Round # 6 of the AMA National MX Series headed to Steel City for another round of exciting racing action.
The Pro pit area was being constructed as word was out that the injured Dustin Wimmer would be on hand to compete after suffering a shoulder injury prior to round #5
The Steel City track is world renowned and holds several National events each season for ATV's and Bikes. Crews worked non stop to have it in shape as the racers began arriving friday
The shirt right off his back is a phrase coined by many, for a Joe Byrd fan it was a reality! Andy Green was on leave from the military for the past month, so he took the time to attend both Sunset Ridge & Steel City before returning to service on May 29th, and he will be heading over to Afganistan in a few months.
We wish him the very best and a safe return
Many people in our sport that do not race never get to see what goes on behind the scenes, especially when it comes to machine set up. I run into many riders who buy aftermarket shocks and think that everyone runs them out of the box with just usually adjustments made. Fact is, tweaking teh shocks, testing different settings and dialing them in for each round is the norm for those that want to have the best they can get out of their suspension
Byrd's ride was minus some front shocks while they were being worked on. Byrd isn't scared to do what ever it takes to eek out the last little bit of performance from any and every component on his ride. The addition of a swaybar at this round would be run, would it work?
Both Joe Byrd & Nick Denoble were racing with the Sonic Sway Bar this past weekend
One thing I like about the MX series is that a fan or spectator can usually have multiple oppertunities to interact with their favored rider aside from the autograph sessions. The main Pro area is open for everyone to browse and spectate as the racers and their crews get things ready.
Wienen sports his way around the facility on a big comfy UTE as the hot sun made everyone aware that summer is on it's way!
With so many racers on hand, a hot drying sun overhead, and dirt that would soon become hard packed and dusty, watering the track would be quite a job.
Pro-Am Racer, Marc Winchester made his return to race at Steel City outfitted with a Halo as he continues to recover from a serious wreck at Amateur opener at Pell City, Al when he wrecked on down hill jump, which left him with a fractured leg & hip along with a few fractured vertebrate in his neck.
Fortunately, Marc’s neck is healing up great, but he still has some intense pain in his hip, which may be the only thing that could keep him coming back from racing as he is expected to get his halo removed in just another month.
This sport as many others has it's dangers and it is always good to see someone recovering from such an injury back at the track. To those that only get to go to one event or watch the coverages posted online, the family atmosphere that developes trackside between many of the teams and racers is what drives this sport, and when a rider goes down, everyone feels it.
Cody Gibson heads out for a ride as he prepares for another intense battle in the Pro Am class. Gibson is phenominal on an ATV, very fun to watch and can really get around the track in a big hurry!