Another week closer before the 2012 AMA ATV Motcross National Championship gets underway and there is a lot to talk about this week. Reports are coming in and the excitement is starting to build for the new season from Youth and Amateur to the Pro Am and Pros.
Obviously all of us would most likely rather be living the extreme dream of spending the off season in Florida or Texas or at least someplace warm and drier and focus on ATV racing and not much more. Unfortunately that is not the case for the masses. And we all have lives outside of racing that we must tend to.
What has been keeping you busy? I myself have been working on some personal projects that believe or not tie directly into the racing. I can't seem to get away. However most everyone goes on living their lives like normal till the final weekend in March when we will all reunite in Georgia at Aonia Pass Motocross to kick off the 2012 season.
Yes I said Georgia and no I am not looking at the wrong schedule. If you did not catch the news release sent out you can find it on ATVMotocross.com . It seems some scheduling conflicts have made it more reasonable to make the change. Also one has to think this could be a good option being sort of the halfway point of the southern riders and he northern riders. A plus for us from kicking the season off there last year is that it is about a month later and the weather should hopefully be perfect. Of course who knows with the way it has been this year but it is a risk sometimes one has to take. So mark your calendar.
I recently heard from #9 Maci Devenports mom who told me that Maci was being honored in her hometown for all of her accomplishments. It actually sounds pretty cool and hopefully continued positive lights like these will bring more interests in ATVMX lifestyle. I hope to talk to Maci soon and get you a full report on what is going on. Way to go Maci, keep up the hard work in school, racing and life in general.
Last week Site Lap focused on one of the up and coming Youth riders that is making his way through the ranks one step at a time. Corey Powers has really begun to shine on and off the racetrack. I know it was late getting posted last week but it was worth the wait. Corey has been busy playing basketball and on top of all that a he is a young man of few words. However the words that he shared with us last week allowed us to get to know this youngster even better.
I mentioned a few weeks back that Cody Gibson was rumored to be returning to ATVMX national racing. It appears that Gibson will make his return to racing in the Pro Am ranks to re-establish his self in the racing world. Gibson has been spotted at a few local Florida tracks laying down some laps as well racing a few weeks ago giving Chad Wienen, Thomas Brown and a host of other riders a good run for their money. With all the recent talent that is stepping up this could be the logical choice for him. I know he has not been gone long but the short time he was gone things have changed and a whole new crew of youngster have more than filled his place in the pro line up. As well there are a number of guys moving up to Pro Am for 2012.
Tyler Hamrick and Dalton Millican are supposed to be moving up to Pro Am along with several others like Jesse Barnes, Nick Moser, Cole Henry and more will stick around to hone their skills before making that final big step. It should make for interesting Pro Am races especially since Jeffery Rastrelli, Mark Madl and a few others are making the step up to AMA Pro.
I read a recent rider interview posted from the Media All-Stars team. Remember Media All-Stars are a group of amateurs that is supported by a program developed by Jorger Courtes several years ago to help advance the level of competition amongst the Amateur ranks. Media All-Stars also received 2011 team of the year which they were pleased of and proud of achieving. The "All-Stars" are supported by several companies including Morehead Motorsports which is ran by Plus rider Chase Cunningham.
The Media All-Stars also posted an article on one of their team fast guys Jake McGraw. A very nice read and also it looks like Jake may be one of the team lead riders. McGraw is actually pretty busy right now in Ohio working to save money for next season. Jake has also had some good weather to train lately so he may end up being a threat in the Pro Am class this coming season.
I also got a rather interesting message from an ATV motocrosser from Kansas. It seems he has a chance to win a $50,000.00 sponsorship and he needs your help. The following is what he wrote me:
Hi my name is Alec Gaut and I am looking for help on a contest or a sponsorship worth 50,000 dollars. I work very hard at what I do and this is an opportunity of a life time. Voting ends Feb. 5th and you can vote once a day. I have made it on the local news and am very thankful for all the help I have received. As the competition is coming to an end Feb 5th I need all the views and votes I can get. Can you please help me spread this video? Every vote counts and when you vote also earns a chance for prizes.
Follow this link to watch his local TV news Sportscast feature his story. Actually really cool to see a positive feature on broadcast TV for ATVs and ATV racing.
http://www.koamtv.com/category/164379/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6674752
Then go to this link to vote.http://contest.alwaysachampion.com/contests/showentry/1004390. And don't be a fuddy duddy because it is not "your" opportunity. Remember in life what goes around comes around.
Now for the bad news: In a recent correspondence with the #22 of Chase Snapp I asked him what his plans were going to be for next year and if he could give us some words. I unfortunately found out that the late season rumors of Chase most likely not making a return in 2012 was true. Chase simply replied to my question, "I'm not racing quads anymore." Nothing more, nothing less but I hope to talk to the "Red Rocket" soon and find out what his plans may be. I remember he told me at Loretta's he was looking at the possibility of focusing on motorcycles from here on out. Whatever his decision I wish him the best.
That will do it for now. There will be plenty to talk about next week. If you have something you would like to share with the ATV Racin' Nation be sure and drop me a note to Rodney@atvmotocross.com.
Till next time, God Bless Your Heart and All Your Vital Organs.
