BMX Nation Issue 4 by Joel Cook

M i k e

D a y

Welcome back Mike, to Racing and Profile 1.

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New ELITE HUB with ULTRA DRIVE CASSETTE – 204 points of engaement with no dead spots – Aluminum drivers with oversized bearing for additional smoothness – Matching anodized cone spacers and volcano bolt head covers – New driver labyrinth seal – Engraved logos – Available in Black, Blue & Red colors

NoBOSS CRANK KITS (Black, Chrome & White) – Smooth Clean Look – No Sprocket Boss – GDH Spindle Standard or GDH Ti Upgrade – Lengths: 160, 165, 170, 175, 177, 180, and 182mm (for use with spline drive sprockets and spiders)

HaNdcRaFtEd iN tHE USa

profileracing.com

Send $3.00 for a Sticker Pack to: Profile Racing, 4803 95th Street North, Saint Petersburg, Florida, 33708 Phone: 727-391-7370 – Fax: 727-398-2153 Email: info@profileracing.com

contents »

IN THIS ISSUE

» 16-19

The NBL Thanksgiving Classic

Most racers look forward to Thanksgiving weekend, not because of the turkey and pumpkin pie, but because this weekend the toughest competitors make the yearly pilgrimage to Morristown, Tennessee for the NBL’s Thanksgiving Classic.

» 22-25

2010 Christmas Classic

» 26-29

Feature Interview

After some years at other locations, the premier winter race for the NBL returned to Columbus, Ohio in grand style. The top amateurs showed up in full force. Some, who made the main at the Grands, didn’t make it here. It was that tough. The talent displayed in both the male and female Elite Open races had fences around the track packed with spectators.

About fifteen years ago, this little kid from Dayton started turning heads in the BMX world. His talent and skill impressed people, almost from the moment he began racing. He had a style all his own, and he had the drive and determination to match. Meet Jeff Upshaw.

» 30-31

Cover Model: Jeff Upshaw Photo:

In Every Issue » 9 NBL Schedule » 12 Road to Glory » 13 Down in the Dirt » 14 Champion’s Corner » 15 Rider Spotlight » 36-37 NBL Track Directory » 32 Products » 38 Icon

Industry Profile

In an age where the convenience of internet sales seem to be overshadowing the personal service of local shops, it’s good to know you get the best of both worlds with J&R Supercenter. J&R stays true to the roots of BMX by bringing out their trailers to events all across the country, but they’ve also embraced the e-commerce side of things by setting up one of the best internet BMX shops, which makes them available across the world.

bmxnat.com

products »

credits: Publisher Mike Floyd

RIPXX BMX TRAINING APP ON THE MARKET

Office Manager Dede Floyd Sales Derek Floyd Art Director Joel Cook

For the first time ever, a smart phone application created just for serious BMX riders. This is an app created for BMX athletes who want to train harder and get better.

Production Tony Cartagena Multimedia Anthony Sassano Brandon Hyde

The creators of the Ripxx Sports Performance Measurement Device have made BMX training more simple and convenient. No need for stop watches and video cameras. Everything you need for training is now available on your phone. Just tap the record button, and Ripxx does the rest.

Distribution Doug Mcgee Photographers Jerry Landrum Jarred Huffman Contributors Jenn Sheppard Chase Campbell Harrison Britt Jerry Landrum Rhonda Koulermos Al Roybal Justin Travis Carly Young

The Ripxx BMX app includes an audible tone that beeps for a random start, much like the start at any BMX race. During the run, Ripxx will record stats such as reaction time, acceleration, top speed, pedal count, and so much more. Save, share, and compare results to see what improvements to make. “After spending time with our BMX team and talking with several athletes, we decided that a BMX start app would be a great way to add fun and convenience to training. We have the knowledge to compile data that BMX riders need, so why not give them the ease of getting results from their phone?” said Dr. Kurt Nichol, Ripxx President and CEO. The Ripxx BMX app will debut this weekend at the Florida State BMX series qualifiers in Miami. Ripxx riders will be on hand to provide more information and details. The Ripxx BMX team consists of 24 top-notch athletes, including elite BMX racer, Amanda Carr. Ripxx is constantly striving to top the charts, and the podium. Keep an eye out for the Ripxx BMX team, and the newly released BMX smart phone app. Stop by the Ripxx tent this weekend to find out more. Ripxx BMX app available for iPhone and Android.

About Ripxx Ripxx was designed by EDAS, a supplier of high-end vibration testing solutions for jet engines and other high performance industrial applications with a low tolerance for error. Basically, they’re rocket scientists! The same level of technological knowhow has been poured into Ripxx. We came up with Ripxx because we love outdoor sports; skiing, snowboarding, cycling, running, motocross, BMX, kayaking, motorsports – all of it. Ripxx records your movements while you’re doing what you love.

NBL Office & Field Staff CEO Gary Aragon garagon@nbl.org

Creators of the original sports performance measurement device have released a smart phone application that provides the same detailed results.

Director of Marketing & Public Relations Jess Moore jessmoore@nbl.org Director of Planning & Innovations Erma Miller emiller@nbl.org Director of National Field Operations Don Wagner dwagner@nbl.org Director of Operations Connie Shepler cshepler@nbl.org Director of Track Operations & Development Donna Smith dsmith@nbl.org Director of Membership Angel Dorr adorr@nbl.org Director of Accounting Jan Moore jmoore@nbl.org Director of West Coast Track Development Cody Wilson cwilson@nbl.org

BMX NATION Magazine is published monthly 10 issues with Sept/Oct and Jan/ Feb combined issues. Letters, Questions and Comments can be sent to us at: 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd Plant City, FL 33563 or email them to info@bmxnat.com. Advertisers warrant and represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. BMX NATION Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All letters and their contents sent to BMX NATION Magazine become the sole property of Floyd Publications, Inc and may be reproduced thereof. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Floyd Publications, Inc . Use or duplication of material used in this publication is prohibited without approved written consent from Floyd Publications, Inc .

nbl »

www.nbl.org

November 27- 28 November 27-28 December 27

December 27

December 28- 29

January 2928-29 -30 December

Thanksgiving Classic

TN Thanksgiving Classic Morristown, Morristown, TN

President’s Cup

Columbus, OH

Christmas Classic

Columbus, OH

President’s Cup

Columbus, OH

Cat 2

Elite Open

Indy Indoor IN Cat 3 Christmas Classic Indianapolis,Columbus, OH

Elite Cat Open 2

March 5

NationsTour #1

Primm, NV

March 6

Stateline National

Primm, NV

January 29-30 March March 5 19 -20 April 26 -3 March

Indy Indoor

Fort Walton Beach, FL

January 15-16

Virginia Horse Center

Lexington, VA

February 26- 27

Lexington BMX

Lexington, SC

Virgin, UT Lexington, SC

W SE

January 8 - 9

April 9- 10 February 26-27 April 16- 17

Virginia Horse Center

Virgin RegionalBMX BMX Lexington

Fort Walton Beach, FL SE SE Lexington, VA

April 9

Virgin Regional BMX

Morristown BMX

Morristown, TN

Winchester, VA

Virgin, UT

Winchester BMX

Primm, Peachtree City, GA NV Cat 2

Elite Open

April May 16-17 7-8

Morristown BMX East Moline BMX Speedway

East Morristown, Moline, IL TN

MWSE

Roadrunner Nationals Stateline National Las Cruces, NM Primm, NV Cat 3

Elite Cat Open 4

May 16-17 7-8 April

Central Jersey BMX BMX Winchester

Howell, NJ Winchester, VA

NENE

Nellis BMX

Las Vegas, NV

Waukegan BMX

Waukegan, IL

Central Jersey Air Time BMXBMX

Howell, Reedley, CA NJ

W NE

Cleves, OH

McDonough, GA

NationsTour Georgia Peach Nationals #1

NationsTour #2

Petersburg, VA

Georgia Peach Nationals

Sarasota, FL

Cat 1

Peachtree City, GA

Roadrunner Easter Classic Nationals Sarasota, FL Las Cruces, NM Cat 4 Gator Nationals

FL Cat 3 Battlefield Nationals West Palm Beach, Petersburg, VA

May 14 -15

Dixieland Nationals

May 14- 15

All-American Nationals

April 23

Emerald Coast Dirt & Vert

April 16- 17

April 23

April 30 - May 1 April 2-3

Cat 3

Emerald Coast Dirt & Vert

Elite Open

Freedom Nationals

April April2-3 24

Indianapolis, IN

November 6- 7 November 6-7

Cat 4

April 2 -3

March 19-20

Elite Open

NationsTour #2

Elite Open

Cat 2

May 21-22

East Moline BMX Speedway

East Moline, IL

3 Elite Cat Open

May May7-8 28-29

Elite Open

Cat 1

June 4-5 May 7-8

Cleves BMX

June 4-5

Sandy Ridge BMX

June 4-5

Catamount BMX

Bennington, VT

June28-29 18-19 May

Columbus Air Time BMX BMX

Columbus, INCA Reedley,

MWW

July 2-3

Livermore BMX

Livermore, CA

Clemmons, NC

Cat 1

Elite Open

Fresno, CA

Cat 2

Elite Open

Sarasota, FL

May 7-8

May 21-22

Nellis BMX

Las Vegas, NV

Waukegan BMX

Waukegan, IL

May 24 28 -29 April

Memorial Easter ClassicClassic

Pottstown, PA Sarasota, FL Cat 2

Elite Cat Open 4

June 11 -12

Empire Nationals

New Paltz, NY

Cat 3

Elite Open

June 11 -12

SoCal Nationals

Lucerne, CA

Cat 1

Elite Open

July 23-24

SE Challenge Championships

Pelham, AL

May June14-15 25

Dixieland Clemmons, NC NationsTour #3 Nationals TBA - Midwest

Cat 1

June 4-5 July 23-24

Sandy Ridge BMX NE Challenge Championships

McDonough, GA Bethel, CT

NE SE

June14-15 26 May

Midwest National Nationals TBA - Midwest All-American Fresno, CA Cat 4

Elite Cat Open 2

July 23-24 June 4-5

MW Challenge Championships Catamount BMX

Grand Rapids, MIVT Bennington,

MWNE

Cat 2

June 18-19

July 23-24

West Challenge Championships

Kernville, CA

April 30-May 1

Gator Nationals

West Palm Beach, FL

July 9

NationsTour #4

Pittsburgh, PA

July 10

Stars N Stripes National

Pittsburgh, PA

May 28-29 June 11-12 July 16 -17 July 30 -31

June 11-12 August 13 -14

June 25

August 13 -14

September 3- 4 June 26

Memorial Classic

Pottstown, PA

Cat 3

Cat 4

Elite Open

Nationals Evansville, INNew Paltz, NY Hoosier Empire Nationals Cat 1

3 Elite Cat Open

Great Lakes Nationals

Waterford, MI

Cat 2

Elite Open

Catskill Mountain Nationals

Kingston, NY

Cat 1

Elite Open

SoCal Nationals NationsTour #3

Golden State Nationals

Lucerne, CA

TBA - Midwest

Prunedale, CA

Cat 1

Cat 3

Elite Open

Grand Midwest National National Louisville, KYTBA - Midwest Cat 4

Elite Cat Open 4

EXPLANATION OF ELITE OPEN July 9 NationsTour #4 SERIES

Pittsburgh, PA

The Elite Open Series will be a Pro Series completely separate from the NationsTour races. Elite Open classes will be offered AA-Elite Women, A-Elite, Masters & SuperEx riders. PA July 10 at every National for AA-Elite Men, Stars N Stripes National Pittsburgh, Cat 4

June 4-5

Cleves BMX

Cleves, OH

Columbus BMX

Columbus, IN

The Sunday race (July 24th) after the Challenge Championships will be a bonus National in each region. The race will be run like a normal National with no virtual teamsheets and will July 2-3 towards the rider’s National Livermore BMX Livermore, CA count qualifying races.

July 23-24 SE Challenge Championships EXPLANATION OF NATIONAL

Pelham, AL CATEGORIES

MW W SE

At the root of the new categories is the idea of a “virtual teamsheet”. Every rider at the race will be randomly

July 23-24 NEwill Challenge Championships Bethel, placed on a team. This team be separate from normal teams. Each rider will stillCT be scored normally NE for

National points. The virtual team will give every rider in attendance a chance at an additional award of the day.

July 23-24 MW Challenge Championships Grand MI MW Category 1: Mixed Doubles - The virtual teamsheet Category 3: ProAm - TheRapids, virtual teamsheet will pair

will pair every boy with a girl to form “fantasy mixed every Am regardless of proficiency with a Pro rider. The doubles” teams of a varying number (probably 7 or winning virtual team will split a prize valued at $2000. July 23-24 West Challenge Kernville, Won 8). The winning virtual team will receive a prizeChampionships of Category 4: Super ProAm - CA One-day events held $2000 or almost $300 per rider. Sunday after the NationsTour Pro races. Worth double Category 2: Team Spectacular - No after virtual the ChallengeNational points. The will virtual The Sunday race (July 24th) Championships beteamsheet a bonuswill work the teamsheets. Top teams will share a bulked-up purse. same as at ProAm races but with a $4000 prize.

National in each region. The race will be run like a normal National with no virtual teamsheets and will count towards the rider’s National qualifying races.

The Thanksgiving Classic & ECDV Regional will fall under the New NBL. If you convert your membership at or before those races, you get that race free along with the President’s Cup and the Christmas Classic – a $300 value, FREE!

July 16-17

Hoosier Nationals

Evansville, IN

Cat 1

July 30-31

Great Lakes Nationals

Waterford, MI

Cat 2

August 13-14

Catskill Mountain Nationals

Kingston, NY

Cat 1

August 13-14

Golden State Nationals

Prunedale, CA

Cat 3

Grand National

Louisville, KY

Cat 4

September 3-4

EXPLANATION OF NATIONAL CATEGORIES At the root of the new categories is the idea of a “virtual teamsheet”. Every rider at the race will be randomly placed on a team. This team will be separate from normal teams. Each rider will still be scored normally for National points. The virtual team will give every rider in attendance a chance at an additional award of the day. Category 1: Mixed Doubles - The virtual teamsheet will pair every boy with a girl to form “fantasy mixed doubles” teams of a varying number (probably 7 or 8). The winning virtual team will receive a prize of $2000 or almost $300 per rider. Category 2: Team Spectacular - No virtual teamsheets. Top teams will share a bulked-up purse.

Category 3: ProAm - The virtual teamsheet will pair every Am regardless of proficiency with a Pro rider. The winning virtual team will split a prize valued at $2000. Category 4: Super ProAm - One-day events held on Sunday after the NationsTour Pro races. Worth double National points. The virtual teamsheet will work the same as at ProAm races but with a $4000 prize.

PRODUCED BY

TWO WHEEL ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS A FUSION/MKBRAINCHILD/POST HOUSE PRODUCTION “JOIN THE NATION” MIKE KOULERMOS STEVE HAMM TIMOTHY M. FLAHERTY DIRECTED BY TIMOTHY M. FLAHERTY

ROYNUTS »

Road to Glory by Al “Roynuts” Roybal

his month I’m going to share with you a honest to goodness true story of my first road trip. I believe that the road is where you can learn, grow and show the world that you’re not just a knucklehead punk on a BMX bike pedaling toward the jumps with seven other fools. I’ve traveled the country and world with BMX, and it all started when I met the Garcia family! This Garcia family was straight out of “Leave it to Beaver” (the Mexican edition) complete with Grandpa and a closely knit family. The youngest son, Joey, was pretty good on a BMX bike but was just a little grom who always wanted to tag along with us. We would ditch him every chance we got. The older son Jimmy (my age), went to high school with me and as soon as we met, we hit it off and and were BMX buddies for years to come. Their parents were school teachers (Mary & Jim) and I will never forget the first race I went to with them. It was 1987 and I was a long-haired, breakdancing cholo! Now, I wasn’t necessarily the best student or bike racer at the time, I was more of the “go out and party every weekend while chasing some hottie from history class” type of high schooler. I never carried a backpack, or took books home from school. My grades were “passing” at best. I had a couple of girlfriends, and hung out with more than one troublemaker. We had a small tight crew and out of the five of us, one is dead (gang affiliation), one is in prison for life, one is in a wheel chair (shot in the back), and one disappeared when his mom sent him back to Arizona. I’m the fifth. One Friday afternoon this big, old motor home comes rolling up my driveway and out jumps this round Pancho Villa-looking guy I barely know and starts telling me to get ready for the state qualifier in Sanger! He had already talked to my mom and we were to be on the road in five minutes. In straight

BMXer fashion, I grabbed my bike and clothes while Jim reminded me to grab my backpack so I could do my homework on the way. “Homework? Who does homework?” I thought. Needless to say, I wanted to BMX and going away for the weekend sounded like heaven on earth. Joey was yelling at me to hurry up and Jimmy was nose deep in an English book from Mr. Barnes’ class. I stole my sister’s backpack to make it look like I owned one, fed the horses real quick, and five minutes later we were on our way. Spanish music wasn’t my favorite but Jim Garcia sure does love it and I recall singing something about “Volver”, although I had no idea what the word meant. I heard some Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings along the way too. I figured Mr. Garcia was fresh from the border and still wet behind the ears, but at least his boys could ride. Two hours later we arrived at Apache Land BMX with my homework completed and checked by big Jim (he had a rule that if you couldn’t finish your homework you couldn’t practice). I had never been to a state race and this was only the second track I had ever ridden. I couldn’t wait to see the track, hear the gate starter and smoke some fools down the first straight! My heart was thumping through my chest with excitement. I recall getting snapped by some 10-year-old named Randy Stumpinjumper and meeting one of Jimmy’s friends named Riofrio. I raced Novice and got smoked every lap. Needless to say, it was rad! We camped at the track and had burnt BMX BBQ with plenty of laughter for dessert. Driving home was full of Jim Garcia fables of the Olympics’, western movies and how he use to be a Mexican-American cowboy on the prairie. I was sad driving home knowing that the weekend was over and that I had school the next day. But I knew how to sing in Spanish and do my homework -- two things I had never done before. Joey Garcia went on to win a couple National titles and X-Games gold medals while Jimmy Garcia became National #1 and raced AA-Pro for a bit. Jim still watches country movies and sings in Spanish while Mary is the NBL California State Commissioner to this day. Stumpfhauser just retired after becoming the Greatest of All Time, and I’m still at it, pedalling toward the jump with seven other fools (Riofrio included).

LLC

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track dirt »

down in the dirt

he holiday break is over and everyone that went to the Christmas Classic & Presidents Cup have recovered from their 12 hour race days and should be looking toward their local track time to get ready for the next national coming to your area. Christmas Classic was an amazing race for the NBL. Walking into registration and seeing 360 motos on the screen is a great thing for BMX. You will soon see this same growing effect at your local track; and with all the excitement from the local tracks during December you should be running out your front door with your bike. Just days before Christmas the riders from Punta Gorda, FL got an early Christmas gift as Amanda Carr and her hard working crew went “90’s” during the track rebuild. If you make a trip to Charlotte BMX you will see a similar layout from the 1990’s thanks to Tommy Cross & Mitch Home’s track building expertise. Along with Tommy & Mitch the Adams family played a major role in supporting the build. Amanda Carr makes it all happen while she trains with the goal of becoming an Olympian, hits the schools with her Cycles & Strides program and makes a big impression on the track program. Hats off to Amanda and the entire crew at Charlotte BMX! Check them out at www.charlottebmx.net

by Cody Wilson

Over in Connecticut the crew at Foothills BMX dug deeper than moving dirt. The day before Thanksgiving, Motocross champion Doug Henry had a fire at his home in Torrington. When Foothills BMX got word of the home being destroyed in the blaze, they immediately rallied a fundraiser that was held December 5th with a silent auction, bake sale and benefit race. On December 18th Michigan got an early gift for the holidays by having the opening of Thrifty Acres BMX Indoor Facility. Greenville, Michigan is now home to a track in the 90,000 square foot Meijer building that played host to 16 Men & Women Elite riders racing for $2500 in prize money. Along with the pros racing there were 158 amateur riders that came from as far away as Colorado. The track was built using 10,000 cubic yards of dirt acquired from the Meijer Heartland Trail pedestrian tunnel construction project. The name Thrifty Acres BMX pays tribute to Meijer and their support of the youth and healthy life styles. Lets all welcome Doug Doerr, Herschel Brown and Paul Maycroft to the NBL Nation and pay a visit to their new facility. Check them out at www. taibmx.com In just a couple of weeks Indy Indoor will be ready to host their national before the National Championship tour takes a quick 1 month break and gears up for the NBL Nations Tour Kickoff out west in Primm, NV where the smarts of the Nevada BMX crew is already starting to set the stage for the weekends’ events. If you’re heading out to Buffalo Bills Casino you can catch a deal on the room by calling 1-888-Fun-Stop and using “scb0481” as the BMX Discount Code. If your local track has something great to share with the nation please e-mail the details so your items can make this monthly column. Each month the latest and greatest items happening around the country with the NBL family of tracks will be featured. Please send me a shout at cwilson@nbl. org and I will help you spread the word about your programs.

riding tips » » Step 5 » Step 6

Vaughn exploded his shoulders up as hard as he could pulling his bike up with him

Vaughn controls his bike through the air over a progressive table top at Ohio Dreams Race Training Facility

» Step 4 Vaughn is compressed before the jump, his arms are bent and his body is down.

his month we are going to move on to a different type of skill, there are a few more advanced manualing techniques left to go over but

CHAMPION’S CORNER:

we will get to those later, for now we are going to focus on every

Skill Basic Jumping By: Justin Travis

EIGHT Steps to Basic Jumping

ones favorite skill; Jumping. Jumping is probably the root of what makes BMX Racing so fun, there is nothing quite like the feeling of clearing our first table top and then whenever we get to a new track the talk in the pits is always “did you hit the dub on the second straight; was it easy?” “Did you see the pro jumps; do you think they are faster?” It’s in our nature to look for reasons to jump, jumping is exciting. This month we are going to cover the 3 basic parts to jumping, so if you want to learn to get both of your wheels off the ground read on and then head to www.bmxnat.com to watch the video.

Start by finding a small to medium sized table top.

Approach the jump at a speed that will allow you to focus on just getting your wheels off the ground and landing safely

Keep your body tall and over the center of your bike to start. As you approach the jump give yourself set up time (set up time is more important than an extra pedal when you are learning)

Right before you get to the jump compress on your bike just like you would as if you were doing a bunny hop.

At the top of the lip, when your front wheel is about to go off the jump, EXPLODE up with your entire body (just like a bunny hop) this is your boost.

CONTROL your bike; keep relaxed and try and keep your front wheel a little higher than your back wheel until you know you have cleared the jump, this way if you come up short you will be able to absorb the landing with your legs and body.

Practice going as high as you can and practice going as low as you can, you will need to know how to do both someday to win a race.

Remember, the faster you go the less boost you need to clear a jump.

Jumping is about progression, so before you blast off full speed at any random table top or double, take the time to learn the three parts of a jump; SPEED, BOOST, and CONTROL.

bmxnat.com

rider spottlight »

Kody Wong

f you are from Florida then you are probably used to hearing the name Kody Wong over the loudspeaker every race weekend. But if you are from anywhere else, it may not sound too familiar…for now.

This season, Kody is completely focused and has a new team backing him for state and nationals. Team Manager Todd Lackey of the Intense/Monster team recognized his talents on a bike, saw his determination to win and made a quick decision to add Kody to the team.

An “Intense” Expert in BMX Racing for 2011 I was surprised to find out that this was Kody’s seventh season racing. Back in June of 2004, Kody started racing at Sarasota BMX with his two younger brothers Kenyon and Kendal Wong. It only took him a year an a half to turn expert after his first race, but that is typical Kody. He has been competitive from the day he was born. Being the middle child in a large family pushed him to try harder at everything he does. Kody doesn’t even let injuries get in his way of accomplishing what he wants. Even after breaking his wrist recently, he didn’t even think about missing a snowboarding trip.

He also gave me some insight on his goals for the future and why it is he excels at this sport. His overall goal is to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games, but he has some lesser goals as well. One of them is to turn pro at age 17, and he attributes a lot of his motivation for this goal to gate practice at Sarasota BMX. “With so many pros out there, I try and compete with them every night,” Kody said. “When I first started getting gates with them two years ago, I would see how close I was to their back wheel. I noticed myself getting closer and closer to them, and now on a good night I can beat some of

them to the first corner.” Kody uses that progression as motivation and as a proof that he can compete at the next level. As far as training goes, Kody is always doing something. He trains every day of the week. He does all kinds of training, but mostly sprints about 20 pedals long. And when he’s not doing sprints, he does everything from legs at the gym to P90X at home. Karate is also a big part of his training. He is currently a brown belt, just two levels away from a black belt. “It helps my core muscles along with my concentration and focus,” he said. “I have had trouble with focus in the past. I was putting in all the work training before races then put too much pressure on myself to do good when I got to the race. I ride best in practice when I’m relaxed, so now I really try to relax when I race.” With his competitive drive and devotion to hard work, Kody has been able to accomplish a great deal even though, comparatively speaking, he has not been in the sport for very long. With only 5 years of racing experience, Kody has already earned a much coveted Florida State title and two World #8 titles. Keep your eyes on this rising star in 2011, and don’t blink. He’ll be leading the pack for the National title this year.

Gobble

2010 NBL Thanksg iving Cl assic by Greg

Davis

Riders

very November, serious BMX racers look forward to Thanksgiving weekend, not because of the turkey and pumpkin pie, but because that’s when the toughest competitors make the yearly pilgrimage (no pun intended, as far as you know) to Morristown, Tennessee for the NBL Thanksgiving Classic.

November 2010 marked the first Thanksgiving race for the New NBL, and that meant there were some key differences. The 2010 NBL Thanksgiving Classic was the first big race in the new season and under the newly revamped membership system, so there was a new sense of excitement in the air even if the surroundings were familiar. The turnout was certainly a reflection of the members’ enthusiasm, and their competition made for some challenging battles even in the quarter semis and semis, making the mains that much more action-packed for everyone. This year’s great new track design helped make the race even more exciting. Even with a small soft spot just out of gate seven, the first straight was fast and launched riders quickly into the first turn. Once out of that turn, racers could take advantage of multiple lines through the second straight, but they were all very fast. The third and final straights were marked by welldesigned rhythm sections, which made for a really great competition for riders and spectators alike. Saturday: The Elite Open class turned out in full force, including Phil Delizia, Riddell, Matt Beatty, and Moses who all looked tough to beat. Mike Gentilcore and “2X4” Tommy Board inspired the more seasoned racers in the audience, proving it can still be done well into their second decade of life. When the Elite Open class lined up for the main, the Black Crown team was certainly well represented. When the gate slammed down, Moses had the pop and led most of the way around, until a crash in the last corner allowed Riddell to take the lead with Delizia pulling hard just behind him. The rest of the field crossed the line: Beatty, Murphy, 2X4, Woodruff, Moses, and Caldwell. Lee Moses emerged from the crash largely unscathed. “I was leading until the last corner, and then mass carnage.” He said. “Riddell won.”

He then added, “It was a good way to start off the season. It was good competition, and it was good to see old faces and new faces.” The older expert classes had a pile of competition at Morristown, as well. The 41 Expert class was stacked. Aubrey Jacobson, Joel Clark, Keith Bohne, Linwood Christopher, Frank Young, Ken Robinson, and Jay Kerns each won their motos. But the semis trimmed even some of the moto winners from the field unexpectedly: including Dominick Coates who had a crank arm flop off with a spindle bolt mishap, while he was still clipped in, down the second straight during one of his motos. When the gate popped on the main, Christopher emerged with the holeshot and held the lead, pretty much from start to finish. Greg Lilly, Jason Morgan, Frank Young, Joel Clark, Keith Bohne, Mike Higdon, and Tom McMannis finished behind Christopher. After the main, Christopher said, “[It was] fun! Good racing. It was my first win at a national since 2004 – since racing expert. Here, there were [sic] lots of good comp – the semis were good.” The 35-39 Expert class descended on Morristown, and landed hard. Many were surprised when Steve Smith showed up and raced 20 along with his cruiser. He dominated his motos, but had a bad crash in the main. “…[It was] kind of not the greatest start,” he said. “I was coming back, and I got tangled and pretty much knocked out.” Another Steve, however, Steve Sherman grabbed the win, with Drew “Motley Drew” Motley hot on his heels. And, while the medics attended to Smith, Rickey White, James Nabors, Scott Mechler, Shawn “McGroovin” McGovern and Timothy Brown crossed the line, in that order. Look for JW’s Smith to be a force on 20 in 2011. Perhaps the closest race of the weekend took place in the sick-fast, 26-34 Expert class. Former Elite Pro, Lance McGuire looked unstoppable, but in the main, Frank “The Tank” Hoskins came up with the holeshot, in spite of a game knee that was scheduled for surgery within a few days. Coming out of the first turn, McGuire pulled hard and got ahead of Hoskins just as they both jumped into the second corner, with Hoskins pulling even as they emerged from the turn. But through the rhythm, McGuire edged him out

again. As they sped down the final straight, McGuire held his lead to the line. Behind them, Dusty Means, Jeff Holtz, Kris Creech, Arthur Gore, William “Petey” Peters, and the super smooth Thomas Truxel, crossed the line in that order. Two words best describe the 19-25 Expert class at Morristown—“big” and “fast.” The weekend’s line-up was a real who’s who list of that class. The crazy-hard quarters and semis eliminated several of the top contenders. In the main, Niles Austin emerged in the lead with Brandt Kinder and Tom Parry trailing hard. Max Eden and RJ Livesay tried to battle their way up in the pack, but at the line, it was Austin, Kinder, Parry, Eden, Livesay, McDermott, Calvin and Dixon. Daniel Birmingham was on the gas at Morristown, but on Saturday in the 17-18 Expert class, he had to take second behind Geoffrey Banser. If the officials shot radar on the mains, who would show higher MPH would be a toss-up between the 17-18 Expert class and the Elite Open class. At the line, it was Banser, Birmingham, Sinauskas, Grant, Pfender, Wedge, Porter, and Zell. In the 16 Expert class, Cody House and Evan Eisenhard dominated their motos, but a tangle-up in the main held Eisenhard back, and Behm grabbed the lead and the win with House, Robinson, Elderkin, Johnson, Dutton, and Widdows following close behind. Tyler Heinrichs and Austin Johnson both perfect-ed their motos, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise to anyone that when the gate slammed down, it was Johnson and Henrichs dicing it up down the first straight. Heinrich edged out Johnson for the win, with Smith, Klien, Berg, Nelson, Rothmann, and Bisson finishing close behind them. Perhaps one of the most impressive amateurs at Morristown was 14 Expert Andrew Townsend. The 14 Expert class was huge at Morristown with 25 riders, and loaded with tough competition. In dominating the way he did, Townsend really showed his great potential to everyone watching. Four 14 Experts survived the quarters and semis with perfect moto points, and in the main, aside from Townsend, Knapper, Shaw, and Pletscher, each lined up on the gate with all ones behind their name on the moto board. When the gate popped, Townsend shot to the first corner in the lead and held on to win. Knapper, Takamasa, Hardy, Bradner, Shaw, and Pletscher followed Townsend across the line. Sunday: On the second full day of racing the Elite Open was minus 2X4, but Jason Sherrill arrived as if to fill the void. In the motos, Riddell seemed poised for another win, but Delizia looked part rocket-man on the day. Moses and Beatty also snapped up moto wins and the Elite Open looked super-evenly matched going into the main. Out of the gate, Delizia shot to the lead, with Riddell on his back wheel. Beatty got balled up in the corner with Moses. Riddell tried to reel Delizia in but couldn’t catch him before the line. Sherrill grabbed the third place bucks. The 40-44 Cruiser class at this year’s T-day race was HUGE and stacked with the top riders. When the dust from the quarters and semis settled, the main looked pretty intense. More than half of the men who lined up on the gate had perfect-ed their motos. Incredibly, however, in his first national after a break that lasted a couple of decades, Nate Chever shot out to the front before Zizzo and McAllister slid by. Chever got a little crooked, allowing a few more riders to get past him. At the line McAllister gave Zizzo a challenge, but Zizzo held on to the lead leaving Motley to grab third, with Bell, Bramer, Lilly, Chever, and Sherman crossing in that order. On Sunday, Steve Smith was still a little banged up from his brief, but intense, romance with the track surface. In fact, he had given some serious thought to not racing at all, after having to ice down his knee following Saturday’s 35-40 Expert main crash. At the last moment, he decided to race cruiser, and then promptly dominated his motos. By the main, Lackey and Hurley had also turned in perfects. When the gate slammed down on the main line-up, Smith shot out to the lead. By the time he crossed the line, that lead had widened to a couple of bike-lengths. Lackey, Carloss, Hurley, McGovern, Palugi, Wade, and Kuehn eventually crossed the line behind him. In 30-24 Cruiser, Mike Peters pulled an almost identical move in the last corner of each lap during his motos, going from second to first by hugging the line and edging out the leader. In

the main Sunday, however, it didn’t work for him and Peters had to settle for second behind Macheska. The 41 Expert races ended up looking a lot like Saturday’s results. With Christopher leading in the main, Kerns passed him, but Christopher didn’t give up. At the line, he passed Kerns for the win and his second perfect of the weekend. Finishing behind Kerns were Jacobson, Robinson, Davis, Coates, Bohne, and Lilly in that order. Sunday’s 35-40 Expert main offered a bit of excitement when McGroovin’ McGovern shot out to the lead with Motley Drew on his tail, while somewhere behind them, Aussie-transplant Mark Wheeler blew off his chain and crashed. McGovern held on for the win. Frank “The Tank” decided not to race both days, so McGuire dominated the 26-34 Expert class, winning all of his motos and the main from start to finish. In the 19-25 Expert class, Steven Penland put it this way. “Well in class main, I … [drew] gate 2, which…this weekend was definitely a great gate.” He said. “I had Niles Austin next to me in gate 1,” he continued, “…so I knew it wouldn’t be too much of a cake walk…” He went on to describe, “I went into the first turn in 3rd behind Niles and RJ. The rest of the lap, until the last turn, I cruised behind them. I saw RJ going on the inside on the last turn and knew something was going to go down. RJ ended up going down trying to pimp Niles and I went around him following on the outside and ended up with a 2nd.” RJ Livesay saw it slightly differently. “After my fall in the main on Saturday, I wasn’t feeling 100%, but I got a good pop out of the gate [on Sunday’s main] and was running 2nd out of the 1st turn. Going through the rhythm, I set up a last turn pass for the lead but bonked the rollers and had to carve a little harder than I wanted to and just lost the front end. I ended up 5th for the day.” He added, “Overall it was a great weekend. Fun track, and I was very impressed to see almost 200 motos!”

The Banser/Birmingham battle in 17-18 Expert was repeated Sunday, with the same result. Banser edged out the super quick Birmingham. Victor Behm won every lap in the tough 16 Expert class. Other Expert perfects included: Andrew Townsend in 14, Luca Shaw in 13, Nick Connelly in 12, Erik Meyer in 11, and Ethan Banks in 6. The new Challenger classes for the Women in the New NBL proved a great success at Morristown. Many of the ladies who had formerly only raced cruisers, diced it up on the 20s this weekend. Many displayed great skill down the second straight, even boosting some of the doubles. In the 41+ Challenger Women, Christine Gurley perfect-ed, while the super quick Lisa Motley and Patricia Gonzales fought it out behind her. Jessica Baker dominated the 19-25 Challenger Women class with Alicia Allen and Jaime Harmon trading off seconds and thirds. In 17-18, Michelle Lehman went undefeated. Other lady perfects included, Kyla Reed in the 16-29 Open Wheel, Bethany Kludt in the 16 Challenger Girls, Mackenzie Erickson in 15, Rochelle Wooding in 14, Elida Beeman in 12, Tarah Wagner in 11, McKhenna Calhoun in 10, Victoria Brain in 8, and Kaitlyn Wightman in 5-7 Challenger Girls. Overall, everything about the 2010 Thanksgiving Classic in Morristown highlighted the energy and excitement that is characterizing the new and newly energized NBL. The moto count, attendance, competition and the excitement were all through the roof. The New NBL is proving to be the new leader in BMX racing… again. It’s like déjà-vu, all over again, only better. So hold on to your racing profile, titanium rail saddle and get ready for everything the New NBL has to offer for 2011; including next year’s Thanksgiving Classic. It’s going to be epic.

fter some years of hosting the Christmas Classic at a variety of locations, the premier winter race for the NBL returned to Columbus, Ohio in grand style; and for those who were in attendance (and there were a great number of you) two words immediately came to mind: BIG and TOUGH.

Everyone involved in this remarkable sport knows that BMX racing requires great sprinting ability. But this year’s Christmas Classic also tested every racer’s endurance. Some classes fought through eighth-semis, many classes struggled through quarters, and virtually every class had at least semis to contend with to get to the main. In fact, there were well over 350 motos on each day of the Christmas Classic this year. When the competition was finally over, many riders had taken more trips around that track than they normally would at a couple of nationals combined. This year’s race had the moto count and festival atmosphere of a Grand National event. If this had been a Pro Series race, as it used to be, it would have been even bigger; possibly topping 400 motos. But even without the pros, the top amateurs showed up in full force, and the competition was fierce. Some of the racers who made the main at the Grand Nationals this year, didn’t make the main here. It was that tough. The talent displayed in both the male and female Elite Open races had the fences all the way around the track packed with spectators. The track itself featured a long first straight—much longer than most indoor tracks. This made it possible for racers to drag race to the first turn. Coming out of the gate, racers cranked up to a step-up, then a double, and finally a big tabletop into the big first turn. That first turn shot racers into a decision maker with a huge pro section on the left that was optional and only slightly quicker than the right side. On the right, out of the turn, was a step to a mid-sized double then to a large double going into the second turn. The final two straights were made up of rhythm sections. Track builder, Tom “Ritz” Ritzenthaler, put in some overtime on those rhythm sections, and the final two straights further tested rider endurance because racers had to dig deeper on the second half of the track in order to finish well. But the ‘big’ part of this event was not limited to the track… The pits brimmed with vendors and product manufacturers displaying a variety of BMX merchandise. And, if you looked twice, you saw a few super quick riders in the pits who, for one reason or another, weren’t racing. Frank “The Tank” Hoskins was out for the weekend having recently had one of his knees worked on. A separated shoulder forced Elite rider, Marty Wisehart, to watch from the sidelines. Former pro rider Dustin Vogler was in the stands—plotting his return to racing after two major knee rehabs; and full-time student and Elite female rider Rachel “Thunder” Smith checked out the action at the Christmas Classic as a spectator—just to name a few. Day One: In the Elite Open motos, all the riders looked strong, but several stood out. Jeff Upshaw, Justin Riddell, and Michael Kapes looked to be the three to beat in the main. After a roll out in pro style, the Elite Open main event lined up on the hill. When the gate slammed down, Upshaw had the inside, but Kapes grabbed the holeshot. Bad luck for Benny Wright who snapped his chain, just out of the gate. By the second straight pro section, Kapes had a couple of bikes on Upshaw. Upshaw is famous for pulling into first just before the line, but from the infield it looked like too big a gap to overcome, even for Upshaw. Since Kapes didn’t seem to be making any mistakes, Upshaw looked like he’d have to settle for second. Then Upshaw gained a little on Kapes in the rhythm, but it didn’t look like enough, until Kapes left the door open in the final corner giving Upshaw the space to dive in and pass Kapes… just before the line. The pass was so tight, Kapes nearly came out of his pedals, but he stayed up, and both riders were far enough ahead of the pack that Kapes held second place position. At the line it was: Upshaw, Kapes, Daniel Smith, Riddell, Travis Woodruff, Michael Caldwell, Josh Smith, and Benny Wright. Afterward, Kapes said, with a grin, “Watch the inside at the corners. Don’t leave your inside line open.”

Meanwhile, the men’s racing was just as hotly contested. The 41 and Over Expert class is big and tough. Many of the men in the main that day have been racing in NBL nationals longer than most of the Elite Men have been alive. Several riders who won motos didn’t make it through the daunting semis that day. Out of the gate, Darin Houston grabbed an early lead. Hector Mendez, who usually only races cruiser, pulled into second after passing John Sabatini, and Rennen’s London Wilmot pulled in just behind Sabatini. At the finish it was, Houston, Mendez, Sabatini, Wilmot, John Pringle, Coates, Dugan Neil, and Jim Wahl. In the pits after his main, Houston said, “I don’t know how I did it. I was sick as a dog, but I had some pull and pedaled where others weren’t.” Houston went on to double, winning the insanely fast 40-44 cruiser main also. Perhaps one of the best mains of the day was the 35-40 Expert class. The biggest surprise wasn’t that big Shawn DiPrete grabbed the holeshot. Most would be surprised if he didn’t. The biggest surprise came when Weird Al Roybal (Announcer Extraordinaire) pulled even with DiPrete down the second straight, high-lowed DiPrete in the second corner, and then got a little ahead of him down the third straight. DiPrete, however, returned the favor in the third turn and Weird Al went over the berm. There were a number of surprises on day one of the Christmas Classic this year. Crazy fast CJ McGuire felt under the weather and didn’t dominate the way spectators have come to expect. In 26-34 Expert the three men who conquered their motos went down in the main, one of them hit the ground so hard they likely felt the impact at NBL Headquarters in Gahanna, Ohio. The ever-dominant Chase Hines was forced to watch from the sidelines after breaking his collarbone and wrist, and in the Elite Women class, Felt’s Alaina Henderson went down so hard she needed surgery.

When Roybal went over the turn, JW’s Steve Smith slid into second with Todd Lackey and Coastal’s Ricky White in tow. Behind them Mark Davis, Shawn “McGroovin” McGovern, and Shawn Moore crossed the line as Roybal picked himself up and dusted himself off.

BMX Nation caught up with her once she was well on the road to recovery and got the chance to ask, “What happened?”

In the insanely fast 26-34 Expert class, carnage erupted almost as soon as the gate slammed down. Dusty Means came out fast, but over the first jump it all went wrong, and he hit the dirt hard. The crowd held their collective breath as Means stayed down and the EMTs rushed over. While Lance McGuire, Pat Parker, and Means, the three riders in the main who had dominated their motos, tangled up, Moley Gosh’s Garret Rosh emerged from the chaos with the lead but John Salzmann and Tom Truxell were close behind. They stayed that way with Santos and Mabin close behind.

Henderson: “I didn’t get out of the gate (well), so I was coming from behind in the middle of the pack. I got tangled up with one of the girls, and my front wheel just slid out. I’m still trying to figure out what happened, but I think it was my brake lever that did it.” “I remember… just lying there, and I couldn’t move, and I didn’t know why. The medics sat me up, and then Carlos came over and… I looked down and saw a huge gash. When I got (to the hospital) I was immediately transferred, and they did emergency surgery.” “I damaged three spots in my intestines, [but] they took very good care of me at the hospital, and it was awesome to know everyone back at the track was thinking of me. The support helped a lot and is going to make it that much easier to get back out there in eight weeks. Thank you everyone for all the love!” Back at the Christmas Classic, Henderson’s friends and competitors in the Elite Women class had a great main event. Frances Maycroft came out of the gate with a real purpose and snapped the holeshot, then opened up her lead. Crystal Kalogris cranked into second behind Maycroft and put the pressure on, but behind Kalogris, Danielle Parish was putting an equal amount of pressure on her. Kalogris pulled even down the second straight, but Maycroft regained the lead. By the line, it was nearly a photo finish, with Maycroft narrowly holding onto first, Kalogris in second, and Parish in third. Afterward, Maycroft said, “I almost lost it, but had a good first straight. I’m just glad there’s a full rack of girls.” Crystal Kalogris added, “Coming onto the gate… running through my mind [were] my little sayings to myself for how my gate and first straight should be. Once the gate dropped I had the gate I needed and first straight pull as well. Then, Frances and I were battling the rest of the track side by side…. All that kept running through my mind was how and when I was going to try to pass her.” “Down the last straight I was coming on strong to Frances’ inside, so she moved over to close the door, and we continued to drag race to the finish line. I ended up second by mere inches, and I would love to see the photo finish picture to just see how close 1st, 2nd, and 3rd actually [were].” “I definitely had fun during that main event,” Parish said. “I was really happy about getting a podium spot at my first pro race. I just hope I can do the same thing against the long time pro women.”

Later, DiPrete said, “Good holeshot. Roybal pulled up next to me, and I had a good line in the last turn. I gave him a little bit of an elbow, and he went over the turn. Fun race!” Roybal added, “Physics sucks,” with a big grin on his face.

A week later, Means said, “I remember holeshotting on the outside and having about a tire on everyone. By the 1st hill, I knew I needed to cutover and shut everyone down. (Afterward), all I remember is cutting over and smashing my head into the ground. When I regained consciousness, I was like blind on and off for at least 45 minutes. I ended up having a critical concussion and broke my back....it’s the wreck that put me in the trauma center for 4 days.” Serious injuries, but Means will be back in no time. Count on it. When it was time for the 19 – 25 Expert main, the gate lined up with a veritable who’s who of BMX. The class was quite simply packed and stacked with talent. Rennen’s Egdorf had a great gate and led the pack, but all seven of the other riders were within striking distance when they entered the rhythm section, where a few riders, including crazy fast Seth Utz went down. Egdorf went on to win with Standard’s Adcock and Moley Gosh’s Robinson in tow. Behind them, Knapper, Hattat, Utz, McDermott, and Austin followed. Kody Wong opened up a huge lead in 16 Expert, but the race for second tightened up fast. Behm and Hootman battled back and forth, with Hootman staying in second until the last corner where Hootman got pushed over the turn and Behm pulled into second for good. The finish looked like this: Wong, Behm, Struna, Roharik, Eisenhard, Robinson, Deroche, and Hootman. 15 Expert almost looked like a replay of 16, with Byndloss playing the part of Wong. Byndloss grabbed a big lead early, and then in the first turn, a bunch of riders went down. Byndloss stayed in front with Ceslok and Smith in tow all the way to the line. Afterward, Byndloss said, “Christmas Classic in Ohio was one of the BIGGEST NBL races I have been to in a long time. The atmosphere was crazy! The older expert class races were aggressive and entertaining. Watching had me pumped for my main. I was racing some fast kids, and I had to stay focused on getting a good gate. …I gave it all I had and pedaled everywhere I could. When I came out of the last turn I was surprised that I still had that much power left in my legs after 4 days of racing. After I crossed the finish line I was happy to come away with another main victory.”

In 14 Expert, Justin Knapper grabbed a big lead early and made it across the line first, but the three riders behind him hit the line at almost the same moment. When the dust settled, and the scorers made their final judgment, it looked like this: Knapper, Pita, O’Conner, Roarty, Kulp, Shaw, Takamasa, and Conklin.

In 16 Expert, Behm, like Sherbno from the previous main, grabbed the lead and held it, start to finish. Smith, Roharik, Wong, Eisenhard, Mojica, and Montgomery tried to chase him down, but no one could catch Behm that day.

“The girls all get to the first jump at the same time,” Carley Young said. “So experience and bike control matter, because it’s who powers through the crowd makes [sic] it to the first turn first.”

The New NBL is really taking hold, and nowhere was this more evident than at the 2010 Christmas Classic. There are obviously big things in store for 2011.

The 41 Expert class came out of the gate like a shot and Houston again took an early lead. Wilmot emerged from the first turn in second, but he couldn’t catch Houston. By the finish line, Mendez had slid into third with Neil, Pringle, Wahl, Kerns, and Coates close behind.

If you missed this race, make plans to be at the next one.

The cruiser classes were double extra-large and triple quick at the Christmas Classic this year. In Day Two: Many felt the full effect of racing eighths, quarters, semis, and mains in multiple classes the 35-39 cruiser class DiPrete drag raced Lackey to the first turn. Riofrio, on the inside, held the previous day. By the time the mains rolled around on Day Two, most of the riders were tired Steve Smith and Roybal to the outside. McGovern, Frank, and Carroll followed, and that was and sore. Akron local, Tom “The Cowboy” Wagner raced three classes throughout the entire event. how they finished. When asked about how he did it, he simply shrugged, and said, “Stamina and endurance.” Completely happy with his eighth, Carroll said, “I made my main in cruiser my first race back in a Sunday’s Elite Open main event shot out of the gate at mach speed, and they hit the first jump decade, and it was stacked!” almost eight wide, with Kapes and Upshaw less than a wheel-length ahead of the pack. Leroy Moses, in his first Elite main event, went down over the first jump. Kapes may have had a few Mike Peters won every pre-main lap in 30-34 cruiser, but so did Moberly and the main looked inches on Upshaw over the step, but Upshaw emerged from the first turn with a slight lead. They to be a great one. Peters led to the first corner, but Moberly was on his back tire by the final turn. hit the pro section almost side by side, and it looked like Kapes had to slow a bit to avoid a full-on They drag raced to the line, but Peters kept hold of the lead and the win. Lewis, Macheska, mid-air collision, allowing Jason Sherrill to pull into second. Sherrill stayed there, despite a hard McGraw, Hall, and Gilliland rounded out the pack. charge from Jared Becker. Behind Becker, Wright, Smith, Riddell, Kapes, and Moses crossed the line in that order. Four men entered the 25-29 cruiser main with perfect moto points: Gore, Rosh, Pettinelli, and Parker. When the gate slammed down, Parker pulled the pack to the first turn. Rosh and Gore, BMX Nation caught up with Masters class rider Jason Sherrill, who’d grabbed second, to get his pulled in behind, but Pettinelli was bunched up in the back. Parker held on for the win with Rosh take on the main. and Gore for second and third place. Behind them, Rincon, Bryan, Petinelli, Baker, and Bissell finished out the rack. “It was the best first straight all weekend. I had the inside on the first turn and capitalized on the speed of Upshaw and Kapes, who hit the left (pro section). By far, it was my best lap of the race.” The new Moley Gosh colors captured ample wins at the Christmas race, including the 17-24 cruiser main. Kyle Robinson is always fast, but he’s stepped it up a lot, and it shows. He and his And Sherrill had led some impressive laps in Columbus. UPS brown SE pulled the pack of impressive racers like Birmingham, Knapper, and others. At the finish, it was Robinson, Birmingham, Penland, Parry, Beale, Calvin, Knapper, and Grant. In the Elite Women main event, Maycroft again grabbed the holeshot and widened her lead out of the first turn. Young emerged with a clear second, while Parish and Kalogris fought for the The team award for the Christmas Classic went to Rennen/Intense. third. Down the third straight, they remained like that, but out of the last turn, the pack gained on Maycroft. At the line, however, it was Maycroft, Young, Parish, Kalogris, Bontorno, Dragoo, and Team manager London Wilmot said, “It felt good. We had a LOT of good guys here. It’s a great Hayer. way to start off (a new season).”

“I didn’t really get a good start,” said Pringle. “I saw Darin (Houston) take off, but I was stuck in the pack.” Wahl put it this way, “Passing was a challenge. It was tight everywhere.” The rematch between DiPrete and Roybal took place on Day Two in 35-40 Expert as Weird Al tried to swoop DiPrete in the second and in the final corners. On the last straight he pulled almost even but got a bit crooked and shut it down. Riofrio picked up the third place spot. “The race for first was between Shawn and Al,” Riofrio said. “Those two were on another level. Lackey was going super fast and was the only other guy who had a shot to compete with them. Considering who finished in front of me I was happy with my 3rd place finish on day 2.” Shawn “McGroovin” McGovern, who finished sixth in the main described it this way, “Tough class. There’s [sic] a lot of heavy-hitters. It was a tough three days with a lot of guys stepping up their game.” Moving down the line to the next class, Patrick Parker edged out Garrett Rosh down the first straight after the gate, but McGuire pulled Rosh and slid into second in the final turn. At the line, however, it was Parker for the win in 26-34 Expert. National number one, Truxell followed close behind Rosh with Mellone, with Moberly, and Holtz hot on his heels. In the huge and talented 19-25 Expert class, Egdorf repeated with Adcock fighting off Penland for second. In pro practice on Day One, Jacob Sherbno threw down some mad style over the big pro section, but a crash hurt him. On Day Two, he’d put it behind him and won start to finish in the, very “pre-pro–like” 17-18 Expert class. Loebe, Benoit, Ryan, Smith, House, Zell, and Banser followed.

bout fifteen years ago, a little kid from Dayton, OH started turning heads in the close-knit subculture that is the BMX world. His talent and skill impressed everyone in the BMX community, almost from the moment he began racing. He had a style all his own, and he had the drive and determination of a winner. As he grew, so did his considerable talent and skills, and as he quickly moved up among the expert ranks and began to dominate, sponsors and publications noticed. Many compared his smoothness to the late Mario Soto and the way he seemed to absorb almost any obstacle and manual it smoothly prompted the once popular website, BMX Basement, to dub him “Rubber Band Man.” Upshaw quickly developed incredible power and speed to compliment his smoothness, and he soon achieved what everyone who had ever watched him race and marveled at his skill knew he would: He became a top Elite Pro. Even before he had a single sponsor, there was one man who never doubted just how far Upshaw would go on his bike. Upshaw’s dad, “Big” Jeff, has been a constant presence and the primary supporter in his son’s BMX career. More than anyone, “Big” Jeff has helped his son attain his dreams. Upshaw and his dad, like another famous pair of Dayton men you may have heard of, achieved their dreams of flying. But Jeff Upshaw is not done, not even close. In 2008, following an almost 10 year hiatus from the world of BMX racing, CycleCraft Bicycle Company, a BMX mainstay in the 80s and 90s, was preparing to hit the tracks once again. In September of that year, a group of Central Florida investors, who happened to be BMXers and businessmen, purchased the company from Terry “Shag” Shaughnessy, who had been the heart and soul of CycleCraft for the last 20 years. The new owners had one primary objective: to get, CycleCraft back in BMX. Following the development and introduction of a high quality, “Made in the USA” line of aluminum frames and the reintroduction of Fred’Z Handlebars, it was time for CycleCraft to put a strong team together. For the CycleCraft ownership group, signing Upshaw to lead the charge to return the company’s frames and parts to the front of the BMX racing scene was the obvious choice. We caught up with Jeff “Upshizzle” Upshaw to talk with him about his career and what he sees ahead. Vitals: Age: 23, years racing: 15, current sponsors: CycleCraft, Alienation, Answer, Fly Racing, JW Products, Moley Gosh, Kenda, Vans, and 43 Bolts.

I used to ride my BMX bike ten miles or so to spend the day riding trails or tracks with friends who didn’t live close. I would be out on my bike for hours nonstop, and that let me be a lot stronger on the second half of the track.

BMX Nation: You have been in BMX a while. What kind of an impact has your father had on your racing career? Upshaw: Dad got me started in this sport and has pushed me to be the best I can be ever since. I remember these words like they were just said, “You get out what you put in.” Those words will take me to the top.

BMX Nation: There are a lot of guys out there who look up to you today. Who are the BMX pros you look up to the most? Upshaw: Denzel Stein is an amazing young man with a good heart and major drive for this sport. “Big ups Champ.” I have loved Kyle Bennett’s riding since day one. He is “one off” on a bike. Also, he has come off several injuries and every time shows that he is the man to beat. BMX Nation: Do you have any favorite tracks? Upshaw: The OTC, the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California, Nashville, Tennessee, and South Park, Pennsylvania. BMX Nation: Who are your favorite people to ride with? Upshaw: Really just anybody trying to take it to the next level above and beyond, but if I had to name a few, Tommy Zula, Bubba Harris, and long lost Mike Lundy. BMX Nation: What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not riding? Upshaw: Working out at the gym, shopping, and I love to go fishing. So if I’m not at the track or at the gym, you can catch me lakeside. BMX Nation: A couple of years ago, you had a vicious crash and had to rehab your knee pretty extensively. How tough was it to come back from that injury? Upshaw: The physical aspect of it was tough, just like everyday training but with more pain. I wanted back in the sport, so I made goals and met those daily. With injury, I think the hardest part on you is mental. I’m going to go on to say this season has been a challenge. BMX Nation: You have a reputation for your smoothness and ability in the rhythm sections. Is there anything you’ve done to develop this? Upshaw: That has always been most fun for me. Over time, I just became one of the best in that area. I spend a lot of time seeing how fast, or seeing what’s the least amount of jumps it would take to get through the rhythm. “Practice makes perfect.”

BMX Nation: You are still so young. Where do you see your career in BMX in say five years or ten years? Upshaw: I still have room to grow in the sport. In five years, I believe I will still be able to hold my own, and hopefully in ten years I can still compete in one way or another. BMX Nation: You seem to excel, perhaps more than any other pro, at coming from behind to pull into the lead at the end of the race. Are there any techniques you have used to help you get so good at this? Upshaw: I used to ride my BMX bike ten miles or so to spend the day riding trails or tracks with friends who didn’t live close. I would be out on my bike for hours nonstop, and that let me be a lot stronger on the second half of the track. BMX Nation: Do you spend a lot of time training? Do you do so mostly by yourself, or do you have people who you consistently train with? Upshaw: I am training anywhere from two to five days a week, either in the gym, sprints, or track. I train alone for the most part, but I will have a few sessions where I will train with a few kids I work with like, Dylan Cooley, Ashley Cooley, and Jacob Hootman. BMX Nation: One of the most amazing things about you and Matt Pohlkamp is how you two have risen to greatness in the relative isolation of an area of the country that’s pretty inhospitable to BMX in the winter and often uncomfortable in the summer. Do you find it difficult to stay at the Elite level living where you do? Upshaw: It gets tough in Ohio in the winter months, that’s for sure—bye-bye sprints. The good thing is we have an indoor track and everybody shows up because it’s the only place to pedal within a two-hour drive. So we get to ride that for the cold months, but it definitely slows things down. We make the most of it.

BMX Nation: What does a day in the life of “Upshizzle” look like? Upshaw: I wake up and cook breakfast, hit the gym, eat lunch, take a nap or sneak in some fishing. I do sprints in the evening or track, then cook dinner, stretch, sleep, and get back up to do it all again. BMX Nation: Do you mind sharing some of your goals for the next five or ten years outside of BMX? Upshaw: I plan on getting into college within the next year and working on becoming a personal trainer. I would also like to get involved in some things that can keep me around the sport for many years to come. I plan to have a family and kids and hopefully my passion for BMX will run through their veins. BMX Nation: What’s in your iPod/MP3/CD player right now? Upshaw: Wiz Khalifa “Youngin on His Grind.” BMX Nation: Any thanks? Upshaw: Yes. I would like to thank, first and foremost, the man above: Jesus Christ, for letting all things be possible; Mom and Dad for supporting me through my career—if it weren’t for them I wouldn’t be here; J-Rich, and the Stein family, my hometown—the 937 [Dayton, Ohio]; my sponsors: Darin at CycleCraft, Zach at Alienation, Ryan at Answer, Ray at Fly Racing, Jeff at JW Products, Mike and Bill at Moley Gosh, Tony D at Kenda, Alex at 43 Hardware, and also all my fans out there—much love.

INDUSTRY PROFILE »

J&R Bicycles

n an age where the convenience of Internet sales seems to be overshadowing the personal service of local shops, it’s good to know you get the best of both worlds with J&R Supercenter. J&R stays true to the roots of BMX by bringing out their trailers to events all across the country, but they’ve also embraced the e-commerce side of things by setting up one of the best Internet BMX shops, which makes them available across the world. Some of my earliest BMX memories are staring wide-eyed into a brightly lit trailer with every bicycle part of my dreams shining back at me. As amazing as their set up is at one of the races, nothing compares to the actual store located in Largo, FL. Once you set foot inside their

warehouse-sized space, you are immediately overcome with the amount of complete bikes hanging up in front of you. There are more race pants and jerseys than you have ever seen; for a second, you feel like you are in a department store with all of your choices. After passing by stacks of carbon fiber helmets, you finally get into the glass cases for all of the expensive parts. It might as well be bicycle jewelry, because every bit of shine catches your eyes and you are immediately drawn towards it. Just past there is the bike mechanic area, but this is no everyday set up. This is more state-of-the-art than you thought possible for bikes and boasts enough skilled mechanics to make Joe Gibbs want to step up his NASCAR pit crew.

I had a chance to ask Kirk Morrison, the guy some

by Harrison Britt

would call the heart of J&R, a few questions. When did J&R officially start? J&R was a typical family bike shop started in the 1970’s. In 1984 the Morrison brothers started racing at the local BMX track, and a year later were invited to join the J&R BMX team. 5 years later, the owner of the shop was retiring and selling the store. Myself, the oldest of the 3 brothers and just 15 at the time, quickly decided that working in a bike shop while in high school was way better than bagging groceries and talked my parents into making the purchase. This was the week before Christmas in 1989. We called J&R to buy me a new helmet for the Christmas Classic

31 National when a chance conversation was struck up about the opportunity. I still can’t understand how I managed to be so convincing that buying a business that none of us had ever worked in prior to that day was a good idea. The Morrison family took over J&R Jan 1, 1990 and has built it into the BMX only store that it is today. All of the family is still involved in the company in some capacity. Describe the first few years. Lean and mean. Lots of fun, and unfortunately, not very profitable. It took years, and a lot more investment than was ever expected to keep the store from collapse in the first 5 years. There was tons of learning about the business and the early 90’s were a challenging time for BMX as it grew and shrank quickly in those years. Some call it the good old days. I think the best is still to come. Lots of BMX shops have come and gone while you guys seem to keep getting bigger. Why do you think that is?

Dedication to the sport. We were sponsoring local, State and National events when few else would. Provided pro purses when the industry money slowed down. Set up shop at small nationals when it was not profitable. We just outlasted, and out worked, some others. J&R has a great staff including former pro racers and even track directors. These are people who love the sport and really get their hands in the dirt. We sincerely enjoy what we do and hope it shows each time we help our customers. J&R has a huge inventory of the best products from all of the top brands. We work hard to have all of the items a racer would want, in stock, at all time. That consistancy has paid off in the long run. 21 years now to be exact! Wow, I don’t feel that old. Must be the BMX. What do you think the future will hold for you guys, any goals? I have so many goals and things are always changing. Maybe we open a killer indoor track as a way to keep the sport exciting in our area?

Sponsor the next Olympian? Maybe a simple high five to the 5 year old who just won his first race? The little dudes are where the future is right? The sport of BMX has such potential at every level. J&R will be there for the ride. Count on it! Who would you like to thank? There are tons of people throughout the industry and BMX sanctions who have been great to work with. It is nice to know I have friends in every corner of the country through this great sport. With that list being too long to count, I will get right down to the #1. My family. They have put their trust and financial well being behind me from the first time I cut the neighbors yard for 10 bucks to starting and running one of the largest BMX outlets in the world. It doesn’t get better than that. Thanks Mom, Dad, Bert and Scott for all that you have done to make me and J&R what it is today.

from the fence Âť

State Final Standings: 1. Florida 242 2. Ohio 237 3. Michigan 234 4. Georgia 218 5. Virginia 215 6. Illinois 215

16. New Hampshire 29

7. Indiana 214 8. Pennsylvania 210 9. New York 202 10. Kentucky 188 11. California 188 12. New Jersey 186 13. Connecticut 172 14. North Carolina 145 15. Alabama 84

FROM THE FENCE »

TRACK LIST Âť

18 14

21 6

15 24 17

ANGEL PEREZ State Commissioner (787) 899-3418 INFO@TROPICALBMX.COM WWW.TROPICALBMX.COM Barceloneta 1340 Barceloneta BMX Park Jose Baez (787) 640-5595 (track) Hormiqueros 1324 Tropical BMX Park Angel Perez (787) 636-4578

2 ALABAMA ROBERT WIGINTON State Commissioner (205) 680-5827 WIGGINS83@BELLSOUTH.NET WWW.ALABAMABMX.COM Pelham 0102 Oak Mountain BMX Robert Wiginton (205) 802-8656 (track) (205) 680-5827 (home) (205) 527-0989 wwww.oakmountainbmx.com Prattville 1368 Fountain City BMX Jim Rempkowski (251) 593-9193 (track) (732) 330-5954 (home) www.fountaincitybmx.com

3 ARIZONA Safford 1414 Outer Limits BMX Jeff Faunce (928) 792-8366 (track)

4 CALIFORNIA MARY H GARCIA State Commissioner (408) 848-5210 MARYBMXMOM@HOTMAIL.COM WWW.CALBMX.COM

Kernville 1415 KV Bike Park Christopher Brayman (760) 223-6165 (track) (760) 223-6165 (home) (760) 376-4902 FAX Livermore 1293 Livermore BMX Nick Valencia (408) 910-0143 (track) www.facebook.com/pages/LivermoreBMX/106308531190 Lucerne Valley 1374 X Roads BMX Diego Lopez (760) 964-9957 (track) www.xroadsbmx.com Orange Cove 1380 Orange Cove Ultimate BMX Michael Montanez (408) 607-5095 (track) email: sk8park559@yahoo.com Prunedale 1093 Manzanita Park BMX Gavin Lubbe (408) 489-1358 (track) www.manzanitaparkbmx.org Reedley 1118 Air Time BMX Paul Huebert (559) 696-0561 (559) 859-0949 (track) airtimebmx.moonfruit.com Santa Maria 1396 Santa Maria BMX Mike Porter (805) 868-4762 (home) www.santamariaelks.com

5 COLORADO Steamboat Springs 1417 Steamboat Springs BMX Par Brian Deem (970) 871-9500 (home) Track Info Construction complete will open next spring!

6 CONNECTICUT LISA KNOWLTON State Commissioner (203) 631-8720 CTBMX1@YAHOO.COM WWW.NUTMEGBMX.ORG KATHY OLSON State Points Clerk (203) 744-7962 DWOSUPERCROSS@MSN.COM Bethel 0413 Bethel Supercross BMX Don Olson (203) 744-7962 (home) (203) 798-6373 (track) www.nutmegBMX.org Meriden 0410 Falcon BMX Kerry Kuhn (203) 630-2240 (track) www.nutmegBMX.org Torrington 1095 Foothills BMX Roger Plaskett (860) 626-1BMX (track) (860) 485-9636 (home) www.foothillsbmx.com

Trumbull 0412 T.R.A.C.K. Jeff Topolski (203) 452-0879 (home) (203) 452-0315 (track) Check out Trumbull BMX (T.R.A.C.K.) on Facebook!

7 FLORIDA JOHN PINGOL State Commissioner (561) 642-1715 JOHN.PINGOL@YAHOO.COM KATHY BOSTROM State Points Clerk (941) 371-6437 POINTSKEEPER@FLORIDABMX.COM WWW.FLORIDABMX.COM ALICE BIXLER State Clerk FLBMXLADY@AOL.COM

26 25

Fresno 1349 Woodward Park BMX/FBX Brett Riley (559) 709-3530 (track) www.fresnobicyclecross.com

NBL TRACK DIRECTORY

1 PUERTO RICO

13 31

Avon Park 1294 Highlands County BMX (863) 452-9995 (track) www.highlandsbmx.org Cape Coral 0109 Cape Coral BMX Paul Rieger (239) 283-1614 (home) (239) 458-1943 (track) www.capecoralbmx.org

Riverview 1381 USA Official BMX T.F. Stephen Gerardi (813) 957-7647 (track) www.usabmxitf.com Sarasota 0110 Sarasota NBL Kelvin Yow (941) 343-0395 (home) www.sarasotabmx.com St Cloud 1119 St Cloud BMX Tim Howard (407) 891-0930 (track) www.freewebs.com/stcloudbmx/

High Springs 1335 High Springs BMX Rick Gayheart (352) 514-9735 (track) (386) 497-1275 (home) www.hsbmx.com

St Petersburg 0997 St Petersburg BMX Paula Rothman (727) 556-0284 (track) www.stpetebmx.com

Miami 0112 Miami South BMX Brian Loy (305) 248-9442 (track) www.miamisouthbmx.com Naples 1337 Naples BMX Ray Coriano (239) 252-4184 (work) (239) 252-4188 (track) (239) 877-1053 (home) www.naplesbmx.com

Fort Walton Beach 1295 Emerald Coast BMX Bill Madden (850) 796-2326 (track) 850-796-2326 FAX

Jacksonville 0716 Jacksonville BMX Donell Wright (904) 751-6778 (track) www.jacksonvillebmx.com

Tallahassee 1154 Capital City BMX Matt Lindley (850) 528-2463 (track) www.capitalcitybmx.net Tampa 1031 Tampa BMX Raceway Arthur Heinrichs (813) 265-1269 (track) www.tampabmx.com West Palm Beach 1017 Okeeheelee BMX Tommy Cross (561) 642-6774 (track) www.okeeheeleebmx.com

8 GEORGIA

Palm Bay 1378 Palm Bay BMX Jason Jones (321) 676-8938 (track) www.getintheaction.org

SHAYNE ROBINSON State Commissioner (678) 770 - 1750 PTCBMXBIZ@AOL.COM WWW.GEORGIABMX.ORG

Punta Gorda 1034 Charlotte BMX Amanda Carr (941) 637-1676 (track) www.charlottebmx.net

LAURIE COLEY State Points Clerk (706) 333-9354

Albany 1182 Parks at Chehaw BMX Tommy Knight (229) 347-2137 (229) 894-4745 (track) www.chehawbmx.com

Peoria 1086 Detweiller BMX Michael Hofmann (309) 202-7591 (home) (309) 383-1222 (work) www.detweillerbmx.com

Augusta 1186 Augusta BMX Mitchel Moon (706) 421-9892 (678) 318-1881 (track) www.augustabmx.com

Rock Island Indoor BMX 1421 Rock Island Paul DePauw (309) 796-9644 (home) (309) 796-4455 (track)

McDonough 1266 Sandy Ridge BMX Jim Joyce (770) 288-7316 (track) (404) 831-9740 (work) www.sandyridgebmx.com Peachtree City 0118 William L Davis BMX Anthony Robinson (678) 770-1750 (home) (404) 451-7937 www.ptcbmx.com

9 ILLINOIS CARRIE STRANGE State Commissioner (309) 297-0394 CARRIE@STRANGEMOTION.COM SANDY GLATZ State Points Clerk (217) 871-8031 SDOOGIE98@YAHOO.COM East Moline 1075 East Moline BMX Speedway Paul DePauw (309) 796-9644 (home) (309) 796-4455 (work) (309) 792-9407 (track) www.embmx.com Farmer City 1022 F.C.R.A. BMX Rich Voyles (309) 275-5798 (home) (309) 928-2046 (track) www.fcbmx.com

Springfield 0971 Springfield BMX Club Rick Rees (217) 522-8227 (track) (217) 361-7462 www.myspace.com/riversidebmx Waukegan 1363 Waukegan BMX Hector Mendez (224) 430-4762 (track) (847) 863-8679 (home) www.waukeganbmx.com

10 INDIANA GREGG SEAL State Commissioner GREG.SEAL@COMCAST.NET WENDY SABATINI State Points Clerk (574) 753-3436 WSAB31@HOTMAIL.COM Columbus 1310 Columbus BMX Scott Brown (812) 350-8172 (track) www.myspace.com/columbusbmx Evansville 0255 G. Mason Burdette BMX Angie Almond (812) 422-9125 (track) www.burdetteparkbmx.org Hire Park 0933 Hire Park BMX Danny Rumple (574) 268-7433 (home) (574) 268-RIDE (track) www.hireparkbmx.com

TRACK LIST » Indianapolis 1149 Lake Sullivan BMX Kyle Robinson (317) 489-8825 (home) www.lakesullivanbmx.com

Midland 1358 Midland BMX Todd Atkinson (989) 615-1913 (track) www.midlandbmx.com

Indianapolis (Indoor) 1255 Indy Indoor Dave Reid (317) 538-7697 (track) www.crossroadsindoorbmx.com

Mt. Morris 1405 Michigan Indoor BMX Ron McDowell (810) 813-1454 (810) 412-6480 (home)

Marion 1376 Hogin Park BMX Belinda Hussong (765) 662-9931 (track) (765) 668-3698 FAX www.angelfire.com/planet/hoginparkbmx

Oscoda 1225 Northern MI BMX Jim DeOrnellas (989) 335-0368 (989) 739-8226 (track) www.northernmibmx.com

Richmond 0688 Rose City BMX Kirby Bales (765) 993-1961 (home) (765) 969-6606 (track) www.rosecitybmx.org

Pontiac 0465 Waterford Oaks BMX Jennifer West (248) 858-0915 (work) (248) 431-8506 www.waterfordoaksbmx.com

11 KANSAS Park City 1418 Park City BMX Raylee Jones (316) 516-9046 (home)

12 KENTUCKY CHAD GINGRICH State Commissioner (502) 471-7831 WWW.KENTUCKYBMX.ORG CINDY FULMER State Points Clerk (502) 644-4586 ZRRF@AOL.COM Louisville 0446 Derby City BMX (502) 499-6299 (track) www.derbycitybmx.org

13 MARYLAND RUSSELL KELLER State Commissioner (301) 707-2823 RIVERSIDEBMXTD@YAHOO.COM Cumberland 1336 Riverside BMX Russ Keller (301) 707-2823 www.riversidebmx.org Hagerstown 1219 Hagerstown BMX Brian Caron (301) 582-1452 (track) www.hagerstownbmx.com

14 MASSACHUSETTS JOHN BONTORNO State Commissioner (978) 352-6427 JOHN.BONTORNO@VERIZON.NET Wakefield 0449 Wakefield BMX AJ Bontorno (978) 352-6427 (home) (978) 766-2514 (track) www.myspace.com/wakefieldbmx

15 MICHIGAN HERSCHELL BROWN State Commissioner (616) 855-2360 BROWNS@CHARTERMI.NET WWW.MIBMX.COM Goodells 1164 CAN-AM BMX Chad Noetzel (810) 984-4258 (home) www.canambmx.com Grand Rapids 1394 GRBMX Paul Maycroft (616) 745-4863 (track) www.grbmx.com Greenville 1420 Thrifty Acres BMX Herschell Brown (616) 915-2407 (track) Ionia 1338 Backwoods BMX Andrew Rice (616) 915-2407 (track) www.freewebs.com/backwoods-bmx Lansing 1267 Capitol Area BMX Greg Days (517) 367-8990 (track) www.cabmx.com

Traverse City 1222 G.T.C. BMX Mike Litwiller (231) 943-9548 (home) (231) 313-8488 (track) www.gtcbmx.com

16 MISSISSIPPI Southaven 1282 Powerline BMX Aubrey Jacobson (901) 734-4860 www.powerlinebmx.com

17 NEVADA JOHN DIAZ State Commissioner (702) 269-9070 JDIAZ@FARMERSAGENT.COM WWW.NEVADABMX.COM DEBI DIAZ State Points Clerk (702) 269-9070 DEBIDIAZ@COX.NET Ely 1088 White Pine BMX Russell Gust (775) 293-0416 (track) www.nevadabmx.com Las Vegas 0977 Nellis BMX Erik Martin (702) 858-5459 (home) (702) 632-4439 (track) www.nellisbmx.com Primm 1419 Silver State BMX Peter Price (702) 877-4800 (track)

NEW HAMPSHIRE

SHAWN DUFRESNE State Commissioner (603) 437-6258 SDUFRESNE@ROCKETMAIL.COM Londonderry 1411 Northeast BMX Track Jeffrey Palter (617) 230-0131 (home) (781-229-9369 FAX www.northeastvelo.com Rye 1314 Rye Air Field 603-974-2800 (track) www.ryeairfield.com

19 NEW JERSEY Egg Harbor Twp 0773 EHT BMX Linda Vanderhoff (609) 927-9089 (track) www.EHTBMX.org Flemington 0177 Hunterdon County BMX Dan Pautler (908) 416-0532 (908) 806-6645 (track) www.hcbmx.org Howell 1090 Central Jersey BMX Jeff Heath (732) 657-7085 (home) (908) 910-8501 (732) 863-1010 (track) www.cjbmx.org

NEW MEXICO

ROBBIE TAFOYA State Commissioner ROBBIE@ROADRUNNERBMX.ORG ROADRUNNERBMX.ORG ALISA TAFOYA State Points Clerk ALISA@ROADRUNNERBMX.ORG ROADRUNNERBMX.ORG Las Cruces 1408 Roadrunner BMX Robbie Tafoya (575) 635-8943 (track)

21 NEW YORK JAY SEVERSON State Commissioner (518) 477-5004 JAYSEVER@NYCAP.RR.COM NYBMX.ORG ROBIN HOTALING State Points Clerk (518) 234-4782 TRI-CITYCLER@GMAIL.COM Bemus Point 1092 Charlie’s BMX Bob Gilbert (716) 386-4BMX (track) www.charliesbmx.org Bridgewater 1240 C.N.Y. BMX Nicholas Rauch (315) 404-2713 (home) (315) 822-5896 (track) www.cnybmx.org Hamburg 0985 Southtown’s BMX Louis Kaminski (716) 992-6421 (home) (716) 997-6430 www.southtownsbmx.com Kingston 1401 Kingston Point BMX Mike Henderson (845) 339-0618 (track) (845) 336-6611 (home) www.kingstonpointbmx.com Long Island 0725 BMX @ Shoreham Betty Mulligan (631) 744-6238 (home) (631) 821-5569 (track) www.shorehambmx.org New Paltz 1109 New Paltz BMX Jerry Patterson (845) 236-7365 (home) (845) 255-1269 (track) (646) 210-6006 www.newpaltzbmx.org Rotterdam 0492 Tri-City BMX Shawn Morris (518) 382-BMX1 (track) www.tricitybmx.com

NORTH

22 CAROLINA Clemmons 0821 Tanglewood BMX Garry Nelson (336) 368-4989 (home) (336) 766-5269 (track) (336) 648-0679 www.tanglewoodparkbmx.org Gastonia 1263 Wolf’s Den BMX Lee Hodge (828) 970-7174 (home) (601) 397-2924 www.wolfsdenbmx.net Weaverville 1385 Weaverville BMX Jamie Ritchie (828) 423-2276 (track) www.wncbmx.org

23 OHIO JOHN SCOTT State Commissioner (614) 206-5144 JS022BMX@YAHOO.COM KATHY HICKOK State Points Clerk (330) 794-9541 OHIOBMX@AOL.COM WWW.OHIOBMX.COM

Akron 0502 Akron BMX William Calhoun (330) 784-3777 (track) (330) 608-9516 (home) www.akronbmx.org Butler 1390 Ohio Dreams Chris Ashcraft (800) 963-3495 (track) (419) 566-1075 www.ohiodreams.com Cleves 1286 Cleves BMX John Peters (513) 574-6075 (track) www.clevesbmx.com Columbus 0973 Heer Park BMX Brian Kulp (614) 783-6951 (home) www.heerparkbmx.com Dayton 1288 Gateway BMX/Cindy Verburg Randy Davis (937) 475-0114 (track) (305) 923-9274 (home) www.myspace.com/daytonnblbmx London 1406 London BMX Chris Dunn (614)771-5943 (home) www.london-bmx.com Monroe 1400 Monroe BMX Eric Walsh (513) 703-9933 (home) www.monroebmx.com Norwalk 1172 Shady Lane BMX Tim Church (419) 663-3604 (track) (216) 210-2991 www.shadylanebmx.org

24 PENNSYLVANIA PETE DAWSON State Commissioner (412) 798-2572 PETEDAWSON607@AOL.COM STEVEN BARNES State Points Clerk (724) 733-5102 SHB316@GMAIL.COM Hazleton 1334 L. Schiavo City View BMX John Longo (570) 956-3747 www.hazletoncityview.com Johnstown 0516 Johnstown BMX Jim Chilcot (814) BMX 4FUN (track) www.JohnstownBMX.org Pittsburgh 0522 South Park BMX George Brain (412) 337-2013 (412) 884-5934 (home) (412) 831-3620 (track) www.spbmx.net Pottstown 1351 Trilogy Park BMX Glen Knapper (610) 906-1317 (home) (484) 363-0592 (track) www.trilogypark.org Titusville 0990 Drake Well BMX Don Wagner (814) 827-3816 (track) (614) 403-3057 (home) Westmoreland 0192 Westmoreland BMX Pete Dawson (724) 842-2012 (track) (412) 798-2572 (home) www.westmorelandbmx.net

SOUTH

25 CAROLINA RICHARD SOX State Commissioner (803) 518-0967 WWW.NBLCAROLINA.ORG Goose Creek 1387 Low Country BMX Rick Simmons (843) 296-4857 (track) (843) 873-7636 (home)

Lexington 1397 Lexington BMX Eddie Sox (803) 309-3237

26 TENNESSEE MARK SIMMS State Commissioner (901) 872-3748 MSIMMS@MLGW.ORG DAVE WARD State Points Clerk (931) 249-4558 Memphis 0983 Shelby Farms BMX Michael Palugi (901) 756-BMX1 (track) www.memphisbmx.org Morristown 0890 Morristown BMX Raceway James Crockett (423) 587-3624 (track)

27 TEXAS El Paso 1416 Snake Pit Argenis Gomez (915) 248-6427 Track Info Newest NBL track in the west!! Watch website for construction date and updates.

28 UTAH Virgin 1301 Virgin Regional BMX Dale McCorvey (435) 648-2717 (home) (435) 648-2380 (track) www.racesouthernutah.com

29 VERMONT Bennington 1110 Catamount BMX Cody Buck (802) 375-4137 (track) (802) 688-9059 www.catamountbmx.org

30 VIRGINIA ANGELA KINCHELOE State Commissioner (703) 590-1335 PAULGELA@COMCAST.NET ANDREA GREENE State Points Clerk (757) 420-1495 ALG9194@VERIZON.NET Petersburg 1404 VMP-BMX Mike Eden (804) 732-7888 (track) www.vmp-bmx.com Richmond 1187 Richmond BMX Art Luck (804) 305-1329 (track) www.richmondbmx.com Winchester 0540 Winchester BMX Ben Carey (804) 387-5351 (home) www.winchesterbmxracing.org Woodbridge 1248 Northern Virginia BMX Paul Kincheloe (703) 987-3544 (track) (703) 590-1335 (home) www.novabmx.org

31 WEST VIRGINIA ROD MILLS State Commissioner (304) 366-4339 RODSHARONMILLS@VERIZON.NET WWW.POORFARMBMX.COM Fairmont 1319 Poor Farm BMX Sam Larsok (304) 641-5193 (track) www.wvbmx.com

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Eric Rupe

Eric “Big Daddy” Rupe, perhaps more than any other pro in the history of BMX, epitomizes consistency and longevity. In a career that now spans more than three and a half decades, all but three of those years have been as a pro. And he’s not nearly done. He continues to ride at the highest levels. The titles that cover his racing career are incredible, and his lists of sponsors are a veritable who’s who of the industry side of BMX. These companies wisely recognized the fact that Eric Rupe isn’t merely one of the top competitors but also an ambassador for the sport of BMX. Beginning with a NBL #1 AA Pro title in 1983, Eric Rupe has secured a #1 or a World title for the majority of the years since, something no other pro has even come close to. Long before the famous Foster brothers entered the BMX scene, there were the Rupe brothers. Eric’s older brother Robby raced with Eric in the early days, but he eventually switched his focus to mountain biking and building custom bicycle frames. Eric Rupe began racing at 11 years old in 1974. Unlike some other pros, Rupe didn’t experience immediate success, but that didn’t stop him. He worked harder and the results reflected the efforts of his blood, sweat, and gears. Rupe turned pro as a young teenager and quickly made a name for himself with his consistency, an attribute that would help him earn one of his first pro titles. This consistency would carry him further, gaining him many more titles. Rupe retired briefly, but made an impressive return to BMX, dominating the early days of the Masters or Vet Pro classes and pro cruiser. Often, when there weren’t enough Masters pros at a national, they’d combine the Masters with the single A pros, and Rupe could usually be seen in front of pros half his age. His drive and determination would help him dominate the Masters classes and gain him even more titles. Rupe still races seriously and is still earning titles at the tender age of 47 years old. This icon has become such an asset to the sport, enabling young BMX racers to interact with a true pioneer of the sport. He is nothing short of an icon of the BMX icons.

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