D14_MAR17

Michigan’s Motorsports

March 2017

INSIDE:

2017 Season Schedule of Events & Supplemental Rules

Mike Konarski #64 airs out the super double in 50+ during the 2016 season.

Mike and Ann Konarski did a lot of great things for District 14 and they loved running Freelin MX. Very rarely did Mike get the time to actually enjoy racing on the track he put so much effort into for 17 years. Thanks for all the memories Mike and Ann, and Freelin MX!

Michigan Moto Ladies Banquet Hightlights Miscellaneous Moto Musings The Beane Report Flat Track Sponsorship Opportunity Division Highlights & Updates

FR EELIN FINALE FREELIN MX (Brown City, MI) | 2016

����� ����� �������� �� STEVE BAGINSKI

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE

PAID

ROYAL OAK, MI 48068 PERMIT #792 10450 Enterprise Dr. Davisburg, MI 48350

2 March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

MICHIGAN MOTO LADIES story submitted by Casie Lambert | photos by Casie Lambert unless otherwise noted

Hello MX enthusiast. I was really wondering what I would have to write about this month, then at the last minute the Moto Gods shined down on our wintery state… weather nice enough for an open practice in February! A track opened for a practice February 19, 2017. A day that will live in infamy for all Michigan riders. I will be 80 years old, telling my grandkids, well probably great-grandkids about that one year we got to ride an open practice in the middle of February.

I overheard the gate chic tell someone they had 377 riders show up! That is a lot of riders for a summer race day, let alone a spur of the moment, last minute announcement that they will be open for 5 hours.

There were so many fast riders for the first practice of the year (besides for the lucky ones who travel south during the winter). Then there was me, lol. I was so rusty and slow, but ecstatic to be riding again, and on such an awesome bike. It ran perfect, and handled good. Although, a spectator would not have thought so. The day of riding really peaked my excitement for the upcoming race season. For now, I will take some ibuprofen, sit on a heating pad to soothe my aching muscles and dream about April 9th (the first Michigan Moto Ladies race). We interviewed three more ladies this month. Taylor Wirsing, Kristen Stauffer, and Paige Reeser. We hope you enjoy reading their interviews. Until next month, happy MX dreaming.

What/who got you into racing?

Back when I was younger my twin brother said he wanted a bike and he ended up getting one for Christmas and of course, it shortly became mine. I never got off of that thing. Nothing has ever come close to the way that it has made me feel.

What bike do you have?

I've currently got a KTM 250 two stroke.

What is your favorite track?

My favorite track is a mix between basically every track I've ridden. I find something I like in every track. But if I had to pick a few I'd say maybe Freelin, Bulldogs, and Battle Creek.

What is your favorite part of racing?

My favorite part of racing is definitely the competition. I also really enjoy getting a good gate drop. It's an incomparable feeling when you leave the gate perfectly and get a good start.

Most important thing racing has taught you?

Racing has taught me to overcome obstacles. Life's hard and everything isn't always sunshine but if you work hard enough, you can make things the way that you want them to be.

Paige Reeser Tell me a little about yourself, like the awkward introductions you have to do the first day of class.

I'm Paige Reeser, I'm 17 years old and I race motocross. I also enjoy playing piano, guitar, and ukulele. I am a senior at Romeo high school and will be attending Oakland University in the fall, majoring in psychology.

How long have you been riding/racing?

I've been racing for about 5 years now.

What is you greatest racing achievement?

My greatest racing achievement was hands down this past years results at Mini O's. I was the only rider in women's that finished inside top 10 that didn't live at a training facility/have top notch bikes and that was for sure a confidence booster.

What would you do if you weren’t racing?

If I wasn't in racing I’d probably be playing like basketball or something. I'm pretty tall for a girl.

What does MX mean to you?

Motocross means a lot to me.

It's in a way my escape from everyday life. It makes everything bad in life at the time seem weightless. It's what keeps me going and sane.

MOTO LADIES

continued on page 8

MARCH 2017 Michigan’s Motorsports

APRIL 2017

MATERIAL DEADLINES:

Materials need to be submitted by the following date. Sorry, but late submissions are subject to prevailing space and time restrictions and may, if necessary, be left out of the deadlined publication until the following edition.

Advertising & Editorial: Due MARCH 20

March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 3

Starting Lines a few words

To this Month’s AWESOME CONTRIBUTORS

from the editor

As with the seasons ... change is inevitable. For me change has made putting this issue together a little bittersweet. It saddens me to report that the people who got me involved in District 14, my best friends Mike & Ann Konarski, will no longer be running Freelin MX. I know personally how hard Mike & Ann worked to bring MX division riders the best track they possibly could. I know that whatever they choose to do in the future, they will put as much love and attention as they did into Freelin MX. In case you never got to know them at the track, you missed out on some very special people. In case you never took the opportunity to ride at Freelin MX, you missed out there too. Luckily for me, I get to keep these people in my life, despite them no longer being involved with the District. Mike & Ann... I'm sure I can say without hesitation, District 14 will not be the same without you!!! :( As always, a BIG HUG and THANK YOU to all our contributors.

Thank you for giving of your time so generously to write about your division.

‘Til next time ... take care, stay warm, and safe. And as always, enjoy the ride... it all goes by in a blink.

– In order of appearance – Steve Baginski, Casie Lamber�, Heather Soensksen, Thomas Dunn, Mike Maurer, Tami Gregg, Julie Elko Photog�aphy, Rust� Shakelford, Heather Powers, Kevin Lamber� Jr., Mia Moore, Steve Beane, Jeremiah Sher�an, Vic Jones, Bill Smith, Mackenzie & Carly Smith, Kevin Fleszar, and last, but cer�ainly not least .... Team Freelin

SPACE

Space is reserved in every issue for every division in the District. Please, promote your sport by contributing stories and photos about your events, past and/or upcoming. This is FREE advertising for your division. Take advantage of it!

When submitting a story or photo please ensure to include event dates and locations, and photos MUST include captions. Event results are always nice to include as well.

For detailed information on submission policies for editorial content and advertising, please go to www.D14News.net.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

  

$15 – REGULAR MEMBERSHIP



$30 – Two (2)-Year MEMBERSHIP

(Canadian Residents NOT eligible)

$45 – Three (3)-Year MEMBERSHIP

Must be AMA Member; Must have One (1) Full District Family Member; includes Competition Card Only.

Your card will expire one-year from the issue date.

Must be AMA Member; includes Competition Card and Newspaper Subscription. All memberships are nonrefundable.

For more info: linda@D14News.net | 586.855.7413

This publication is printed on recycled paper using soy-based inks.

AMA#

Enduro _______Hare Scramble _____ Flat Track _____





$40 – CANADIAN MEMBERSHIP

$6 – LOST/REPLACEMENT CARD

You must have previously been issued a card that has not yet expired, otherwise your privileges to compete in the District could be forfeited completely.

Required if you have Canadian Residence. Must be AMA Member; includes Competition Card and Newspaper Subscription.

Your card and newspaper subscription will expire one-year from the issue date.

Indicate your AMA# or your Original District#: AMA#

Name: First

Middle

City:

State:

Last

Apt.#

or Canadian Province:

Zip:

If you have a Canadian address, you must choose “Canadian Membership” above!

County:

e-mail: YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION

AMA NUMBER:

( all 6 digits or temporary number from application ) EXPIRATION DATE:

DISTRICT 14 NUMBER: BIRTHDATE:

(all numbers or write NEW/RENEW)

PHONE:

( home / cell )

I understand that this membership is for the right to participate in a District 14 points paying event and I am required to follow the By-laws, policies and procedures of District 14 Club Council as well as the applicable policies of the participating promoter.

Signature

Date:

Attention D14 Members: Your copy of this application may be used to sign-up in AMA/District 14 Events for 60 Days. If you have not received your District 14 Membership card in 30 days, contact District 14 Membership Administration with information as to where you purchased your membership.

DISTRICT 14 MEMBERSHIP ADMINISTRATION INFO to find the current contact info, visit us on the web at www.ama-d14.org For Club/Promoter use only - must have club and event date name for credit - ALL sold applications must be turned into Membership Administration within 14 days of purchase.

Club / Promoter Name & Charter Number COPIES:

White = D14 Admin

Event Date

Yellow = Club/Promoter

Pink - Member

District 14 News

direct to your home mailbox &

DISTRICT#

You must be an AMA Member to join District 14 PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY and fill out COMPLETELY to receive your paper and membership card.

Address:

DON’T WAIT!

Ensure continued delivery of the

Name

Road ______ATV _____MX ______Ice ______Hill ______

D14 Membership App10.26.2013

PLEASE RECYCLE.

Indicate Name of Member with Full Membership:

Please check ALL riding disciplinesthat apply:

DELIVERY

The delivery goal of District 14 News is normally around the middle of the month. However, due to varying factors of submissions, printing, and mailing, there is no guarantee the newspaper will reach readers by a specific date in the month. It is recommended and good practice to think at least 1 or 2 months ahead when promoting special events or other time sensitive dates.

For example, if your special event is in August, you should consider promoting that event no later than the July edition.

$13 – FAMILY MEMBERSHIP

Rev. 10/2013

MARCH 2017 - D14 NEWS Bring your copy of this completed form with you to EVERY race until you receive your card!

SAVE TIME AT SIGN UP!

Complete this form & send in your membership dues today!

Important!

Keep a Copy Before Mailing mail to: HEATHER SOENKSEN 3155 Prescott Dr, Howell MI 48843 Don’t have your card in 30 days?

Call 517-775-5897 to find out where it is.

4 March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

2017 District 14 Board of Directors & Division Chairs PRESIDENT Thomas Dunn tdunn976@yahoo.com (517) 896-9757

HILL CLIMB CHAIRPERSON John Radke radman4790@gmail.com (616) 308-9544

VICE PRESIDENT Neal Soenksen ktm125s@yahoo.com (313) 244-6827 SECRETARY Heather Soenksen d14secretary@gmail.com (517) 775-5897 TREASURER Steve Beane motoxgiant@yahoo.com (313) 918-8944 LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR Rev. Ron Packer d14legislative@gmail.com (269) 548-7348 AMA CONGRESS - OFF ROAD Dick Bigelow dickbarbbigs@aol.com (586) 677-0456 John Zwerican (989) 871-3008 OFF ROAD ALT Andy Nicols, (616) 948-2933 OFF ROAD ALT Kreg Bigelow, (810) 965-8764 AMA CONGRESS - ROAD Kaye Johnson amakaye165@gmail.com (248) 459-1777 AMA CONGRESS - ATV John Scherer jrsracing34@aol.com (248) 894-8977 RIDER REPS - OFF ROAD Tim Beougher TBeougher212@aol.com (989) 751-8073 Kevin Lambert JR kevinthegoonlambert@gmail.com (248) 245-9919

VICE CHAIR Brix McFee brixmcfee@yahoo.com (616) 847-6265

VISIT US AT WWW.AMA-D14.ORG ATV CHAIRPERSON Robert Miller srxmiller@gmail.com (517) 282-4373 VICE CHAIR - ATV MX Chad Reed chadsatv@charter.net (616) 835-0949 POINTS KEEPER Brandi Miller brandymiller788@gmail.com (517) 282-1533

FLAT TRACK/TT CHAIRPERSON Joseph Barnes josephbarnes8248@gmail.com (586) 804-4265 POINTS KEEPER Jennifer Barnes D14dirttrackweb@gmail.com (810) 627-5650

RIDER REPS - MX UNKNOWN

HARE SCRAMBLE CHAIRPERSON Kevin Fleszar d14_hs_chair@yahoo.com (734) 735-3717

ENDURO CHAIRPERSON Mike Maurer mikemaurer250@gmail.com (517) 763-9406

VICE CHAIR Mark Becker sarge184@aol.com (248) 672-1224

VICE CHAIR Mark Beltinck mark@d14enduro.org (517) 304-0726 RIDER REPS A/AA CLASS Vic Flegel pencilcraft@pencilcraft.com (989) 506-1487 B CLASS Kurt Haveri kwhava@yahoo.com (248) 797-3578 C, 60+ & WOMEN'S CLASSES Tina Flegel tina@d14enduro.org (989) 875-8186

VICE CHAIR - ATV-XC Chad Teachout teachoutc@hotmail.com (517) 204-6932 POINTS KEEPER Mark Becker sarge184@aol.com (248) 672-1224 RIDER REP Mark Becker sarge184@aol.com (248) 672-1224 Taylor Carpenter carpentertaylor63@gmail.com (517) 802-9609

POINTS KEEPER Brix McFee brixmcfee@yahoo.com (616) 847-6265

ICE RACE CHAIRPERSON Jeremiah Sherman jer.sherman@gmail.com (989) 621-8701 VICE CHAIR Joseph Barnes josephbarnes8248@gmail.com (586) 804-4265 MX CHAIRPERSON Kreg Bigelow kregbigelow@yahoo.com (810) 965-8764 VICE CHAIR - VINTAGE MX Steve Baginski bagsmx194@gmail.com (586) 321-5680 POINTS KEEPER Jenny Johnson bajajenny@gmail.com (989) 871-3356 ROAD CHAIRPERSON Terri Sweet d14roadchair@gmail.com (517) 719-6264

www.ama-d14.org

March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 5

2017 DIRECTORY

CHARTER CLUBS & PROMOTERS PLEASE NOTE: The phone number listed for your organization is the number that was supplied as the primary contact on your application Baja MC .................................... 989-871-3356 Big Air MX .............................. 231-578-3828 Battle Creek MC ................. 909-806-5149 Bulldog Riders MC ............. 810-919-9821 Evergreen Creek CC........... 989-450-9676 Flint MC ..................................... 810-241-3516 Freelin MX................................ 989-761-1301 Goshen IronHorsemen ... 574-825-3399 Grand Kankakee TR ........... 219-575-7277 Grattan Raceway ................ 616-788-4454 Hill & Gully Riders ...........708-261-3433 Lakeshore ST Riders ...... 616-566-6327 Lansing MC ............................. 231-267-9537 Lucky Thumb MC................ 810-404-2895 MI Off Road Events ............ 517-896-9757 Muddobbers MC .................765-998-2236

Muskegon MC ...................... 231-773-2940 Owosso Motorsports PK ...... 810-691-5781 Plymouth Blackhawks .......574-904-3006 Polka Dots MC .................... 989-423-4450 Port Huron MC ................... 810-824-6594 Portland Trail Riders .........517-285-4294 Riders MC .............................. 574-780-4188 Sherman Motorsports..... 989-621-8701 S.O.R.E. ...................................... 989-619-7713 Toledo Trail Riders................ 419-397-7177 Treaty City MC ......................... 937-423-2897 Twin Bay Trail Riders ........ 231-645-7905 Twisted MX ............................ 734-752-1134 UP Sandstormers .............. 906-420-4942 Valley Motocross ................ 517-896-7185 Valley Trail Riders................ 989-879-6397

Visions

by Thomas Dunn, District 14 President

bikers for books Bikers for Books, hit my radar a couple of years ago. A biker I know told me about his brother and a program he had started that brought books to area schools that were struggling with their libraries and the ability to purchase books. His program had Biker Clubs and their riders bringing books to these schools and reading to the students.

Now you have to understand these bikers resemble the typical biker portrayed in movies, tough looking, leather clad with patches and club names on their jackets.

Not, what you generally see in your typical public school.

They roll up like thunder, coming in on mostly Harley Davidsons; in a train of motorcycles, a spectacular site to behold, and the children love it!

They take the time to read to the classes, present books for the class room or library, let children touch and sit on their motorcycles and at times the kids gets biker nicknames. All this to help get kids excited to read!

If your Charter is not listed, you will need to submit a Charter Application and $25 Charter Fee. If your application is currently pending, your listing will appear once your status has cleared. If you believe this information to be incorrect, please verify your status with the D14 Secretary, Heather Soenksen at 517-775-5897 or via email D14Secretary@ama-d14.org. Thank You!

All D14 membership and charter registrations/renewals, address changes, card replacements, missed newspapers and other membership related issues should be directed to the MEMBERSHIP ADMINISTRATOR: HEATHER SOENKSEN

D14secretary@gmail.com 3155 Prescott Dr, Howell MI 48843 • 517-775-5897

 Badge Velasquez, founder of Bikers for Books!

This is all done from one families dream, Badge and Kendra Velasquez, started this program on a napkin at a Burger King in Grand Ledge, Michigan, 4 years latter this Non-profit organization has grown in leaps and bounds. It crosses all lines and affiliations, with all clubs welcome.

You will see multiple colors being represented in ever ride, Multiple clubs; a true brotherhood of motorcycle riders gathered together for one goal, helping the literacy of the area children!

My wife and I, have helped this group personally a few times, with time, money and helping getting their name out in social media. I believe in what they are doing.

I ask that we as a District become more involved! Whether you ride in our Road Division, Off-Road Divisions, ATV, Motocross Flat Track, you can help. We can collect books, give time, go to the schools with them, wear our Colors, and read to the children or just show up to be part of it!

How does this help the District? Will it bring more members?

To be honest, this probably will not help our membership that much immediately, if at all. However, I have gotten people interested and signed up for the AMA, a first step.

What it does do is puts the District in the public eye. It helps our Public Relations and the public perception of District 14. Children, teachers, and parents will see “Our Colors” and we can let them know about the District. Teachers and Administrators will then have ways to contact us and know we exist. Communities will become aware. All these help the District in multiple, intangible ways. Way that my not be seen in the present, but farther down the road.

Could it be what the future of our Road Division? I cannot answer that question, but would like to think that this may just be the place they can help the most for their Division and for the District, keeping them a major contributor for the long term District Survival outside of The Competition Racing!

See ya at the races!

6 March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

FESNews

FAMILY ENDURO SERIES

story and by Mike Maurer, Family Enduro Series Chairman

Off Road Banquet 2016 Family Enduro Series We had record attendance at our banquet on January 28th in Mt. Pleasant. This

banquet brings together the district hare scrambles division and both of the enduro series – district and family enduros. We had 372 people attend this event and most of them received trophies and other awards. The event was a great opportunity to celebrate the riding accomplishments of the 2016 participants and make plans for the 2017 riding season. We would also like to thank the clubs for organizing the events and our sponsors for their assistance.

We have already scheduled the 2017 banqet for February 17, 2018. We had to move this celebration due to scheduling conflicts with the hotel. We are hoping to continue to increase attendance at this event – maybe over 400 attendee next year.

A highlight of the 2016 family enduro series was our attendance record. For the second year in a row we exceeded 2,000 participants at our FES events. In 2015 we had 10 events and we only had 9 in 2016. So our average attendance went from 204 riders to 228 (total attendance 2037 to 2056). We are hoping for another record breaking year in 2017.

The family enduro series is always looking for opportunities to improve the program. We have received one rider suggestion to create a class for riders over 60 years old. We will be reviewing with the clubs as we consider changes to the list of FES classes.

The very competitive J class – 40-54 year olds – Tony Vollmar (1st) and Steve Beane (2nd)

2017 SCHEDULES – DISTRICT AND FAMILY ENDUROS • April 22 & 23 • April 30 • June 10 & 11 • June 24 • July 15 • July 16 • July 29 & 30 • August 13 • August 20 • Sept 9 (?)

• Sept 17 • October 21 • Nov 4 & 5 • November 12

Roselawn, IN D14 and FES Roscommon, MI FES only (NEW LOCATION) Marquette, MI D14 on Saturday and FES on Sunday Matthews, IN FES only (National enduro in August) Lawton, MI FES only Greenville, MI D14 only Moorestown, MI D14 and FES Roselawn, IN D14 only Matthews, IN National enduro – D14 only Greenville, OH FES only (D14 enduro in November) Twin Lake, MI D 14 only (NEW EVENT) Fife Lake, MI FES only New Paris, IN D14 and FES Greenville, OH D14 only

If you are not attending the family enduro in Greenville, Ohio on September 9th, there is a “hard enduro” in Marquette that same weekend. I have talked to the club and this event will be similar to “knockout” event. If you plan to attend, bring your rock climbing skills.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the events starting in April and continue until mid November. I plan to attend every enduro in 2017 as the chairman of both the district 14 and family enduro series (well, not the hard enduro as I cannot be in two places at once).

Please join me in supporting our district and our clubs/promoters. See you at the races.

Women’s class – Amy Pelaston (9th), Heather Soenksen (5th) and Shelby Handrich (1st)

AT V SCENE F

March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 7

story and photos submitted by Tami Gregg

or a good part of the winter, I had a quad in my living room. Now I’ve found that when I mention this to folks, their reactions are really split into two distinct groups. My non-racing friends would respond with confusion and horror. My MX friends, however, would offer me a look of complete understanding. As a fairly new motomom, I was unaware of the need to rebuild between seasons, so the appearance of a quad in my living room was a bit mortifying. Lacking access to a heated garage, I was told this was the only option and I’m happy to say we somehow made it work.

Brynna Pratt – 3rd place – Buddy class

Trey Millhisler on his new quad. He races for MX for Autism.

I recently reached out to all of you via Facebook and inquired about how you spent your winter. I’ve found that my family was in good company. I didn’t hear anything about Christmas, ski trips, snowmobiling, or vacations. No…every answer I received detailed ongoing preparations for the upcoming racing season.

When you weren’t working overtime, you were hunting for parts, spending money, waiting for parts, rebuilding quads, buying new quads, spending more money, researching tracks, developing new strategies, and trying to stay in shape. Trent Gordenski used his time wisely by having surgery to repair an MX injury.

Jacob Hill and Tyler Gregg gave indoor BMX a try, because winter is too long a time to not be racing something. Unwilling to wait out the weather, the Sykes family just packed up and headed south to Alabama to ride and much to my dismay, left me here. Trey Millhisler got a new quad and a winning attitude to match.

Pretty much everyone parked themselves in front of the TV at some point to watch Supercross. Those of us who attended the annual D14 ATV MX Banquet at Zehnder’s in Frankenmuth were even treated to Supercross projected on the lobby wall along with lots of fun and camaraderie. (Kudos, by the way, to all involved in the planning and execution of that event...it was a great time!)

So now we’re little more than a month away from the start of racing season, the weather seems to be shaping up, the race schedule has been penciled into my calendar, I have the first layer of mud on my shoes from watching Tyler at the practice track, and thank you baby Jesus…my living room is finally quadless. I’ll admit it…I too am anxious for that first gate drop. I can hardly wait to watch all of you on the track. Your hard work and dedication to this sport amazes me, and I hope to capture the essence of it in a way that makes you proud. All of this reminds me of words conveyed to me by a very wise man: “Racing is life. Everything in between is just waiting.”

Blake Sykes

 E class – 9-11 year olds – Elyot Dings (3rd) and Ben Harris (1st place)

 D14 Award recipients at the ATV MX Banquet in Frankenmuth in February

Okay…so it was actually Steve McQueen that spoke those words, but I heard them from Blake, and I doubt Steve ever spoke them with the passion of an ATV MX racer.

8 March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News MOTO LADIES continued from page 2 What are the downfalls to racing?

A major downfall I experienced this past year was injury. It sucks working so hard for something during your off season to come and break bones. It's really discouraging.

What do you do to prepare for a race?

I work out every night so that prepares me for a race physically. I also try to get a lot of sleep. I really like naps. Water is also a big factor in my every day to keep my body functioning.

¦ylor Wirsing How long have you been riding/racing?

I have been riding for 7 years and racing for about 6.

What is you greatest racing achievement?

My greatest racing achievement is winning the state championship series and fall series in the girls class in 2014.

What/who got you into racing?

I got into racing from my dad. He raced growing up and my parents bought my brother a dirt bike. Next thing you know, their daughter was out there riding the bike more than their son.

What bike do you have?

I race a Yamaha 125.

What is your favorite track?

My favorite track has to be Baja. It's my home track and I grew up there.

What is your favorite part of racing?

My favorite part of racing....how do I pick! My favorite thing would have to be the family atmosphere of the track. Everyone comes together and supports one another.

It's the best feeling knowing that you can go out there and battle with everyone, then after the race be best friends. I'm very thankful for the friendships and family I've made at the track.

Most important thing racing has taught you?

Racing has taught me to never give up and helped me gain confidence in myself. It has taught me to shake it off, get back up, and keep going.

What would you do if you weren’t racing?

If I wasn't racing, I'd go out of my mind! It's a part of who I am.

What do you do outside of MX? Outside of moto, I play varsity basketball and soccer. That keeps me going all the way up to moto season. Sometimes I even have to sneak out of those sports to go racing.

What does MX mean to you?

Moto means a lot to me and my family! It runs in our blood What are the downfalls to racing?

The downfalls to racing are prett y clear to most parents and kids. The downfall is always about having the possibility of getting hurt. This sport is also expensive. However, there are way more upsides than downfalls to moto.

What do you do to prepare for a race?

To prepare for a race I normally go to bed early the night before. On race day I eat a good breakfast to start off. My mom normally gets on me for drinking more water because I tend to drink mostly Gatorade. My dad gets my gate ready and gives me a good pep talk on the line. Then it's racing time.

March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 9

Kristen ¤affer Tell me a little about yourself, like the awkward introductions you have to do the first day of class.

My name is Kristen Stauffer. I am 23 years old. I race in the Women's class and 250 C. I am a Research Coordinator at the University of Michigan. I work in a developmental neuroscience laboratory for the psychology department. Ian McCormick is my dashing boyfriend.

How long have you been riding/racing?

I have been racing for the past 15 years.

What is your greatest racing achievement?

Personally racing solo for a few seasons was my favorite riding achievement. I have only seen a handful of Women at the track by themselves before. When I was 20, I moved from Ann Arbor to Grand Rapids. I didn’t know anyone on the west side of the state who rode dirt bikes. I had to choose between not racing or going solo. I did all the bike work myself during the race season and went to all the tracks solo. Riding whatever track I wanted whenever i had the time and money made me a much faster rider. I definitely learned to change a tire more efficiently.

What/who got you into racing?

My Dad was the person who got me into racing. I watched him race just about every weekend as a kid. In preschool, I thought it was strange that other kids didn’t spend their weekends at the Motocross track or watching supercross.

What bike do you have?

I have a 2012 125sx. It has 300+ hours on it. We have spent a lot of time in the garage together.

What is your favorite track?

Polka Dots is the perfect sand track. The dirt is wonderful.

What is your favorite part of racing?

My favorite part of racing is finding a new line on the track that makes an entire section feel effortless. There is nothing better than finding a smooth line on a beat up sand track.

Most important thing racing has taught you?

There are a bunching of things that come easy to me and racing is not one of them. I have to work really hard to see an improvement in my riding. Racing has taught me to have fun and stick with something I find challenging.

What would you do if you weren’t racing?

I would be a really good rock climber if I wasn’t racing. This is definitely something that comes more naturally to me. During my spring breaks in college I climbed in Kentucky, Tennessee, California, and Nevada.

What do you do outside of MX? I have a bunch of hobbies including drinking craft beer, reading, rock climbing, aerial silks, and I just bought a snowboard.

What does MX mean to you?

What motocross means to me is something that is constantly evolving.

Initially I was interested in motocross because it was something my family did. Next it was a big adventure. Ian and I used to go on “dates” to the track. Lately I have really relied on it as stress relief from work.

This is a sport that has continued to grow with me.

What are the downfalls to racing?

I had a rough time racing and being a normal teenage girl. I didn’t know any girls my age who raced every weekend. I had amazing friends in high school but none of them had ever seen a motocross track before meeting me. Most the guys at the track have a difficult time empathizing with teenage girls. Female racers tend to get more attention for they way they look than the way they ride. As a teenager that was something I really wanted to talk about with another female rider.

What do you do to prepare for a race?

In order to have a good race I need to eat and stay relaxed. I eat breakfast and Ian makes me laugh before the gate drop.

10 March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

– DELMER DODD – The Iron Man of Non-studded Ice Racing in Michigan Story and photos submitted by Rusty Shakelford

Delmer may have not won the race at Owosso but he is definitely winning the race against time, at the age of 77, Del is still participating at every D14 Ice Race event in the non studded class!

Del is a native of the Anchor bay area and his racing roots have an odd path to the non studded ice classes. The retired Ford motor company skilled trades employee began his race career as a road racer oddly enough. Sometime in the mid 60s. In the late 60s Del and his brother began to run motorcycles on Anchor bay; when asked if he was referring to the days of sand and chloride on the track Del said "nope, just rode on the ice as it was" this explains Dodd's smooth as silk style and also why you rarely see him fall! Del has championship jackets dating all the way back to the 70s to now. In the 2014 ice season Dodd checked out in a heat race at the white lake event beating all 3 riders who podiumed that day!

Lately Dodd has been racing an old MX 250 Yamaha powered star racer two stroke but also has modern machines such as his crf 230 and other four and two Stroke brutes. Dels Collection of motorcycles is absolutely Amazing; It is very obvious that he was an innovator in his time, as he showed off many different machines and numerous racing equipment at his Almont estate; keeping young at heart as always, a new bright yellow hot rod mustang occupies the driveway next to his trusty Ford econoline race van.

The zeal Dodd has in his old age for racing is unbelievable and trumps that of people a quarter his age, sure its been a long time since Delmer has won an ice race but how many senior citizens do you see driving to every race and racing in their 70's and even beating kids who are the age of his great grand children?

Delmar Dodd is an Iron man from a time almost forgotten, next time you are at a race swing by and have a chat with Delmer, he has plenty of stories and knowledge to share with all.

Dodd prepping to take the track

Star Racer Mx 250 Yamaha

March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 11

Remembering Our Roots Story and photo by Heather Powers

You've heard the saying, "Those who don't know their history are destined to repeat it."

Last month I shared with you about the early years of Portland Trail Riders. This month I wanted to tell you about some of our more recent history. I had the chance to spend some time with the man who holds the title of longest PTR president: David Leathers.

Dave Leathers has a long-time love affair with motorcycles. At 55 years old, he's maybe slowed down a little, but motocross is for the young and crazy anyway. Give him a beautiful trail ride or a hare scramble any day, and he will be up for it. In 1975, when Dave was in high school, he visited PTR and was a spectator at one of the Silverdome qualifiers. He started racing motocross races and hair scrambles in 1979. After high school, he was working in a warehouse. In 1981 Dave got a YZ125 and loved it. In the fall of 1983 a man named Scott Becker came to visit him at that warehouse. He invited him to ride team in the Dog Run, a members-only day at PTR. He loved the track and all the people he met there. In 1984 he got a KX 125 and wanted to ride more and more at Portland, so he decided to join the track. Scott was president of the club at this time, and his twin sons, Brad and Brett, we're getting really busy in their lives between racing and school, so Scott decided to step down from his presidency.

Dave really liked the way the track was run and got himself elected as secretary in 1985 and 1986. In 1987 he became president. He continued to race the hare scrambles there with Eric Rosendall, and did everything he could to make PTR the best it could be. Dave's presidency lasted until 2002, when he stepped down from his position, but vowed to still stay involved with the finances of the track until the newly purchased land was paid off. PTR, like most tracks, struggled financially year to year. They still had to borrow money periodically from Charlie Burnham through the winter months to pay down the mortgage for the original 40 acres. Something needed to change.

That change came in the late 80s in the form of a man named Matt O'Donnell. Matt was a businessman by trade and he used his business savvy to help make the club more profitable. Matt helped turn the track around financially by running it more as a business and recruiting members and organizing races. He was the vice president under Dave, and the two men are best friends to this day. I know I’ve told you how family oriented this track is, but these two men have lived it. They each have three kids and all six of those kids were raised at the track: working, riding, and racing together as a family.

They're all grown up now, but they have memories to last a lifetime.

One of the best decisions the track made in the late 90s was to purchase an additional 50 acres of land surrounding the original track. Marianne and Ed Eldridge, formerly Marianne Pohl, decided to sell off their property when Marianne's dad said, before he died, to offer the land to PTR before selling it to anyone else. Dave, Matt, and Sid Gallt offered to pay it off on a 20-year land contract. Marianne wanted to build her dream house and signing on the dotted line allowed her to do just that. It was a win-win situation. The track was able to pay off that loan early and is now completely self-sufficient.

That just goes to show you what happens when people work together for the good of everyone involved.

Like today, the track back then ran a limited schedule, with 3 to 6 weekends a season devoted to motocross and quad racing and hare scrambles. In years past, PTR held charity races for Mott Children's Hospital where pros like Nick Wey would come, and the track would donate thousands of dollars to a worthy cause. I tell you this story because it's just another way of illustrating how PTR members work together for the greater good.

We really do strive to make the track a family-friendly place for people to come and participate in the sport that they love.

 Matt O'Donnell and Dave Leathers here with their favorite bikes, a newly restored KX 500 and a 2001 CR 250.

Thank you, gentlemen, for being committed to the betterment of Portland Trail Riders. See you at the track!

I couldn't help but hear the passion in Dave's voice as he spoke about how Portland Trail Riders came to be. The track started with people, like Ernie Selden, who are passionate about motorsports and building a place where people could come to hone their skills, feel a sense of community, and compete with the best of the best. Dave told me a funny story about himself and Ernie. At one of the first hare scrambles on the new land, which was 6 or 7 miles long, Dave's bike blew up. Before too long here came Ernie on his 1972 DT 125 Yamaha to tow him back to the club grounds. Ernie loved that bike. He has spent his whole life in and around PTR and continues to be a devoted member of the club.

He’s a fixture there on race days. Be sure to shake his hand when you see him!

People like Dave and Matt and Ernie are just a few examples of the passionate members who have made the club what it is today. Please consider joining us by becoming a member this year and having a say about how things are done. You have the chance to take your place in our history that your children will enjoy for generations to come.

Call Bryon Hoeve at 517-202-0300 with any questions you may have about membership.

See you at the track! Mark your calendars for this year's race weekends for the big track and the mini track: April 8 – Vintage MX races, Open Practice bikes & quads April 9 – AMA D14 races bikes & quads MATVSC #1 for quads April 22 – Open Practice - bikes & quads April 23 – AMA D14 Races - bikes & quads May 7 – AMA D14 Hare Scramble - mini track racing June 3 – Open Practice bikes & quads June 4 – AMA D14 races - bikes & quads September 16 – MATVSCS #12 race for quads, Open Practice bikes & quads,

Evening Holeshot Contest bikes & quads September 17 – AMA D14 Fall State Championship Series Race for bikes

NO QUADS - Money Moto October 1 – AMA D14 Hare Scramble - bikes & quads - mini track racing

12 March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

Rider's Corner Story submitted by Kevin Lambert Jr | Photo by Mia Moore Something I never thought I'd ever be involved with is being a rider rep for AMA D14, but low and behold thanks to Jeremiah Sherman, I was appointed to the position and began to take on issues that are typically discussed around post race campfires My road here began after having a club tell me to bring any grievances to them, upon doing so I was promptly told I was not a rider rep, therefore my complaint had zero body; since when does a paying customer have no say in the product they are purchasing?

I have been involved with Motorcycle racing(dirt track and ice) for several years and I've raced several Midwest states and even in Canada! Seeing and participating in the different AMA districts and other series provides valuable experience that translate over as a rider rep here in my home state.

As riders, you all have a voice; this voice needs to be heard as we are the ones who are actively participating week after week at D14 events and major contributors to the well being of our District. It is my job and goal to help all of you be heard by the Clubs, Promoters and District representatives, feel free to address any concern of yours, I am always open ears; below is all my contact info and if I cannot help you I will find someone who can, lets keep it on two wheels this season folks, and four wheels for all of our ATV brothers and sisters! Good Luck this season!

Kevin Lambert Jr 403 Seminole Holly Mi 48442 248-245-9919 kevinthegoonlambert@gmail.com

Michigan’s Largest Offroad Dealer



Just 20 minutes north of Lansing, on US127, we are on your way to the tracks and trails of Michigan.

March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 13

NO MORE ICE ICE Submitted by Jeremiah Sherman, Ice Race Chairman

MARCH 2017 - by Steve Beane • Does it seem like a hundred years ago we all got together for the enduro and hare scrambles banquet – enough with winter already, let’s get out and ride! Granted, we have been blessed with an unusually mild winter, and I have actually had wheels in Midwestern dirt in February.

• Indian poked a sluggish bear when they announced that a powerhouse three-man team of Bryan Smith, Brad Baker, and Jared Mees would be competing in the 2017 American Flat Track series on the new Scout FTR750. The aforementioned bear (HD) responded with throwing its factory effort all-in behind the new XG-750R and its three man squad of Kenny Coobeth Jr., Jake Johnson, and Brandon Robinson.

• Speaking of the Scout FTR750, supposedly you’ll be able to buy a ready-to-race bike for $50,000. Traditionally flat track teams have had to build their bikes from the ground up, although TM offers an off-the-shelf 450.

• Supercross is in full swing and at the half-way point it certainly looks like the championship is Ryan Dungey’s to lose. With a full race points lead and only nine rounds remaining, the Minnesota-born, Florida-based KTM rider looks poised to become a four-time SX champ.

• Eli Tomac has been on a tear lately, and has rightfully earned the “fastest man on the track” title on a number of occasions. Tomac’s starts are dulling his chances of dethroning Dungey however.

• There are persistent rumors that Ryan Dungey may hang up his boots after this summers’ outdoor national MX series. He’s said to be evaluating his options in the light of proposed changes to the supercross series for 2018. If retirement is the road he takes, Ryan Dungey will still go down as one of the most dominant motocrossers in history.

• Related to the Dungey/retirement rumor is a Tomac-to-KTM rumor. While it looks like Tomac has finally got his Kawasaki working, his contract is up at year’s end. Trey Canard has been inconsistent in his first year with the orange team, and Tomac has a higher ceiling than current number two man Marvin Musquin.

• The National Enduros are already one race into their schedule, the season’s second Full Gas Sprint Enduro just went off in Macon, Georgia, and the GNCC series is poised to begin … spring has indeed come to American off-roading, even if one needs to drive south to take part.

• Pre-season testing is underway in MotoGP and it looks like a great season is in store.

Rider shuffling and bike updates have Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Ducati scratching and clawing for supremacy. Even KTM is in the game at the top level in 2017. The ban on external fairing wings has led to some interesting developments in front end aerodynamics as teams attempt to keep the front wheels on the ground and the rear wheels driving.

• While US riders battle a rekindled effort by the US Trade Representative to impose a 100% tariff on European motorcycles below 500cc, the European riders are facing judicial action that threatens off-road riding in its entirety. If you’ve ever pondered the consequences of a man backing a tractor and wagon into a stall in a barn, go to enduro21.com and search on “Vnuk”.

• Kailub Russell can already be considered one of the best off-road racers this country has ever seen, and he is trying to join legends Scott Summers and Ed Lojak as a fivetime-consecutive GNCC champion. Lojak tops the heap overall though, with 9 GNCC titles to his name.

For more two-wheel views and insight, catch up the TM- and Beta-mounted PlusOnePerformance crew at D14 races around the Midwest, or look us up at afterhourscycle.com.

The 2017 Ice Racing Season came in roaring like a lion, and before you know it its over before it began. With the first two events loaded over 200 entries we were poised to break a lot of records this season, in the end we had 3 events with a grand total of 600 entries. I would like to thank all of our sponsors for there support this season, Nord Ride Motorsports, LaBarons Motorsports, Lakes Motorsports, Hoosier Racing Tire, Fly Racing, Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, Pivot Works, Team Myers Racing, and Quality Powdercoat of Highland MI. The Banquet Is April 29th in Clio MI. For more information go to www.D14ICE.com 2-5-2017 Owosso Motorsports Park Results: M-1 0-51cc 4-8yrs Shaft: 1. Collin Berta (Yam); 2.

Zain Humphrey (Unk); 3. Seth Bradley (Yam); 4. Andrew Hawley (Yam); 5. Blake Bradish (Yam).

M-2 0-51cc 4-8yrs 3 speed: 1. Evan Myers (Unk); 2. Blake Bradish (Hon); 3. Andrew Hawley (Hon); 4. Hayden Eddy (Hon); 5. Alaynnah Scherer (Hon). M-3 0-51cc 4-8yrs Chain: 1. Dominic Huey (Cob); 2. Blake Bradish (Unk); 3. Evan Myers (Unk); 4. Collin Berta (Unk); 5. Jayce Junga (Ktm).

M-4 52-65cc 6-11 YRS: 1. Dominic Huey (Ktm); 2. Jayden Satkowiak (Ktm); 3. Blake Olmstead (Kaw); 4. Cole Bradley (Drr). M-5 66-85cc 7-15 YRS: 1. Cole Rue (Kaw); 2. Blake Olmstead (Kaw); 3.

Trevor Gatlin (Hon); 4. Preston Conquest (Yam); 5. Wyatt Vaughan (Hon). M-6 86-200cc 12+yrs: 1. Kolby Gyomory (Unk); 2. Kaiden Wittkopp (Hon). M-7 201-250 Open 12+yrs: 1. Troy Barber (Hon); 2. Blake Hazen (Hon); 3. Tyler Lazarowicz (Hon); 4. Brady Bargeron (Hon); 5. Kolby Gyomory (Unk). M-8 251-505cc "A": 1. Logan Walczak (Hon); 2. Matt Rogers (Ktm); 3. Jason Eddy (Yam). M-9 251-505cc "B": 1. Tyler Lazarowicz (Hon); 2. Blake Hazen (Kaw); 3. Troy Barber (Hon); 4. Royden Bernard (Yam); 5. Ryan Meir (Yam). M-10 125-505cc "C": 1. Brady Bargeron (Hon); 2.

Kraig Lazarowicz (Hon); 3. Cory Cousineau (Hon); 4. Pj Hazen (Kaw); 5. Hunter Stuhr (Hon). M-11 250cc Up Open 16+yrs: 1. Tyler Lazarowicz (Hon); 2. Blake Hazen (Kaw); 3. Logan Walczak (Hon); 4. Royden Bernard (Yam). M-12 40 + yrs Open Senior: 1. Steve Heinzelman (Kaw); 2. Kraig Lazarowicz (Hon). M-13 Vintage: 1. William Allen (Unk); 2. Chad Heinzelman (Yam); 3. Bruce Durfy (Yam). M-14 Open A Rubber Solo: 1. William Harrington (Unk); 2. Dustin Cook (Hon); 3. Joe Barnes (Yam); 4. Donald Volkman (Hon); 5. Kameran Miller (Yam). M-15 Open B Rubber Solo: 1. Ryan Helvie (Hon); 2. Jack Overfield (Kaw); 3. Kevin Shook (Yam); 4. Phillip Poore (Hon); 5. Anothony Hawley (Hon). M-16 0-360cc Sidecar: 1. Launce Sulaty (Hon); 2. Blair Bersano (Suz); 3. Tom Blatt (Hon); 4. Nicholas Stefanski (Hon); 5. Larry Helvie (Hon). M-17 361-505cc Sidecar: 1. Launce Sulaty (Hon); 2. Don Payne (Yam); 3. Gregory Bradish (Hon); 4. Jared Ralph (Yam); 5. Wade Garris (Yam).

M-18 506 Up Open Sidecar: 1. Nicholas Stefanski (Hon); 2. Douglas Schuhmacher (Hon); 3. Don Payne (Yam); 4. Dustin Cook (Hon). M-19 Hack Open Solo: 1. Don Payne (Yam); 2. Gregory Bradish (Hon); 3. Ryan Helvie (Hon); 4. Randy Wilson (Hon); 5. Suzanne Tice (Hon). M-20 Womans Open: 1. Landrey Hazen (Kaw); 2. Makayla Kurchak (Hon); 3. Haley Lazarowicz (Hon). P-1 Lightweights Passenger: 1. Launce Sulaty Ii (Hon); 2. Michael Revor Sr (Suz); 3. Clifford Hanel Jr (Hon); 4. Douglas Schuhmacher (Hon); 5. Ryan Helvie (Hon). P-2 Middleweights Passenger: 1. Launce Sulaty Ii (Hon); 2. Bruce Durfy (Yam); 3. Noah Alessi (Hon); 4. Robert Ralph (Yam); 5. Mike Bradish (Yam).

P-3 Heavyweights Passenger: 1. Tom Blatt (Hon); 2. Clifford Hanel Jr (Hon); 3. Bruce Durfy (Yam); 4. Taylor Thomas (Unk). Q-1 Quad 450 A Studded: 1. Jonathan Stierle (Hon); 2. Jacob Hall (Hon); 3. Jacob Turner (Hon); 4. Tyler Deister (Hon); 5. Jeremiah Sherman (Hon). Q-2 Quad 450 B Studded: 1. Brandon Hall (Hon); 2. James White (Hon); 3. Tre Scherer (Hon); 4. Taylor Thomas (Unk).

Q-3 Quad Veteran Open 35+yrs: 1. Jeremiah Sherman (Hon); 2. James White (Hon); 3. Timothy Scherer Jr (Yam); 4. Brook Thornton (Hon); 5. David Brecht Jr (Hon). Q-4 Quad Open Studded: 1. John Scherer (Yam); 2. Ryan Wilkinson (Yam); 3. Jeremiah Sherman (Hon); 4. Brandon Hall (Hon); 5. David Brecht Jr (Hon). Q-5 Quad Open Non Studded: 1. Glenn Dingman (Hon); 2. Douglas Schuhmacher (Yam); 3. James Jones (Yam); 4. Steven Wright (Yam); 5. Randy Wilson (Hon). Q-6 Quad 0-90cc Studded 6-12yr: 1. Joseph Maiuri (Hon); 2. Cole Bradley (Drr); 3. Damon Lalonde (Unk); 4. Seth Bradley (Yam). Q-7 Quad 91-250cc 12+: 1. Tre Scherer (Hon); 2. Adam Claspell (Hon).

C-1 Combo Open Quad: 1. Jacob Turner (Hon); 2. John Scherer (Yam); 3. Jonathan Stierle (Hon); 4. Jacob Hall (Hon); 5. Tyler Deister (Hon). C-2 Combo Open Bike: 1. Bradley Branda (Hon); 2. Kyle Vanconant (Hon). P-1 LIGHTWEIGHT PASSENGER: 1. Launce Sulaty Ii (Hon); 2. Michael Revor Sr (Suz); 3. Clifford Hanel Jr (Hon); 4. Douglas Schuhmacher (Hon); 5. Ryan Helvie (Hon). P-2 MIDDLEWEIGHT PASSENGER: 1. Launce Sulaty Ii (Hon); 2. Bruce Durfy (Yam); 3. Noah Alessi (Hon); 4.

Robert Ralph (Yam); 5. Mike Bradish (Yam). P-3 HEAVYWEIGHT PASSENGER: 1. Tom Blatt (Hon); 2.

Clifford Hanel Jr (Hon); 3. Bruce Durfy (Yam); 4. Taylor Thomas (Unk).

14 March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

Team Michigan EDT Racing

Story submitted by Jeremiah Sherman I've heard at the local dirt tracks time and time again, "well ya know the quads they tend to come and go over the years". I'm here to say I know where a lot of them end up, at least at one point or another. Extreme Dirt Track Nationals is where Flat Track Atv Racers aspire to ride! For those unfamiliar, Extreme Dirt Track Racing is generally flat ATV TT Course, and could range in definition as ATV/MX on smooth clay. The groove is 50 feet wide throughout the course that could range from 1/2 mile to a couple miles.

Classes could have between 10-40 entrants at any of the 8 nationals we'll be hitting.

Local Motorcyclist sponsors four Professional Flat track racers in the 2017 season Story and photo submitted by Vic Jones

Team Michigan EDT has been formed with the concentrated goal of bringing national championships back to the great state of Michigan. By combining the experience, and resources of the accomplished riders on our team, we have everything we need to accomplish our goals. We have combined experience over 100 years and all the dedicated racing assets that we need.

I am personally a late comer to the sport at 38 now, I've been in ice racing forever but never got into the dirt because there were not to may quads around the local tracks.

Through promoting ice races, and growing those ATV classes we brought the two worlds together and added ridership to both sides. Now several riders are making there way up the national ranks, most recently our very own #27 Jonathon Stierle has been promoted to the Professional Class this last fall.

Team Michigan EDT needs your support so we can bring as many National Championships back to Michigan as possible! Please check out our Team Page on Facebook, come see us at the many D14 Dirt Track Events this summer! Thanks to Hoosier Racing Tire, FSR, Sherman Motorsports, Walsh Race Craft, and Lakes Motorsports.

2017 Team Roster Jon Stierle Tyler Diester Johnny Scherer Jacob Turner Jacob Hall Jeremiah Sherman Ryan Wilkinson Morgan Findley Charlie Sherman

Class Pro, Pro AM Pro Lite, Pro Am Open A, Pro Lite Open A, Pro Lite Open A, Pro Trike Open B, 35+ Open C, 25+ 90cc, Super Mini 50cc

Admin Chairman Senior Advisor Team Captain Tire Analysis Trackside Support Public Relations Engineering Photographer Team Mom

Jeremiah Sherman Mike Stierle Jon Stierle Johnny Scherer Jason Hall Jacob Turner Jason Sweeten Sarah Scherer Kayla Marantette

2017 Schedule • April 2 • April 3 • April 21 • April 22 • May 20 • June 10 • July 22 • Aug 19 • Sept 16

Bellville IL Bellville IL Kinston NC Kinston NC Geneva NY Milan MI Ashtabula OH Busco Beach NC Hamlin PA

Goon Glass and Rubber has stepped up to the plate this year and provided four professional racers with equipment necessary to complete the gruelling race AFT series that spans coast to coast and has its series opener in Daytona this March.

We are on a mission, we are focused, we are working together on everything. ~J Sherman

These riders have received a fiberglass seat, 3 sets of carbon fiber fork guards and other needed items to include number plates and footpeg rubbers. Kevin Lambert Stated, "all these guys guys are real winners who put in hours of work after their day jobs and need that extra money to make it through the season, Im glad I can help out!" the value of the sponsorship is around $500.

Riders are as follows • Cory Texter • J.R. Addison • Justin Jones • Ben Lowe

 "I am very proud to have these guys representing the products I make." said Lambert.

Lambert said he is particularly proud of Ben Lowe, " this kid goes to school at u of m, comes home and works with his Dads Excavating company and than spends his free time working on his machines, he does not ask for anything and works his tail off! That's what I like about him, if he wants it, he's gonna work for it %110, and he's a good kid! As are all these riders, Addison swings hammer and Jones works as a heavy equipment operator!".

You can see these fine gentleman tearing up the track at all Aft races this year. Best of luck to you!

March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 15

ENDURO REPORT

by BILL SMITH photos by Mackenzie & Carly Smith Congratulations to the 2016 District 14 Enduro Award Winners!

2x Grand Champion: A Overall Champion: B Overall Champion: C Overall Champion:

Tyler Vore Corey Parlin Chris Christman Bo Hatfield

Top 12 / AA for 2017 1. Tyler Vore 2. Martin Ryerson 3. Corey Parlin 4. Eric Briggs 5. Kiel Mueller 6. Talon Soenksen

7. Ryan Moss 8. Owen Hufnagel 9. Greg Nottingham 10. Logan Densmore 11. Tommy Cox 12. Greg May

 60 Plus - Jeff Fisher, Jeff Kirkwood, Jerry Pekel, John Bombyk

AA 1. Martin Ryerson 2. Eric Briggs 3. Talon Soenksen 4. Kiel Mueller A 200 1. Scott Allen 2. Jeremy Pelaston A 250 1. Tommy Cox 2. Eddy Cox 3. Brett Dubois 4. Edwin Novak

 2x Enduro Grand Champion - Tyler Vore

A Open 1. Chase Cain 2. Greg Nottingham 3. Craig Hamilton 4. Clayton Erb 5. Kyle Oberlin A 30+ 1. Jerry Schroeder Jr 2. Greg May 3. Fred Kraemer 4. Neal Soenksen

ENDURO continued on page 18

Womens Class - Taylor Carpenter, Tina Flegel A 200 - Scott Allen, Jeremy Pelaston

16 March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

2017 AMA D14 EVENTS Be sure to check back next month for possible updates to this schedule as late changes and corrections due occur after the initial posting. Any changes will be noted in RED.

ICE CHAIRPERSON ........ Jeremiah Sherman VICE CHAIR – MX.................Joe Barns

FEBRUARY 05 12 17

26

Owosso Motorsports ....... Owosso Port Huron MC ...........Port Huron ICE RACE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP Sherman Motorsports .......Cadillac ICE RACE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP Sherman Motorsports .......Cadillac ICE RACE GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP Sherman Motorsports .......Cadillac Valley Trail Riders ........... Bentley

05

Owosso Motorsports ....... Owosso

18 19

MARCH

ATV MX CHAIRPERSON ....................Bob Miller VICE CHAIR – MX............... Chad Reed  = Michigan State Championship Race

APRIL 08 08 09  15 16 22 23 

Open Practice................ Portland Twisted MX ....................... Milan Portland Trail Riders ....... Portland Valley MX ...................... Stanton Valley MX ...................... Stanton Open Practice................ Portland Portland Trail Riders ....... Portland

07 20  20 21 28 

Cadillac MC ...................Cadillac Battle Creek MC .......Battle Creek Vallen MX ...................... Stanton Valley MX ...................... Stanton Baja Acres ...................Millington

03 04 17  18  24 25 

Open Practice................ Portland Portland Trail Riders ....... Portland Battle Creek MC .......Battle Creek Battle Creek MC .......Battle Creek Twisted MX ....................... Milan Twisted MX ....................... Milan

MAY

JUNE

JULY

01 Valley MX ...................... Stanton 02  Valley MX ...................... Stanton

15 29 30

Grattan MX .................... Belding Twisted MX ....................... Milan Twisted MX ....................... Milan

11 24

12  13  26 27

Big Air MX .................... Newago Big Air MX .................... Newago Twisted MX ....................... Milan Twisted MX ....................... Milan

15

03  04 10 16  30 

Valley MX ...................... Stanton Valley MX ...................... Stanton Cadillac MC ...................Cadillac Portland Trail Riders ....... Portland Twisted MX ....................... Milan

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

01 Twisted MX ....................... Milan 14  Valley MX ...................... Stanton

JULY 16 29 30

Mini Moose FES ..........Marquette Matthers FES ..........Matthews, IN Muddobers MC Grapevine FES ................Lawton Hardcore Jesus Freaks Kuckle Buster ..............Greenville Knuckle Buster Riders Pine Cone FES ......... Moorestown Jack Pine ................ Moorestown Lansing MC

AUGUST 13

20

Summer Bummer ........Roselawn, IN Hill & Gully Riders MUDDOBBER NATIONAL Muddobbers MC ......Matthews, IN

SEPTEMBER 09

Loose Moose Hard Enduro (no pts) UP Sandstormers .........Marquette Treaty City FES .... Greenville, OH Twin Lake Enduro ........... Twin Lake Lakeshore Singletrack Riders Club

ATV XC

09 17

CHAIRPERSON ............... Kevin Fleszar VICE CHAIR..................... Mark Becker VICE CHAIR (ATV) ......... Chad Teachout

OCTOBER

APRIL

21

Fife Lake FES ................. Fife Lake Turkey Gobbler FES ...New Paris, IN Turkey Creek ......... New Paris, IN Riders MC Peace Pipe .......... Greenville, OH Treaty City MC

NOVEMBER

09

Plymouth Black Hawks ..Culver, IN

04 05

07

Portland Trail Riders ....... Portland

12

04 18

Bent Wheels CC .......... Rose City Valley Trail Riders ........... Bentley

23

Plymouth Black Hawks ..Culver, IN

05 13

NATIONAL Battle Creek MC .......Battle Creek Valley Trail Riders ........... Bentley

01

Portland Trail Riders ....... Portland

MAY

JUNE JULY

AUGUST

OCTOBER

ENDURO CHAIRPERSON .................Mike Maurer VICE CHAIR.................... Mark Beltinck FAMILY ENDURO (FES)......Mike Maurer ( DATES INCLUDE FES )

APRIL 22 23

30

Sand Booger FES .. Roselawn, IN Sand Goblin .......... Roselawn, IN Grand Kankakee Trail Riders TBD FES ................. Northern MI

JUNE 10

Loose Moose...............Marquette UP Sandstormers

FLA T TRACK CHAIRPERSON ............. Joseph Barnes VICE CHAIR................. Jennifer Barnes

MAY 06 05 13 14 20 21

ST ........Owosso Motorsports Park TT ........Owosso Motorsports Park HM ........... Croswell FG / Helvie Rain Date ... Croswell FG / Helvie ST .................. Lucky Thumb MC TT .................. Lucky Thumb MC

03 04 10 11 17 18

HM ............ Croswell FG / Helvie Rain Date ... Croswell FG / Helvie ST ......................Polka Dots MC ST .....................Polka Dots MC ST .................. Lucky Thumb MC TT .................. Lucky Thumb MC

08

ST ........Owosso Motorsports Park

JUNE

JULY

09 15 16 22 23 29 30

TT ........Owosso Motorsports Park HM STATE CHAMPIONSHIP .. tbd RAINDATE ...........................tbd ST .................. Lucky Thumb MC TT .................. Lucky Thumb MC TT .......................Muskegon MC TT .......................Muskegon MC

05 06 19 20 26 27

ST ......................Polka Dots MC ST ......................Polka Dots MC TT .......................Muskegon MC TT .......................Muskegon MC TT ...............Owosso Motorsports TT ...............Owosso Motorsports

09

ST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP ..................... Lucky Thumb MC TT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP ..................... Lucky Thumb MC Rain Date - ST ....... Lucky Thumb Rain Date - TT ....... Lucky Thumb

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER 10 16 17

HARE SCRAMBLES CHAIRPERSON ............... Kevin Fleszar VICE CHAIR..................... Mark Becker VICE CHAIR (ATV) ......... Chad Teachout

APRIL 09

Plymouth Black Hawks ..Culver, IN

07 22

Portland Trail Riders ....... Portland Toledo Trail Riders.....Jerome, OH

04 18

Bent Wheels CC .......... Rose City Valley Trail Riders ........... Bentley

23

Plymouth Black Hawks ..Culver, IN

06 13 27

NATIONAL Battle Creek MC .......Battle Creek Valley Trail Riders ........... Bentley Polka Dots MC ...............Midland

10 23

Evergreen Creek .............. Vassar Brain Dead Racing .......... Comins

01

Portland Trail Riders ....... Portland

MAY

JUNE JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 17

2017 AMA D14 EVENTS HILL CLIMB

CHAIRPERSON ................. John Radke VICE CHAIR.......................Brix McFee

MAY 31

Goshen Ironhorseman Goshen, IN

10 11

Muskegon MC ..............Bridgeton Muskegon MC ..............Bridgeton

27

Goshen Ironhorseman Goshen, IN

JUNE

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER 23 24

Muskegon MC ..............Bridgeton STATE CHAMPIONSHIP Muskegon MC ..............Bridgeton

MOT0 CROSS

CHAIRPERSON ............... Kreg Bigelow  = MI State Championship - Max Points  = Womens/Girls MX Series

APRIL

08 Twisted MX ....................... Milan 09 Twisted MX ....................... Milan 09  Portland Trail Riders ....... Portland 15 Valley MX ...................... Stanton 16 Valley MX ...................... Stanton 23  Bulldog Riders ..............Millington 23 Portland Trail Riders ....... Portland 29 Big Air MX .................... Newago 30 Big Air MX .................... Newago

MAY 07 07 13

Bulldog Riders ..............Millington Cadillac MC ...................Cadillac LORETTA LYNN QUALIFIER Baja Acres ...................Millington 14 LORETTA LYNN QUALIFIER Baja Acres ...................Millington 14  Polka Dots MC ...............Midland 20 Valley MX ...................... Stanton 21  Valley MX ...................... Stanton 21 Battle Creek MC .......Battle Creek 28 Baja Acres ...................Millington

JUNE

03 Big Air MX .................... Newago 04 Big Air MX .................... Newago 04 Portland Trail Riders ....... Portland 10 Grattan Raceway............. Belding 11  Grattan Raceway............. Belding 17 Battle Creek MC .......Battle Creek 18  Battle Creek MC .......Battle Creek 24 Twisted MX ....................... Milan

25 25

Twisted MX ....................... Milan

 Cadillac MC ...................Cadillac JULY

01 Valley MX ...................... Stanton 02 Valley MX ...................... Stanton 08 Big Air MX .................... Newago 09  Big Air MX .................... Newago 15 Grattan Raceway............. Belding 16 Grattan Raceway............. Belding 23  Polka Dots MC ...............Midland 29 Twisted MX ....................... Milan 30 Twisted MX ....................... Milan

AUGUST 06  Cadillac MC ...................Cadillac

12 Big Air MX .................... Newago 13 Big Air MX .................... Newago 20  Battle Creek MC .......Battle Creek 26 Grattan Raceway............. Belding 26 Twisted MX ....................... Milan 27  Grattan Raceway............. Belding 27 Twisted MX ....................... Milan

SEPTEMBER

02 Baja Acres ...................Millington 03 Baja Acres ...................Millington 04 Baja Acres ...................Millington 10 Cadillac MC ...................Cadillac 10 Polka Dots MC ...............Midland 17  Portland Trail Riders ....... Portland 23 Big Air MX .................... Newago 24  Big Air MX .................... Newago 30 Twisted MX ....................... Milan

OCTOBER 01  Twisted MX ....................... Milan 08  Bulldog Riders ..............Millington

14 Valley MX ...................... Stanton 15  Valley MX ...................... Stanton 21 Twisted MX ....................... Milan 22 Twisted MX ....................... Milan 28 Baja Acres ...................Millington 29  Baja Acres ...................Millington

VINTAGE MX CHAIRPERSON ............. Steve Baginski

APRIL 08 23

Portland Trail Riders ....... Portland Bulldog Riders ..............Millington

07 20 21

Bulldog Riders ..............Millington Battle Creek MC .......Battle Creek Battle Creek MC .......Battle Creek

04 25

Big Air MX .................... Newago Cadillac MC ...................Cadillac

02 22

Valley MX ...................... Stanton Polka Dots MC ...............Midland

13 27

Log Road MX .............Coldwater Twisted MX ....................... Milan

09

Polka Dots MC ...............Midland

MAY

JUNE JULY

ENDURO – D14Enduro.org MX – D14MX.com ICE – ICE.s3webcenter.com

BattleCreekMotorcycleClub.com BentWheels.com BigAirMotocross.com

6. Michigan State Championship Series Requirements: Riders must participate in a minimum of 5 races to be eligible for yearend awards with best of 10 races counted. Yearend awards will be awarded up to 3rd place provided the minimum races are met in a specific class. Michigan State Championship Series events will pay maximum points regardless of rider turnout. (Sunday Races Only) RIDER REP POSITION: Listed as Eric Miller. The position is OPEN.

SEPTEMBER

Kreg Bigelow (810) 965-864

BullDogMX.com CadillacMC.com FlintMotorcycleClub.com GKTrailRiders.com GrattanRaceway.com LansingMotorcycleClub.org

BajaMX.com

SHOULD

DIVISION CHAIR'S PHONE NUMBER WAS INCORRECT, should be:

ONLINE D14 – AMA-D14.org

MISCELLANEOUS #6 READ AS FOLLOWS:

AUGUST

FIND THEM

AMA – AmericanMotorcyclist.com

MX RULE CORRECTIONS

LuckyThumbMotorcycleClub.com MidwestEnduros.com (Hill & Gully) MichiganVintageMotocross.com MuddobbersMC.org MuskegonMotorcycleClub.com

Be sure to visit these websites often during the season and offseason to make sure you’re up to date on the latest and greatest!

OwossoMotorsportsPark.com PHMC-USA.com PolkaDotsMC.net PortlandTrailRiders.com RidersMC.org TheValleyTrailRiders.org ToledoTrailRiders.com TwistedMXMilan.com ValleyMotocross.com UPSandStormers.com

18 March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

 A 30 - Neal Soenksen, Fred Kraemer, Jerry Schroeder

 A 50 - Vic Flegel, Kevin Allen

ENDURO continued from page 9 Dustin Fox Mark Beltinck Bill Fowler

A 50+ 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

B 50+ 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Mark Adams Kirk Tolly Kurt Haveri Bill Fritz Fred Briggs

Kevin Allen Dale Deveau Vic Flegel Mikey Greenman Bruce Mueller

C ≤ 29 1.

2.

3.

4.

Jack Vonderwerth Evan Harrison Glenn Sipes Joe Kraemer

B 200 1.

2.

3.

Stan Szlachciuk Shaun Duffey Don White

B 250 1.

2.

C 30+ 1.

2.

3.

4.

Andy Parlin Matt Heeres Todd Fogle Scott Diekman

Derek Heisler Adam Harner

C 50+ 1.

2.

3.

4.

James Cain Paul Keener-Shipp Dicky Bhagat Alex Shull

60+ 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Jeff Fisher Jeff Kirkwood Jerry Pekel Vernon Pacholke John Bombyk

A 40+ 1.

2.

3.

A Open - Kyle Oberlin, Clayton Erb, Greg Nottingham, Craig Hamilton, Chase Cain

B Open 1.

Christian Tucker 2.

Bennett Sutton 3.

Alex Mangani B 30+ 1.

2.

3.

Shawn Zendler Jim Johnson Brian Hiatt

B 40+ 1.

2.

3.

4.

Zach Park Matt Bushore David White Brian Scram

Women 1.

Tina Flegel 2.

Taylor Carpenter 3.

Kelsey Pacholke

A 40 - Mark Beltinck, Dustin Fox, Bill Fowler

March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 19

 Memory Scrapbook 1

Overall C Champion - Bo Hatfield

Memory Scrapbook 2

Overall B Champion - Chris Christman Shirley and Enduro Vice Chair Mark Beltinck (she makes him look good!)

ENDURO BANQUET PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGES 22-23, 24-25 & 31

20 March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

FLESZAR GAZETTE

Story and photos submitted by Kevin Fleszar, Hare Scramble Chairman

 2016 Hare Scramble State Champion, Joe McNeil Fellow Racers…..

Our end of the year banquet was held on January 28, 2017. I believe it was successful and everyone in attendance had a great night.

Now that the five second commercial from Fleszar Powersports is over with……. on to some quick news.

I would like to say THANK YOU to the following sponsors for donations or discounts on product: Magnum Distributing, Tucker Rocky, Western Powersports, RK Chains, Maxima, NGK, Renthal, Enduro Engineering, Polka Dots Motorcycle Club, and Fleszar Powersports. If I forgot to mention someone I apologize. Also would like to thank Mark Becker for handling the embroidery work on our jackets and sweatshirts. (No he did not hand stitch them all haha)

Our “P” class or 0-65 class, now has a maximum wheel size. This will allow the fast but smaller in height kids to race their 50 Sr bikes.

I would also like to THANK the clubs for donating a full gate and entry fee for the 2017 season. Those being: Plymouth Blackhawks, Portland Trail Riders, Toledo Trail Riders, Bent Wheels M/C, Valley Trial Riders, Battle Creek M/C, Polka Dots M/C, Evergeen Creek, and Brain Dead Racing.

In all we had $9000.00 in product to give away and by going through my shop, Fleszar Powersports, we were able to save the Hare Scramble points fund almost $5000.00. Just to make it clear, Fleszar Powersport did not make a penny from, Sherry or I, getting the prizes through our company.

Whatever dealer cost was, is what the points fund paid.

Also the one rule we all passed regarding the enduro and mx racers requiring them to run the same class in hare scrambles was denied by AMA per their rule book. Just to clarify enduro racers HAVE to run the same class (If you are an B enduro rider then you are an B hare scrambler and so forth!). Also speaking of rider classification, those that are being moved up should of received a letter from the AMA. I will try to have a list posted on the website soon. (HINT: If you won your class you are moving up. There are a lot of X and R riders moving up as well.)

Lastly, the race on 9/23/17 is up in Comins, Michigan put on by Brain Dead Racing (Fleszar family and friends). Those familiar with the Grizzly enduro, it is about 4 – 5 miles north but not using any of their trail. This is an all new location and more details will be coming.

REMEMBER……our racing season begin April 9, 2017 in Plymouth Indiana!

March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 21

22 March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

ENDURO BANQUET PHOTOS CONTINUED

And behind door #1 we have....

 A250 - Eddy Cox, Tommy Cox

B 30 - Brian Hiatt, Shawn Zendler

 B 40 David White, Brian Scram, Zach Park Mark Beltinck and Bill Smith making sure we hit the bar revenue minimum!

March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 23 ENDURO BANQUET PHOTOS CONTINUED AA - Talon Soenksen, Eric Briggs, Martin Ryerson

B 200 - Don White, Stan Szlachciuk

Part of the Enduro Grand Champion Award Package  Nearly set a record with 375 attendees

24 March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

ENDURO BANQUET PHOTOS CONTINUED

 B 50 - Fred Briggs, Bill Fritz, Kurt Haveri, Mark Adams

B Open - Alex Mangani, Christian Tucker, Bennett Sutton

Overall A Champion - Corey Parlin

Thank you for the awesome Yeti Cooler!

Enduro Award Jackets Back

ENDURO BANQUET PHOTOS CONTINUED

March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 25

 Enduro Award Jackets - 82 were handed out!

C 50 - James Cain, Alex Shull

C 30 - Scott Diekman, Todd Fogle, Andy Parlin, Matt Heeres

Enduro Awards - Trophies, Jackets, and Bike Stands

26 March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

DISTRICT 14 MOTOCROSS 2016 BANQUET CELEBRATION Story by Team Freelin, Photos Courtesy of Steve Baginski, D14 Vintage Chairman

A night to celebrate, a night to enjoy your competitors, a night to party like it’s 1999. Every year the motocross division of District 14 names its Championship racers. This year was not different. Over 500 people came together, January 28th, in Sterling Heights, to participate in the event.

Wyndham Gardens hotel/resort is a favored spot for this night. They offer unrivaled event space, as well as the only hotel with its own water park. You can find many a D14 racing champion playing in the water park before/after the banquet celebration.

This past 2016 season the motocross division was lucky to have a great set of sponsors who give event awards, help with the award fund, and lend their name to the district all in the name of the divisions two series: D-14 Motocross Championship series: Top 10 places (Minimum 8 races) AND Michigan State Championship Series: Top 3 places (Minimum 5 races). This list of sponsors include: Lasco Ford, MMCR, MCR Suspension, Illusive Gloves, Fly Racing, Magic Racing, Magnum Motorsports, Belray, Tech Care Suspension, Fox Racing, Ray C’s Extreme, David Allen Motorsports, Mandingo Pickles, Zeigler Motorsports, Al Serra, Rockys, Rosenau Powersports, Phillips Insurance, No-Toil, FCA, and Genthe Powersports.

The division is also lucky and honored to represent, by way of contingency dates the following manufacturers: Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Husky and Cobra.

Jeremy Jett was well deserved of the Parent of the Year Award

For the last few years the banquet has had the golden voice of Jeremie Sparrer acting as Master of Ceremony. Gifted with the art of gab, and knowing most every rider, he lends a smooth sound to keep the banquet moving, filled with interviews, humor, and play-by-play announcement.

MX Division Chairman Kreg Bigelow, host of the event, made sure every corner was covered. The ticket sales for this event runs flawlessly with Amy Moreland handling the logistics of all tickets. She is also master of the award, making sure that the banquet awards presented to these champions are memorable and worthy of the hard work put in to the season. District 14 Vintage Chairman – Steve Baginski was on hand as acting photographer.

Many other club/promoter volunteers are on hand to set up, tear down, provide security, handle admission into the event, and more. It’s time to give back to the racers and all the families that attend to cheer on their favorite rider. Throughout the season all these people work tirelessly to provide the best facilities for you to race at. When the crowning moment happens, it is with great happiness that we get to enjoy, with you, this night of celebration.

Congratulations to EVERY 2016 champion. We look forward to another great season in 2017. For more information make sure to check out online www.D14MX.com and on facebook at facebook.com/AMA-District-14-Motocross-Racing.

The Door Prize table has been growing each year!

Tres Mckee took home the Rider of the Year Award

MX Donations is a great way to help give back to the MX racers who need it the most

March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 27

Girls – Alayna Stuckman, Sara Hale, Ashley Keller, Kara Bigelow, Alyssa Mckee and Jade De Vaney

Rosenau Powersports is also a big part of D14 MX Sponsorships 85 9-13 – Christopher Blackmer, Cole Rue, Kanon Bigelow, Travis Mabilangan, Cameron Martin, Jonathon Hanner, Logan Wellman, Kayden Keller, Leland Golaszewski and Matthew Taylor

50 Trail Winners – Jaden Wooster, Collin Berta, Colt Bonstell, Hunter Delp, Tony Longo, Calla Thomas and Wyatt Marshall

50ss – Logan Skover, Blaine Allsop, Jaden Wooster, Colline Berta, Tony Longo, Hunter Delp, Aaron Larue and Emma Martin

250C – Colin Springer, Brett Henderson, Mike Campbell, Ryder Storms, Dallas Redfield, Randy Kinne, Marcus Reese and Jared Bender

Magic Racing continues their support in the MX community

Illusive Gloves has been making a strong presence in D14 MX

28 March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

The Beane Report story and photos by Steve Beane

Full Gas Sprint Enduro Off-Road Racing in the Age of Instant Gratification

If someone asked you what a motocross race was, you would likely answer the question something like this – a number of riders on long-travel dirt bikes racing bar-to-bar for a predetermined time or number of laps over a generally wide but rough course consisting of corners, straights, and jumps.

Racers line up behind a starting gate for a live engine start, and conclude the race when a race official waves a checkered flag to the leading rider.

Each moto may last as few as 12 minutes or as long as 25 (typically).

If the same person asked you to describe a modern (aka restart) enduro, they might describe a small group of riders leaving a starting area more-orless single file at a specified time after the riders in front of them, then traversing an off-road course of varying width across a variety of terrains and obstacles, attempting to reach a finish line some unknown distance in the fuTomorrow’s stars today getting ready to tackle the cross test ture, with the goal being to arrive there in the shortest period of time. After reaching the finish line for that stage, there may be a section of trail where the elapsed time is not recorded, after which the riders contest another stage, and so on and so on until all stages have been completed. An odometer reading for the day may reach in excess of 70 miles.

to get our transponders and walk the cross and enduro tests. Michigander Bob Bergman was busy ribboning the enduro test as we headed into the woods – he’s been down south racing and working with the Kenda tire crew, and even helping out with track prep. Every inch of the course was doubled-ribboned – think about that … there was at least 10 MILES of ribbon surrounding the track.

Steve and Race were confident about their chances on the enduro test, but we all gulped a little when we walked the cross test.

Originally envisioned as a natural moto / grass track segment, this cross test featured a full-fledged moto track with huge rollers, a couple steep downhills, and a rather large table top. It’s possible that the layout was the same as when I last visited in 1995, but it sure looked bigger now.

Supposedly the sprint enduro format combines the best of both the motocross and enduro disciplines - late last month I had the chance to make the short (hah) trip to Georgia to check out the Kenda Full Gas Sprint Enduro series and see if that was true.

Created three years ago by Jason Hooper after studying similar series in Europe, the “full gas” part of the name comes from the nature of the game – you run WOT (or close to it) for a short period of time, several times, over “cross” (from motocross) and “enduro” sections. Individual riders leave the line with a 5-15 second gap, and then race a section.

Section length is dependent on the acreage and terrain of the hosting venue, but the goal appears to have roughly equal length “cross” and “enduro” tests, based on the clock. Six to eight minute sections are typical, and on a normal day every rider would complete three passes of the two different segments. Each section is timed, the scores are tabulated, and a winner is declared based on the lowest cumulative elapsed time.

A riders’ section time is posted on a video monitor a couple yards from the finish line to each test.

When you’re from the Midwest, racing in the winter means a lot of driving, and that certainly was true in this case. Steve and Race Vollmar had made the offer of racing a FGSE too good to pass up, so the first stop after Dearborn was West Unity, OH. At about 4 o’clock on Thursday my favorite little 2t, the TM144, got snuggled into the back of the waiting Transit van along with the requisite gear and gas jugs, and off we went.

The drive to Macon, GA was split in two, with an overnight stay in Knoxville,TN at about the halfway point. We made it to the the Echeconnee MX Park Friday afternoon in time

 Not rusty at all …

FULL GAS continued next page

March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 29

Dirt Track Sponsorship Opportunity!

ATTENTION All D14 FLAT TRACK AMATEURS KIDS AND ADULTS: Goon Glass and Rubber is looking to sponsor one Michigan amateur racer's class fee and gate fee for the season opener at Hastings requirements are as follows...

1. Current academic status (photo of report card) 2. Outside race activities i.e. community service, boy scouts, ext.

3. Current employment (adults) 4. 500 word essay with photos on one of the following: a. Who inspires you as a racer and why? b. Why you Love flat track racing ? c. Why did you start flat track racing? d. Who is the greatest Flat Tracker ever; why?

5. Photo of Yourself Adults are eligible for this as well; all entries must be submitted via email and there will be a special surprise for all participants ;) . I will pay Ryan Helvie in advance for your entry.

 Rex Beauchamp of Drayton Plains (Waterford now) resident who passed in 1988 doing what he loved!

Kevin Lambert Jr. kevinthegoonlambert@gmail.com

FULL GAS continued The mini program ran first, with riders taking turns at the cross test and then the enduro test. Just like the big-bike riders, the minis utilized the starting chutes adjacent to the finish line of each section.

Big bikes started at 11, with the Pros first onto the cross test. There was no rush to get to the starting gate, so we watched the first ten riders tackle the cross test. There’s no doubt the first section catered to Ryan Sipes’ strengths, seeing as he is a former top pro motocrosser. The advantage was magnified when the organizers decided to stop running the enduro test after just two of the three planned rotations.

Steve, Race, and I had only identified three potential trouble spots on the enduro course when we walked it Friday night, and sure enough one of those spots had turned nasty. With the course ribboned about eight foot wide in the woods, what should have been a minor mud hazard became a soupy bike-swallowing mess. If it had been Valley Trail Riders hosting the event, the situation would have found a selfremedy with a much wider section being opened up as riders found a way through or around the mud. Instead the entire section was shut down until the organizers could cut entirely new trail to bypass the low spot. Consequently we ran 4 cross tests Saturday, along with two enduro tests. In an effort to balance things out, four enduro tests were contested Sunday, with only two moto loops. Stu Baylor used his woods prowess to overcome Sipes’ moto speed and clinch the Sunday and overall classifications. __________________________________________________________ There’s no settling into a pace with Sprint Enduro – you’ve got to be ready to pull the trigger as soon as you break the beam on every test. Superior fitness never hurts, but total riding time for the weekend was about an hour and a half – you’re not likely to wear anybody down and win that way. The ability to see scores immediately upon exiting the course lets you compare your times to your previous runs and gauge the competition, and it was amazing to see how the game is won and lost by seconds. Is it the wave of the future for off-road racing? The old-school me says I hope not, while the new-school me says maybe …

The choice to race the TM144 instead of the Beta 350 was made minutes before I left for Georgia … if you’d like to find out why, or sample some of the finest off-road bikes Italy has ever produced, contact us through the email link at afterhourscycle. com.

Over 25+ Years Providing Support to Local & International Riders!

MATT CROWN RACING { Suspension + Performance }

Complete Line of

SUSPENSION SERVICE from Beginner to Pro!

PRIVATE & GROUP MX TRAINING! UPS DAILY ... Quick Turn Around!!

4185 Blood Road, PO Box 65 • Metamora, MI 48455

810.678.2617 Over 30+ Years Racing Experience!

MC R S US PE N S ION . COM

30 March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

S TICKSETT C) $30 (

racer EE, unless R F r e d n U 5& ns are .

Reservatio APRIL 7TH N A H T R E AT be DUE NO L r may not o o d e th t ow Tickets a nding on h e p e d le b a avail rve nd, so rese many atte ASAP! your seats

Jeremiah J. Sherman 989-621-8701

D14 Ice Racing Banquet We will have normal banquet prizes, certificates and gift cards, but unfortunately no cash without completing at least 5 events.

We will be awarding Black Number Plates like the all years past.

Any rider that attended 2 of the 3 ice races are eligible. You must attend or purchase banquet tickets to receive awards, doesn't matter what place you finished.

I am only printing awards for Banquet registered racers.

Saturday April 29, 2017

Extreme Indoor Kart Racing 2259 W Vienna Rd, Clio, MI 48420 (810) 687-3546

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Food served at 11AM OPEN RIDING from 10-12; Awards start at Noon There are 2 seat cars for riders as young as 2 years old

PAYPAL ACCOUNT: jer.sherman@gmail.com | MAILING ADDRESS: 11154 Frances Rd, Flushing MI 48433

Specializing in Collision Repairs of RV’s & Travel Trailers Fiberglass, Plastic & Light Fabrication Custom Painting & Graphics D14 LS! SPECIA

OFEF 15% RAT S! LABOR 5% OFF!* PRICES PARTS

WE DO ALL INSURANCE WORK!!

3533 S Old US 23, Brighton, MI 48114 • Contact Robert Moore @ 810-494-4100 *Discounts apply to District 14 Members!. Some restrictions may apply to parts discounts.

March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 31 ENDURO BANQUET PHOTOS CONTINUED

Grand Champion Tyler Vore with Enduro Chairman Bill Smith

 Memory Scrapbook for Departing Enduro Chair... Thank You!

BRAIN FOOD in the form of an

ENERGY DRINK

NOH!

CRAS

Independent Distributor

The all-natural way to increase cognitive alertness and physical acuity, enhance athletic performance and endurance.

Boosts your energy as a daily pick-me-up without the crash!

Contains: Ribose, B vitamins, green tea extract, choline, and Korean ginseng, essential oils

586.855.7413

InkandOils.com Linda@InkandOils.com WHOLESALE MEMBER

1356931

32 March 2017 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

MICHIGAN’S POWERSPORTS

SUPERSTORE 5 min. from I-94/ Blue Water Bridge! 2203 Wadhams Rd • KIMBALL • 810.989.9050

2017 CAN-AM OUTLANDER 450

$

4,998 SAVE $1,001

2016 CAN-AM DEFENDER XT HD1O

$

14,498

YOUTH FAMILY BUNDLE

starting at

3 YEAR WARRANTY!!

2016 CAN-AM DEFENDER XT HD08

13,298 3 YEAR WARRANTY!! $

starting at

2016 HONDA PIONEER 1000

$

13,998 SAVE $1,201

PLOW INCLUDED!!!

AMA DISCOUNT!!

$

2016 CRF 250R

$

SAVE $1,601

2016 CRF 450R

$

6,777 SAVE $1,922

5,998

2017 KAWASAKI KX450F

2016 KTM 85SX

4,598

$

SAVE $1,001

2016 KTM 50SX

$

3,333 SAVE $616

PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT!!

2017 450 SXF

CALL FOR QUOTE!

7,398 SAVE $1,451

Now Offering Extended Service Contracts for ALL Bikes!

WHILE SUPPLIES LAST / SEE SALES PERSON FOR DETAILS

We Service ALL Makes & Models!