2007 ATVA MX Nationals #9-Muddy Creek- Race Coverage

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Pappy]

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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

Pat Browns dad awaits the start from the first turn

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

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

[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:eek:

[Pappy]

I reckon it didnt bother Brown as they laughed it off:D (I am kidding ofcourse, he used Lawsons quad:devil: )

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

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

[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

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

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

[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.

[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

[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

[Pappy]

Spader was back on track and trying to salvage the moto

[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

[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

[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.

[Pappy]

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

[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

[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

[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

[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!

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

Even the smallest of riders have a place at these events

[Pappy]

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

[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!

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

The weather was way to warm for Frosty the snow man, so Mick the Mudman made an appearence:p (Atleast i am pretty sure it was made of mud:eek2:

[Pappy]

Watch your back at the races, as these guys mean trouble:p 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!:devil:

[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!

[Pappy]

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

[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!

[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

[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!

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

Christopher Holden rounded out the top 3

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

Side by side action is always fun to watch!

[Pappy]

The first turn must have been to easy as this rider tried it backwards:eek2:

[Pappy]

A new leash law will be started due to agressive quads:p

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

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

[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.

[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.

[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

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

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

[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

[Pappy]

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

[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.

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

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

[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:p

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

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

[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.

[Pappy]

Justin Bres went on to finish in the 6th spot

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

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

[Pappy]

Byrd wondering how in the hell he won the race and did not get to be first to greet the trophy girl:p Maybe the younger riders took the Professor to school:cool:

[Pappy]

Ahhh...Byrd was waiting for her to bring him the money:devil: Sly old dawg;)

[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!

[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.

[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

[Pappy]

The Pro class coming through on lap 1 of moto 2

[Pappy]

The top 3 battling in moto 1

[Pappy]

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

[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:p


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

[BlueArmyYFZ450]

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

[Pappy]

Originally posted by BlueArmyYFZ450
thats 450 A not C class

thats not the point..lol

[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!!

[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:mad:

Anyone want to hire a photographer:devil:

[Nick110]

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.