[2007 ATVA MX Nationals #9-Muddy Creek- Race Coverage] - ATV Riders Forums - Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Polaris, CanAm, Arctic Cat, Kymco ATVs

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2007 ATVA MX Nationals #9-Muddy Creek- Race Coverage
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Posted by: Pappy

Round #9 of the ATVA National MX series was held at the Muddy Creek raceway this past weekend and racers flocked to the facility to grab a chance at being a top gun in many of the classes offered. The Pro ranks points battle has settled into a repeating groove and unless something major happens, Joe Byrd looks to claim yet another title in this series.

Friday practice was ran on a track described by many as "awesome", but mother nature was soon to turn the tables on racers and event staff. Thunderstorms hit the region friday night dumping buckets of water on the groomed track causing track conditions to diminish. The Pro riders meeting was held under ominous skies saturday morning as the clean machines and riders would soon face the mud left by the downpours.

Posted by: Pappy

The uphill start posed the largest portion of mud for most riders, as the track became one lined and while not completely dry, offered fair conditions for the first Pro practice. Pat Brown was working hard to get himself and his machine prepped for the battle he knew he would face on sunday.

Posted by: Pappy

It was announced earlier in the week that the Muddy Creek track would be changed with smoother take off's and bowled turns to offer better atv racing terrain. Jeremy Lawson did not seem to mind and soared high above the facility on several of the jumps. Lawson has what it takes to give Byrd a run for his money, and he would get another chance to give him a battle albiet passing would be difficult.

Posted by: Pappy

Travis Spader was a new addition to the Pro class this round, as he has been competing in another series to date. The Pro ranks may be split between the various series, but the competition is no less fierce between the top riders.

Posted by: Pappy

Joe Byrd is known as the "Professor" and for good reason. The man has more talent then most riders could dream of and backs it up when the gate drops. With a commanding points lead, Byrd takes to the track for practice.

Posted by: Pappy

Justin Bush may not be a well known name, but he is looking solid and progressing at each event.

Posted by: Pappy

Christopher Tait is another rider making the jump to the Pro class this season, and while he hasnt seen the podium he has been learning and developing the speed needed to be competitive.

Posted by: Pappy

Micheal Brown heads out for practice as the sun breaks through the clouds. Brown has been steadily improving at each round and sure seems to like to go big! He is always good for a big air shot.

Posted by: Pappy

#99 Justin Bres is another talented rider who is honing his skills this season in the Pro class. Locally he battles for the win at many events, and is working towards that goal in the nationals.

Posted by: Pappy

With the hot lap complete, the riders staged for the start of Moto 1. I caught this group of youth riders doing their own thing as the pro's got ready.

Posted by: Pappy

Pat Brown took away the "Top Qualifier" trophy for this event

Posted by: Pappy

Pat Browns dad awaits the start from the first turn

Posted by: Pappy

Near the starting line, track personel took advantage of the Pro race to get some things autographed

Posted by: Pappy

Joe Byrd might be fast, but the mighty midget photographer on staff caught him sneakin' a peek at the first turn

Posted by: Pappy

I asked Cody how he managed to see over Byrds shoulder and he said it was easy, Pat Browns quad made a good platform to stand on

Posted by: Pappy

I reckon it didnt bother Brown as they laughed it off

(I am kidding ofcourse, he used Lawsons quad

)

Posted by: Pappy

All kidding aside, this thing was underway and the riders were hard on the gas heading off the gate

Posted by: Pappy

Joe Byrd was outfront heading towards the first turn with pat Brown and company on his grab bar

Posted by: Pappy

I stayed put to catch the action as it ran back through the first turn and within 2 minutes Byrd and Brown came flying into view

Posted by: Pappy

Lawson was holding in 3rd as they raced out of sight

Posted by: Pappy

M. Brown, Tait and Bush came into view and quickly raced back down the hill

Posted by: Pappy

Spader was nowhere to be seen as the front runners battled each other in every turn

Posted by: Pappy

Byrd's pitboard may have read "Relax" but seeing the pressure Brown had been applying the first two laps, and now with Lawson in the second position, relaxing wasnt going to be an option. Every corner was slick and one small mistake could cost byrd the victory, or work for him and take the pressure off if Lawson or Brown got out of shape.

Posted by: Pappy

Lawson was making attempts to get inside Byrd in almost every turn but the track conditions provided no traction for a full throttle shot at making a pass stick and breaking was done with caution

Posted by: Pappy

The running order remained unchanged as the laps were counting down. Byrd was smooth and Lawson was getting anxious. Pat Brown was still in view but he wasnt closing the gap nor was he falling back

Posted by: Pappy

Spader was back on track and trying to salvage the moto

Posted by: Pappy

20 minutes plus one lap can seem like a blink of an eye or an eternity. This race was damn good and everyone was watching closley to see if Lawson could make a move

Posted by: Pappy

The previous photo and this one showed the gap almost non-existant as Lawson had ever so slightly closed in as the pair completed the lap. I kept my camera trained on them as they worked down the far section

Posted by: Pappy

Lawson charged hard downhill and the pair went into this corner once again "hot". I cant speak for Byrd, but this is where Lawson had been sticking a wheel in on him every lap and I am pretty sure Byrd went a bit higher and was going a tad faster when he broke loose.

Posted by: Pappy

A few tense seconds passed as Byrd gave Lawson a look as the pair slide to a stop.

Posted by: Pappy

The entire issue took less then 5 or 6 seconds and thankfully with a flick of the throttle and a twist of the bars they were off, however Brown was once again on the hunt as those few seconds allowed him to run right back up on the leaders

Posted by: Pappy

lawson did manage to pass Byrd, but by the time the cheering stopped, Byrd had retaken the lead and was heading to the checkered flag

Posted by: Pappy

Byrd claimed victory in the first moto and earned back his entry fee by taking the ATVriders.com holeshot award!

Finishing order moto 1:

Byrd
Lawson
P. Brown
Justin Bres
M. Brown
Travis Spader
Tait
Bush

Posted by: Pappy

The Pro riders might get a big piece of the pie when it comes to media coverage, but that doesnt stop hundreds of amatuers from giving it their all at each round. From bone stock to full on built race machines, this is where it's at for the majority of us mortals!

Posted by: Pappy

Taylor Seale made quite an impression on everyone in 90 Prod. as he cleaned house taking both moto wins

Posted by: Pappy

Even the smallest of riders have a place at these events

Posted by: Pappy

The fans may not crowd the fences for a C class, but the competition is just as good to watch!

Posted by: Pappy

The youth classes are intense, and lap times for a few of the classes were less then 30 seconds off the Pro lap times!

Posted by: Pappy

The rain sure made a mess of the start and everyone had to deal with it the best they could.

Posted by: Pappy

The weather was way to warm for Frosty the snow man, so Mick the Mudman made an appearence

(Atleast i am pretty sure it was made of mud

Posted by: Pappy

Watch your back at the races, as these guys mean trouble

It was way cool meeting A TON of atvrider.com members and supporters! John Foreman, goofy looking troublemaker on the right, just got married and couldnt wait to get away from the ball and chain!

Posted by: Pappy

Seeing folks watch the youth riders always makes me smile as they are our sports future and support is the key to keeping folks in it!

Posted by: Pappy

Classes were being clicked off without much in the way of delays as the event staff worked hard to keep everything rolling

Posted by: Pappy

John Foreman may have been a spectator in the above picture, but in no time he was suited up and on the track, running to a second place finish!

Posted by: Pappy

Nick Bender worked his rear end off all winter and spring to be able to build a quad he could race. Nick is a great rider and although being off the quad for far to long, he didnt do to bad and hopefully we will see him back in shape and laying down some good finishes as the season rolls on

Posted by: Pappy

Matt Shapaka heads for the hospital after a nasty crash that broke his arm. matt is a tuff guy and seeing him in that shape had my arm hurting

We all wish you the best Matt and i ordered a speedy recovery for you!

Posted by: Pappy

Nick Denoble leads out Production A and raced his way to 1st in both moto's

Posted by: Pappy

Andrew Travis was hot on Denoble's heals going 2-2 in Prod. A !

Posted by: Pappy

Christopher Holden rounded out the top 3

Posted by: Pappy

The weather was decent on sunday and the track started drying out, and a few new lines opened up in a few corners

Posted by: Pappy

Side by side action is always fun to watch!

Posted by: Pappy

The first turn must have been to easy as this rider tried it backwards

Posted by: Pappy

A new leash law will be started due to agressive quads

Posted by: Pappy

Erik Rice grabs the holeshot in Senior 40+ (I think they should rename that to like..."Expeirenced or Seasoned 40+

)

Posted by: Pappy

In Pro AM it was Clay Holmes taking the win with a 2-1 finish

Posted by: Pappy

The Pro main wasnt far off from starting and everyone searched for a spot to watch the event. Thankfully for spectators this is a pretty decent track to watch as a ridge juts out into the track giving one a great view of almost all of the action.

Pat Brown and Paul Turner get ready to head for the gate.

Posted by: Pappy

Lawson and the rest of the field all made sure to hit the large berm, that had developed throughout the days racing, during the hot lap.

Posted by: Pappy

Harv Whipple was fast to respond to the riders concerns and checked on the issue himself, promting track workers to knock it down before the start

Posted by: Pappy

30 seconds was given and cheers erupted from fans as the main was seconds away

Posted by: Pappy

Byrd was out front once again as the rest of the field chased him into the first turn

Posted by: Pappy

Micheal Brown was off to a great start but got pinched and his quad was put on it's top

Posted by: Pappy

Moto 2 wasnt going to be a replay of the first, and with better track conditions Byrd set out to put this one away early

Posted by: Pappy

Lawson was securely in second but wasnt close enough to mount a charge on Byrd

Posted by: Pappy

Brown was running in 3rd as the top three settled into a pace that stretched them apart just far enough to keep them from have any battles.

Posted by: Pappy

Spader was having a better race and was holding the 4th spot

Posted by: Pappy

Micheal brown was surely mad at the bad start, and was riding the wheels off his quad making up lost time.

Posted by: Pappy

Bush was riding well, but there was noone to battle with either as the entire field spread out all over the course.

Posted by: Pappy

Tait was bringing up the 8th spot as we reached the midway point

Posted by: Pappy

With no epic battles being waged, i stepped back to catch the big air these guys were getting off the uphill jump. Byrd out front with room to breathe.....where is that "relax" pit borad when you need it

Posted by: Pappy

Lawson goes big as he was sitting solidly in the 2nd spot

Posted by: Pappy

Pat Brown throws it around a bit as he flys high for the crowd

Posted by: Pappy

I actually wish there was more to report from trackside regarding the second moto, but as it happens sometimes, the riders got spread out after the first few laps and thats pretty much where they remained. Micheal Brown's charge from last to 5th was good to see as he showed he can overcome an issue without loosing his concentration.

Posted by: Pappy

Justin Bres went on to finish in the 6th spot

Posted by: Pappy

Trying to tell the winners that they only got to take the trophy home was heart breaking

Posted by: Pappy

Pat Brown was the first to find that fact out as he was handed his 3rd place trophy.

Posted by: Pappy

Lawson gently took his second place trophy, I think he was afraid he might get in trouble if he followed the crowds advice

Posted by: Pappy

Byrd wondering how in the hell he won the race and did not get to be first to greet the trophy girl

Maybe the younger riders took the Professor to school

Posted by: Pappy

Ahhh...Byrd was waiting for her to bring him the money

Sly old dawg

Posted by: Pappy

So there you have it, Byrd walks away with the money and bragging rights from yet another win! i had alot of fun as you can tell, and I look forward to seeing everyone again soon!

Posted by: Pappy

After the podium, there was a press conference with the winners and it was filmed for TV. This is going to possibly be done each round from here on out so watch for it.

Posted by: Pappy

I'll be hooked to a quad and drug until dead if I dont post up a few shots I forgot about. These are from our pint sized photog.

Brown and Tait during practice

Posted by: Pappy

The Pro class coming through on lap 1 of moto 2

Posted by: Pappy

The top 3 battling in moto 1

Posted by: Pappy

Brown being filmed for television. I think he is coming along quite well as a budding photog, he deffinatley has a good eye

Posted by: Pappy

And he is developing into a first class smartazz. He complained the whole way home about some thick headed photog that blocked his shot. I found the picture about 2 am when I was sorting pictures

He has dish pan hands now.....we will see who is thick headed

Posted by: BlueArmyYFZ450

quote:
Originally posted by Pappy
The fans may not crowd the fences for a C class, but the competition is just as good to watch!

thats 450 A not C class

Posted by: Pappy

quote:
Originally posted by BlueArmyYFZ450
thats 450 A not C class

thats not the point..lol

Posted by: 400grl

PAPPY!!! I love your coverage - you are so funny, your pics are great - and it's just darn fun to read!!!

You tell Harlen you should be put to work full time! LOL!!

Posted by: Pappy

Harlen pm'd me and said he saw the coverage and the picture of me shooting the quads. He then proceeded to tell me Cody caught my best side

Anyone want to hire a photographer

Posted by: Nick110

quote:
Originally posted by Pappy
Nick Bender worked his rear end off all winter and spring to be able to build a quad he could race. Nick is a great rider and although being off the quad for far to long, he didnt do to bad and hopefully we will see him back in shape and laying down some good finishes as the season rolls on

Ya its been way to long since ive rode, almost 7 months. I dont think I did to bad for being off that long. I wasnt really trying to do good, just wanted to get back into the groove and make sure my quad worked. My seat fell off, lost my rear brakes, and snapped a lot of mounts, but other than that the quad ran good.

Hopefully I will make it to Walnut, but its not lookin too good.