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Macon, GA Echeconnee Park
ATVA Grand National Championships
Round 1
After a short, very short, break from racing (is there such a thing???), Dana headed out for the 3,300 mile trek across the US of A. I am not sure who may travel farther than Dana or Tavis Cain, maybe Kory Ellis if he is at his hometown in Longview, Washington, but there are not many of us that are dedicated (dumb?) enough to attempt to run the Nationals while being based out of California (not only California but way on the other end of California that no one ever hears about). We love where we live, but it is a bit of a commute to the Nationals.
Dana headed out on Friday night before Round 1. According to the Weather Channel, we are pretty addicted to the Weather Channel and CNN these days, it was clear sailing all the way into Georgia if he left right away. Getting over the Rockies is a long haul without a trailer, but with, well thank goodness for XM radio and the comedy station. Dana made good time and was able to catch a couple of hours of sleep now and then and pulled into Macon about 4am on Thursday the 13th. Dad and I landed in Atlanta around eleven and made it to the hotel around one, where we promptly slept the rest of the afternoon (there is no actual sleeping done on a Red-Eye flight).
The story is that this year things will be done exactly the same way for all Nationals. For example, no one parks in the pits til after 3 on the Thursday of National's weekend. This creates quite a traffic buildup waiting for the pit-gate to open, but it seems like a fair alternative. This way everyone is on the same page as far as when they need to be there to get a fair chance at a good pit. The way it used to be is that people just showed up whenever they could (like Tuesday night) and took the good spots, while us working stiffs had pot luck. Next they (they? ATVA? The Promoters Group? I've heard of 'they' before, but I'm not sure who 'They' really are) decided that gate pick would be standard for all Nationals. For Round 1 it was if you qualified, it was random pick (a numbered spoon or stick out of a paint can - very high tech) for the first moto and finish from moto1 for moto 2. It seems like a great idea, and I hope it sticks.
Rob Salcedo from ShiftMX and his oh so wonderful photographers made the trip to see what all his ATV guys and gals were up to. Rob is great company and we had the best time hanging out with him and getting to know him better.
It was like old farm week to see everyone that we had been missing for the last several months. Top on my list was my fellow mom, Debi Bartosek. I had been missing her very much for so many reasons. Big John Shelborne also cruised by. All the little ATV riders that used to come over and hang out at our pits all last summer had grown at least an inch. So many people had new equipment and so many riders had changed numbers and gear and all that I knew I would be absolutely LOST when they were on the track (I had just gotten used to their 2002 numbers). I came into the season thinking that we had some of the trickest equipment out there, but I might have been wrong. It looks like Gilbert Attix's team spent the entire off season either having something chromed or polishing it. Nice ride for Gil. Another big change is the youth classes. Practice was insane. Picture one of those "Where's Waldo" pictures with ATVs and 6-11 year olds PLUS their parents with video cameras, all in hiper mode. There were like 50 Youth riders out there. The first 12 or so to come by me all said 'HETRICK' on the side. It looks like Hetrick Racing to have their name on the side of the top riders in all classes (gee, I wonder if any of the other sponsors have really considered the future pros of the ATV world....). It was completely overwhelming to see that many youth riders out there, and the reality of the situation came when young Ryan Wheeler, out of Ohio, came over to chill with Dana and told how he narrowly missed qualifying for the main. It's a bummer to go that far (or farther) and not make a main event. But even more of a bummer when you are 8 years old. Much to his credit, Ryan took it well and was very up beat about the fact that he was here and would do better next time. Dad came and talked about the mods he would be working in before Ryan's next race. Looks like Ryan's dad is an official member of the Society of Race Dads/Mechanics.
Another big change this year, is the Women's class. This year we have the Women's A and Women's B/C class. I think it is a great improvement over the Women's situation from last year. Personally I see this as a great improvement, but, BUT, it's still not enough. Baby steps, but steps all the same. A suggestion: Have a Women's Pro-Am class, Women's A, and Women's B/C class. Anyone who was at this race and saw Angela Moore pull a 40 second (yes, 40 second) lead over Heather Rose, who also had a significant lead over Paula Shank. Then there was a real break. I would honestly say that there are some up and comers like Julia Neace, Melissa Kufel, Darla Hinkle, Jamie Rentz, Melissa Bailey, Tracy Solomon, Amy Chapman and Cindy Hart could definitely make a nerf-busting A Class. If Hollie Shartzer gets whatever she's got going together, our Women's Pro-Am class of Angela, Heather and Paula could put on a decent show. Our B/C ladies would then have a race where the goal wouldn't be 4th place after the 'real fast girls.' This is the term that many of the lady riders have referred (with admiriation) to those who have paid their dues and put in the time. The lady Pros (or what I have always considered as 'Lady Pros' could run with many of the predominately male and highly competitive A Classes. Angela Moore is one of those ladies who is campaigning the 16-24 class. Angela took a solid 4th place with the 16-24s. And here I will have to admit to my total lack of photo-journalistic skills in that I didn't get a shot of the Mechanic who held up a Pit-Board during the race saying, "Go Faster! There's a GIRL in front of you!" Truly it was a great day.
Friday practice was good. Lots of riders found that they were not as ready to rock and roll as they thought they were. Donny Banks (with his little girl), and his wife Tamara have actually relocated to the track and are in the process of building a mansion (I expect it will be anyway). Donny has once again done a stellar job on prepping this beautiful track for 2003 Opening Season. The record number of fans and over 700 riders evidently agreed that Round 1 was the place to be. Echeconnee is a deceiving track. It starts out like a freeway; a sand freeway, with some nice not to difficult air time. Echeconnee's evil twin track wakes up about half way through the motos. Everyone finds out just how much fun rutted sand is and how much sand will just suck you and your quad down and HOLD on until you fight it and it finally spits you out to almost buck you off. There was plenty of bucking-off. A lot of riders didn't have much seat time before this first national as well. it seems that Mother Nature has not been as accommodating in all areas. I heard it over and over that guys hadn't ridden since October! There were some who had done their homework, and it showed. Doug Gust and Joe Byrd spent some weather friendly time at the Bell's down in Florida at the only dry spot in the entire state from what I hear.
Mike Walsh continues to be our pit mate. Mike and Avon, his English Pit-Bull, are welcome additions to our season. Actually it is a crack-up just how Avon makes her rounds with us. You know that most hotels have a no-pet kind of thing happening (assuming that a lot of people's animals don't play nice) and Avon knows her manners. She doesn't bark or do anything more offensive (you know what I mean) besides hog the covers and a pillow. She actually chooses to sleep with the guy who draws the biggest bed - she isn't picky. Getting her in and out of the room, now that is an adventure. Did you know that Avon (all 40 pounds of her) will fit comfortably into Mike's suitcase? She crawled right in - she must really trust Mike. He said he had a close moment when they rolled through the lobby and Avon decided to roll over. His rolling suitcase had a mind of it's own!
Always know that if anyone wants to come by and chill for a while at our pits, you are more than welcome. One of the best things about running this circuit is all the cool people we have met and continue to meet. We hope to make a couple of new friends each weekend. Mario D'Angelo is one of those new friends who has some awesome artistic talents. His customized swing-arm broke in practice so he had a lot of time on his hands this weekend. It turned out that Mario is great help in the pits when needed (and we NEVER turn down help!) Skip (Dana's Dad and chief mechanic and 'motivator') is always willing to give free advice - just ask Dana if you don't believe me!
The ATVA officials, Doug Morris and our new GNC Official Smitty - who has the two crucial elements for an ATV official: a wonderful grasp of the rules AND a backbone, both necessary to do his job - had a Pro and Pro-Production rider meeting before racing began. They brought up several issues such as how were we going to do Pro qualifiers and Pro practices and Pro-Production racing and possible qualifiers when it was assumed that a lot of these riders were running both classes. How it came down is thus: Pro-Production qualifiers, when needed, would run one of the first races of Saturday with Pro-Production moto 1 at noon and moto 2 at 3 pm. Pro practice would be between Pro-Production moto 1 & 2 with Pro qualifiers, when needed, the last race of the day after all motos have been run (lovely.... Pro qualifiers on the worst possible track conditions...). Sundays would be Pro LCQs first thing with moto 1 at noon and moto 2 at 3 pm. Are you confused yet? It really is pretty simple, and seems to work,
Saturday Dana had to prove he had what it takes to be one of the few the proud the (wait that's the Marines...); one of the best of the best to earn a place in the main event. The top ten finishers from 2002 have secured places in the mains. Everyone else has to prove his or her worth as a rider for that class. This year we will have to 'qualify' every race there is a challenge for more than 20 places on the gate. Mike also must qualify this year. We like to think of it as an 'extra' practice that counts. Once a rider 'qualifies' he/she is treated as an equal to the already 'seeded' riders. A top finish (usually the top 6 or so riders) is the same for first as well as sixth - if that is the number of riders that will be advancing to the main event. For a qualifier it makes no sense to knock yourself out going for a second place finish when third will get you there as well. If a rider doesn't make it into the main in the first qualifier there is always the LCQ (Last Chance Qualifier). For the Pro Class this is a hard one. The problem is that the LCQs are run on Sunday morning. If you have a mechanical or some other problem you only have a few minutes to fix it and to recover physically for the main. Usually Pro LCQs are run at 9:00, first thing after practices, This is how it was done in Macon, and therefore how it should be done the rest of the season (as per the 'standards' set by ATVA for the season - see above).
Dave Diver surprised everyone with his holeshot in the Pro-Qualifier. Last year Dave had an educational experience. He was one of the first to admit that the Pro Class didn't look that much different than the A class or the Pro-Am class. Actually it is a world apart. Twenty minutes at full speed plus two laps after the twenty is brutal. Oh, you can ride it, but can you maintain speed? Can you stay ahead of any one of the other riders that are make up the top speed and endurance riders of the world? It's different. All the new Pros will tell you that. It usually takes a season or two to find your comfort zone and hit stride with this class (but isn't it that way in all classes?). Anyway Dave has been doing some serious homework and it showed. He has come out physically stronger than I have ever seen him, with a new attitude and a sweet ride (but then he has always had a sweet ride). Right behind Dave were Dana and Jasmin Plante on his new Walsh CRF450. Dave had his work cut out and he made good decisions to finish in the top six and make the main rather than take a chance and push fate. Dana got around Dave and pulled a slight lead over Jasmin. Still it was anyone's guess who would find their way to the main. Dana led the qualifier until the last rhythm section when Jasmin made his move and pulled ahead for the checkers. The main thing that happened here, besides making the main, was that Jasmin and Dana found out that they both have similar speed and riding style. Making the main the first go around included Jasmin, Dana, Dave, Mike Walsh, Jason Dunkelberger, Matt White, Nate Frees, Jason March, Steve Runkel, Joe Havisto and Johnny Hale. There are a lot of new blue number plates out there and I will do my best to introduce those up and coming Pros to you in future columns.
Zac Willet is back for more abuse: literally. He tells me that he is one of the many who have little or no seat time because of weather. He was a little psyched out on the big double (even though he did it last year and KNOWS he can do it this year - according to Dad Dave). He messed around on that jump forever until he finally went for it and landed it real pretty. Unfortunatly Zac took it a little rough in moto one and earned the 'All-Pro-ATV-Rider-Chin-Scar.' Looks like Zac will be moving up to a blue plate soon now that he has the scar!
The Pro-Production class is one of the most highly anticipated classes to be added. The thought is that by showing the ability of quads that appear to be roughly the same as the show-room variety, the factories will step back in and see the worth of sponsoring riders in the Production classes since those quads will start flying out of the showroom because the race quads look almost the same. The problem, from what I can see, and remember, I am just a plain old Mom here, is that the Pro-Production bikes are not that similar to the show-room variety. OK, the frame is the same and the side cases, but that's pretty much where it ends. Suspension is different, wheels and tires, the top end is modified for more horsepower, the frame gusseted to take the abuse and well virtually everything is different other than the original frame and the basic design of the motor. The thought was to show that you could buy something off the show-room floor and race it without putting the exotic and durable add-ons, that although we are shell shocked over the cost involved but convinced of the necessity, to race at the level we are in. I know personally that many of the race machines you see in just the A classes have upwards of $12 to $15,000 into them. The Pros are working on upwards of $18,000 for a basic Pro ride. The more elaborate and technical Pro bike is well over 20K. The production bike base price averages around is around $6,000 or so (I am talking rough figure here). There is no way that even one of those Pro-Production bikes are sitting on that starting gate with less than $12 into them, and that is with sponsored products. Honestly, just going over the stuff I (a plain old Mom) can see on these bikes, it looks like they have just as much, minus a frame, as we do into our bike. At first glance they appear to be very much like the show-room variety, but they most definitely are a different breed entirely. Adding insult to injury with the is the fact that the Pro class turned faster lap times by nearly 20 seconds (averaged with my super precise stop watch over three laps by the leader in both the Pro-Production and the Pro class) at Round 1. I don't know... this class is just not as exciting to watch, YET. I think it will change, but maybe it is just too new for me just now. We will see.
Tim Farr (Baldwin Racing) made the surprise move to focus solely on the Pro-Production class. This came as somewhat of a shock for many of us. It just isn't the same with out Tim out there. Doug Gust (Nacs) and Tim are both running nearly identical Suzuki's for this class. Doug is backed by Nac's, Yoshimura, and TC Racing. Tim is working for Baldwin once again. Kory Ellis is running an Alba Suzuki. Tavis Cain (Duncan Racing) is running a Kawasaki and so is John Natalie (Legacy). Jason Luburgh (Nacs), Josh Starret, Jeff Robbins and Jason Dunkelberger (Lost Creek Cycles) are all on Cannondales. Brian Ayres is on a Honda and Aaron Sligluff is running a Suzuki. Tim and Doug battled it out big time in moto one with Tim the front runner in Moto 1. Jason Luburgh took the first holeshot but ended up tangling with John Natalie to the point of soil samples and actually running over himself. I know, I know, only Jason or Dana could figure out how to leave tread marks from his own quad up his back. Doug had a lousy start in moto 1 and had to do what he does best: work his way to the front. Moto 2 saw Doug not taking any chances and turning his holeshot to a comfortable lead. Of course he couldn't slack at all or Natalie or Farr would have been all over that, but true to form, Digger Doug proved that he still has what it takes to make the grade. John Natalie turned a holeshot in moto 2 into a second place finish and Farr went for bronze in moto 2. Overall it was not as exciting as the Pro class, but still a good show. The finals were Doug, Tim, Kory, Tavis, and Dunk for top five.
Sunday was warmer than Saturday. Rumor was that it would rain cats and dogs, as it had been all week. Saturday tried to wet us down for a while, but it really didn't get that bad til late in the day. In fact Saturday night Mike had to work on his bike in our trailer since it was so cold and nasty outside. Sunday was nice though. I know I for one was voting on a rainy day just to get away from any heat like we had last year (it was really, REALLY, hot and humid last year). This year all was good. Nice sunny, but not to hot. Moto one found Jeremiah Jones hungry for a #1 plate but Jason Luburgh is ready to make a statement also by taking the 2003 GNC Pro Class' first holeshot of the year with Jeremiah, Dana, Doug Gust and John Natalie all right there. Dana moved into second real quick and held second place til the half way mark. At that point the sand started to take it's toll on Dana's not quite recovered body. He began to fade a bit. Joe Byrd was charging hard by now and had moved up just behind Doug. Doug got around Dana and so did Joe. It seemed like old times for a couple of laps when Tavis Cain and Dana went side by side over several of the jumps and jockeyed for position. Jeremiah checked out with literally his own race going. There was no one within shouting distance. The real race was for second. Joe, Doug, Tavis and Jasmin were the show today. Dana kept pace but you could see his tongue hanging out (picture your favorite dog retrieving the Frisbee and refusing to give up). In fact he was worried that he slapped a couple of riders with it when they passed him. Jason Luburgh wiped out early in the moto and mentioned that his tongue was hanging out so far that he was positive that Dana ran over it when Dana lapped him. It seemed that everyone other than Jeremiah (who is obviously not made of the same stuff as the rest of the guys) and Doug were nearly down for the count at the end of Moto 1. John Natalie started strong but the mechanical gremlins found him about half way through the race. John McGee was able to get John back on the road and styling by the second moto.
Moto 2 once again found Jeremiah with a early lead and the fight for podium space on. Keith Little had a decent start but he accidentally offloaded and his quad moved into second with Keith scrambling to the edge of the track. Jeremiah once again had a great start but this time he had Natalie (with John McGee) and Byrd not giving an inch with Dana charging hard behind. Doug had some hard luck just before the race and ended up with moisture on his ignition. He could only do laps and finish the moto limping around the track. Once again, Dana started out strong but just wasn't quite ready for the demands of this track. Joe Byrd, who nursed injuries of his own last season, proved that he was ready for anything. Another recent recovery from ATV induced drama is Tavis Cain making a strong start and podium finish his first race of the season. Tavis earned an AC Separation (shoulder injury) at the Anaheim THQ race. Johnny Hale also is on the 'he-is-crazy-to-be-riding' list. Some of you might not have known, but last winter Johnny had one seriously nasty get off at one of his local tracks. It seems that Johnny was running at full speed in a rhythm section when for unknown reasons, possibly a speck of dirt in his carburetor, his engine shut down (have WE been there or what???). Johnny ended up in the hospital for a couple of weeks and having to have some 'additional' parts installed on his person. I know that less than 6 months ago he was still using a walker, and not too quickly from the rumors I heard. Anyway, I for one was happy to see Johnny looking so good, but do question his sanity for hitting the circuit this soon. Although Natalie finished with a strong second in Moto 2, it wasn't enough to offset his DNF in Moto 1. It was interesting really to see how many guys ended up in hot races with team mates. Dave Diver and Jason Dunkelberger were so close at some times that I couldn't tell the difference between them (same plastic, gear, sit on a bike...). Actually a lot of this year's Pro Class are in the seriously fast category. Used to be that there were one or two guys that were phenomenal and then there was the rest of the Pros who were way fast but not quite on the same level as the front runners. Now it seems like that the gap between inhuman speed and style is narrowing within the class. Jeremiah, Joe Byrd, Tavis, Jasmin, Dave Diver, Kory Ellis, Dana, Mike Walsh, Jason Dunkelberger and John Natalie finished the top ten for Round 1.
On a side note it looks like Todd, Joe Byrd's crew chief, will be sporting some blue hair since Joe made the podium. Word is that Todd will be sporting NO hair if Joe WINS a National.... Also on the Byrd's (Joe and Heather - who has the absolute best skin - according to my daughter) seem to travel with a huge family enclave. I see Joe and Heather pitting for nephew, Hunter, in the near future if his obvious interests continue.
John Bartosek is back on the circuit this year. He will be running his brother, Matt Bartosek, number 88 this year. Debi (John & Matt's Mom) proudly displayed the collage that Matt's girlfriend Heather and Angela Moore designed. Grandma and Grandpa made it up to watch John wear himself out on the track like the rest of the riders. up
Sorry this is late. I have had many, MANY of you tell me I am slacking. I know, I know. I am writing this on the airplane right now. Hopefully I will be able to squeeze in some write-time in the next few days to get caught up. Just know that I am working on it and will eventually get it together (probably just to loose it again).
Look for an update real soon to the entire website. I have had the good fortune to come across a couple of you who wrote in and showed how talented you are and offered to assist me in my juvenility efforts at web-authoring. We will be adding a Dana Creech Racing store really soon where you can order everything from clothing to products from any of the companies that support us. We will be pretty exclusive, and only offer stuff that we know works and holds up, but hey, that's what most people want anyway. That way you can get the right thing the first time rather than breaking the wrong thing and then buying the right thing anyway. Long range plans include a small race team one day (that might take a bit longer....). For now you can check out the plans for our new logo here, and hopefully in the very soon future you can order Dana Creech shirts, videos and a lot of other coolio stuff.
That's it for now. Hug your Mom and don't forget her special day is coming up REAL quick. Now if any of you forget Mother's Day, I warn you... you have NO excuse! You were reminded!
Be safe, play hard and of course call your Mom and let her know you are thinking of her.
Mom
Extra Pics:
Matt White
Dana 1,2,3,4,5,6, 7,8,9,10,11,12,13.14,15,16
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