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PHOTO: TYLER MILLER
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THE OFFSEASON
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TABLE OF TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTENTS FEATURES WHO TO CONTACT WHO TO CONTACT
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PREZ SEZ PREZ SEZ
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CHAPLAIN’s CORNER CHAPLAIN’s CORNER
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OCEAN 2 OCEAN FUEL CAMP PHOTOS
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BUILT BY THE RIDE SAME FRIENDS, DIFFERENT PASTURE
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MotoPT MotoPT
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TECH TIP TECH TIP
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VINTAGE EXCERPTS VINTAGE EXCERPTS
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EVENT SCHEDULE CROSSWORD
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EVENT SCHEDULE
EDITOR: KURT LUCAS EDITOR: KURT LUCAS ftreditor@floridatrailriders.org ftreditor@floridatrailriders.org All content herein is copyrighted © by Florida Trail Riders, Inc. with all rights reserved, and may content herein is copyrighted © “FTR” by Florida Riders, with all reserved, may not All be reproduced without permission. andTrail “Florida TrailInc. Riders” arerights trademarks of and Florida notTrail be reproduced permission. “Floridatrademarks Trail Riders” are trademarks of Florida Riders, Inc. without Unauthorized use of“FTR” these and registered is prohibited by law. Trail Riders, Inc. Unauthorized use of these registered trademarks is prohibited by law. Florida Trail Riders, Inc. Trail Riders, Inc. FL P.O. BoxFlorida 198 Keystone Heights, P.O. Box 198 Keystone Heights, FL (352) 538-6291 (352) 538-6291
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EDITOR’s NOTE EDITOR’s NOTE Welcome to the offseason... sort of. For the first time in FTR history, we find ourselves in a pretty unusual spot. Normally by this time of year, the season has wrapped up, champions have been crowned, bikes are getting rebuilt, and everyone is counting down the days until September rolls around. But not this year. With FTR transitioning to a January to December schedule to align with the AMA calendar, we are experiencing something completely new. A summer break right in the middle of our season. Points are still on the line, championships are still up for grabs, and when racing returns, we’ll pick right back up where we left off. It’s definitely a strange feeling having this much time away from racing without the season actually being over. For some, this break means bike maintenance, testing, training, and getting ready for the second half of the year. For others, it’s a chance to step away, recharge, and maybe even try something completely different. That’s what this summer has looked like for me. I decided to change things up and trade some of my seat time for swim goggles, a road bike, and running shoes as I started training for triathlons. At first glance, FTR and triathlon couldn’t seem more different. One involves a dirt bike, single track, and a throttle. The
other involves swimming, pedaling, and voluntarily running after you already did the first two. But surprisingly, they have a lot more in common than you would think. The preparation, the discipline, the mental battles, and the drive to improve are all the same. Whether you’re sitting on the line waiting for the horn to go off or standing at the edge of the water waiting for the start, you get that same mix of nerves and excitement. And when things get tough halfway through, it becomes the same challenge: keep pushing forward.
with at some point: low back pain. The interesting part? Your back might not actually be the problem. Your hips could be playing a bigger role than you realize. So enjoy the break, try something new, spend some time in the garage, and get ready for the second half of the season. We’ll be back on the line before we know it. See you at the races, Kurt Lucas FTR Magazine Editor
In this issue, Kyle McAfee talks more about this unique schedule change and how it affects our racers, especially the youth classes. A few extra months in a season might not sound like much, but kids grow fast. A rider who starts the year fitting perfectly on one bike might find themselves ready for the next size before the season is finished. Dr. Matt Daugherty also brings another great MotoPT column, this time tackling something almost every rider has probably dealt
River Stichter | Photo by Garren Wright
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Area Directors & Club Info AREA #1 - Out-of-State, Panhandle VACANT
JUNE 2026
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
AREA #7 - Seminola, Osceola, Orange 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 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 Ronnie Hames (386) 547-2397 ronnie@hbdmotografx. 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
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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 Manny Fellouzis (727) 204-7378 elf_288@hotmail.com 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
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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 hsref@floridatrailriders.org ENDURO REFEREE Peter Magee (352) 262-4974 cr250m@bellsouth.net BUSINESS MANAGER Darlene Riggs (352) 538-6291 businessmanager@floridatrailriders.org
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Words: Randy Faul
X WORDS: RANDY FAUL
JUNE 2026
Family Time As I mentioned in my April article, finding activities to enjoy with our families has taken on a whole new level, as FTR has recently had two families experience the KTM Junior Supercross with the families of Shawn Clark and Kyle McAfee. While both of the boys experienced a once-ina-lifetime opportunity, I’ll bet those two dads were just as excited and could hardly contain themselves as they watched their boys meet some of the pros while participating in autograph signings, track walks, stadium experiences, and some intense competition and fun. I was able to watch some of the live videos showing the action, and both dads were all smiles as the boys were treated like factory riders. More importantly, they were creating lifelong family memories that will never be forgotten. Congratulations to both families. The FTR family was proud to see you represented in the SX program. As FTR moves into our summer break, know that the wheels keep turning behind the scenes with the operation and continued improvement of our organization through many emails, phone calls, and meetings. One in particular was our Board of Directors meeting on April 25th, where we had great participation from our area directors and a lot of positive discussion. While the minutes are posted on our website, I wanted to add that the board, without hesitation, approved the purchase of a new Yamaha Viking SxS for our medical team. It should be
ready, complete with a few added accessories and FTR branding, by the time you read this. Along with the new SxS, we also approved some much-needed laptop replacements to ensure our sign-up and scoring systems continue to run smoothly. Our two sign-up and scoring team leaders, Tim and Lisa Nordle, will be working over the summer to get them set up and tested before we return in September. Tim and Lisa have always shown the consistency and professionalism needed to provide the very best experience, from getting your helmet scanned at sign-up to your final scan at the scoring chicane. They continue to keep our scanning percentage in the high 99% range, which is outstanding considering the conditions they work in. Speaking of the new SxS and our medical team, FTR would like to congratulate Donny Richardson on receiving the ER/Trauma Services Division Nurse of the Year award after previously being awarded Aeromed Nurse of the Year by Tampa General Hospital. Donny has also been the heart and driving force behind the Medical K9 Transport Program. Along with Donny, FTR is extremely fortunate to have such a great group of devoted and dedicated medical team members who are always there to take care of us in our time of need. THANK YOU! Thanks for listening, Randy Faul
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CHAPLAIN’s CORNER CHAPLAIN’s CHAPLAIN’s X CORNER CORNER
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WORDS: RODNEY BOYETTE
Hey FTR family!
time, and that is all we get. We can either make the most of it or sit idle while opportunities pass us by.
keep our eyes up, stay focused forward, and keep looking for those orange and green arrows. Victory is coming soon in Jesus’ name.
Words: Rodney Boyette
I cannot believe we are already on break. It feels like we just started racing. During this break, let’s remember to We are called to step outside of our comHappy June FTR Fam our time to train? If you only practice during the make time. Make time for what? A lot fort and ease. You do not gain muscle by down, During this summer break, take a look race, you’ll get beaten If we want to grow and strengthof things. Make time to rest, catch up staring at the weight set. You will never around and make time for your relationI hope you all are resting up and First, we need to get aligned in wear out faster, and struggle en our faith, trust, and boldaround the and to even cleanthe and get bygo. looking the bike sitting comes. ship with Jesus. will discover that preparing forhouse, the season start direction wefaster want to Not atwhen the pressure The ness,You we must train outside service the bikes so time theythis are ready forwith racing, on the stand. The samesame applies to our you become the best version of yourself back up again! By the just but by alignis true with our walk with the church walls through our comes we will have just ing ourselves withthrough Christ Jesus Jesus. If we only talk with God, wife, everyday walk. FUEL out, Camp. walk life and our relationship for your husband, kids, friends, finished FUEL Camp 2026, and through God’s word. You can’t read His word, and walk with with Jesus. and every person you encounter. IBut want to give a huge thank youtimetruly be ready without first Him on Sundays, how can we exIn the words of Jesus recorded most importantly, make to grow to every single one of you who aligning yourself with the path pect to grow in that relationship in Matthew 7:20, “You will know in your walk with Jesus. Here is the best news of all: God already I challenge you to try it, and I promise sacrificed an entire week of your you want to follow. I mean, you and gain wisdom and discernthem by their fruits.” saw day. He knowsment? exactly how we you will see the difference. summer to invest in our youth wouldn’t bolt thethis cylinder head Here’s the thing, though, it always are going to act in, and react. Even better, and the future of our sport and onseems before putting the piston You can always tell the differtough. I know I make excuses all would the are right now the to discipline God bless I between sure lovea my FTR famcountry. you? He will use where you When we have to y’all. ence beginner rider time. If I try to read in the morning, all grow you and teach others your ily,with and I cannot wait to seeEndurance, everyone resilin buildthrough a daily relationship and an A rider. You allthink are truly theishands Once you arejourney. aligned and moving God, we start to recognize the ience, and recovery show both on I can about everything I need September! and feetdone of Jesus. forward, what comes next? fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, the track and off. to get thatThe day.positive If I try to read at example by bringing peace, patience, night, I you tell set myself I’m toothe exhausted to So do not be discouraged during thosegoodness, faithgospel of Jesus into this crazy Training! fulness, gentleness, and self-conI sure do love you all and pray focus or stay awake. There will always difficult seasons. Instead, train yourself sport we love will leave a lasting trol. you continue to have an amazing be a reason not to spend time in God’s to recognize what is going on around you impression and change the lives Not just physical training, but summer. We cannot wait to see Word, likeyou there will always spiritual be a so youWhen can surrender itThe to God turn of thosejust around forever! training. you sameand thing happens when everyone back in September at reason not to do the things that matter. away from the excuseswe that soconsistent easily train for a race, you hydrate, stay with our perHog Waller! entangle us. Now that we’re on summer work out, and make choices that sonal training for race season. break, are we doing to won’t jeopardize your end goal. But if we choose not to invest Not towhat train. keep ourselves prepared? The same goes for yourwrote spiritual ourarrows walk with Not to clean the bikes. Do we I recently about in race and Jesus, we can sit back, hang the bikes up, and walk. fall apart under the stress of this Not to spend time with family. how they relate to the path we are called forget about racing? Or is this race we call life. Not to watch that movie with your kids. to walk. This is all part of the trail, probNot to take your wife on that date. ably somewhere around mile five at Melon Bash, haha. But the good news is mile **¡Feliz la dirección hacia la que losjust domingos, We arejunio, only familia given aFTR!** certain amount of six is on thequerehorizon. We have to¿cómo podemos ¡Espero que todos estén descansando y preparándose para que la temporada vuelva a arrancar! ¡Hola, familia de FTR! Para cuando esto se publique, habremos terminado el **FUEL No puedo creer que ya estemos Camp 2026**, y quiero dar un en el descanso de temporada. enorme agradecimiento a cada Parece que apenas comenzauno de ustedes que sacrificó una mos a competir. Durante este semana entera de su verano para tiempo de pausa, recordemos invertir en nuestra juventud y sacar tiempo. ¿Tiempo para en el futuro de nuestro deporte y qué? Para muchas cosas. Saquen nuestro país. tiempo para descansar, ponerse al día con las tareas del hogar e Ustedes son verdaderamente incluso limpiar y darle mantenlas manos y los pies de Jesús. El imiento a las motos para que ejemplo positivo que dan al llevar estén listas para el campamento el evangelio de Jesús a este inFUEL. creíble deporte que tanto amamos dejará una huella permanente y Pero, sobre todo, saquen tiempo cambiará las vidas de quienes los para crecer en su caminar con rodean. Jesús. Ahora que estamos en nuestro La realidad es que siempre receso de verano, ¿qué estamos parece difícil. Yo mismo pongo haciendo para mantenernos excusas muchas veces. Cuando preparados? ¿Nos sentamos a intento leer por la mañana, solo descansar, colgamos las motos y pienso en todo lo que tengo que nos olvidamos de las carreras? hacer durante el día. Si intento ¿O es este nuestro momento para leer por la noche, estoy agotado entrenar? y me digo a mí mismo que no Primero debemos alinearnos con
mos avanzar. No solo en nuestras carreras, sino alineándonos con Cristo Jesús a través de la Palabra de Dios. No podemos estar podré concentrarme ni mantenverdaderamente preparados sin erme despierto. Siempre habrá antes alinearnos con el camino una razón para no pasar tiempo que queremos seguir. Después en la Palabra de Dios, así como de todo, no instalarías la cabeza siempre habrá una razón para del cilindro antes de colocar el no hacer las cosas importantes. pistón, ¿verdad?
esperar crecer en esa relación y obtener sabiduría y discernimiento?
Siempre podemos notar la diferencia entre un piloto principiante y un piloto de categoría A. La resistencia, la resiliencia y la renuestra vida espiritual y nuescomo estar en la milla cinco del Cuando tenemos la disciplina de cuperación se demuestran tanto tra relación con Jesús. Melon Bash, ¡jajaja! Pero la bueconstruir una relación diaria con dentro como fuera de la pista. na noticia es que la milla seis ya Dios, comenzamos a reconocer los Y aquí viene la mejor noticia de se ve en el horizonte. Solo tenfrutos del Espíritu: amor, gozo, ¡De verdad los aprecio mucho a todas: Dios ya vio este día. Él emos que mantener la mirada paz, paciencia, bondad, fidelidad, todos y oro para que continúen sabe exactamente cómo vamos hacia arriba y hacia adelante, mansedumbre y dominio propio. disfrutando de un verano ina actuar y reaccionar. Pero buscando esas flechas naranjas creíble! ¡Estamos ansiosos por No entrenar. aún mejor, Él usará el lugar y verdes, y pronto tendremos Una vez que estamos alineados y Lo mismo sucede cuando somos verlos nuevamente en septiembre No limpiar las motos. donde estás ahora mismo para victoria sobre todo esto en el avanzando, ¿qué sigue? constantes con nuestro entreen Hog Waller! No salir con la familia. ayudarte a crecer y también nombre de Jesús. namiento personal para la No ver esa película con tus para enseñar a otros a través ¡Entrenamiento! temporada de carreras. Pero hijos. de tu proceso. si decidimos no invertir en No llevar a tu esposa a esa cita. Pero no solo entrenamiento físico, nuestro caminar con Jesús, Así que no te desanimes también entrenamiento espiritupodemos derrumbarnos bajo Solo tenemos una cantidad durante esas temporadas al. Cuando entrenas para una carla presión de esta carrera limitada de tiempo, y eso es difíciles. Más bien, entrénate rera, te hidratas, haces ejercicio y que llamamos vida. todo lo que recibimos. Podempara reconocer lo que sucede tomas decisiones que no ponen en os aprovecharlo al máximo o a tu alrededor, para que riesgo tu objetivo final. Lo mismo Si queremos crecer y forquedarnos quietos viendo cómo puedas rendirlo a Dios y aparsucede con nuestro caminar talecer nuestra fe, confianza las oportunidades pasan frente tarte de las excusas que tan espiritual. y valentía, debemos entrea nosotros. fácilmente nos enredan. nar fuera de los muros de la Si solo practicas durante la iglesia a través de nuestro Estamos llamados a salir de Hace poco escribí una reflexcarrera, terminarás agotado, te caminar diario. nuestra comodidad y de esa vida ión comparando las flechas desgastarás más rápido y tenfácil. No ganas músculo mirande nuestras carreras con el drás dificultades cuando llegue En las palabras de Jesús regdo las pesas. Nunca serás más camino que estamos llamados la presión. Lo mismo ocurre con istradas en Mateo 7:20: rápido mirando la moto sobre el a recorrer. Todo esto es parte nuestro caminar con Jesús. Si caballete. Lo mismo sucede con del sendero, probablemente solo hablamos con Dios, leemos “Por sus frutos los conoc9 Su palabra y caminamos con Él erán.”
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OCEAN OCEAN Photos 2from FUEL Ministry Camp 2026
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Words: Ron Lawson Photos: Panama Motorcycle Adventures Photos: Garren Wright
Question: How much suffering is the right amount? Dirt bike riders, for some reason, need it, maybe even crave it in small, well-planned doses. But when you’re up to your axles in thick red clay, the sun has just gone down and you are more than 100 kilometers from your bed, the proper amount of suffering is hard to gauge. “We only have to go through about three more kilometers of this,” said Jerry Curtis. “Then it gets better.” Those who had the energy laughed. Our group of 10 had already been pushing, pulling and towing our bikes through the jungle for almost 11 hours, and we hadn’t yet reached our lunch break. It was day one of the Ocean 2 Ocean Challenge, and we were working together in short bursts broken up by long gaps of breathing and sweating, but no measurable forward progress. All of us were experienced riders, but most were eligible for the
senior discount menu at Denny’s. We were hungry, exhausted and, worst of all, out of water. The situation would look dire to any outsider, but it was exactly what we signed up for. A CONTINENT COMPRESSED INTO 50 MILES Panama isn’t a very wide country. It’s only about 50 miles from the Pacific side to the Atlantic side. Fun fact: Panama doesn’t have an east coast or a west coast. The two shorelines face north and south; look at a map. In between the two coasts there’s a gigantic man-made lake, a rugged mountain range and lots of dense jungle. The concept of going overland through it all at the country’s widest point was the brain child of Jerry Curtis, Michelle Curtis and Abdiel Morales. Jerry and his wife run a business in Florida, but both grew up in the Canal Zone of Panama, so
they have dual citizenship and intimate knowledge of Panama. Ten years ago they came up with the concept of running a coastto-coast rally, all by road-book navigation. The problem was that it was almost impossible. That first year attracted some of the best riders in the region, but only one rider finished, Chris Birch. There were refinements to the route and a move to the driest time of the year (our winter), and the event has now become a yearly Central American happening, attracting hard enduro riders, adventure bikes and 4WD nuts. It is designed to be a three-day trek that starts near the port of Colón and finishes at Playa Venao on the Azuero Peninsula. Some years have been harder than others, but none have been easy. Here’s another fun fact: if you sign up and expect a spoon-fed adventure, you will disappear into the jungle and never be seen again. Most of your body will be
floridatrailriders.com carried away by ants, and monkeys will eat the rest. It’s an adventure that can only be attempted if you have a great deal of local knowledge and support. My core group consisted of rookies Pete Murray, Lendon Smith and myself, but our extended team had Jerry as well as Michael Izondro, who was the course designer. We also had “Captain” Kirk Russell, Jason Ennis, Bryan Faby, Randy Rash, Jason Smith and a handful of other Ocean 2 Ocean veterans. Jerry had figured out where to get gas, where we would stay, who would carry our bags and everything. Our fate was in his hands. A NIGHT TO REMEMBER It turns out that the 2026 edition of Ocean 2 Ocean will go down in the books as the most difficult ever. Go figure. The rainy season lasted longer than usual, and the main route from the Atlantic to the centrally located village of El Copé was waterlogged. To make matters worse, the rain stopped. That’s when the mud gets sticky and slick at the same time. “Watch out for the white clay,” said Jerry. “I thought red was the slickest color,” I said. “Not here. Gray is more slippery, and white is the worst color of all.” Good advice. We kept moving forward in short spurts, often laying in the mud to rest. More good advice: “Use stream water for the radiators. The water in your hydration pack is for drinking,” said Jerry. Too late. I had nothing left for either. At one point we had a surprising
15 FLORIDATRAILRIDERS.COM addition to our group, Michael’s be his first time in Panama. brother Michele arrived in a Kawasaki Teryx, truly a feat of ex- Then there was four-time World traordinary 4x4manship. He had Enduro GP champion Ivan Ceran ice chest with a little water vantes. He showed up to ride and a lot of beer. the Hard Enduro sections on a Triumph Tiger 900. Clearly an By 9 p.m. we worked our way impossible goal, but he gave it a to what was supposed to be our shot. At one point he had no less lunch stop, where we got food, than eight Panamanian locals gas and, most thankfully, water. pulling him at the end of a tow From that point on, the original rope. He made it almost 30 kicourse was impossible; we could lometers before his clutch gave not arrive at El Copé before the up. But you don’t become a world start time for day two. champion if you’re a quitter. He got to a road crossing, called for This is where Jerry really showed help and somehow conjured a his resourcefulness. He devised more suitable motorcycle, not a a plan where we would go back Triumph 900, but you can’t be towards the Atlantic side on pave- choosy in the jungle. He evenment. There he had a truck and a tually caught up with our group bus waiting to collect us and make and was there at our 9 p.m. lunch the 150-kilometer trek to our hobreak. tel. We arrived at 5 a.m., got three hours of sleep and made the start A CHANGE OF SCENERY of day two. If not for Jerry we would be monkey food. Day two started late. After three hours of restless sleep, we reIVAN AND THE KIDS grouped to do it again. “You’re going to like today’s ride,” said No one rode the entire course that Jerry. At that point, I had no fight day, but some came close. Jesse left. If I was to become monkey Ansley, Cade Smith and Dylan food, so be it. Rash were all pro-level riders who started on the Hard Enduro Jerry was right. Day two was course, which had some alternate nothing like day one. It started on sections that were even more gravel roads that were somewhat grueling. They made it well past dusty. Who knew I would ever be the lunch break in daylight before so happy to see dust? Then we they resorted to creative alterascended into the mountains to nates. Jesse is almost a native. reveal grand vistas and striking He’s ridden in Panama with Jerry views. Imagine Oahu or Maui and the gang enough to know without people. I don’t think that what he’s doing. Cade is a tour California riders can even picture leader in his own right. He runs all the different shades of green. Captain Baja Tours, a business The central areas of Panama are near Cabo San Lucas that he inpainted in deep, vibrant hues that herited from Kirk Russell. Sherwin-Williams doesn’t even know how to mix. That day was There were several other celebthe perfect recovery ride. We had rity entries on the Hard Enduro easy trails and long sections of section. Felipe Prohens is a toptwisty, fresh blacktop. The mus20 Dakar Rally finisher from the cle cramps and dehydration of Atacama desert of Chile. It would the day before faded into a vague 15
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dream and humanity returned. The Continental Divide isn’t just a North American thing. It runs from the top of the world to the bottom, with peaks in Panama that are as high as 11,000 feet. We didn’t go that high, but there were points where you could see one ocean then the other, just not simultaneously. The riding wasn’t hard, the scenery was grand, and we had Ivan in our group for entertainment. He was back on the repaired 900 Tiger and happy to be a member of our group. If it got boring, he would provide wheelies, drifts and various feats that made the 900 look like a petite motocross bike. There were only a few deep river
crossings that brought back brief flashbacks of day-one stress, but all were manageable for our sleep-deprived expedition. We arrived at the finish well after dark, but in much better spirits than our previous evening. Day three was another change-up. The terrain was more challenging, and we were re-energized enough to misbehave as riders normally do. The pace picked up, and there were random pranks, crashes and occasional attempts at splashing each other in creeks and puddles. All good, healthy fun for immature old men far from home. That day we were mixed with the 4WD drivers. It turns out there are more of those than motorcy-
cles. Most don’t even attempt day one. They know better. Just about everyone arrived safely in the surfing mecca of Playa Venao before dark. There were about 160 riders and 200 drivers who participated. One 4x4 driver was injured on day one when his winch cable broke, but the event was mostly free of serious mishap. That’s amazing for an event that started with such impossible struggles. I still have to stand by my advice not to attempt the Ocean 2 Ocean Challenge without massive support. There is, however, a much more rational alternative. Jerry and Abdiel have started Panama Motorcycle Adventures to offer
floridatrailriders.com custom tours in Panama. They can tailor a ride to suit your time frame and appetite for adventure. I doubt they will offer a full cross-continental trek, but you can take that up with them at PanamaMotorcycleTours.com or [concierge@panamamotorcycletours. com](mailto:concierge@panamamotorcycletours.com).
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And that brings us back to the original question: How much suffering is enough? It turns out that any amount of suffering is acceptable as long as it’s in the past. Pain is temporary. Legend is forever.
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John Dossitt - Built by the Ride
SAME FRIENDS, DIFFERENT PASTURE DIFFERENT PASTURE
Words: Kyle McAfee SAME FRIENDS,
JUNE 2026
In the world of hare scrambles, you learn a lot Words: Kyle McAfee about a person without ever saying a word.
But something felt off.
You see itFor in how they line up. You how ride that did right. Ayet day thatstill did need not to as long as most of us cansee it in have been A ordered. And wenot are feelarrives, they’ll remember, FTR seasons have reserving oursense ticketsatfor the figure out how to finish the seathey handle a bad start, a stalled bike, or all a brumake the time. followed a familiar rhythm. banquet. son aboard the same machine tal section of trail that just will not let up. if they hope to continue their The next morning, John suffered a stroke that We’d kick off a new season in Instead, we’re hitting pause championship chase. And if youSeptember ever watched John Dossitt ride,somewhere you changed in an instant. as temperatures around his twolife thirds saw it clearly. began to cool and riding conof the way through an active Others may decide that chamditions became less of a suffer championship pionships aren’t their priority Whatchase. followed was a fight no rider ever prefest. We’d race our way through and move on to the next class He had heart. pares for. Surgeries, setbacks, and a road that the fall, winter, and spring That’s a strange feeling. anyway. When the season looks nothing like the trails he once knew. The months before wrapping things resumes, some familiar names John was not just someone who showed up kind of challenge be overcome with up sometime in April or May. Fortothe next couple months, that cannot may be lining up on entirely race. He was part of what makes the Florida throttle and determination alone. At that point, championships riders will have plenty of time different rows than they were would be decided, points would replay races in their minds. back in the spring. Trail Riders community what it is. He wastoone be finalized, and we’d spend the They’ll think about the points of those guys who loved being there just as But if racing teaches you anything, it is how to summer recovering before gath- they gained, the points they It will be the same season, but much as he loved competing. dig deep when things get tough. ering for the annual banquet to lost, the mistakes they made, in many ways it will feel like a And that is that exactly what John isone. doing. celebrate the accomplishments and the opportunities different The early of mornings, the smell of fuel, the sound the season. still lie ahead. Some riders are sitting comfortably Of course, there are some adof bikes echoing through the woods, the bench Today, hisatop racethe looks different. Then we’d do it all over again. standings. Others are still on vantages to this unique break racing afterward, it all meant something to the website counting every as well. him. The finish line is not a checkered flag. It is But this year is different. point and looking for ways to progress. It the is movement. is recovery. It isto the make up ground when seaOur It bodies get a chance OriginallyInfrom Minnesota, John brought that small victories most people would never think an effort to align our comson resumes in September. heal. The nagging injuries, petition thehis way to sore shoulders, aching passion with him calendar when hewith made twice about, but that mean everything rightknees, AMA calendar year, FTR has For all of us, it creates a level of and bruises that accumulate Florida. It did not take long for him to find his now. embarked on something we’ve anticipation that we’ve never throughout a racing season fiplace in the racing community, building friendnever done before. Rather than experienced before. nally get some time to recover. ships thatour would last a lifetime. The same grit that carried him through miles of traditional fall to spring Florida is still there. The same get determischedule, we’ve essentially com- It also creates somewoods interesting Our motorcycles the attenbined season and was a halfnot into challenges. Especially our refusal tiontothey’ve Like so many ofa us, racing just somenation. Thefor same quit. been begging for. one It extended youth riders. thing he did. becamechampionship part of who he was. season. And most importantly. Our Anyone who has spent bank time accounts in this sport knows Four months is a long time in get a chance to Those who rode with him for willthe tell you he the waslife of riders not give up easily. That breath. mindset does The result is that first a youthdo rider. catch their never afraid to push hard, but he also never lost not disappear when the helmet comes off. time in FTR history, we’ve reached summer break with Some sight of why we all do this in the first place. It of our younger racers are Let’s be honest. Racing is one championships still hanging in going inchwas about the ride, the challenge, and the peo-to grow Johnseveral may not be liningof upthe formost the rewarding next hare hobbies the balance. es before we line back up on many of us have ever found, but ple around you. scramble, but make noit’s mistake, he is still in a the starting line. They’ll gain not exactly cheap. A few fight. Normally, by this point, we confidence, strength, and skill. months without entry fees, fuel The weekend before everything changed, John know who won. The battles Some will have outgrown the bills, hotel rooms, tires, chains, have been fought. The expect points him motorcycles they’re and emergency was exactly where you would to be, And he is currently approaching sprockets, it the same way he ap- parts have been counted. The trophies racing by the time September orders isn’t necessarily a bad at the races. Lined up and banging bars at the proached every race, one section at a time, one Okeechobee round hosted by Palm Beach Track obstacle at a time, and with everything he has and Trail. got.
floridatrailriders.com
19 FLORIDATRAILRIDERS.COM
Photo by Tyler Miller
The FTR community has always been about more than racing. It is about the people who make it what it is, the friendships, the support, and the understanding that we are all part of something bigger. John Dossitt is part of that. He always will be. John, the entire Florida Trail Riders community is cheering for you. You’ve got this.
thing. And perhaps most importantly, we get our weekends back for a little while. Some riders will spend their summer exploring riding destinations like Durhamtown or Highland Park. Others will load up and head west in search of bucket list riding opportunities. Many of us will simply enjoy riding without the pressure of points, championships, and stopwatches. Some won’t even look at their bike until September. We’ll take family vacations. Catch up on home projects. Spend time
with friends who only see us during the off season. Maybe even knock a few items off those honey do lists that have been growing since last September. Then, before we know it, September will arrive again. The bikes will come back out of the garage. Race fuel will start filling the cans again. The Facebook page will fire up again and everyone will start calculating points and talking strategy. And for the first time in FTR history, we’ll be returning from a summer break not to begin a new season, but to finish one.
Nobody really knows what that will look like. That’s what makes this season so interesting. We’re all experiencing something new together. A couple months from now, we’ll find out who stayed sharp, who improved, who healed up, who grew up, and ultimately who finishes the job and brings home a championship. Until then, enjoy the break. Recharge. Ride for fun. Spend time with family. The championships are still waiting for us when we get back.
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Peptides in Racing: What BPC-157 and TBMotoPT: IMPROVE MotoPT: IMPROVE 500 Actually Are, What the Research Says,
YOUR MOVE YOUR MOVE Part 2: Hype, Hope, or the Real Deal
and Why the Rules Just Changed
MOTO JUNE 2026
Words: Dr. Matthew Daugherty, Welcome back, FTR Family. Orthopedic Physical Therapist and Racer
PT
In Part 1, we covered what BPC-157 and TB-500 are, how they work, and why riders are paying attention to them. Now let’s talk about the other side of the conversation: the risks, the regulations, and the reality of where this all Your Low Back Pain Might Actually Be a Hip been building a consistent picture. stands today. Problem A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis by The Research Gap Is Real MotoPT Column with Dr. Daugherty de Sousa and colleagues pooled 14 studies and found people with low back pain had measurThe biggest issue with both BPC-157 and TB-500 is simple: If you race, you know the condition of your low ably weaker hip abductors and extensors (your back. Not the dramatic crash injury, the other glute medius and glute max) than pain-free conWe still do not have strong human data. one. The dull back ache Sunday night after a trols. The effect sizes weren’t small. race or long moto. The stiffness that has you Most of the research on BPC-157 comes from a single labwalking like a tin man to the truck. The thing A 2024 review in BMC Musculoskeletal Disororatory in Croatia. That does not automatically make the that quietly steals your last two laps because ders by Pizol and colleagues came to the same science invalid, but it does mean the findings have not yet you can’t hold your riding position. place: people with low back pain tend to show been independently replicated on a large scale. weaker hip abductors and extensors and reHere’s what twenty-plus years on the table and duced hip range of motion, especially internal TB-500 faces a similar situation. There is extensive animal on the bike has taught me: a cranky low back is rotation. Their message to clinicians was clear: research, but almost no completed human clinical trials. very often a weak hip in disguise. stop treating the back in isolation and start assessing the hip. That matters. The Back Doesn’t Work Alone The one I like to share with athletes is a 2010 These compounds appear to promote angiogenesis (new Your lumbar spine and your hips are connected study by Kendall, Schmidt, and Ferber. Their blood vessel formation) and accelerated cell growth. In by a structure called the thoracolumbar fascia. low-back-pain group started out about 31% healing tissue, that may be exactly what you want. But Think of it as the suspension linkage between weaker in the hip abductors than controls. without long-term human studies, we do not fully underyour trunk and your legs. After just three weeks of targeted hip-abductor stand the potential risks. The same pathways that help strengthening, those patients got stronger and healing could theoretically create problems in unhealthy Force coming up from the pegs has to transfer reported a 48% reduction in pain. tissue or undetected disease processes. through the hips and into the spine, and if the WORDS: DR. MATT DAUGHERTY hips can’t manage that load, the back picks up I’ll be straight the way I’d want it reported to Right now, there simply is not enough long-term evidence the tab. me: small group, and the specific mechanical Orthopedic Physical to say otherwise with certainty. change they were chasing (pelvic drop) didn’t Therapist and Racer On the bike, your hips are your anchor. They let move much. But the pain did. The Product Quality Problem you grip the tank, weight the outside peg, and absorb braking bumps and whoops instead of Hard to ignore. This is where things get serious. Most people currently sending all of it into your spine. using peptides are purchasing them online as “research Finally, a 2023 review in Sports by Santamaría chemicals.” That means there is essentially no oversight on Weak hips turn your back into the shock aband colleagues pulled together seven trials and what is actually inside the vial. sorber. found that adding hip strengthening to standard low-back treatment improved both pain FDA testing on gray-market peptide products has shown: Backs are terrible shock absorbers. and disability.
IMPROVE
YOUR MOVE
Incorrect dosages Fair warning so nobody quotes me wrong: a lot Unlisted ingredients of this is associative, and some is lower certainContamination This isn’t just clinic folklore. The literature has ty. We can’t say weak hips cause every bad back. Entirely different compounds than what the label claimed What the Research Actually Says
floridatrailriders.com Some products have even been found to contain bacterial endotoxins. But the pattern points one direction, and it matches what I see in racers. In plain English: you may not actually be injecting what you think you are. Why This Hits Racers Harder That risk is not theoretical. It is documented. Watch a rider in a rough section. The ones who fatigue into backWorld pain are letting the Why the Sports Is almost Payingalways Attention bike push them around instead of driving it with their hips andstrong legs. human clinical data, the sports Even without world is taking these compounds seriously. When the glutes give out, you stop gripping with your legs, you sit back,Agency your arms takehas over (hello, The World Anti-Doping (WADA) investigatarm pump), and your lumbar spine eats every ed TB-500 specifically to develop testing methodshit forthe suspension didn’t. doping control. Both compounds are prohibited in sanctioned competition. Strong hips keep you in an athletic, hinged position lap Thatafter tells lap. you something important: people at the highest levels of athletics believe these That’s not just That’s control, and control compounds maycomfort. have meaningful performance or recovis lap time. ery effects. What to ActuallyLandscape Do About It The Regulatory Just Changed You need gym full equipment. A few Overdon’t the last fewa years, theof peptide world has shifted things I’d start with: rapidly. • to teach you Drug to load the hips, not(FDA) the InHip latehinges 2023, the Food and Administration back (the same pattern you want on the bike). moved 19 commonly used peptides, including BPC-157 and TB-500, onto its Category 2 bulk substance list. That • Glute bridges and single-leg bridges. effectively prevented licensed compounding pharmacies from producing them. • Banded lateral walks and side-lying abduction for the Keep the bands around the ball of The glute intentmedius. was safety. your foot. The result was something else entirely. • Single-leg work (split squats, step-downs), because racing a single-leg-dominant sportwith whether you Demandissimply moved underground, athletes and realize it or not. patients purchasing products online from unregulated sources. Gray-market peptide sales exploded, while phyQuality and control beat heavy and sloppy. sician oversight and quality control disappeared.
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FLORIDATRAILRIDERS.COM is compelling. Serious orthopedic and sports medicine researchers are paying attention. Before acting on any information in this article, I recommend that consult a physical therapist or But that does notyou mean the science is settled. physician for a general health and physical activity readiness screening. experiencing The human evidence If is you still are extremely limited,pain and the while riding, it is always beneficial to haveare a comrisks associated with unregulated products very real. plete evaluation by a qualified physical therapist or physician. The Bottom Line for Riders IfIfyou any questions comments, please email thishave is something you areorgenuinely interested in, the me at contact@motopt.com or call/text 904-395-5379. safest path forward is: Let’s YOUR MOVE so you can regenerative ride painWorkIMPROVE with a physician who understands free with MotoPT. medicine Avoid gray-market online products Dr. Matthew Daugherty Wait for legitimate pharmacy-compounded options PT, DPT, OTR/L, MOT, DBA Use peptides alongside proper rehab, not instead of it Associate Professor of Musculoskeletal Orthopedics Board Certified Clinical Specialist Peptides are notOrthopaedic magic. Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical They do Therapists not replace strength work, mobility, proper meManual Certified chanics,Therapy or addressing the underlying issues that caused Intramuscular Dry Needling the injury in the first place. Certified IfThink you need any new high-quality, made-in-America hard of it like suspension technology. The early parts from Fastway (like ankle-saver footpegs data may look promising, but you would not boltor it onto handguards), use the codeamotopt15 (allproper lowercase) your bike the night before race without setup, at www.promotobillet.com and save 15%. testing, and evaluation. References The same mindset applies here.
de Sousa CS, de FLA, Machado MB, Ferreira Before acting onJesus any information in this article, I rec-G, Ayres IGT, de Aquino LM, Fukuda TY, Gomes-Neto ommend that you consult a physical therapist or physiM. Lower muscle strength in patients low cian for a limb general health and physical activitywith readiness back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. screening. If you are experiencing pain while riding, itJ Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2019;19(1):69–78. is always beneficial to have a complete evaluation by a Pizol GZ, Miyamoto GC, Cabral CMN. Hip qualified physical therapist or physician. If biomeyou have any chanics in patients with low back pain, do questions or comments, please email me atwhat contact@mowe know? A systematic review. BMC Musculoskelet topt.com or call/text 904-395-5379. Let’s IMPROVE YOUR Disord. 2024;25(1):415. MOVE so you can ride pain-free with MotoPT. Kendall KD, Schmidt C, Ferber R. The relationship between hip-abductor Dr. Matthew Daughertystrength and the magnitude And if your back is already talking to you, get it of pelvic drop inMOT, patients Then, in February 2026, **Robert F. Kennedy Jr. anPT, DPT, OTR/L, DBAwith low back pain. J looked at before you load it. There’s a difference Sport Rehabil. 2010;19(4):422–435. nounced that many of those peptides may be moved back Associate Professor of Musculoskeletal Orthopedics between weak and injured, you want someone Santamaría G, Rodríguez I, Rodríguez-Pérez to Category 1 status, allowingand licensed compounding Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical SpecialistV, Cowho knows racing to tell them apart. breros-Mielgo R, Lantarón-Caeiro E, Seco-Casares M, pharmacies to once again prepare them with a physician Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual PhysiFernández-Lázaro D. Effect of Hip Muscle Strengthprescription. cal Therapists Bottom Line ening Exercises Pain and Manual Therapyon Certified Disability in Patients with At the time of writing, formal FDA publication was still Intramuscular Dry Needling If your back is the thing ending your motos, don’t Non-Specific Low Back Pain. pending, but the direction appears clear. Certified just stretch it and hope. Look upstream at the hips. Sports (Basel). 2023;11(9):167. If you need any high-quality, So… Are They Legit? made-in-America hard parts The research and the racetrack agree on this one. from Fastway (like ankle-saver Here is the honest answer: BPC-157 and TB-500 are not footpegs or handguards) use the Build snake the oil. hips, protect the back, and give yourself code motopt15 (all lowercase) those last two laps back. at www.promotobillet.com and The biological mechanisms are real. The animal data save 15%.
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FLORIDATRAILRIDERS.COM
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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
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2026
THE ARCHIVES Excerpts from the June 1991 issue of the Florida Trail Riders Magazine.
floridatrailriders.com
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Photo by Garren Wright
MAY
JUNE 2026
RIDERS: BRANDON FRAZIER PHOTO: TYLER MILLER
2026
floridatrailriders.com
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Summer break, but the riding never stops. Sam Jarczynski stays sharp during the FTR offseason, railing a berm at the FastTraxx Ride Day at FutureMX in Brooksville, Florida. Photo by Garren Wright
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2026
floridatrailriders.com
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2026
MAY Strong Roots Fitness
JUNE 2026
Built for Riders. Back by Results
@strong_roots_fitness_llc trainwithstrongroots@gmail.com
floridatrailriders.com
31 FLORIDATRAILRIDERS.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 Enduro #1 Litlle Brown Jug Clinton, SC September 28, 2025 Enduro #2 Orange State Croom, FL October 10-11, 2025 HS #1 CFTR Bartow, FL October 25-26, 2025 HS #2 SADRA Bartow, FL November 2, 2025 Enduro #3 Gobbler Getter Maplesville, AL November 8-9, 2025 HS #3 Sunrunners Bartow, FL December, 6-7, 2025 HS #4 OSDR Punta Gorda, FL January 3-4, 2026 HS #5 SCTB Brooksville, FL January 17-18, 2026 HS #6 PBTTR Okeechobee, FL Jan/Feb 31-1 2026 HS #7 TCTR Indiantown, FL February 8, 2026 Enduro #4 Sumter National Wedgefield, SC February 14-15, 2026 HS #8 BSTR Lake Butler, FL February 22, 2026 Enduro #5 St. Mary’s Shoals Macclenny, FL March 8, 2026 Enduro #6 Straight Arrow Richloam, FL March 14-15, 2026 HS #9 NCTB Dade City, FL April 11-12, 2026 HS #10 OSDR Punta Gorda, FL April 19, 2026 Enduro #7 Armadillo Lake Butler, FL May 24, 2026 Enduro #8 Cherokee Greensboro, GA September 6, 2026 Enduro #9 Little Brown Jug Clinton, SC September 12-13, 2026 HS #11 DDR Palatka, FL September 20, 2026 Enduro #10 GCSB Robertsdale, AL September 27, 2026 Enduro #11 Orange State Croom, FL October 10-11, 2026 HS #12 CFTR Bartow, FL October 24-15, 2026 HS #13 SADRA Bartow, FL November 1, 2026 Enduro #12 Gobbler Getter Maplesville, AL November 7-8, 2026 HS #14 Sunrunners Bartow, FL November 15, 2026 Enduro #13 St. Mary’s Shoals Macclenny, FL November 21-22, 2026 HS #15 OSDR Punta Gorda, FL
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