The 2011 Silly Season is officially underway and the rumors are beginning to fly about this guy and that guy and where they are going to be headed in 2012. The truths and answers lay months ahead and all we have to do now is wonder.
Site Lap is back this week and gearing up for a most interesting off season. One way that I find is a good way to keep up to date is to talk to the folks first hand. So in the weeks to come we will be talking to a number of individuals that make AMA ATV MX Nationals what they are.
The 2011 banquet is coming up so be sure and get your reservations in. This year's season celebration will take place Saturday, October 29, at the Grand Resort Hotel & Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
National Championship awards will be presented to the top ten positions in all thirty-seven amateur classes, with contingencies to the top five. Awards will also be given to the top three in the North and South Challenge.
Banquet attendees are invited to join the dinner celebration between 5 and 5:30 p.m., with the awards presentation immediately following at 6:30 p.m.
Banquet reservations must be received by Friday, October 21. To reserve a spot, visit atvmotocross.comand print the PDF form. To reserve a room at the Grand Resort Hotel & Convention Center, call 1-800-251-4444. For additional questions, please contact media@atvmotocross.com.
If you would like to help sway the voting or nominate someone for a variety of specialty awards we would love to hear from you. You can send your nominations to by clicking here. You can think along the ideas of a Hard Luck Award/Good Samaritan/Sportsmanship/Rough and Ready Pit Crew. Include any stories you may have to help us understand why they deserve the award.
"Silly Season Rumors" started out very spotty and rather shocking as I received a text from AMA amateur referee Bob "Smitty" Smith. Smitty sent a simple message with a few photos but those didn't quite make the cut....poor quality....(Smitty needs a better phone). Anyway the message simply stated "Rocking Tahiti never coming home. Find a new ref Rod." Then he called me shortly after as he was leaving one bikini contest and headed to another. He began to proclaim in a very in and out of service call how great the surfing was and that he had found his paradise. I have not been able to contact him since August 31. If anyone knows his whereabouts, please inform ATVMotocross.com. Smitty was last seen with a new tattoo and a rockin' tan.
In all seriousness though we would love to hear from you over the off season if you have any interesting news you would like to share. Keep us up to date and send me an email at Rodney@ATVMotocross.com and I will try and pass it along. Also don't forget to send your press leases to ATVMotocross.com as well once you get your sponsors signed. It is a great way to promote yourself and your new sponsors.
I noticed on the front page of ATVMotocross.com that there was a link to a video of John Natalie and his come from behind championship win. I watched it was thoroughly impressed with the video all together. Kudos goes out to the producer Cross Rut Films for a job well done.
If you want something to brag about to your friends, let them know that Versus will soon be branded as NBC Sports Group and will become an even larger player in the cable sports industry. To have a broadcast entity like NBC acquire the network is huge for the sport of ATV MX as our programs are slated to continue in conjunction with Racer TV in 2012. Don't forget also that we still have a few episodes that will broadcast here in 2011. So check the TV schedule icon and set your DVRs for Racer TV every Sunday on Versus. If you would like the full details on what's happening you can click here.
If you finished in the Top 5 in any Amateur class, please E mail media@atvmotocross.com with your T shirt size, and if you are a class champion, please include your jacket size. You are also encouraged to get your banquet reservations in soon. The banquet has been held at this location the last few years and serves for a great opportunity for the ATV Racing Nation to gather for some good times not only at the banquet but also in the surrounding area of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Tennessee. It is located at the foot of the Smoky Mountains which itself offers a beautiful backdrop to the festivities.
Have a great weekend till next time God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.
