Site Lap: Fun Times

Why does one ever really truly ever throw their leg over an ATV or off-road vehicle in general? A few answers come to mind.  However the one that always seems to be at or near the top of the list is simply put for "fun".  What drives our desire to race same such vehicles?  Again several answers come to mind and simply put it is again for "fun".  Whether it is fun for you to just ride or to just be competitive or if it is fun for you to win the same driving force is what fuels every rider from the 50cc class to the AMA ATV Pros.  For many AMA ATV MX National riders this season of fun times will come to a close this weekend as they are awarded for accomplishments achieved while having fun.

Ask Dad how fun it is the night before a race at 2:00 am when he spent every waking hour and every extra dollar to make it to the race only to find out he needed to spend even more time and more money to even make the whole thing worthwhile.  Does Dad do it for the money?  Does he do it for fun?  That to me does not sound like a whole lot of fun  to me.  But most Dads will say that yes it is fun.  It is a feeling of achievement for them when they can give their child the best they could and how fun it is  when he sees his son or daughter roll off the line.

Added to the fun of it on the racing side of things is obviously for the thrill of competition and pursuit of victory.  The notoriety gained from their actions on the track far out weigh what they will receive for winning.  It's not for the money and it's not for the piece of tin and wood that you may win at the end of the day.  It is for pride, passion and glory which excite our souls and keep life fun.

This weekend well over 500 AMA ATV MX riders and families are expected to attend the awards ceremony that will honor the top 10 in every class of amateur racing.  It is a night to shine one last time before we close the book on 2011 racing.

The new schedule was recently announced and by all accounts I think this is one of the better schedules we have seen is some time.  I have been cruising a number of the discussion boards and everyone seems to agree it will be much easier to pick and choose and overall logistics seem to be as favorable.

Location of the events have been a big discussion and sounds like that a lot of people are excited to return to High Point and Muddy Creek.  I know that scheduling conflicts with other events have been an issue at High Point and promoters and racers alike have been hoping to return someday and it looks like someday will be here 2012.  And the return to Muddy Creek seems to be generating some good response as well.  Especially since the layout is more ATV friendly than in the past.  Some things have been changed there while more is on the way in the spring.

The new Ohio National at Sunday Creek Raceway is another one that folks are to be excited about.  A lot of work went into the track and facility to accommodate the ATV racers.  Many will be happy to know that even more improvements are on tap for our return and there should be many notable changes with the facility.  A new sign up, announcer tower and other amenity type improvements are expected.

The schedules start date of late March appears to also accommodate more racers schedules and budgets. This will allow racers to become better prepared both physically and financially.  It will also allow for the extra time to have all the parts in place and tuned for racing.  Along with the start of the season the fact that the schedule was shortened by one race will surely help racers budgets.

What can we expect for the 2012 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship?  The only thing we can do after the banquet this weekend is to wait and see what happens.  Who will return to race next season and give it one more shot for pride?  Or who will be absent from the ranks next season?  It unfortunately at some point becomes a matter of finances for some and talent and pride must take a back seat.

When the book begins to be written next season there will be a number of star characters returning.  Some old characters will play more of a starring role and as well new characters will be introduced.  Regardless the main theme of the 2012 will remain the same and that is to be the best and ultimately have fun.

Have fun! Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.