KOTH Series at Hawk Pride MX Park - Johnny Moore #140 Sighting

EMX is not at HPMX today but we have been informed that Pro Rider Johnny Moore #140 is in the House. Johnny has been riding the Lucas Oil Outdoor Motocross Championship this Summer and had a break this weekend. EMX had a chance to interview Johnny last year at MX886 at a KOTH race and really enjoyed meeting him. Johnny has been riding very well this Summer in the Outdoors and EMX wishes him continued success the rest of the 2011 season and also in 2012 SX an Outdoors. Hey, could someone who is a Mafia member let me know how the race turns out, get me a number of someone I can interview with like "The Ankle Savers Crew" . Hope all KOTH riders have a blast today at HPMX. Stay cool I am home out by my pool.

AMT Series Final at Little Power Sports

Sorry it has taken me almost a week to get this blog up. I had to wait on some interviews with a few of the series champions. The AMT Series finally finished up early into Sunday morning and EMX was there until the last award was given out. Reports were that there were almost 300 entries that showed up to do battle at the famous Little Power Sports track in Russellville Alabama. What a turn out. Christy Alerd recieved a special award for helping out with the series and so did Tony Kimbrough for keeping up with the series points leaders. It would take me way too long to run down all the 21 races or 42 moto's for those keeping count at home. Here is the link where you can find the results from the race and the final points standings of the series http://www.mx886.net/2010%20AMT%20SPRING%. I will say that the racing was was awesome and as the night moved on the track got better. Greg had some bad luck with a water main and the track pretty much sat in the 100 degree heat and baked all day. The staff did a good jod getting the track watered with the water truck, which is a very difficult task. Med flight came in the chopper for a little while to watch the race. If your not a member of med flight you should check into joining the service, it could save you many thousands of dollars if but hopefully not ever you or a family member has to be air lifted. The medic on duty had his hands full as there were several crashes during the night and he did an awesome job. It was nice to know that he actually was out working the track instead of sitting in an ambulance where most of the time they can't even see the track. It was comforting to see him be the first one to the riders who did go down and he was definately on top of the event. Keith Davis wrapped up the 40+ class Championship and the Rose Brothers captured several Championships. I had a chance to catch up with Matthew Weakly who won two Championships, Tristan Pickens who also captured two titles for himself, and Boogie Jackson who also won a Championship on his 65. Once again thanks to Greg and the AMT Series for having us out for a great night of racing. Here is the first of three interviews with Champion Matthew Weakly.



EMX: You just wrapped up two Championships, what did it take and was it a goal for 2011?

MW: We had planned to race 8 races to be eligible to qualify for the Championship and we raced exactly 8. We said we would just let the cards fall where they might and we won both the 85 12-15 and Supermini Championships.



EMX: What are your goals for the rest of 2011 and 2012?

MW: We will race some of the KOTH Series and will be a HPMX this weekend for the opener. Then we plan on heading to the Branson National and try to win some Championships there.



EMX: You broke your back last year riding you bicycle, how long where you off the motorcycle?

MW: 7 long months so I sat out all of last year and have actually only been back riding 5 months.

EMX: He raises his shirt to show me the huge scar from his surgery: SCAR - A tatoo with a story. Glad you made it back, man can the kid roll on a dirt bike.



EMX: You made it to Loretta's a couple years ago on 65's in 2 classes, what about 2012 on the 85 and Supermini?

MW: Definately, its a goal right now. I feel I was riding well enough to make it this year but we decided since I had only been back a little while riding we would just ride this season and have some fun racing before going to work in 2012.

EMX: Are you having fun?

MW: Having fun with it. Qualifying for the LL National can be very stressful so we dicided to just relax this season.



I also caught up with Tristan Pickens who also wrapped up 2 Championships in the Series.



EMX: Tell me about the titles you just finished up winning?

TP: I really just started out racing the series to have fun and enjoy riding. I raced the Lites B and Schoolboy classes in the series. We tried the Loretta Lynn's National a few years ago and actually went to Ponca City for the NMA National. Nationals can be very stressful. I really enjoyed Ponca and love the track. It's fairly easy getting there but once your there it is hard to race into the main event.



EMX: What are your goals for the rest of 2011 and 2012?

TP: We plan on racing a couple Nationals this year, probably Branson and one other, not sure yet. We will race some of the KOTH Series but we will miss the first 2 due to a Church trip already planned, I hate to miss Hawk Pride because it is one of my favorite tracks. 2012 we will tackle LL's in Schoolboy 2, Lites B, and 450 B, stock in those two classes.



The last youth rider I caught up with was Boogie Jackson, I love the name. He was a little apprehensive to chat in person so I dialed up his celly phone for his first interview. What an awesome kid.



EMX: Was it a goal you set for yourself to win the AMT Series Championship?

BJ: We set the goal before the season started. I raced only 8 races just enough to qualify for the Championship points. I had to go to Little's just to make enough races. I won both 65 motos and the overall and wrapped up the Championship.



EMX: What are your goals for the rest of 2011 and 2012?

BJ: Take a break for a while and race a couple of the KOTH Series.



EMX: When did you start riding?

BJ: When I was 5. I race the 65 class and ride the 85 but I just started on it so I am still getting used to it. I like the 65 better, well right now I do. In 2012 we want to go to Ponca and maybe try for Loretta's. If I have to choose next year it will be Ponca. I rode a couple of LL qualifyers this year. We went to Little Rock to Tony Wynn but got rained out.



EMX: Did you enjoy the series?

BJ: Yeah, it was a fun time.

EMX: What did you like most about the series?

BJ: I liked the awards at the track for the series Champions and not having to wait to go to a banquet a couple months later. Even though we got home at 6:00 am it was awesome.



Another series and another many miles traveled. The KOTH Series kicks off this weekend at Hawk Pride Motocross Park. Hope you all get a chance to go racing. EMX and The Mike Henn Mafia want to wish Alec Gentry who had a bad crash at Little's a speedy recovery. If anyone has any info on his condition please let us know how he is doing.



Until Next Time, Ride Hard and Keep Your Feet On The Pegs



EMX / MHM

Alex Rose #419 - Loretta Lynn's National Interview

Alex Rose #419 / National Number #21

Age: 7

Bike: Yamaha PW 50



I am sitting here under the tent at Little Power Sports for the tonights AMT Series Championship's and can't wait for the show to begin at 7:00 pm. Registration is at 2:30, Practice at 4:30, and Races at 7:00 pm. Champions will be crowned and then fireworks after the race. I had a chance to catch up with Alex Rose and get a quick interview this morning about his Regional Championship at Free Stone County Raceway in Wortham Texas. His next stop will be at the biggest national amateur race at the Red Bull, MX Sports AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at the Famous Loretta Lynn's Dude Ranch in Hurricane Mills Tennessee. A great acconplishment for anyone especially a 7 year old with a dream of winning a national championship. He has already wrapped up one championship and is heading to the Ranch August 1-6 to finish off his goals for the 2011 season. Here is the interview!



EMX: How was Freestone and What was your favorite part of it?

AR: It was awesome, I won the Regional Championship going 1 - 1 - 1 in all three moto's. The straights were my favorite because I could gap the other riders, especiall in the sandy whoops.



EMX: How was the heat in Texas ?

AR: It was really hot. I had prepared my self for the 3 moto format by riding alot before the regional



EMX: I see you looking at my cell phone, do you have one?

AR: Yep, I have an IPhone

EMX: What? I have a Verizon (Plug for my company) Droid X

AR: Yeah no one ever bilieves me so I have to go get it and show them. I have Talk and Text.

EMX: Do you Facebook and Twitter?

AR: I have a Facebook but I dont Tweet.

EMX: We need to be friends on Facebook

AR: Laughs, my mom only lets me be friends with people she knows. I will get her to send you a request.

EMX: Laughs.



EMX: Are you excited about Loretta's?

AR: Really excited. I can't wait for August to get here so I can go win the Championship.



EMX: Your very competitive, what are your goals for the ranch?

AR: To win a championship.

EMX: I like that attitude.



EMX: How was the competition at Freestone:

AR: The riders were really fast just not as fast as I was for the week. I really rode well all week.



EMX: Since your a kid under 12, what do you think about the Lead Law?

AR: I just aint fair. Everybody should be able to ride and enjoy the sport. I made a video with my brother to help fight the cause.

EMX: Funny story about my childhood. My mom said that my baby bed was painted in lead paint and I used to chew on all the time. This was before anyone really knew about lead, and I turned out OK.

EMX: Do you chew on your Dirt Bike?

AR: No, Laughs.



Who is your favorite racer?

AR: Chad Reed. When Ricky Carmichael left racing I started rooting for Chad.

EMX: I am a closet Reedy fan, I think it's awesome how he has been so successfull without full factort support. I hope he wins the Outdoors.



EMX: Ok, time to give your shout outs, who would you like to thank for helping you in your goal of a championship at the Loretta's?

AR: Red Bull, Mom and Dad, Grand Ma and Grand Pa, Grandma Sue, Ankle Savers, Lake Hill Cycles, JMR Power Sports, Main Street Cycles, Fly Racing, Leatt Brace, Bare Foot Racing, and the Mike Henn Mafia.

EMX: Your mom said Grandma Sue was bringing you chicken tonight to the race, do you think I could snag a piece?

AR: Laughs.



Well that was that. I have interviewed this young man two times and it is always fun chatting with him. He definately has a great chance of winning a championship this year at the ranch and EMX and the Mike Henn Mafia want to wish Alex and his family a fun successful week at Loretta's. This will be an adventure that he will never forget and I hope to be doing this again with him as an Amateur National Motocross Champion. Good luck tonight at Little's and in August at the ranch.



Until Next Time,

RIDE HARD AND KEEP YOUR FEET ON THE PEGS!!!!!!!

2010 Air Nautiques AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships

Nine days and counting until the 2010 National begins. This year will mark the 29th Annual event started by Dave Coombs Sr., Paul Schlegal, and Team Green's first manager Dave Jordan. If you have never been and you love MX it is a site to see. I suggest making the trip to Hurricane Mills Tennessee to witness the world's largest MX vacation. Some 20,000+ racers try and qualify each year and only 1450 actually make it to the ranch. Lets see, James Stewart, Ricky "The GOAT" Carmichael, Ryan Villopoto, Speed TV's Jeff Emig and countless other popular names have stirred up dust at the ranch and brought home championships. Practice begins Monday August 2nd at 9:00am and ends at 5:00 pm. The first moto starts at 7:30 am sharp on August 3rd with the first 42 riders in the Vet 35+ class and ends on Saturday August 7th at 2:30 pm ending with the College B/C (17-24) class with awards following. The format is 3/30 minute moto's to decide the National Champion in 35 different classes with age's ranging from 4 years to 50+. EMX will be at the ranch all week blogging about the National. This will be our third year to attend but our first year to stay all week long. I am looking forward to the racing and especially the awards presentation following the last moto. Aside from all the racing there are plenty of other activities during the week. You never know what famous MX Racer you might see walking around the ranch. Last year I got to meet Ahley Fiolek and the year before we got to meet James "Bubba" Stewart. Vendors will be set up all down Loretta Lynn Lane and Amsoil Arena hosts many of the activities of the week. Kevin Walker will be back this year and is the winningest rider in Loretta Lynn's history with over 15 Championships. We look forward to the week and want to thank MX Sports, all the sponsors, the Coomb's family, the AMA, Loretta Lynn, and all the riders who will provide all the drama throughout the week. We also want to wish all the racers luck and we will be praying for protection. Most of all the EMX family look forward to making some more memories at the ranch and can't wait until the 2011 National MX Championships.

Until My Next Post
Ride Hard and Keep Your Feet On The Pegs

Tim King - Evolution MX
Phil 4:13