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WELCOME
Welcome everyone, to the 53rd annual THOR Mini O’s, presented by Pro Circuit. We are excited and look forward to a week fi lled with great racing and fun night-time events. Thanks to all of you, the racers and families, the Mini O’s has evolved into the largest motocross and supercross event in the world for the third year in a row. We know you all have options to spend your Thanksgiving week somewhere else, and we are blessed to have you all, our motocross family, spend it at the Mini O’s.
The Mini O’s draws racers from all over the world, creating some of the best competition in amateur racing. As amateur racing evolves, we are committed to improving the event and we look forward to a bright future of amateur motocross and supercross racing.
The Mini O’s is not only a great week of great racing, but it’s also a long-standing tradition for families and friends to come together to celebrate Thanksgiving. We would like to thank all of you and all of our sponsors for your continued support. We hope you all have a fun and safe week of racing and travel.
On behalf of all of the Unlimited Sports staff, WELCOME TO THE MINI O’S!
Now, let’s go racing!
Kern
Future Champions Wanted
Since 1978 Pro Circuit has provided engine and suspension performance products for some of the fastest racers on the planet. Our history with riders like Jeremy McGrath, Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, Ricky Johnson, and more recently, Ryan Villopoto and Adam Cianciarulo says it all! We are on the lookout for new talent, and the Mini O's is the launching pad for Future Champions. If you want to know how to become part of our team, please come visit us in the pits.
WEEK SCHEDULE
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 22ND
Registration Check in By Last Name
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. A-E
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. F-L
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. M-S
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. T-Z
6:00 p.m. Riders' Meeting/Welcome (pavilion)
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 23RD
6:00 a.m. Registration Opens
7:00 a.m.
Supercross Practice Starts
7:00 p.m. SLR Country Concert featuring Bryce Mauldin
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 24TH
7:00 a.m.
Supercross Sight Laps
Opening Ceremonies
Supercross Racing (immediately following opening ceremonies)
6:00 p.m. Church Service (pavilion)
7:30 p.m. $1 Bingo (pavilion)
MONDAY NOVEMBER 25TH
7:00 a.m.
Supercross Sight Laps
Supercross Racing (immediately following)
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Camp Gatorback (ages 4+) (pavilion)
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Kids Craft Class (ages 6-17) (fee to participate, pavilion)
6:00 p.m. Girl’s Night Out (fee to participate, pavilion)
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 26TH
7:00 a.m.
Supercross Sight Laps
Supercross Racing (immediately following sight laps)
Motocross Practice (immediately following conclusion of SX racing)
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Camp Gatorback (ages 4+) (pavilion)
7:00 p.m.
Supercross Award Ceremony (pavilion)
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 27TH
7:00 a.m. Motocross Practice
Opening Ceremonies (immediately following practice)
Motocross Racing (immediately following opening ceremonies)
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Camp Gatorback (ages 4+) (pavilion)
7:30 p.m. Disco in the Dirt (pavilion)
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 28TH
7:00 a.m. Motocross Sight Laps
Motocross Racing (immediately following sight laps)
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Camp Gatorback (ages 4+) (pavilion)
6:00 p.m. THOR Thanksgiving Dinner
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29TH
7:00 a.m.
Motocross Sight Laps
Motocross Racing (immediately following sight laps)
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Camp Gatorback (ages 4+) (pavilion)
5:00 p.m. THOR Pictures with Santa (THOR Truck)
7:30 p.m. Movie Night (pavilion)
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 30TH
7:00 a.m.
Motocross Sight Laps
Motocross Racing (immediately following sight laps)
Motocross Award Ceremony (approximately one hour after conclusion of racing)
SUPERCROSS SCHEDULE
PRACTICE ORDER
1 VET 35+
2 85cc (12-13) LIMITED
3 250 C LIMITED
4 85cc (9-11) LIMITED
5 VET 25+
6 SUPERMINI 1 (12-15)
7 COLLEGEBOY (16-24)
8 51cc (4-6) LIMITED
9 WOMEN 12+
10 51cc (7-8) LIMITED
11 85cc (9-13)
12 SCHOOLBOY 2 (12-17) B/C
13 VET 30+
14 450 PRO SPORT
15 450 B LIMITED
16 MINI SR. 2 (13-15)
17 65cc (7-9) LIMITED
18 65cc (10-11) LIMITED
19 VET 40+
20 450 C LIMITED
21 85cc (12-13)
22 51cc (4-6) SHAFT DR LIMITED
23 250 A
24 250 B
25 250 C
26 65cc (7-11)
27 SCHOOLBOY 1 (12-17) B/C
28 450 B
29 MASTERS 50+
30 GIRLS (11-16)
31 450 C
32 MINI E (4-8)
33 85cc (9-11)
34 250 C JR. (12-17)
35 SUPERMINI 2 (13-16)
36 250 PRO SPORT
37 250 B LIMITED
38 65cc (7-9)
39 VET 45+
40 125 (12-17) B/C
41 65cc (10-11)
42 51cc (4-8) LIMITED
43 MINI SR. 1 (12-14)
44 MASTERS 55+
RACE ORDER
1 250 PRO SPORT
2 250 B LIMITED
3 85cc (9-11) LIMITED
4 VET 35+
5 250 C LIMITED
6 85cc (12-13) LIMITED
7 51cc (4-6) SHAFT DR LIMITED - MOTO 1 AND 2
8 WOMEN 12+
9 MASTERS 50+
10 COLLEGEBOY (16-24)
11 SUPERMINI 1 (12-15)
12 51cc (7-8) LIMITED
13 51cc (4-6) SHAFT DR LIMITED - MOTO 3
14 JUNIOR 25+
15 85cc (9-13)
16 SCHOOLBOY 2 (12-17) B/C
17 SENIOR 45+
18 65cc (10-11) LIMITED
19 MINI SR. 1 (12-14)
20 65cc (7-9) LIMITED
21 450 C LIMITED
22 450 B LIMITED
23 85cc (12-13)
24 SENIOR 40+
25 250 C JR. (12-17)
26 85cc (9-11)
27 250 A
28 MINI SR. 2 (13-15)
29 250 B
30 250 C
31 51cc (4-8) LIMITED
32 MASTERS 55+
33 VET 30+
34 SCHOOLBOY 1 (12-17) B/C
35 65cc (7-9)
36 65cc (10-11)
37 450 C
38 450 B
39 MINI-E (4-8)
40 GIRLS (11-16)
41 125 (12-17) B/C
42 450 PRO SPORT
43 65 (7-11)
44 SUPERMINI 2 (13-16)
45 51cc (4-6) LIMITED
MOTOCROSS SCHEDULE
PRACTICE ORDER
1 VET 35+
2 85cc (12-13) LIMITED
3 250 C LIMITED
4 85cc (9-11) LIMITED
5 VET 25+
6 SUPERMINI 1 (12-15)
7 COLLEGEBOY (16-24)
8 51cc (4-6) LIMITED
9 WOMEN 12+
10 51cc (7-8) LIMITED
11 85cc (9-13)
12 SCHOOLBOY 2 (12-17) B/C
13 VET 30+
14 450 PRO SPORT
15 450 B LIMITED
16 MINI SR. 2 (13-15)
17 65cc (7-9) LIMITED
18 65cc (10-11) LIMITED
19 VET 40+
20 450 C LIMITED
21 85cc (12-13)
22 51cc (4-8) LIMITED
23 250 A
24 250 B
25 250 C
26 65cc (7-11)
27 SCHOOLBOY 1 (12-17) B/C
28 450 B
29 MASTERS 50+
30 GIRLS (11-16)
31 450 C
32 MINI E (4-8)
33 85cc (9-11)
34 250 C JR. (12-17)
35 SUPERMINI 2 (13-16)
36 250 PRO SPORT
37 250 B LIMITED
38 65cc (7-9)
39 VET 45+
40 125 (12-17) B/C
41 65cc (10-11)
42 MINI SR. 1 (12-14)
43 MASTERS 55+
RACE ORDER
1 COLLEGEBOY (16-24)
2 MINI-E (4-8)
3 85cc (9-11) LIMITED
4 VET 35+
5 250 C LIMITED
6 85cc (12-13) LIMITED
7 WOMEN 12+
8 MASTERS 50+
9 250 PRO SPORT
10 250 B LIMITED
11 SUPERMINI 1 (12-15)
12 51cc (7-8) LIMITED
13 51cc (4-6) LIMITED
14 JUNIOR 25+
15 85cc (9-13)
16 SCHOOLBOY 2 (12-17) B/C
17 SENIOR 45+
18 65cc (10-11) LIMITED
19 MINI SR. 1 (12-14)
20 65cc (7-9) LIMITED
21 450 C LIMITED
22 450 B LIMITED
23 85cc (12-13)
24 SENIOR 40+
25 250 C JR. (12-17)
26 85cc (9-11)
27 250 A
28 MINI SR. 2 (13-15)
29 250 B
30 250 C
31 51cc (4-8) LIMITED
32 MASTERS 55+
33 VET 30+
34 SCHOOLBOY 1 (12-17) B/C
35 65cc (10-11)
36 65cc (7-9)
37 450 C
38 450 B
39 GIRLS (11-16)
40 125 (12-17) B/C
41 450 PRO SPORT
42 65 (7-11)
43 SUPERMINI 2 (13-16)
2023 SCRAPBOOK
2023 SCRAPBOOK
Recapping the 2023 THOR Mini O’s and previewing who to watch at the 2024 rendition
WORDS: MITCH KENDRA
PHOTOS: MITCH KENDRA AND MATT RICE
EACH AND EVERY year for more than 50 years, the THOR Mini O’s event is one of the biggest amateur motocross races in the country. Riders and their families gather at Gatorback Cycle Park, just outside Gainesville, Florida, for a week full of racing both on a tight, supercross-style layout and a hilly, natural terrain motocross circuit. The two different disciplines are broken up with a Thanksgiving celebration smack dab in the middle. Nothing better than celebrating the sport we all love while being surrounded by family and friends! Although the Mini O’s event has changed from what it was originally, the basis of the event remains the same: to see which riders are the best in their class in different racing disciplines. So, here is a recap of what happened at last year’s event, as well as a preview of the upcoming 53rd annual event.
2023 RECAP
The 2023 event delivered another exciting week of action.
Tennessee native Drew Adams (Kawasaki) had himself a week at the event in 2023, winning two titles, earning both 250 and 450 Pro Sport Olympiad awards, and receiving the Dunlop Silver Tire award (which is given to the top scoring A-class rider in SX and MX combined throughout the week). With a few years on the 250F, Adams has grown into one of the top amateur riders in the country. This year he will not compete at Mini O’s as he focuses on his much-anticipated move to the pro ranks in the next few months.
Avery Long (Yamaha) was battling with Adams back and forth almost every race last year until a knee injury took him out of racing late in the week. Long still netted three total titles on the week, as well as the 250 A Olympiad award. After the event, Long would undergo knee surgery that would sideline him until spring this year. Long will be a favorite to watch this go-round, as well as Krystian Janik (Kawasaki), who took the 250 A SX title.
Lotte van Drunen (Yamaha), from the Netherlands, came over and raced the 2023 event winning both SX and MX in the Women 12+ class in her first race in the United States. Van Drunen
bested Jordan Jarvis, Kyleigh Stallings, Mayla Herrick, Viviana Contreras, Shelby Rolen, and a handful of other fast WMX racers. Then this year, at just 17 years old, Van Drunen became the 2024 FIM WMX World Champion in August. And after she gets the sand out of her boots from her latest multiple-hour beach race in the United Kingdom, we expect to see her racing again in several different classes again this year at Mini O’s.
Kawasaki-mounted Landen Gordon won five total titles at the 2023 event and will be a key A rider in this year’s event as he transitions from the B class. It was a battle of Landen vs Landon the last year as Husqvarnamounted Gibson made progress in his first full year on the 250F. Luke Fauser (KTM) also claimed two B Class SX titles of his own. Fauser will contest the A and Pro Sport classes this go-round.
Double ’23 Mini O’s and ’24 125cc Loretta Lynn’s winner and new to the 250F Owen Covell (Yamaha) will be a rider to watch as he transitions to the big bike. Florida native Seth Dennis (KTM) claimed three supermini titles in 2023 and he’s now onto a 250F full-time as well.
Tristan Prueitt (Husqvarna) won six total titles aboard an 85cc bike in 2023 and now is set to race his Husqvarna TC 125 this year. Gage Dunham (KTM) battled Prueitt and claimed two 85cc MX titles last year. While
the
from
A number of
standout riders
2023 included Drew Adams (300), Landen Gordon (lower left), Lotte van Drunen, Seth Dennis, Tristan Pruitt (7), Avery Long, and Beckham Smith.
riding a KTM, Tayce Morgan won an 85cc title of his own. In the vet classes, it was not shocking to see Mike Brown (KTM) and Heath Harrison (Honda) claiming race wins and titles in their respective classes. Brown tallied seven titles by the end of the week, Harrison four. Steve Roman (Kawasaki) claimed a vet title last year too as he continues to battle following his professional racing career.
2024 PREVIEW: RIDERS TO WATCH
As mentioned, Long, who took second to Cole Davies at the SMX finale, will also be a top BluCru rider to keep tabs on. After returning from his injury, he had a strong year in the A class. The Minnesota native is on the cusp of racing professionally himself, and another great week in Florida could improve his stock within the pro paddock.
Canyon Richards has split from the NSA Factory Yamaha Team and has been riding a KTM lately as the #316 will be a rider to keep an eye on in the B class. New to the 250F, fresh off a big year at Loretta Lynn’s Aidan Zingg (Kawasaki) has joined the Team Green program and will debut on his new KX250. Zingg will get his first taste of the big bike in a crowded B class, which ends up providing some of the best racing of the year.
If there is a race, you can count on Mike Brown being there. Canyon Richards (316) and Caden Dudney (40) will be on different bikes this go-round, but will be riders to watch in their respective classes. Keep an eye on Avery Long (263) in the A/Pro Sport classes in 2024.
Caden Dudney, who had a breakout year in the B class, recently thanked Kawasaki Team Green after their three years of working together. The Texas native has moved up to the A class and will debut his new Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing YZ250F this week in Florida. While Dudney recently left Team Green Kawasaki, former Husqvarna rider Vincent Wey has joined the Kawasaki squad. The second-generation rider is set for his debut on Kawasaki in the B class.
Second-generation racer Leum Oehlhof (Yamaha) has become a race winner/podium threat at the top level. Coming off of two broken ankles that sidelined him for a few months last fall, Oehlhof did not miss a beat in 2024 and even improved his skillset and results. Klark Robbins had a breakout year in 2023 and earned a ride with GasGas. Robbins and Pennsylvania’s Luke Fauser (KTM) are two riders to keep an eye out for under their respective programs. Despite some bad starts in 2024, Landon Gibson (Husqvarna) is putting in strong results. The #23 Husqvarna always fights to the end and used that grittiness to make some last-lap passes at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch this year. Watch him battle with the fast Gordon brothers, Landen and Reven, as well as Cole Forbes (KTM), Ryder Malinoski (Yamaha), and more. A handful of the top B riders from Loretta
Landen Gordon (18) is finding his grove on his Kawasaki KX250 as second-generation racer Leum Oehlhof (32) has become a race winner/ podium threat at the top level as well. Luke Fauser (462) moves up to the A class as Landon Gibson (23) rounds out his first full year on a 250F in the B class.
Jo Shimoda
HRC Honda
Jaydin Smart (42) jumped from Cobra 65cc bikes to a YZ85 full-time. Enzo Temmerman (21) is quiet, but fast. Jordan Jarvis (301) will be a threat in both WMX and with the boys. After Loretta Lynn’s, Ely Gross (71) switched from Kawasaki to Triumph. Noah Stevens (97) had a great second season on the 250F. Grayson Townsend has signed with the SLAM LIFE Racing (SLR) Honda team for 2025. Kyleigh Stallings had another strong year, and GNCC/motocross racer Thor Powell (13) has jumped from his YZ250 twostroke to a 250F.
Lynn’s have transitioned to the A class, which will be fun to watch.
Other riders to keep an eye on will be A rider Enzo Temmerman (Kawasaki); Vincent Wey (Kawasaki); quiet but fast Russian Alex Fedortsov (Yamaha) who rides for Muc-Off/FXR/ClubMX Yamaha; 2024 College (1824) Loretta Lynn’s Champion Noah Stevens (KTM) who was competitive in the Pro Sport classes this year as well; 2024 250 B Limited Loretta Lynn’s Champion Grayson Townsend (new onto Honda); and Texas native Jadon Cooper (Husqvarna); Diesel Thomas (Husqvarna); Throw Powell (Yamaha), who moved from a two-stroke YZ250 to a YZ250F full-time now; new Husqvarna recruit Max Shane; Wyatt Bass (Husqvarna); Ely Gross (new to Triumph); Seth Kready (Kawasaki); Wyatt Thurman (KTM); and Chase Lawton (Yamaha).
WMX riders to watch this year include 2024 Women’s Motocross (WMX) Champion Lachlan Turner (Yamaha), van Drunen, Kyleigh Stallings (Kawasaki), Jordan Jarvis (Yamaha), Mayla Herrick (GasGas), and Katie Ben-
son (Yamaha). Jarvis and Turner are expected to mix it up with the boys in some classes as well, which will certainly be entertaining.
Minicycle riders to watch include Tayce Morgan (Yamaha), who picked up a moto win at the YZ BluCru SuperFinale in early October at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations in the United Kingdom; two-time ’24 65cc Loretta Lynn’s Champion Kannon Zabojnik (Cobra); Carson Wood (Kawasaki); Eidan Steinbrecher (GasGas); Jaydin Smart (Yamaha); Carter Gray (Cobra); Gavyn Welzien (KTM); Joey Vicari (KTM); Levi Geis (Cobra); Abshur Hall (Husqvarna); Beckham Smith (KTM); Tristan Prueitt (Husqvarna); Jackson Vick (KTM); new to RM-Army Chase Brennan (Suzuki); Ryder Ellis (Kawasaki); Brody Moss (GasGas); Easton Graves (KTM); Sawyer Geick (KTM); Nolan Ford (KTM); and Kade Nightingale (Yamaha).
There will be riders not mentioned here that perform well and that is what this is all about: turning heads and making a name for oneself. Stay tuned into the racing all week long—and for free—via RacerTV.com. .
How the THOR Mini O’s became the biggest—and now the oldest—amateur motocross race in the entire sport.
WORDS: DAVEY COOMBS
PHOTOS: THOM VEETY
THE SPORT OF MOTOCROSS RACING is always evolving. Whether it’s the motorcycles, riding technique, track design, training programs, or the industry itself, motocross is in constant flux. Born 100 years ago (March 29, 1924, to be exact) in England at an event called the Royal Scott Trial the sport has gone from a modest gathering of off-road enthusiasts on modified street bikes to the massive global sport it is today. And with a record 6,000-plus entries in 2023 the
THOR Mini O’s has grown into the single biggest stand-alone event in the entire dirt bike world. And this year’s 53rd Annual Mini O’s promises to be an even bigger race. With a nod to the many instructors that are part of On Track School, we thought this would be a good time for a motocross history lesson. So, let’s turn the clock back—but not all the way back to 1924—for a look at how motocross in general, and the Mini O’s in particular, have evolved over the years.
Motocross first started gaining traction in America in the mid-1960s, when an imaginative California businessman named Edison Dye came up with a unique way to sell the public on the off-road motorcycles he was importing called Husqvarnas. Dye invited the reigning Motocross World Champion, Sweden’s own Torsten Hallman, to race the lightweight two-stroke Husqvarna against Americans who were still racing converted Triumph, BSA, and even Harley-Davidson scramblers. The Inter-Am Series, as Dye called it, was a smash hit for him, as Hallman pretty much dominated the Americans. So, in 1967 Dye expanded the series and invited more Europeans over, including a young Roger De Coster. Hallman also returned, bringing some of the motocross-specific riding gear only found in Europe at the time to the states to sell. In doing so he basically invented what we now know as the motocross aftermarket industry. He called his gear Torsten Hallman Original Racewear, or what we now know as THOR, the title sponsor of the Mini O’s.
Fast forward to 1972, which was a very important one in the evolution of
motocross. The movie On Any Sunday was in theaters, introducing motorcycle racing to a brand new audience. The AMA Pro Motocross Championship was born, and the first Superbowl of Motocross—what we now know as supercross—took place inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Honda began the process of building their ground-breaking Honda Elsinore CR250 and, maybe even more importantly, their XR75 minicycle.
It was in November of ’72 that a Florida motocross promoter named Pat Ray came up with the idea of hosting a big minicycle race over Thanksgiving weekend. His Jacksonville racetrack, North Florida Raceway, had a small flat track that ran alongside its motocross track as well as the surrounding woods.
Ray wanted this new event to be a multi-discipline “Olympiad” with flat track, hare scrambles, and motocross, and then crown the best all-around minicycle racers.
He called this mashup the Florida Winter Nationals. It would be the first “nationalcaliber” event on the east coast for kids, similar to what the old World Mini Grand Prix was for west coast riders.
The new race attracted two of the best young riders in the country and who
(Upper left) Scenes from back in the day: The late promoter Bill West, and Mini O’s standouts Broc Hepler (54), Travis Pastrana (199), Mike Alessi (800), Ron Tichenor (214), and Josh Grant (86).
SOUVENIR YEARBOOK 2024
Louisiana’s Kevin Windham (511) earned his first Cycle News cover after shining at the ’93 Mini O’s, just as Alex Frye (28) did in 2014. That’s Ryan Villopoto (615) doing the Grand Prix in the early ’00s on a Yamaha YZ80 and Robbie Reynard (671) back in 1992.
helped define and advance minicycle racing in the early seventies, California’s “Flying Freckle” Jeff Ward and Tennessee’s Gene McCay. Ward would be riding the brandnew Honda XR75 while McCay rode a Honda SL-70 trail bike converted into a race bike. Heavy rain made the Winter Nationals a true test of all-around skill, and both Ward and McCay would win motos and classes from one another, and the first real rivalry in U.S. minicycle racing was born. By all accounts the event was a success.
One year later a sanction was added by the Californiabased National Minicycle Association, which helped
draw more west coast riders than just Ward. Mike Brown (the one from California, not Tennessee), Paul Denis, Lance Moorewood, Jim “Hollywood” Holley, and more caravanned across the country with Honda’s Ward— the first-ever minicycle rider to sign a factory contract— leading the way. Ward would win the 80cc class but come up short in the 100cc class to Indiana’s Kenny “The Missile” Blissett, who rode a Steen Allsport.
The Florida Winter Nationals grew quickly from there, and within a few years the race was too big for North Florida Speedway. Another Florida promoter, St.
Petersburg-based Bill West, took over the event from Ray and moved it further south to a bigger facility in Homosassa Springs called Chicken Farm Raceway, just above Tampa. The event still called for a hare scrambles, then flat track and TT races at nearby Ocala, and finally the motocross finals. West also dropped the NMA sanction and went with the Ohiobased American Motorcyclists Association (AMA) and he rebranded the entire event, calling it the Mini Olympiad, later shorthanded to Mini O’s. The ’77 race attracted 700 young riders, with standouts like Florida’s own Mark Murphy and Todd Hempstead.
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Bill West, by the way, was not just an amateur motocross promoter. He was also the co-founder (along with Russ Coe) of the Florida Winter-AMA Series, which at the time was every bit as big as the AMA Pro Motocross Championship. West’s company, known as Supersports at the time, was also involved in hosting outdoor nationals, Trans-AMA races, and the Atlanta Supercross, which started in 1977. From there he would go on to organize countless stadium events all over the country. He eventually sold the supercross portion of his business in 1998, and the THOR Mini O’s would be sold to Wyn Kern’s Unlimited Sports MX, organizer of the event to this day. Bill West remained a hugely influential figure in the sport and industry for the rest of his life. Sadly, he passed away in July of this year at the age of 88.
By the early ’80s the Mini O’s was attracting the best young riders from all over the country. The amateur motocross industry was growing, especially after Kawasaki began its gamechanging youth and amateur support program known as Team Green in 1982. The Mini O’s had expanded its class structure by that point to include more and more adult motorcycle classes, as the race had become a Thanksgiving tradition for many moto families. The tradition of having a huge feast when moms would cook up turkeys
bought by either the promoter or race sponsors become a major component of the whole Mini O’s experience, which continued to grow.
It was also soon time for another move, and West took the event to its current home, Gatorback Cycle Park, though the dirt track racing would still take place in Ocala. The new location also saw the addition of a supercross track, and that discipline would soon replace dirt track in the Mini O’s format.
The stature of the event grew, based in large part on the east-versus-west rivalry that was growing throughout the sport. While most of the fast pros were traditionally from California, a paradigm shift was starting to take place. The Michigan Mafia was soon challenging the Golden State and the Sunshine State for supremacy, at least in terms of youth and amateur racing, and the Mini O’s were ground zero for these battles. Into this fray rode a kid from North Carolina named Damon Bradshaw, soon to be known as “the Beast from the East.” With his skill and competitiveness Bradshaw became something of a sensation, and he used the Mini O’s every November to put it all on display, even after he turned pro in 1988, when he shocked the world by winning the Tokyo Supercross in Japan, beating superstars like Rick Johnson, Jeff Ward, Ron Lechien, and Johnny O’Mara. That following
New Jersey’s Jason Lawrence (338) on his Suzuki RM80 and Oklahoma’s Robbie Reynard (67) on a Kawasaki KX125 in his Schoolboy days at the Mini O’s.
weekend Bradshaw was back on the starting gate for the motocross portion of the what was by that point the 17th Annual Mini O’s.
Other future superstars to come out of the Mini O’s during this time were Georgia’s Ezra Lusk, Michigan’s Brian Swink, Oklahoma’s Robbie Reynard, and Louisiana’s Kevin Windham. And Florida itself has produced many of the best riders of all time, including Havana’s Ricky Carmichael and Haines City’s James Stewart, both of whom first came on the national map with their successes in the Mini O’s every November. Same goes for future WMX great Jessica Patterson and Ashley Fiolek, both of whom hailed from Florida and were staples of the Mini O’s. The event continued to grow, surpassing the World Mini GP and the NMA Grand National in both size and importance. A casualty of this growth was the off-road portion of the event, as Gatorback Cycle Park would be filled to the brim with campers, motorhomes, box vans and trailers, making it difficult to continue to have a meaningful off-road competition.
One of the trademarks of the event is the fact that it serves as both the last big event of one calendar year, as well as the fi rst big preview of what’s to come. This is the time of year that young riders transition from 51cc to 65cc, 85cc to Super Minis and 125s, and ultimately 250 and 450
motorcycles. As a result, the THOR Mini O’s have been a huge platform in the development of pretty much every top professional in the sport over the last couple of generations, including Minnesota’s Ryan Dungey, Washington’s Ryan Villopoto, Colorado’s Eli Tomac, North Carolina’s Cooper Webb, and New Mexico’s Jason Anderson, Illinois’ Chase Sexton, and even Australia’s Jett Lawrence, all of whom have gone on to become the AMA 450 Supercross Champion (and Jett Lawrence and fellow Mini O’s graduate Haiden Deegan are also the sport’s fi rst two SuperMotocross World Champions).
This week more than 6,000 riders are expected to again sign up to compete in what’s now the 53rd Annual THOR Mini O’s.
Over the course of an entire week, they will be competing in the supercross and motocross portions of the event. In a further nod to the evolution of the sport every moto will stream live and free on racertv.com. Who will be the next young future superstars to emerge from the biggest and oldest amateur motocross event in the entire sport?
Good luck, everyone, and enjoy your families and friends, enjoy a great and safe week of racing here at the 53rd annual THOR Mini O’s. Class dismissed. .
More future stars at the Mini O’s: Eli Tomac (43), Trey Canard (241), Davi Millsaps (118), Ezra Lusk (17), Travis Pastrana (199), and James Stewart (259).
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OH HELL YEAH!
AWARD DESCRIPTIONS
OLYMPIAD AWARD
Awarded to the rider who accumulates the most points in the Supercross main and Motocross overall in each class. Tie breakers for Olympiad and Specialty Awards will be made from Supercross main events, Motocross moto 1 and 2 only. Supercross heat and LCQ’s are not included when determining a tie breaker.
PRO CIRCUIT PLATINUM PIPE AWARD
Awarded to the rider who accumulates the highest number of points in the Supercross main and Motocross overall combined.
SCOTT GOLDEN GOGGLE AWARD
Awarded to the rider in the Schoolboy 1, 125 B/C, 250B, and Schoolboy 2 who accumulates the highest number of points in the Supercross main and Motocross overall combined.
Awarded to the rider in the Pro and A classes that accumulates the highest number of points in the Supercross main and Motocross overall combined.
THOR BRONZE BOOT AWARD
Awarded to the rider in the 65cc, 85cc, Supermini 1, Supermini 2, Mini Sr. 1, and Mini Sr. 2 that accumulates the highest number of points in the Supercross main and Motocross overall combined.
DIAMOND AWARD
This award recognizes a rider who exemplifies the late Jantz Grodzicki’s love and dedication to the sport of motocross. This award will be presented to a B or C rider that creates a positive impact, is humble, acts as a role model for others, and represents his or her sponsors well. The recipient of this award must ride both Supercross and Motocross.
Awarded to the 51cc rider in all 51cc classes that accumulates the highest number of points combined in both Supercross and Motocross. Mini E is not included in the Nihilo Prodigy Award.
NIHILO PRODIGY AWARD
DUNLOP SILVER TIRE AWARD
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SOUVENIR YEARBOOK
2023 OLYMPIAD AWARD WINNERS
COLLEGEBOY
51CC (7-8)
MINI E
51CC (4-6)
NOAH SMERDON
LEVI GEIS
LEVI MEYER
KAMERON BUCKMAN
85CC (9-11) LIMITED COLT MARTIN
JUNIOR 25 PLUS HEATH HARRISON
VET 35 PLUS STEVE ROMAN
85CC (9-13)
250 C LIMITED
SCHOOLBOY 2 (12-17)
85CC (12-13) LIMITED
SENIOR 45 PLUS
WOMEN 12+
65CC (10-11)
TRISTAN PRUEITT
BLAKE THOMAS
LANDEN GORDON
CHASE MOYNIHAN
MIKE BROWN
LOTTE VAN DRUNEN
CHANCE ULBERG
MASTERS 50 PLUS MIKE BROWN
MINI SR. 1 (12-14)
250 PRO SPORT
65CC (7-9)
250 B LIMITED
450 C LIMITED
SUPERMINI 1 (12-15)
450 B LIMITED
TRISTAN PRUEITT
DREW ADAMS
BECKHAM SMITH
LANDEN GORDON
BLAKE THOMAS
SETH DENNIS
LANDON GIBSON
85CC (12-13)
TRISTAN PRUEITT
SCHOOLBOY 1 (12-17) B/C BRENNON HARRISON
SENIOR 40 PLUS MIKE BROWN
65CC (10-11)
250 C JR (12-17)
65CC (7-9)
JOEY VICARI
CHASE EGLENTOWICZ
JAYDIN SMART
85CC (9-11) COLT MARTIN
450 C TUCKER ZIMMERMAN
250 A AVERY LONG
450 B LUKE FAUSER
MINI SR 2 (13-15)
TRISTAN PRUEITT
GIRLS (11-16) MADISON KAZIMIR
250 B
LUKE FAUSER
125CC (12-17) B/C WILL CANAGUIER
250 C
450 PRO SPORT
51CC (4-8)
65CC (7-11)
BAYLER MCKELLAR
DREW ADAMS
BECKHAM SMITH
JAYDIN SMART
MASTERS 50 PLUS BARRY CARSTEN
SUPERMINI 2 (13-16)
VET 30 PLUS
VINCENT WEY
HEATH HARRISON
2023 SPECIALTY AWARD WINNERS
TRISTAN PRUEITT PRO CIRCUIT PLATINUM PIPE AWARD
SUPERCROSS MAIN EVENT FINISHES:
85cc (12-13): 1st
85cc (12-13): 1st
85cc (9-13): 1st
Mini Sr. 1 (12-14): 1st
Mini Sr. 2 (13-15): 2nd
MOTOCROSS OVERALL FINISHES:
85cc (12-13): 1st Overall
85cc (9-13): 2nd Overall
Mini Sr. 1 (12-14): 2nd Overall
Mini Sr. 2 (13-15): 1st Overall
SILVER TIRE AWARD
SUPERCROSS MAIN EVENT FINISHES:
250 A: 10th
250 Pro Sport: 2nd
450 Pro Sport: 8th
MOTOCROSS OVERALL FINISHES:
250 A: 2nd Overall
250 Pro Sport: 1st Overall
450 Pro Sport: 1st Overall
WILL CANAGUIER
BECKHAM SMITH
DIAMOND AWARD
SUPERCROSS MAIN EVENT FINISHES:
125 (12-17) B/C: 1st
Schoolboy 1 (12-17) B/C: 2nd
MOTOCROSS OVERALL FINISHES:
125 (12-17) B/C: 2nd Overall
Schoolboy 1 (12-17) B/C: 3rd Overall
SUPERCROSS MAIN EVENT FINISHES:
250 B: 20th
250 B Limited: 2nd
450 B Limited: 1st
Schoolboy 2 (12-17) B/C: 1st
MOTOCROSS OVERALL FINISHES:
250 B: 1st Overall
250 B Limited: 1st Overall
450 B Limited: 10th Overall
Schoolboy 2 (12-17) B/C: 1st Overall
JAYDIN SMART
SUPERCROSS MAIN EVENT FINISHES:
250 A: 10th
250 Pro Sport: 2nd
450 Pro Sport: 8th
MOTOCROSS OVERALL FINISHES:
250 A: 2nd Overall
250 Pro Sport: 1st Overall
450 Pro Sport: 1st Overall
PRODIGY AWARD
SUPERCROSS MAIN EVENT FINISHES:
51cc (4-8) Limited: 1st
51cc (7-8) Limited: 1st
65cc (7-9): 8th
65cc (7-9) Limited: 1st
MOTOCROSS OVERALL FINISHES:
51cc (4-8) Limited: 1st Overall
51cc (7-8) Limited: 2nd Overall
65cc (7-9): 4th Overall
65cc (7-9) Limited: 3rd Overall
SUPERCROSS MAIN EVENT FINISHES:
65cc (7-11): 3rd
65cc (7-9): 3rd
65cc (7-9) Limited: 4th
MOTOCROSS OVERALL FINISHES:
65cc (7-11): 1st Overall
65cc (7-9): 1st Overall
65cc (7-9) Limited: 1st Overall
DREW ADAMS
ENGINE ICE AWARD
FACILITY RULES & INFO
Front gate times are 6 a.m. -11 p.m. from November 21st-30th.
You will be parked in the order you arrive at the track. If you would like to pit with someone else, you will need to arrive with them so you can be parked together.
Riders and mechanics must have armband and mechanic pass when you enter the staging area for practice and racing. Only one mechanic/parent per rider is allowed in the staging and mechanics’ area. Staging is the only place a mechanic can enter to go to the starting gate and mechanics area.
There is a pump out service that provides holding tank pump out daily for a fee. Do not dump gray or black water on the ground.
There is a fuel, oil, solvent dump station at the front gate. Do not dump oil, gas, or solvent on the ground.
Non-potable water fill truck will be available to fill your tank for a fee.
20-25 gallon tank: $20
35-50 gallon tank: $25
50-75 gallon tank: $35
75-100 gallon tank: $40
No loud noise after dark, no open fires, no fireworks.
No vending of merchandise or services without prior written permission from Unlimited Sports. If you would like to vend, please contact us by email (info@unlimitedsportsmx.com) for your request.
Both UPS and Federal Express deliver to Gatorback. The USPS does not deliver to the track. Package pickup is located next to the registration office and you must have a photo ID to pick up packages. Please do not have packages delivered prior to Thursday, November 21st. Unlimited Sports MX is not responsible for the safekeeping of any packages.
Address packages clearly: (Only send packages via UPS or FedEX)
Gatorback Cycle Park
Attention: (Rider’s Name or Business) 20525 NW 46th Avenue Alachua, Florida 32615
Lost and Found. If you find something or lose something, please check with the track registration office.
Radio Station is 88.9 FM
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PIT VEHICLE RULES
Gatorback Cycle Park is a pretty big place, so if you have a driver’s license you can save yourself some walking by either bringing your own pit vehicle or renting a golf cart for the week. A pit permit is a privilege extended to our campers and racers only - not day visitors.
PIT VEHICLE PERMITS:
Pit vehicles can only be operated by permit. The cost of a permit for racers is $75.
PIT VEHICLE GUIDELINES & RULES:
• No motorcycles, mini-cycles, ATV’s, or electric bicycles with throttles
• Four wheeled vehicles with a maximum width of 65” only permitted (See chart of approved pit vehicles)
• Operators must have a valid driver’s license and be at least 16 years of age
• Speed limit is 13 MPH
• Pit vehicle use hours: 7 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. daily; lights required after dusk
• All passengers must be seated
• Pit vehicles are PROHIBITED in the following areas:
– Motocross track or anywhere inside the track fence
– Any property adjacent to Gatorback Cycle Park
– Past signs that say DO NOT ENTER or NO TRESSPASSING
• Pit vehicles may not be operated in a reckless, careless, or dangerous manner and may not be operated by anyone under the influence of alcohol
• Pit vehicle use is a privilege, not a right, that privilege can be revoked or terminated for any or no reason at the sole discretion of Unlimited Sports
• Unauthorized pit vehicles will be confiscated
• Violation of any of the above rules is grounds for penalty, including but not limited to confiscation of pit vehicle, disqualification of racer, and/or ejection from facility
Q: Can I bring my Honda 50 mini bike and use it as a Pit Vehicle?
A: No, pit motorcycles are not permitted.
Q: I purchased an electric Surron for my 13-year-old daughter to ride in the pit area at Mini O’s. Can she ride it?
A: No. There are two issues, electric motorcycles are motorcycles and not permitted at Gatorback Cycle Park and your daughter is not 16 years of age.
Q: My husband has a Kawasaki Teryx S LE. Can we use it as our pit vehicle?
A: Yes. The Kawasaki Teryx S LE is on the approved list of pit vehicles.
Q: Our team sponsor wants to give us a Can-Am Maverick for the week at the Gatorback Cycle Park. Is it on the approved list?
A: No, the Can-Am Maverick is over 65” wide and is not allowed
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DIAMONDBACK // JANUARY 4-5 DADE CITY MOTOCROSS // JANUARY 11-12 GATORBACK // JANUARY 18-19 ORLANDO MX // JANUARY 25-26 MOTO BROS-OKEECHOBEE // FEBRUARY 1-2
