look for all 3 of those places to be bigger & better in the near future.
I know there has been a lot of work that has been going on this off season for the AMA ATV MX series; I also see a lot of changes in the format for the weekend. Also AMA ATV Pro Class will move everything to a Saturday program similar to the motorcycle nationals. How exactly is it going to work and how will it affect the amateur program?
Ya like you said we have put a lot of work and thought into this season. And just as I previously mentioned we had multiple teleconferences and discussions with some Teams and Riders and come up with a lot of good ideas. The AMA Pro class will now actually be on the racing surface only 1 day. They will tech on Friday and on Saturday will be there timed qualifying sessions & both motos. This concept was a success with the bike nationals so we thought ATV Motocross could benefit from it as well. It will be better for the amateurs also because the pro classes have set times so those at home that view the live timing and scoring page know when to tune in. Without the pro classes going to the gate so often this is less time the amateurs and youth will have to wait and believe me that is good. I'm not sure if anyone reads your column here Rodney but that is not something we enjoy doing is having to back riders from the gate or making them wait for an extended period neither and I apologize for having done that. But again we try and showcase the pro division and in order to sell tickets people need to know times. Race 10 and 20 doesn't mean anything in a radio or TV add but gates open at noon with pro racing at 1 and 4 does.
I noticed also that Pro Am Production is still running a Sunday program, why was there no changes there?
For kinda for the same reason I just mentioned. When Pro and Pro Am would race back to back everyone else would have to wait an hour before they could even race again. This will mean less waiting for amateurs and youth on Saturday. Pro Am Production will still do timed qualifying and the motos will be 10 minutes plus 2 laps, but no set moto times. They will be placed into the moto order so no backing other classes from the gate this way.
Rumor has it that AMA Pro can run Pro Am Production and vice versa, can I ask you about that yet or not?
Well you just did, didn't you ( laughing ) Here is the deal, the ATV National MX Series holds 2 sanctions, 1 for AMA Pro Racing which is for the pro division and 1 for ATVA which includes amateurs and youth. When a Pro rider goes to an event elsewhere that does not have a pro class they ride the highest class available, usually A class. So if AMA Pro ATV racers were to stay and compete Sunday at the nationals the highest class available is the Pro Am Production class. We are going to put stipulations on it, but yes certain AMA Pro license holders will be able to race the Pro Am Production division on Sunday because it is a different sanction and different day of racing all together. If I were a top rider in the Pro Am Production I would apply for my Pro Racing license and run both AMA Pro & Pro Am Production rather then Pro Am Unlimited, that's where the monies at. There is some confusion on eligibility for a Pro license as well. 150 points in the Pro Am Production is the only sure way to earn your license, but resumes can be submitted to the licensing committee for consideration as well. I like to compare lap times allot & the top 10 Pro Am are normally pretty consistent with a big share of the AMA Pro class competitors.
Do you have any suggestions for those that have questions about racing the pro class and want to apply for a Pro license?
If a rider hasn't accumulated 150 points in the Pro Am Production division they can send a resume to me at hwhipple@mchsi.com and I will review it with the licensing committee for acceptance.
I hear there are some other big things on the horizon for AMA Pro ATV MX, what are some of the exciting things we can look forward to this season for the Pro class?
The ATVPG (ATV promoters group) has bundled a TV package together with the Snowcross Series & the Can Am GNCC Series to have 52 combined weeks of television exposure shown on Versus between those 3 disciplines. I don't want to mention a whole lot about it yet because the official press releasers will be mad me stealing there glory (laughing) but yes the ATV National Motocross Series is back on TV.
I know change is here and this should be one of the bigger rookie classes we have seen in the Pro Class for sometime, who are some of the new faces we will be seeing this year?
You know the names Rodney you announced them all last year, Joel Hetrick & Chase Snapp! Those are the 2 that all the anticipation is being built up around but there are others as well. Kinda like the TV deal though, some have applied for licenses but it is not for me to announce that, I'm sure they have there own plans for press releases that will include there sponsors and such and I don't want to ruin that opportunity for them.
What are the goals that you and the AMA and MX Sports have set for this year?
On the Pro Racing side of things since the television package has come into effect our main goal is to put 20 riders on the gate in the Pro division every weekend. There are qualified professional ATV motocross riders out there; they just need to realize where they will get the most exposure. Nothing against other race series, especially if they are sanctioned by the AMA or ATVA, competition is good but I just don't get it. There is a $10,000 weekly purse, $5,000 championship bonus, nearly half the race tracks are shared with the bike nationals and now they will be on TV. Again it seems like a no brainer if I was a pro rider trying to make a career for myself or even just looking for the best race tracks to race at.
Thanks for your time today Harv, I guess we will see you in GA sooner than we think.
Yep see you there, I'm excited. Hey I'm probably going to the Atlanta SX that night after the ATV races if you want to go let me know.
Sounds good is Smitty going with you?
No don't tell him (laughing) na just kidding, the more the merrier, see you next month buddy.
