The 2011 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Awards Ceremony presented by DWT hosted over 500 as the finishing touches were placed on the season. It was a night of celebration as well as an opportunity visit with our fellows riders and families as folks prepare for the long off season that awaits.
It was good to see so many in attendance and exciting to see so many of the nations premier ATV racers receiving there awards. The opportunity to stand on that stage and talk about their season and thank their sponsors may have been the highlight for many.
Along with the nights festivities of awarding the top ten in each class was the opportunity to recognize some of the series outstanding individuals and teams. The surprise and joy that some received for being recognized was obvious as many riders head into the night not even dreaming of being honored for any more than their racing. Most do not even do it for the recognition or the notoriety. They simply do it because that is just who they are.
Like the winner of the Rough and Ready Pit Crew, JB Racing's Jody Bateman. It was joyful for me to make the announcement and see the surprise on Jody's face, which to me made it even more special. The stories you hear over the season about how he would stay up late at night sometimes even missing dinner trying to get his team of Jeffery Rastrelli and Brian Johnson to the starting line and hopefully through the entire moto and the entire weekend of racing. And it was not just his team he would help either. Jody took the time to help many others that were not even associated with his team and spend many late night hours till 2 and 3 o'clock in the morning only to get up by 7 the next morning to do it again. There were many stories folks mentioned throughout the night where they would say thanks to Jody for the extra special time he spent with them and their machine.
I don't think anyone could disagree with the choice of Youth Rider of the Year Elizabeth Vogt. Lizzy as many of her friends call her seemed to be the social butterfly of the ATV racing season. She was everywhere encouraging other riders and cheering. She seemed always eager to lend a helping hand and when she saw her friend Clay Pearson was in need of some support she asked her family to do something. So they purchased a couple of Remote Control Cars and offered them for raffle to make money to help in any way she could. I think her kindness and generosity was displayed about as well as it could have been at the banquet even. Lizzy accepted not only her awards for her championship but also for several others throughout the night. Many asked her to stand in for them when they could not make it to thank their sponsors for them. She did it and did a great job for each one.
The award for the 2011 ATV Team of the Year went the Morehead Motorsports/Media All Stars team. Jorge Cuartas started the team many years ago based on the fact that they wanted to help as many up and coming riders as possible. The Media All Stars even fielded a pro team effort for a while. And though they have been around for a number of years the team really seemed to re-mesh and come together and actually become a power-house in the amateur ranks having many riders finish solid top ten positions as well as several championships. The team is still run by Jorge but also in part by one of the team riders Chase Cunningham. Chase has been a huge part of the teams recent success and in talking with Chase he said that he felt honored to have the All Stars recognized and even stated that things were still going good heading into 2012 and they would be fielding about 20+ member team in the new season.
Jeremy Lawson's mother Jackie James received the Good Samaritan Award for her hard work and dedication to the Mobile Medical Unit in the past season. Even though Jeremy was done racing on Saturday she would stick around and help out with the "Walking Wounded" that are treated at the Mobile Medical Unit. James works in the health care field and volunteers each round to help out. And for that we salute Jackie for a job well done.
Several other awards were handed out throughout the evening making for an interesting night but one thing that had most everyone talking was the mere presence of Cody Gibson. Remember Cody only a couple of years ago was anticipated to be the next "Big Thing" in ATV racing. However after a lack luster and injury laden season he dropped off the radar leaving many to wonder what happened. I will say that I do not know if Gibson will be back next season or not but he did say that "IF EVER" he races again he will not ride for anyone but Mike Walsh of Walsh Race Craft. "The worst mistake of my life was leaving him a few years ago" Gibson told me. Now whether or not these two are talking about that possibility is still in question but for those that may be looking for a little hope of this actually happening I will say that Gibson and Walsh were seen leaving the Pigeon Forge Hotel early on Saturday and not returning for four hours. Nothing was said by either but both did wear some pretty big smiles. If it happens it will be exciting to watch the rebirth of this young riders career and the big question is where will we see him race first? Will he ride the AMA Pro ATV class or maybe reacquaint himself to the nationals in the Pro Am ranks? Time will tell that story.
With that bit of interesting fodder I will leave you to think about for a while. I have been speaking with several of the top pro riders and you may be surprised at what some have up their sleeve for 2012. I will let you in on a little next week as attention turns toward the new season.
Till then, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.
