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DECEMBER 2015
CONTENTS
VP EVENTS // Sharon Robinson OFFICE MANAGER/SOCIAL MEDIA SUPPORT Marissa Baumann marissa@wheelsofthunder.net
04 Bernloeher Racing
DESIGN FOLIO CREATIVE // Kelly Stewart www.folio-creative.com editor@wheelsofthunder.net 612.799.8416
pg.
10
20 Snocross Duluth 42 Supercross Preview
PHOTOGRAPHERS & WRITERS
Mylie Lavold Tom Edwards Billy Boyle Jenna Osterlund Ceaja Philp Steve Casper Michael D. Peterson Bailey Sens
ADVERTISING STAFF SALES // Scott Robinson scott@wheelsofthunder.net 612.730.3719
Donette Baumann donette@wheelsofthunder.net
pg.
38
10
Abby Garin
17
Mooneyes Returns
24
ISOC Schedule
26
Fargo Snocross
31
ERX Schedule
32
ERX Season Recap
36
In The Pink
48
Game On!
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PHOTOGRAPHY by Rinker Photo & Chris Clark
WRITTEN by Jenna Osterlund
N A D JOR
R H E O L N BER
G N I C A R
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J
ordan Bernloehr moves fast, not only in his Trans Am class, but in his achievements. Within the course of our interview, the eighteen year old from Lakeville, Minnesota had a top five finish in his very first professional race at Daytona International Speedway. He’s made huge strides in his rapidly budding racing career, and won’t be slowing down on his way to his ultimate goal, IndyCar!
WOT // HOW WERE YOU INTRODUCED TO RACING?
WOT // WHAT OTHER SERIES HAVE YOU RACED IN?
BERNLOEHR \\ I grew up in a racing family. My dad raced off road professionally and also raced snowmobiles and motocross. I would sometimes want to spend hours in his seat. I was three when I first got into a kart. It’s pretty nice being able to grow up with an indoor Go-Kart track that is family owned. I also raced motocross for about four years.
BERNLOEHR \\ I have been fortunate enough to race Trans Am, but I also have raced off road desert races including the Mint 400 and the famed Baja 1000. I get the best of both worlds since we still do the Mint 400 regardless of Trans Am!
WOT // WHEN AND HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO RACE PROFESSIONALLY? BERNLOEHR \\ I have wanted to become a professional racing driver all my life and it’s slowly been coming together. I did my first professional car race on June of 2014 in Milville, New Jersey, at the New Jersey Motorsports Park. It was definitely a learning curve but we were able to qualify in the top 10 which was awesome! WOT // WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR FAVORITE SERIES TO RACE IN? WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT EACH ONE YOU’VE DONE? BERNLOEHR \\ I would definitely say my favorite would be Trans Am which is road racing. What I like most about Trans Am would be how difficult the competition is and the car is an absolute animal to slide around. The off road car is more a race against yourself and the desert than the other competitors. The difference is Trans Am is more of a sprint race consisting of 100 miles and off road is normally over 400 miles and sometimes up to 1,000 miles. Most of my strength is in road racing!
DEC 2015
WOT // HOW DID YOU LEARN TO RACE? BERNLOEHR \\ I learned to race mainly from my dad and Greg Jasperson. I would practice at our indoor kart track, ProKart Indoors, as much as I possibly could! When I was younger I would go to work with my dad, and he would send me out doing laps after laps until I ran out of gas! If I ran and still wanted to go he would just fill me up full again. WOT // WHAT ROLES DO YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS PLAY IN YOUR RACING? BERNLOEHR \\ My dad and brother race karts and ChumpCar with me! WOT // DO YOU ALL EVER RACE AGAINST EACH OTHER? BERNLOEHR \\ Yes we did for most of the series championship! WOT // WHAT WAS IT LIKE TRYING TO BEAT FAMILY? BERNLOEHR \\ It’s sometimes even more competitive racing with family. WOT // HOW DO YOU ALL NORMALLY DO AGAINST EACH OTHER? WHO USUALLY COMES OUT ON TOP?
BERNLOEHR \\ We all placed well, we’re all normally in the top five. I normally come out on top but it’s always a battle. WOT // WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE WIN LIKE? BERNLOEHR \\ My favorite win is one of my proudest moments of my whole racing career. It was so special since I made the pass on the very last lap of the race with the crowd being able to hear my screams of excitement from my helmet! It was a karting race in Northern Illinois. I have yet to get a win in professional car racing which I know that will hopefully be the most memorable. WOT // WHAT ARE SOME RACING ACCOMPLISHMENTS YOU’RE MOST PROUD OF? BERNLOEHR \\ Three top 10’s and a top 5 in Trans Am! WOT // WHAT WOULD YOUR DREAM RACE TO WIN BE? BERNLOEHR \\ I have dreamed of racing in IndyCar my whole life. I look up to Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, but most importantly, Ayrton Senna! He is in my opinion the best racing driver ever. I loved how aggressive he was. He also drove the car always on the limit of crashing, which unfortunately took his life at Imola in 1994. WOT // WHAT STRENGTHS DO YOU HAVE THAT WILL HELP YOU GET THERE? BERNLOEHR \\ I would say some of my strengths would be being able to perform well under pressure and always being able to battle at the front.
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WOT // WHAT’S YOUR UNIQUE RACING STRATEGY? BERNLOEHR \\ Strategy would be to qualify up front and be able to fight for the win at the checkered. The most difficult races I have had were all decided on the last lap. WOT // WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF RACING? BERNLOEHR \\ Definitely the close proximity, the competition, and the speed. WOT // WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OF RACING? BERNLOEHR \\ I would say how happy and accomplished it makes me feel. Also, it is really special because it’s definitely a family sport and we are a team. WOT // HOW HAS THIS SEASON OF RACING BEEN?
RACER: Bernloehr, #07 Jordan
CLASS: m Trans A
HOMETOlWe,NM:innesota Lakevil
AGE: 18
BERNLOEHR \\ The racing season has been pretty good. It has definitely had its ups and downs. From getting my first top 10’s in professional car racing, to the disappointment of not being able to defend my karting championship, finishing runner up. Overall, it was a season of learning and improving. I am definitely looking to improve next season on getting more top finishes in Trans Am and hopefully getting wins and being able to contend for a professional championship. I’d just like to point out Jordan’s major finish at Daytona took place only a couple of weeks after this answer. He doesn’t waste time. //
KEEP UP WITH JORDAN BOTH ON & OFF THE TRACK: facebook.com/bernloehrracing www.jordanbernloehr.com Instagram & Twitter @JordanBernloehr
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PHOTOGRAPHY by James Jones & Garin Racing
WRITTEN by Mylie Lougheed
Abby Garin
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A
bby Garin’s story is much like that of many other young racers; racing runs in the family, grew up at the track, started racing at a young age…that’s the way racing is for so many. It’s in the blood; it’s family; it’s tradition. 19 year-old Garin is a third generation dirt track racer who grew up watching her dad, Rob Garin, race his Super Stock and Midwest Modified. In much the same way, Rob grew up watching his father, Al Garin, race snowmobiles. Al also raced drags at Minnesota Dragways before Rob was born.
As much as racing is a part of this family, It wasn’t quite that simple says Christine. with something economical not knowing there was a time when no one in the “She’d barely driven a car before, much if she could do this or not,” explains Rob. family was on the track, but it didn’t last less a stick shift. So we practiced driving “Racing isn’t a team sport once you hit the long. Garin says she remembers her dad my Tahoe on the back roads and then Rob track. It’s one against one out there. It’s selling his racecars when she and her threw her in the Hornet and she drove up tough. Especially for a girl who was only 15.” sister were older but that he just couldn’t and down the road…and up and down Garin proved to herself and everyone else stay away. “We had a family friend who the road!” that yes, she could race and she meant got back into racing and my dad just had With a little practice under her belt, they business. She raced Hornets for two years to go help out,” recalls Garin. Rob wasn’t all headed off to Princeton for Garin’s first but says she was ready for a challenge the only one helping out. Garin’s mother practice on the track. “When we got to at that point. “I was getting tired of the Christine says Abby was right there in Hornet class so we upgraded and the pits, getting dirty with the guys. bought a Mod-4.” Christine knew it was inevitable that one day her baby girl would want to Jumping into the Mod-4 proved to be a race too but was not looking forward it good move for Garin who was named one bit. Eventually that day came. 2013 Rookie of the Year at North Central Speedway and finished in the Rob says when his daughter first top ten in 2013 at both North Central approached him about the idea he and Princeton speedways. “Brainerd was scared to death. “Racing for many (North Central) is a great track,” says years myself, I understand what’s Garin. “And I really like Princeton (AKA involved out there.” And even if he The Bullring) because it’s small and it’s a approved, he knew they would still different kind of racing than anywhere have to convince Christine. else around. There are really high banks Christine clearly remembers the day so you’re tipped at an angle a lot.” her daughter approached the idea. “She Mod-4 hasn’t been all glory and Garin came up to me and said, Mom what do admits she has had her ups and downs. you think about me racing?” It was the “There’s definitely been good times and question she had been dreading. “Abby bad times since we made the move,” is a very simple girl and doesn’t ask she says. “We realized after getting for much and she had to hit me with into the class that the Mod-4 is not the that one! So, with her looking at me easiest car to drive.” with begging eyes, I held up my hand, and with tears in my eyes, I told her “The learning curve is huge,” agrees I needed time to think about it and Rob. “At times you do very well and walked away.” there, she wouldn’t even get in the car,” at times you struggle. Being a past racer says Christine. “She was so scared that myself I understand that. And like any After some discussion (and a few more Rob had to threaten her before she got in. sport or hobby, the more you do it, the tears) Rob and Christine decided that But once she was in she was fine and the better you get.” Abby had such a passion for racing that rest is history!” they had to let her try it. Rob found (as Garin says when things get tough she Christine puts it) “a beat up, old, black, So in 2011, Abby Garin, barely 15 years follows her own advice. “When you get ugly Hornet” on the Internet and the 3rd old, started racing her Hornet at Princeton knocked down, keep your head up and generation of Garin Racing was born… and North Central speedways near her follow your dreams. If you love it, keep well, almost anyway. hometown of Andover, MN. “We started working at it.” DEC 2015
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Rob says he has seen his daughter grow in many ways over the past 5 years. “She is really starting to understand there are many parts to this. It’s not only the driving of the car, you also have to be emotionally and mentally ready for it. You have to have a mental toughness and be able to handle yourself in high stress situations. For example, when you get out of a racecar and your adrenalin is up and you’re upset or happy, you have to be able to step out of that car and treat people well. It’s a lot to absorb and Abby has come a long way in all areas.”
Garin proudly. Team Garin also includes Dodge motor. It has been tried in the past Garin’s sister Lauren and her boyfriend with some success.” Luke. “It’s helpful having so many people to support you,” says Garin. “Everyone The reasoning behind trying something helps out with the car, cheering me on new is to stay competitive in what Rob and doing whatever needs doing. It’s a says has become a super competitive class. true team effort. We have all learned a lot “It’s tough to gain momentum on anyone. Everyone is at the max amount of speed, together.” so we are hoping that by thinking outside Christine agrees. “Racing is a beast of it’s the box we can improve performance over own. It’s been an adjustment for all of us. the rest.” But on the positive side, everyone has been great to all of us, especially to Abby.” “With the changes and improvements to the car, I am really excited to see what it Racing isn’t the only thing Garin works can do,” adds Garin. hard at learning. She is currently in her second year at the University of Whatever the future holds for Abby Garin, Minnesota, Crookston as animal science on the track or in life, you can bet this major. She says she is thinking about young lady is up for the challenge. //
Garin also faces the challenge of being one of very few female Mod-4 drivers and one of the youngest drivers, male or female. “Yeah, it’s mostly guys in their 20’s, 30’s or 40’s,” Garin says with a laugh. “I think I’m animal rescue as a career after college. the only girl in my class at Princeton and “You know those Dawn commercials there is one other girl at North Central where they are rescuing the little birds… and there was one person younger than that’s what I’m thinking.” me racing Mod-4 this year.” But being Outside of school and racing, Garin works young and female doesn’t discourage her at a Greenhouse in the summer and says in the least. She says it’s just the way it is, she is getting into hunting, thanks to her and she’s ok with that. boyfriend Luke. “I tag along hunting for Rob says it quite the sight to see his baby deer, duck, goose…” girl out there with all those men. “To see As winter settles upon Minnesota, Garin a girl who’s only 5’1” and 102 pounds says she will concentrate on college and get out of a race car and shake hands then return home Andover in the spring with gentlemen who are twice her age and get ready for next season. She plans and twice her size after she beats them is to continue racing her new Mod-4 at her absolutely priceless!” local tracks. “I love the class and I really Garin has a great support network of like those tracks,” she says. other racers who have become good The new car is a 2016 T&E Wissota friends both on and off the track, but her Mod-4 with a Dodge 2.2 racing motor. foundation is her family. “My dad is my #1 The Dodge motor is a departure for the crew chief. He owns the car, fixes the car, team says Rob. “In the past we have run supports me…everything. My grandpa is a Ford motor. Now we will be one of the 86 and comes to every single race,” says very few in the five state area running a
GARIN RACING SPONSORS: T&E Chassis, Precision Tool Technologies Inc, Insurance Brokers of Minnesota Inc, Wingnut Tattoo & Piercing Anoka, Twin Cities Winnelson Ramsey MN, Goodin Company Wholesalers, Garin Plumbing Inc.
FACEBOOK: Garin Motorsports
“When you get knocked down, keep your head up and follow your dreams. If you love it, keep working at it.”
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WRITTEN by Nicole Clark-Erickson
BRINGS BACK MOONEYES FOR FINAL NHRA RACE OF 2015
Jim Dunn Racing will debut another eyecatching MOON Equipped Nitro Funny Car at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona November 13th – 15th. The iconic MOONEYES logo has become synonymous with Jim Dunn Racing since the 60’s. This will be the 10th different MOONEYES design for the team going back to the early 90’s. One of the most famous MOONEYES cars was driven by Kenji Okazaki and currently on display in the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum at the Pomona fair grounds. DEC 2015
“The fans love seeing MOONEYES on the Jim Dunn Racing car and it has become a tradition for us in Pomona,” said Team Manager, Jon Dunn. “The response to our black and white car at the beginning of the season was overwhelming, so we decided to build off of that design.” The NHRA Finals also marks the end of the first season with driver, John Hale. Going into the Auto Club NHRA Finals the team is 13th in points and Hale is nominated for the “Auto Club Road to the Future
Award.” This prestigious award is given to the top NHRA rookie competitor and voted on by the racing media. The winner will be announced at the NHRA Mello Yello banquet next Monday night. The popular MOONEYES merchandise trailer will also be back at the track, offering fans a wide array of products including a 2015 World Finals MOON Equipped commemorative t-shirt and the original MOON Equipped shirt that Jim Dunn Racing team will be wearing in the pits. //
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PHOTOGRAPHY by Scott & Stacy Robinson
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PHOTOGRAPHY by Lissa Marsolek
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GEAR UP FOR WINTER Our SV1 Snow Vests are designed to offer impact and abrasion protection while riding in the snow. They are fully adjustable for a customized fit. Both vests are equipped with the RECCO Avalanche Rescue System in case things go south and can be worn under or over a snow jacket.
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WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED by Tom Edwards
IN THE PINK
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As a decade’s long fan of drag racing and audience, but it does, which is why I was a two time cancer survivor, October is intent on doing something like this”. My always a memorable time of the season for wife Cathy and I had the opportunity to me. It is Breast Cancer Awareness month spend some time with Colleen Petrosky, and Nitro Funny Car driver Alexis DeJoria the Mammovan Program Manager and and Kalitta Motorsports have established she told us the number of women stopping what is now a multi-year partnership with by the van for a no cost mammogram has the Nevada Health Centers. The N.H.C.’s grown each year. Mammovan (is that a great name or what?) is a state of the art mobile mammogram Seeing the number of race cars that went screening facility and was set up adjacent with a lot of pink in their paint schemes to the DeJoria pit area at the penultimate was encouraging. I’m sure 2015 Top Fuel race of the season; The Toyota Nationals champion Antron Brown was more than at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. willing to stay with pink for his Don Seeing Alexis warming up the slicks Schumacher Matco Tools dragster; it was a during a burn out in a pink Patron XO great month for the popular driver. When Cafe fuel coupe was a nice moment at a Cathy and I were in the pit area we noticed drag race. A pink parachute helping bring 2014 and 2015 Pro Stock champion Erica the car to a stop in the shutdown area Enders went with a pink fire suit. Like a lot was also a nice touch. At the race Alexis of fans we were pleased to see she will have told media members “At any given race the #1 on the side of her race car again next you see as many female fans as you do season. Back to back championships in any males. People typically don’t think of auto category in drag racing is an impressive racing as a sport that attracts a large female accomplishment. As is frequently the case Erica enjoyed her weekend in Las DEC 2015
Vegas qualifying number 1 and winning the race. It was her fourth consecutive national event win in Nevada. I enjoy Pro Stock racing but for years have found the dog house on the hoods as something that never helped convey a “street car” appearance. Starting with the 2016 season opening Winternationals the factory hot rods will have electronic fuel injection so a huge scoop to house high rise carburetors won’t be needed. The wheelie bars will be shortened so expect to see a lot of wheels up launches. With that in mind, I made it a point to get shots of the Pro Stock cars during qualifying. Seeing how the switch from carburetors to fuel injection effects performance will be interesting. Bob Vandergriff Racing had their two dragsters wearing a lot of pink with Terry Haddock in the Amalie fueler and Clay Millican behind the wheel of the Parts Plus/ Great Clips dragster joining in. The Doug Kalitta driven Mac Tools Top Fuel car sported “Wrenching for a cure” in pink
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lettering on the side body panels. He defeated Larry Dixon in the Top Fuel final round. The starting line area and a section of the walls were also looking good in their pink dominated design. Before we left our hotel for Friday qualifying Cathy and I saw 16 time Funny Car champ John Force in the lobby. I wanted to get a photo of each of us with John and was approaching him to ask if he had time for a couple of shots. As I got within a few feet of him he said “I remember you”. I told him “John, you have a great memory. We chatted in this lobby last year”. As is always the case, he was fun to hang out with and share a few laughs. As everyone in professional motor sports can tell you, establishing and maintaining sponsorship support is a challenge and the key to being competitive so I’m sure a lot of fans were pleased to hear about the recent contract extensions signed by John Force Racing that will keep them with their primary sponsors for 3 more years. For the Las Vegas race John featured Eiko Lighting on the side of his Chevy Camaro. Peak will be his primary sponsor for all of the races next year. Speaking of sponsors, as a Jack Beckman follower I was glad to see the Infinite Hero Foundation will be his primary sponsor again next year. They do a lot of great work for veterans that have a number of needs. As a veteran, I know all of us appreciate their support. Thank you Terry Chandler for everything you do to help bring the Infinite Hero Foundation message forward. At the 2015 N.H.R.A. awards ceremony she received the Blaine Johnson Award in recognition of her dedication and commitment to the sport. The conditions for qualifying on Friday were right where they needed to be for fans to see a couple of track records re-set. In Las Vegas, that’s a tall order where quick and fast are usually how the dice roll on that race track. Of the 8 track records in the professional categories, elapsed time and speed, 7 of them were re-set during the race and qualifying. Occasionally, just when you thought what you were seeing on the race track was really fast, a military jet from nearby Nellis Air Force base would zip by to show what they think is fast. Being in Las Vegas when the National Hot Rod Association is in town means you can also see a few great concerts in places designed for music, enjoy some restaurants and in Cathy’s case, work on your Black Belt in shopping. That last deal works out well for me, too. No surprise here; my shopping began at the Nitro Mall. Congratulations to the Las Vegas winners; Doug Kalitta in Top Fuel, Robert Hight in Funny Car, Erica Enders in Pro Stock and Harley Davidson racer Andrew Hines in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Thanks for the memories. //
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“Seeing the number of race cars that went with a lot of pink in their paint schemes was encouraging.”
DEC 2015
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PHOTOGRAPHY by Monster Energy Supercross / Hoppenworld
WRITTEN by Steve Casper
2016 MONSTER ENERGY
SUPERCROSS PREVIEW w
hile most forms of motosports have been struggling to keep spectator count and TV viewers up over the last decade, the high-flying sport of Monster Energy AMA Supercross has been packing tens of thousands of crazy dirt bike fans into stadiums throughout the country every winter and spring. Not only are the races highly competitive and spectacular to watch, one could also argue that Supercross racing requires the most athleticism in all of motorsports- and this is all with no rollcages or seat belts!
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Following is an early look at the 450 Class teams and riders that will be competing in 2016, starting in January in California.
MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI TEAM MANAGER // DAN FAHIE RIDERS // ELI TOMAC AND WIL HAHN After many years aboard a Honda, the big news for 2016 is Eli Tomac heading to the powerhouse Monster Energy Kawasaki team. Since he is still healing from shoulder injuries, Tomac’s first race will be Anaheim One.
TEAM HONDA HRC TEAM MANAGER // DAN BETLEY RIDERS // COLE SEELY AND TREY CANARD Team Honda HRC will stay with this lineup in 2016 as both riders continue multi-year contracts with the factory effort. Despite the injuries and setbacks experienced in 2015, both young riders showed incredible speed through Supercross and the summer Outdoor National series, which makes them contenders for even more race wins in the new year.
AUTOTRADER.COM TOYOTA/YAMAHA (JGRMX)
RCH/SOARING EAGLE/JIMMY JOHN’S/ SUZUKI FACTORY RACING
TEAM MANAGER // COY GIBBS RIDERS // JUSTIN BARCIA, WESTON PEICK AND PHIL NICOLETTI
TEAM MANAGER // KYLE BENTLEY RIDERS // KEN ROCZEN AND BROC TICKLE
JGRMX has solidified their squad after a very successful first year together, which saw Barcia claim a number of race wins and Peick put in a number of career-best rides. Things should only improve in the future.
RED BULL KTM TEAM MANAGER // ROGER DECOSTER RIDERS // RYAN DUNGEY, DEAN WILSON AND MARVIN MUSQUIN Red Bull KTM will become a three-rider team in 2016, with Marvin Musquin graduating to the 450 class. Dungey and Musquin announced the extension of their agreements with the team just after claiming the Supercross championships earlier in 2015, while Wilson has the chance to make up for missing almost all of the year with a knee injury.
TEAM MANAGER // MIKE WEBB RIDERS // JAMES STEWART AND BLAKE BAGGETT With his 16-month suspension now over, James Stewart will return to Supercross and the Nationals in 2016. Yoshimura Suzuki stayed with the veteran racer and James has roared back on the scene by competing in many big pre-season events including a win in the Red Bull Straight Rhythm race. Baggett did well in his rookie season in the 450 class, flourishing as the lone focus of the entire Yoshimura Suzuki team.
DEC 2015
ROCKSTAR ENERGY RACING HUSQVARNA TEAM MANAGER // BOBBY HEWITT RIDERS // JASON ANDERSON AND CHRISTOPHE POURCEL The second year for this team will be very important, as their two riders will compete aboard the all-new and thoroughly improved FC450. Don’t be surprised to see 250 class riders Zach Osborne or Martin Davalos contest select events aboard bigger bikes at some point in 2016.
SMARTOP/MOTOCONCEPTS
BTO SPORTS KTM YOSHIMURA SUZUKI
Despite injuries and issues with setup, Ken Roczen will stay with this team in 2016. The new year will see the departure of Roczen’s longtime mechanic and friend Kelly Lumgair, but veteran technician Oscar Wirdeman has been hired to handle the wrenching duties.
TEAM MANAGER // TONY ALESSI RIDERS // MIKE ALESSI AND VINCE FRIESE
TEAM MANAGER // FORREST BUTLER RIDERS // ANDREW SHORT, JUSTIN BRAYTON AND DAVI MILLSAPS This team continues to grow with Davi Millsaps joining Short and Brayton for the Supercross portion of the year. Short has hinted for some time that these are the final years of his long pro career, and his re-signing to the team will likely carry him through to the end.
2015 was an interesting year for this team, as they contested much of the Supercross season until Mike Alessi’s serious injury at the Daytona round. They raced sporadically around the world for the rest of the year, including an overseas run at two MXGP events, limited Canadian Nationals, and the Washougal round of the American Nationals. Tony Alessi has hinted at a similar schedule for 2016 for both Alessi and Friese, with the possibility of a third rider.
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2016 MONSTER ENERGY SUPERCROSS SCHEDULE
JAN. 9 // ANGEL STADIUM
FEB. 20 // AT&T STADIUM
APRIL 9 // LUCAS OIL STADIUM
JAN. 16 // PETCO PARK
FEB. 27 // GEORGIA DOME
San Diego, California
Atlanta, Georgia
APRIL 16 // EDWARD JONES DOME
JAN. 23 // ANGEL STADIUM
MARCH 5 // DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
APRIL 23 // GILLETTE STADIUM
Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
JAN. 30 // O. CO COLISEUM
Oakland, California
FEB. 6 // UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX Stadium
Glendale, Arizona
FEB. 13 // PETCO PARK
San Diego, California PAGE 44
Arlington, Texas
Daytona, Florida
MARCH 12 // ROGERS CENTRE
Toronto, Ontario, Canada MARCH 19 // FORD FIELD
Detroit, Michigan
APRIL 2 // LEVI’S STADIUM
Santa Clara, California
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Indianapolis, Indiana St. Louis, Missouri
Foxborough, Massachusetts APRIL 30 // METLIFE STADIUM
East Rutherford, N.J.
MAY 7 // SAM BOYD STADIUM
Las Vegas, Nevada
All events will be telecast live on either FS1, FS2, and FOX. Check your local listings for times. DEC 2015
MONSTER ENERGY SUPERCROSS 101
sections (irregular series of jumps with a variety of combination options), and triple jumps (three jumps in a row that riders normally clear in a single leap of 70 feet or more). Many of the turns have banked berms, but some are flat.
THE SKILLS // The riders may be
It takes roughly five hundred truckloads of dirt to make up a supercross track. Soil conditions can be hard-packed, soft, muddy, sandy, rutted, or any combination thereof. Average riders would find it impossible to even do a lap on a supercross track, let alone race at high speeds.
on motorized vehicles, but the engine certainly doesn’t do all the work. Riders must guide those heavy machines around brutal tracks at high speeds, and you’ll notice they rarely even sit down, instead using their arms, legs, and core to manipulate it in the desired direction. Races are unbelievably demanding in terms of cardiovascular fitness, stamina, strength, coordination, and concentration, and the consequences of mistakes are higher than in most sports. Scientific tests suggest that supercross/motocross is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world, and those who do it at this level are professional athletes with demanding training regimens and strict diets. Road bicycling, running, weight training, and swimming—as well as riding every day, of course—are some of the popular ways riders prepare their bodies.
THE TRACK // A supercross track represents the ultimate evolutions of the sport. Among the obstacles riders must negotiate every lap are whoop sections (brutal washboards where riders skim along the tops of the bumps), rhythm DEC 2015
THE BIKES // The primary brands you’ll see racing are from Japan (Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha) and Austria (KTM and Husqvarna). These motorcycles are modified versions of what you can purchase at your local dealership. The transmissions feature four or five gears, and the shift lever is by the left footpeg. The rear-brake lever is by the right footpeg, the clutch lever on the left side of the handlebar, and the throttle and front brake on the right side of the handlebar. Bikes can be any color, but teams generally stick with the same colors as the stock machines. Most bikes are four-stokes of either 250cc or 450cc displacement. A supercross bike can generate nearly 70 horsepower and weighs around 220 ponds, giving it a better power-to-weight ratio than a toplevel NASCAR vehicle.
The numbers 250 and 450 refer to the engine size, as measured in cubic centimeters of displacement (cylinder bore X piston stroke). The 450s boast more power and torque than the small machines, but they’re also more difficult to control and weigh a bit more. The 250s tend to rev higher, while the 450s sound a little more “grunty.” The actual lap times between the two bikes are similar, but in a head-to-head race, a 450 can out-jump a 250 and make passes by accelerating harder out of turns-that’s why the fastest riders use the bigger bikes.
THE CLASSES // There are two divisions racing: the 450SX Class and the 250SX Class. Top riders like Ryan Dungey, Chad Reed, Ken Roczen, and Justin Barcia are in the premier 450SX Class, and they ride 450cc four-stroke motorcycles. The 250SX Class is populated primarily by younger riders on 250cc four-stroke motorcycles. The class is split into East and West Regions, each of which crowns its own champion; with the exception of the series finale, you’ll only see one region in action at each round. At the final race of the season in Las Vegas, the East and West regions meet in the Dave Coombs Sr. Memorial East-West Shootout.
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JANUARY 21–24, 2016 Minneapolis Convention Center
Your boating adventures start here! Come see what’s new for 2016 at the upper Midwest’s biggest boat sale!
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Greetings again Wheels of Thunder fans! I have a friend who’s a life long Minnesotan. He is jumping for joy now that the snow is flying and the sled racing season is underway and went off without a hitch in Duluth. My neighbor Amos (“The Outdoorsman”) is now counting the days until the lakes are frozen over, gleaming with a shine, and he can move into his “A’s Ice House” for fishing and “real” living as he puts it. I’ve said it once and will say it again, there’s nothing like a Midwest winter and ours has arrived!! Welcome to the Wheels Of Thunder Fraternity. That means you love the outdoors. And it’s here where Wheels of Thunder continues to stay on top of its commitment to showcase Minnesota and our region’s love affair with all things outdoors. My TV show, GameON!, is grateful for our partnership with Wheels of Thunder! GameON! is your weekly TV Sports & Entertainment show that puts the focus on the huge popularity of sports in our region. In this issue of Wheels of Thunder, you’ll see, better than ANY magazine in the land, all the unique stories, pictures and sponsor lowdown right at your fingertips. It’s only found by Wheels of Thunder. Also, we’d love for you to check out GameON!TV It’s a show that loves ALL sports, from the variety of professional, college & high school sports to all the motorsports and outdoor events that dot our regional landscape. GameON’s partnership with Wheels of Thunder is stronger than ever and just like you, we also enjoy the most comprehensive race magazine and website to be found! Wheels of Thunder magazine “gets it” and gets you the latest info, amazing pictures and all those terrific stories to the most passionate motorsports fans in the country!
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Emmy award winning GameON! is now in its 4th broadcast season hosting shows at B-52’s Burgers & Brew. We’re all over the winter sports ahead, from the Vikings to the up-and-coming Timberwolves NBA season, Soccer United FC, the NHL Wild and all the teams that dot our region. Please check us out, GameON! in crystal clear full High Definition and our free APP (for Apple & Android phones) is available the for your use! Get to us at our show website www.GameOnTvMN.com, our facebook site (friend us @ GameON on facebook), our website @ www.gameontvmn. com and 24/7 on twitter #gameontvmn. See you on TV via Twin Cities on FOX’s MY29 and in The Dakota’s and western Minnesota via MidCo Sports Network. Here’s to winter!! Keep your GameON!
DEC 2015
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