Sight Lap: ATV Showdown

Welcome back to another race week as we gear up for Round 5 of the AMA ATV Motocross National Championship presented by DWT. It seems like the last three weeks have drawn on forever, due in part to a GNCC race being canceled that I announce along with the ATV MX National and in part to being cooped up for so long with all the rain since the last round in Maryland.

 

As I check the forecast for the weekend it looks like temperatures will be around 70 on Friday with clouds giving way to sunshine. That is surely a positive note and the rest of the weekend should see warming temps with a 50% chance of a passing shower on Saturday. Let's hope that it stays away but we know that it can create an interesting battle for the AMA Pro ATV MX class win, as well as mix things up for amateurs and Sunday's second motos.

 

I spoke with Bob Pistol the owner of the Sunset Ridge and he said that he had made some more changes since last year when we were there. It looks like we will be greeted with a new starting gate, track changes like opposite directions and all around better flow he said. We can also expect an expanded seating area and updated sound system. So all in all it looks like these folks continue to put a lot back into the facility which makes it much nicer to return every year. It only makes sense why the Ritchies from Red Bud would want to team up on such a huge affair as ATV MX.

 

I also had the opportunity to speak with Amy from Red Bud and she wanted to remind folks of some things to expect for the weekend. First was the open house at Moto-Armory that will a meet and greet. If you get a chance to stop out please do so. We spoke about it last week in Sight Lap. The basics are: John Natalie, Chad Wienen and Thomas Brown will be at the Moto Armory this Thursday, May 5, from 5-7 p.m. The riders will be signing autographs and displaying their race machines at the American MX history museum, located five miles east of Colona, Ill. Event tickets and other merchandise will be raffled off at this event. For more information on the Moto Armory Museum, please visithttp://moto-armory.com/. Second, Pit Vehicles will need to be registered this week for sure. This is a must and ALL DRIVERS MUST BE 18 OR OLDER and REGISTERED. Word of Warning: Follow this rule or it could be a long weekend for you. I am just saying!

 

Also if you were not aware the first broadcast of Racer TV's coverage of ATV MX Scheduled for this past Sunday was preempted due to a rain delay in the Indy Car racing that is a feature program on Versus. Anyway the opening round of ATVMX at Aonia Pass in Washington, Ga., has been rescheduled to air Saturday, May 14 at 4:30 p.m. EST. Round two at Millcreek MX in Pell City, Ala. is scheduled to follow on Sunday, May 15 at 4:30 p.m. so be sure and mark your calendar.

 

Now as far as the racing is concerned this weekend we should expect to see a determined Moto Works/DWT/Can Am's Chad Weinen in the Pro ranks. I am also looking for Walsh Racecraft//Fox Shox/Maxxis/FMF'sJeremy Lawson to be a contender considering the way he has been riding and the fact that he trains a lot in the sand of Florida so the rough sandy conditions of Sunset Ridge may play into favor for this rider who has seen a new life in his program this year. It looks like Lawson has gotten serious again and with the guidance of Mike Walsh he could soon become a championship contender.

 

Don't forget that the #20 Baldwin Motorsports/JB Racing/PEP's Josh Upperman scored his career first win here a year ago and is looking to get back on the podium. Upperman is almost always a strong starter may gain the confidence he needs to get back in the hunt for this championship.

 

Bill Ballance Racing/YAMAHA/Dragon Fuel/JB Racing/Ohlins/Maxxis/FMF's Thomas Brown stated heading into Budds Creek that things were turning around for him this season. If his ride there in Maryland was a true indicator of where he is headed then you should to be looking for Brown to ease his way up the podium for a win or two this season.

 

I still say watch out for #123 Grand Central Stations/Custom Axis/Walsh Race Craft/Jansen Motosport/SSi Decal 's Nick DeNoble. DeNoble may have gotten the boost of confidence he needed to put him where he needs to be. We have also seen this rider show some speed in the past but his first podium of his career came just three weeks ago and he is still riding high on that wave heading to Sunset Ridge.

 

The battle of the rookies really seem to be coming down to #48 SSI Decals/Motoworks/JB Racing/Fox Shox's Chase Snapp, #969 Mushin Mafia/JB Racing/FMF/KG Clutches/GBC Bomb-Squad Tires' Travis Moore. Both riders have shown promise this season with Snapp consistently battling in the top ten and Moore inching his way up through the top 10 and soon top 5 if he keeps up his trends. Moore actually stated with confidence that he expects to podium soon.

 

Two other rookies will also be in my sight this weekend. First it is #88 Makkson Construction/JB Racing/Maximum RPM/Hetrick Racing's Joel Hetrick. Hetrick switched to the Honda at round 4 after he had problems keeping his Kawasaki's running. Then in Maryland there was another issue which I am sure has that whole camp up in arms trying to figure things out. Then there is the unpredictable Heimes #57 Blue Rock Racing/Utilimap Corp./Ditch Witch/Blommel Motorsports Devin Heimes. Heimes has yet to show his full potential so far this year. Heimes has shown speed in qualifying and even a few laps in the race. If he can get it put together one has to wonder what he can do.

 

And of course the expected heated battles in the Pro Am classes with Mark Madl, Jeffery Rastrelli, Casey Martin, Kyle Fix and a few others are going to make both Pro Am classes exciting to watch. One can only hope we see racing at the Ridge as great as it was at the Creek.

 

Before we go check this out: Interested in winning a tire sponsorship from DWT for the 2012 race season? Put your creativity to use by naming an awesome new race tire from the greatest name in ATV racing and get a chance to win a tire sponsorship if DWT chooses that name! DWT is offering a chance for up to 5 lucky contestants to win a tire sponsorship for the 2012 AMA race season. Enter now for a chance at winning a FREE set of DWT MX series tires per 2012 AMA race event. To learn more about DWT you can visit them online at www.dwtracing.com or "Like" them on Facebook at facebook.com/dwtmotoworks.

 

That's about all I have heading into the weekend right now. Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.