Lauton Eaton |
Photo by Tyler Miller
Luke Henderson | Photo by Tyler Miller
Area Directors & Club Info
AREA #7 - Seminola, Osceola, Orange
AREA #1 - Out-of-State, Panhandle
VACANT
AREA #2 - Hamilton, Suwannee, Columbia, Baker, Union, Bradford, Nassau, Duval, Clay, Putnam, St. Johns
James Benton (904) 589-0093 bentonracing116@yahoo. com
AREA #3 - Gilchrist, Alachua, Levy, Marion, Citrus, Sumter, Lake
Brandon Underhill (352) 339-1169 brandsonsunderhill@gmail. com
(AREA #4 - Flagler, Volusia
Corey Pierce (386) 453-9056 corey23pierce@gmail.com
AREA #5 - Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas
Tyler Miller (813) 210-1710 yamahatyler@yahoo.com
AREA #6 - Hillsborough, Polk
Shawn Clark (812) 617-0272 sclark@mosaicfingroup.com
Will Busick (317) 507-6636 willb763@gmail.com
AREA #8 - Brevard, Indian River
John Happel (321) 759-1474 ftrforester@gmail.com
AREA #9 - Manatee, Sarasota, Hardee, DeSoto, Highlands
Brian Dugre (941) 893-7898 brian@mycentec.com
AREA #10 - Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Martin
Ken Harris (772) 370-4434 khei9862@gmail.com
AREA #11 - Charlotte, Lee, Glades, Hendry, Collier
Chuck Schomann (717) 324-9606 schomanninc@yahoo.com
AREA #12 - Palm Beach
Todd Hallman (561) 346-6663 bushwagon@aol.com
AREA #13 - Borward, Dade, Monroe
Max Rash (954) 609-1812 maxr@rivaracing.com
Big O Trail Riders
Tommy Clay (863) 532-1952 tommy_clay@yahoo. com
Big Scrub Trail Riders
Curtis Bell (386) 679-8201 curtbell@rocketmail. com
Central Florida Trail Riders
AJ Stagg ajstagg@gmail.com (407) 929-2114
Daytona Dirt Riders
Robert Pierce (386) 615-0722 secretary4ddr@gmail. com
Greenville Enduro Riders
Chris Poole (864) 617-4342 info@greenvilleenduroriders.com
Nature Coast Trail Blazers
Rob Swann (813) 731-5552 naturecoasttrailriders@ gmail.com
Old School Dirt Riders
Ben Kelly (941) 650-1473 ftr90racer@yahoo.com
Palm Beach Track & Trail
Randy Rash (954) 931-5709 motodadfla19@aol.com
Perry Mountain M/C
Brad Belcher (205) 340-4298
perrymountainmotorcycleclub@gmail.com
River City Dirt Riders
James Benton (904) 589-0093
bentonracing116@yahoo.com
Sarasota Area Dirt Riders
Randy Faul (863) 244-3709 randt817@gmail.com
Suncoast Trail Blazers
Mark Scalzi (352) 601-6917
suncoastbiz1@gmail. com
Sunrunners Dirt Riders
West Anderson (863) 604-1868 jetster220@gmail.com
Treasure Coast Trail Riders
Ken Harris (772) 370-4434 khei9862@gmail.com
RIDER REPS
AA/A ENDURO
Mark Mannschreck (813) 310-2067 hondamm61@aol.com
B/C ENDURO
Sam Boydstun (407) 467-3951 woodsracercfl@rr.com
SPECIALTY A/B ENDURO
Ronnie Hames (386) 547-2397 ronnie@hbdmotografx.com
SPECIALTY C/WOMEN ENDURO
Elesa Berard (407) 376-7115
AA/A HARE SCRAMBLE
Troy Gardner (561) 329-7866 troyracing41@gmail.com
B/C HARE SCRAMBLE VACANT
SPECIALTY A/B HARE SCRAMBLE
Paul Lucas (305) 244-7531 happytimesamuse@msn.com
SPECIALTY C/WOMEN HARE SCRAMBLE
Holly Langford (954) 504-2659 hollylangford10@gmail.com
SATURDAY CLASSES HARE SCRAMBLE
Derek Tremain (863) 634-8183 derektremain@gmail.com
QUADS
Pete Rose (941) 270-1189 pwrracingktm@gmail.com
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
Randy Faul (863) 244-3709 president@floridatrailriders.org
VICE PRESIDENT Landon Lynn (772) 494-3305 vicepresident@floridatrailriders.org
SECRETARY
Bill Toreki (352) 372-1135 secretary@floridatrailriders.org
TREASURER
Brandon Bloomquist (503) 707-1744 treasurer@foridatrailriders.org
HARE SCRAMBLE CHAIRMAN
Randy Rash (954) 931-5709 hschair@floridatrailriders.org
ENDURO CHAIRMAN
George Tolson (863) 698-3837 gjtolson63@gotmail.com
HARE SCRAMBLE REFEREE
George Pollard (772) 349-6534 ktmgeorge811b@gmail.com
ENDURO REFEREE
Peter Magee (352) 262-4974 cr250m@bellsouth.net
BUSINESS MANAGER
Darlene Riggs (352) 538-6291 businessmanager@floridatrailriders.org
PRES SEZ.
X
WORDS: RANDY FAUL
Our Motorcycle Community
As we move closer to our summer break and shift gears toward summer activities, I hear many of you already have trips planned to stay in the saddle. There is plenty to do in our sport while keeping the family involved in the adventure. Vacations, road trips, and simply getting away can expand our love of riding. Load up the scooters for the trip, just in case you see something, hear of an event, or come across a new riding area. It always pays to be prepared.
Some of you have bikes set up to cover all the bases no matter the occasion, which opens the door to a lot of opportunities. I did not realize how many of you ride different types of events until we rolled into a dual sport event hosted by the Dixie Dualsport Riders. It felt like arriving at an FTR hare scramble while searching for a place to park, only this time there were electric and water hookups.
The weekend started at the Florida Sand Music Ranch Campground just south of Brooksville. There had to be close to 300 riders there, and over half were FTR riders, all on a Thursday afternoon. Of course, the bench racing started right away, and the talk was about how dry it was and how we would be able to ride in areas that were previously under water.
We made a trip to Daytona Friday afternoon for a long-time friend and past FTR president, Conrad Eigerman’s birthday celebration. I can tell you there is no easy way to get there from here, as the saying goes. On the drive back to camp Friday night, we went through a major rainstorm. My Idaho buddy was worried it was going to turn into a mudder. I just smiled.
Saturday came early. After breakfast and the
riders meeting, we headed out for a 120 mile adventure. Right out of the gate, as soon as we hit the woods, the sense of urgency took over. The intensity picked up and it was full on. Keeping the pace was a bit much as we rolled through the Richloam area without much sightseeing.
Lunch was served at a nice park just off Highway 50 in Clermont, and then it was time to get back at it. GPS and roll charts guided us as we continued along the route. We finished the day with no mishaps or failures, unlike some of my FTR friends who needed repairs after a few slips in the mud. No names mentioned, but you know who you are.
All in all, it was a great time. Riding with the likes of Smith, Cooper, Jarrett, Randt, and a few other retired off-road icons, I felt good just keeping them in sight. All of this in one weekend of riding, traveling, and spending time with others who enjoy the same thing.
Sometimes I get asked why I still do this at my age, and people say it is dangerous. My answer is simple. It brings my friends together, gives me exercise, and keeps me out of trouble at the young age of 71. The biggest response I give is that it is a lot less dangerous than what we all do every day, which is getting on the highways and driving somewhere.
When you think about it, getting to our events can be more of a risk than the event itself.
As we head into our summer break and look for activities to enjoy with our families, keep the fun factor at the front of the adventure, and more importantly, stay safe getting there.
Thanks for listening, Randy Faul
CHAPLAIN’s CORNER
Hey FTR fam! Chap. Rod here again.
Can you believe we’re already heading into summer break? Feels like we just kicked off the season. I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for the love and support you’ve shown me and my family. It truly means a lot, and I’m incredibly grateful.
I’ve been thinking about something I want to share with you. How do we know what to follow? Throughout life, we’re all choosing a direction, whether we
¡Hola, familia de FTR! Aquí nuevamente su capellán Rod.
¿Pueden creer que ya casi llegamos a las vacaciones de verano? Parece que apenas empezamos la temporada. Quiero agradecerles de corazón a cada uno de ustedes por la oportunidad y el cariño que nos han demostrado a mi familia y a mí. Estoy verdaderamente agradecido.
Quiero dejarles una pregunta: ¿cómo sabemos qué debemos seguir? A lo largo de la vida, todos
WORDS: RODNEY BOYETTE X
realize it or not. Before each race, when I pray, I often ask that our Father gives us line of sight, both on the track and off. I’m asking that He places markers ahead of us with wisdom, guiding us down the right path all the way to the finish.
In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” That reminds me a lot of our race arrows. When we see those orange arrows and the green arrows (which we go
elegimos una dirección. Si recuerdan, cuando oro antes de cada carrera, le pido a nuestro Padre que nos dé claridad, tanto dentro como fuera de la pista. Le pido que coloque señales con sabiduría delante de nosotros, guiándonos por el camino correcto que nos lleva a la meta.
En Juan 8:12, Jesús dice: «Yo soy la luz del mundo. El que me sigue no andará en tinieblas, sino que tendrá la luz de la vida». Esto me hace pensar en nuestras flechas de carrera. Cuando vemos
between!), we know we’re on the right path. But we only see them when we lift our heads and look ahead.
So what are our spiritual arrows? Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The best way to see those markers is by getting into God’s Word and building a relationship with Jesus, not just practicing religion.
When we take our eyes off the arrows and focus only on our circumstances, that’s when we drift into the
las flechas naranjas y las verdes (¡por donde debemos pasar!), sabemos que vamos en la dirección correcta. Pero para verlas, tenemos que levantar la mirada y mirar hacia adelante.
Entonces, ¿cuáles son nuestras flechas espirituales? El Salmo 119:105 dice: «Tu palabra es lámpara a mis pies y luz en mi camino». La mejor manera de ver esas señales es acercándonos a la Palabra de Dios y construyendo una relación con Jesús, no solo practicando una religión.
wrong way or danger zones. But the good news is, we can always stop, look up, and get back on the path our Heavenly Father has set for us.
God bless you all. We love you guys and can’t
Cuando quitamos la mirada de las flechas (Jesús) y nos enfocamos solo en nuestras circunstancias, es cuando terminamos en caminos equivocados o en zonas de peligro. Pero siempre podemos detenernos, levantar la vista y volver al camino que nuestro Padre celestial ha preparado para nosotros.
¡Que Dios los bendiga! Los queremos mucho y esperamos verlos pronto de nuevo en la pista.
FTR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 2026
The Florida Trail Riders (FTR) Scholarship Program was created to help support the educational goals of our members and their families. While it may not cover all expenses, it can make the difference in helping someone pursue college or trade school.
Scholarship funds are made possible through the generosity of FTR clubs and individual donors. Award amounts vary each year, with a minimum award of $500.
WHAT THE SCHOLARSHIP COVERS
Eligible expenses include:
Tuition Books
Room and board Laboratory fees Computers
Recipients must submit receipts within five years of the award. Any unused funds will be returned to the FTR general fund.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must:
Be an FTR member or dependent of a member
Be in good standing at time of application and award
Be a high school graduate, graduating senior (2025–2026), or GED recipient
Have a minimum 2.5 GPA
Be accepted into a college, university, or vocational/technical school prior to award
(Applicants may receive the scholarship more than once)
HOW FUNDS CAN BE USED
Allowed: Tuition, books, housing, and educational expenses
Not Allowed: Transportation, clothing, or non-educational expenses
Funds are distributed after receipts are submitted to the FTR Business Manager.
IMPORTANT DEADLINE
May 18, 2026 – 11:59 PM
Submit all materials to: kurtlucas101@gmail.com
Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must submit:
Completed application (Items A–E) Transcripts, test scores, and/or report cards Supporting documentation
Special situations:
High school students: guidance counselor form accepted if records unavailable College students: admissions or counselor documentation accepted
Not currently enrolled: community reference + explanation required
Renewal applicants: Must include a statement on how the previous scholarship helped.
Investing in the Future of Our Riders
HOW APPLICANTS ARE SELECTED
Applications are reviewed using a 100-point system:
Academic Record / Test Scores – 20 points
Career Goals & Objectives – 20 points
FTR Experience (impact and meaning) – 20 points
FTR Involvement (clubs, participation) – 15 points
Autobiography – 10 points
Extracurricular Activities – 10 points
Completeness & Presentation – 5 points
Note: 5 points will be deducted for each previous scholarship received.
WHAT THE COMMITTEE IS LOOKING FOR
FTR places strong emphasis on:
Your connection to FTR and what it means to you
Your involvement in FTR or affiliated clubs
Clear goals and direction for your future
A well-written, complete application
Tip: Informative responses with proper grammar and detail make a strong impression.
SELECTION PROCESS
Applications are anonymized to ensure fair review
Selection committee members score each application independently
Scores are compiled to determine top applicants
All applicants will be notified by July 1, 2026
Scholarship funds are issued after receipts are submitted.
2025 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Congratulations to last year’s winners:
Sarah Redford – FGCU (Nursing)
Lance Rainey – FAMU (Agricultural Science)
Peter Churukian – Nova Southeastern University (Biology)
Julia Churukian – Broward College (Aeronautical Science)
Rylie Howard – LSU (Construction Management)
FTR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Supporting the next generation of riders—on and off the track.
PHOTO: TYLER MILLER
Same Friends, Different Pastures
Words: Kyle McAfee
Why Do You Ride?
Every one of us has an answer to that question, whether we’ve ever slowed down long enough to admit it or not.
Why do you ride?
Because if we’re being honest, it’s not just “because it’s fun.” If it were, there are a lot easier ways to have fun than getting up at 5 a.m., loading up in the dark, and lining up to disappear into the woods for a couple hours of controlled chaos.
So what is it?
For some, it’s escape.
Real life doesn’t pause just because it’s race weekend. Work is still there. Responsibilities are still there. But somewhere between the start horn and a few miles into the trail, all that noise fades. No emails. No phone calls. Just you, the trail, and whatever decisions you make with your right hand.
For others, it’s stress relief.
There’s something about an FTR course that demands your full attention. Miss a line, hit a root, come into a section a little too hot, and it’ll remind you to focus real quick. There’s no
room left in your head for anything else. And somehow, that’s exactly what most of us need.
And then there’s the part nobody really wants to admit out loud. It’s competitive.
You might say you’re just out there to ride. You might say you don’t care about results. But you still know who was ahead of you. You still know who you caught. You still check the board and scroll the results when they’re posted. That voice is always there, pushing you just a little harder when it counts.
Some of us are hooked on the challenge.
Because riding well—especially at an FTR event—isn’t easy. It’s technical. It’s physical. It’s humbling. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the course, the conditions, or your own mind proves otherwise. And that drive to get better never really goes away.
And for most of us… it’s all of it.
The escape. The reset.
The competition. The challenge.
But if you strip it all back, there’s something else that keeps showing up weekend after weekend.
It’s the people.
The same RVs parked together. The same faces at signup. The same group standing around, bench racing and telling stories like we’re all one corner away from a national title. The laughs, the mechanical failures, the borrowed tools, the “you should’ve seen it” stories that get a little more dramatic every time.
That’s the part that sticks.
Because years from now, nobody’s going to remember where they finished at a random mid-season round. But you’ll remember who you lined up with. You’ll remember the ride back to the truck. You’ll remember the people who were there through all of it.
So yeah, there are a lot of reasons why we ride.
But if we’re being honest, most of them lead back to the same place:
The same friends… just in a different pasture.
Photo by Garren Wright
Peptides in Racing: What BPC-157 and TB500 Actually Are, What the Research Says, and Why the Rules Just Changed
MOTO PT IMPROVE YOUR MOVE
WORDS: DR. MATT DAUGHERTY
Orthopedic Physical
Therapist and Racer
Part 1: What Are Peptides and Why Are Riders Talking About Them?
Hello FTR Family,
If you spend any time in racing circles, you’ve almost certainly heard the names BPC-157 and TB-500. At the very least, you’ve been hearing about peptides over the last few years. They tend to come up in the same conversations as PRP, stem cells, and other regenerative tools athletes are using in pursuit of faster recovery and longer careers.
Some riders swear by them. Others are skeptical. Most are just trying to figure out what’s real.
This month, I want to break down what these compounds are, where the science stands, and why they’ve become such a hot topic in our sport.
What Is a Peptide?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids — the same building blocks that make up proteins. Your body naturally produces thousands of them, and they act as messengers, telling your cells when to grow, repair, reduce inflammation, and more.
Think of peptides as signals in your body’s communication system.
Hormones like insulin are peptides. So are many growth factors. The difference in the performance and recovery world is that researchers have created specific peptides designed to target certain biological pathways — especially tissue repair.
BPC-157: The Gut Peptide That Made Its Way to the Podium
BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a synthetic peptide derived from a protein found in human gastric juice. Its original role is protecting and healing the gut lining.
But during research, something unexpected showed up — it appeared to accelerate healing in tissues far beyond the digestive system.
Animal studies suggest BPC-157 may:
Promote new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis)
Increase collagen production
Reduce inflammation
Support tendon, ligament, muscle, bone, and nerve healing
A 2025 systematic review published in HSS Journal looked at 36 studies. Of those, 35 were animal-based. The one human study involved 12 patients with chronic knee pain — 7 reported meaningful relief for over six months after a single injection.
Promising? Yes. Proven? Not yet.
TB-500: Helping the Body Send Reinforcements
TB-500 is a synthetic version of thymosin beta-4, a naturally occurring peptide found in almost all cells. Its main job is helping cells move. In simple terms, TB-500 helps your body send repair cells to injured areas faster. It works by supporting actin, a protein responsible for cell structure and movement.
Research in animal models has shown:
Faster wound healing
Increased collagen formation
Improved tissue organization
Reduced scar tissue
One well-known study found wound healing improved by up to 61% within seven days compared to controls. But just like BPC-157 — human clinical data is essentially nonexistent.
Why Riders Are Paying Attention
Harescramble racing beats up the body in ways that are hard to explain to anyone who hasn’t done it.
Constant vibration
Repeated impacts
Awkward forces from crashes and saves
Hours of physical strain
It creates the perfect storm for soft tissue injuries —
and a strong desire to recover faster. That’s where the appeal comes in. If the animal data translates to humans (and that’s a big “if”), these peptides could potentially:
Speed up tendon and ligament healing
Reduce recovery time from muscle injuries
Improve tissue quality after injury
Help manage chronic inflammation
The combination of BPC-157 and TB-500 has even earned a nickname in athletic circles: the “Wolverine stack.” Anecdotally, many athletes report positive results.
But here’s the reality:
Anecdote is not evidence.
At this point, we simply don’t have the human data to confirm what the animal studies suggest.
In Part 2, we’ll break down the real risks, what’s happening with regulation right now, and what every rider should know before even thinking about using these.
Before acting on any information in this article, I recommend that you consult a physical therapist or physician for a general health and physical activity readiness screening. If you are experiencing pain while riding, it is always beneficial to have a complete evaluation by a qualified physical therapist or physician. If you have any questions or comments, please email me at contact@motopt.com or call/text 904-395-5379. Let’s IMPROVE YOUR MOVE so you can ride pain-free with MotoPT.
Dr. Matthew Daugherty
PT, DPT, OTR/L, MOT, DBA
Associate Professor of Musculoskeletal Orthopedics Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists
Manual Therapy Certified
Intramuscular Dry Needling Certified If you need any high-quality, made-in-America hard parts from Fastway (like ankle-saver footpegs or handguards) use the code motopt15 (all lowercase) at www.promotobillet.com and save 15%.
For over 50 years, TF Racing has been elevating the off-road riding and racing experience for countless enthusiast while building champions on and off the track. Contact us today for a custom quote
Just finished up the final round of harescramble racing before the summer break. Unfortunately, the crowd was a little smaller, which is really a shame considering that the OSDR club goes above and beyond in creating a great event. The waterslides, the pit bike race, the endurocross section, and all the extra single track they add for Sunday makes this an FTR favorite each season. I am uncertain why there was a smaller crowd but I have to think that rising fuel costs played a role.
When we think about retirement planning, we have to expect the unexpected. Whether it’s the war in Iran, rising interest rates, the war in Ukraine, or a global pandemic that shut the entire world down; it has been a wild ride the last few years. It is easy to feel anxious during these times of economic uncertainty. However, what we have found is that proper retirement planning is a tremendous help in relieving that stress. If you know how your money is working for you, it is so much easier to weather a storm. However, if you are in the dark and don’t know exactly where your income is coming from; these real-world issues that affect the markets will cause a lot of unnecessary stress. If you would like to discuss how your retirement plan will hold up against the next economic downturn, give us a call at 813502-1228. We help people with retirement planning so they can be confident even in times of market uncertainty.
Investment Advisory Services offered through Continuum Advisory, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor, located at 873 E. State Street, Eagle, ID 83616. Mosaic Financial Group is not an affiliate of Continuum Advisory, LLC but is a DBA (doing business as) of Continuum Advisory. For More information on Continuum Advisory, visit https:// adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/283155
Photo by Zach Hodges
RIDERS: CULLEN LAYE
PHOTO: GARREN WRIGHT
RIDER: BAILEY LOUDERMILK
PHOTO: GARREN WRIGHT
@strong_roots_fitness_llc @strong_roots_fitness_llc
trainwithstrongroots@gmail.com trainwithstrongroots@gmail.com
2025 -2026 FTR Competition Schedule
*dates and locations subject to change
FTR’s BOD has voted to transition to a Calendar-Year (January to December) Season. So, for the 2025-2026 season, we will have a ONE-TIME 18-month schedule. After that, we will run from January through December. This was done to comply with AMA promotion rules. The approved preliminary schedule of 15 Hare Scrambles and 13 Enduros.
August 31, 2025
September 28, 2025
October 10-11, 2025
October 25-26, 2025
November 2, 2025
November 8-9, 2025
December, 6-7, 2025
January 3-4, 2026
January 17-18, 2026
Jan/Feb 31-1 2026
February 8, 2026
February 14-15, 2026
February 22, 2026
March 8, 2026
March 14-15, 2026
April 11-12, 2026
April 19, 2026
May 24, 2026
September 6, 2026
September 12-13, 2026
September 20, 2026
September 27, 2026
October 10-11, 2026
October 24-15, 2026
November 1, 2026
November 7-8, 2026
November 15, 2026
November 21-22, 2026
Enduro #1
Litlle Brown Jug Clinton, SC
Enduro #2 Orange State Croom, FL
HS #1
CFTR Bartow, FL
HS #2 SADRA Bartow, FL
Enduro #3
Gobbler Getter Maplesville, AL
HS #3 Sunrunners Bartow, FL
HS #4 OSDR Punta Gorda, FL
HS #5 SCTB Brooksville, FL
HS #6 PBTTR Okeechobee, FL
HS #7
Enduro #4
TCTR Indiantown, FL
Sumter National Wedgefield, SC
HS #8 BSTR Lake Butler, FL
Enduro #5
Enduro #6
HS #9
St. Mary’s Shoals Macclenny, FL
Straight Arrow Richloam, FL
NCTB Dade City, FL
HS #10 OSDR Punta Gorda, FL
Enduro #7 Armadillo Lake Butler, FL
Enduro #8 Cherokee Greensboro, GA
Enduro #9
Little Brown Jug Clinton, SC
HS #11 DDR Palatka, FL
Enduro #10 Diamondback New Augusta, MS
Enduro #11 Orange State Croom, FL
HS #12 CFTR Bartow, FL
HS #13 SADRA Bartow, FL
Enduro #12 Gobbler Getter Maplesville, AL
HS #14 Sunrunners Bartow, FL
Enduro #13 St. Mary’s Shoals Macclenny, FL
HS #15 OSDR Punta Gorda, FL
