2007 ATVA MX National Rd#8 "The Stampede"

Our usual coverage of these events was hampered by technology I am afraid. There was little to no cell phone signal from the High Point facility.


Round #8 of the ATVA MX Nationals rolled into the High Point Raceway facility over this Fathers Day weekend. Over 350 riders registered to compete and were greeted with bright and sunny weather with temperatures in the upper 80's. For many, the weekend turned into a family celebration as Dad's were cheered at every oppertunity.

I arrived friday evening and caught the last few rounds of practice. Heather Byrd was getting the track dialed in.

I usually cover local MX and the GNCC series, so this was indeed a treat for me as I hadn't been to a National MX race since 2005. With this being a 3 day event, the majority of competitors had already set up their pit areas and were already into the hurried routine of the MX scene.

Far different routine from what I have become accustom to for sure, as practice sessions allowed each rider to make adjustments to suspension and set up their machine for the racing yet to come.

For those local to this area, the rider may have needed tweaking as the track was known. Dailing in the jumps and bumps is all in a days work for those that live and breathe motocross.

Randy Lehr had almost thrown in the towel prior to this season as the immense expense of racing was taking it's toll. Talent abounds with this young rider and with some serious assistance from East Coast ATV, Lehr has been charging to the front as usual in the local series and wanted to show everyone at the national level he was a player. Maturing into a rider that has the ability to run at Pro level speeds, Lehr will be one to watch through the remainder of this season and into the next.

Clay Holmes has been on fire, securing 4 Pro AM wins this season. Riding out of the Joe Byrd camp, beating this rider would take some serious effort.

Walking the pits found more then one machine being used to donate parts. One rider had literally a frame left after 2 days of using parts to keep his race quad on the track!

The track sure appeared to be in race ready condition, with almost every type of jump and turn one could envision was included on this world class track.

No matter what series you follow, you will always find the core of the sport rooted deep in family.

Joe Byrd may be the man to beat, but even he had trouble getting a call out:p Where is the "Can you hear me now" feller when you need him:ermm: