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
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