Raga Wins in Czech Republic
Adam Raga kept his championship title hopes alive with his third victory of the 2008 FIM Spea Trial World Championships at round seven of the series held in the Czech Republic on July 6th. After trailing at the halfway mark, the Gas Gas mounted Raga staged one of his patented comebacks to snatch the win by eight points from defending champ Toni Bou. Meanwhile Bou's Repsol Montesa teammate Takahisa Fujinami edged Sherco's Albert Cabestany for third. Look for a full report in next month's issue.

 

ITSA National Date Change
The International Twin Shock Association (ITSA www.twinshock.org) unfortunately had to cancel the upcoming August 16/17 event in Greenville, TN. However, it will now be replaced with an event in Paris, TN on those same dates. "Fearless" Charlie Nash has stepped up and offered to host a replacement event on 140 acres in Paris. This event will include a practice day on Saturday the 16th, complete with a riding seminar hosted by The Guru (Bob Ginder). The usual festivities (food camaraderie, music, laughter) will commence on Saturday night. Round 7 of the ITSA Southeast Series will be held Sunday the 17th. Make plans to attend now. This is a new riding area comprised of hillsides, sand washes, and probably a creek section or two.

 

Florin Replaces Ibsen on TdN Team
The North American Trials Council has announced that Chris Florin will take the place of Will Ibsen on this year's Trial des Nations team. According to the NATC, Ibsen will not be able to attend the event due to conflicts with school. Florin, of Florida, will be joined by Colorado's Keith Wineland, Cody Webb of California and Pat Smage of Wisconsin in this year's event which will take place on September 28-29, in La Rabassa, Andorra. The women's team will be Sarah Duke of Colorado; Louise Forsley of New York and Caroline Allen of Norton, MA.

 

NATC National at Duluth
For those travelling to the NATC National at Duluth, MN, on August 22-24, at Spirit Mountain Resort, there is a wealth of information on the NATC web site, including info on lodging. You can find that at www.natctrials.org or go directly to: http://web.mac.com/nmra1/Trials/Home.html

 

Gas Gas News
The first container of Raga bikes has finally arrived here and will be shipped out to dealers during this week. We were able to obtain a few more for those of you who missed the first order deadline and these are leaving the factory next week in the next container, so if you are still interested, please contact your dealer or GAS GAS USA. These new Raga models have many innovative changes and are really fun to ride. The factory engineers did an excellent job in the design and production of this model which is fashioned almost exactly like the bike world champion Adam Raga rides.We will also possibly have available again next month a few factory left-over models at a lower price, so please contact your dealer for info on these. Thanks to all our customers, we really appreciate your business!

 

Smage Out With Back Problems
This is from Patrick Smage:

Doctors and I finally found out what has been going on with my back. I have something called Spondylolysis - which is basically like a cracked bone in the lower back. I first noticed something was wrong while practicing in Oklahoma the day after the Sooner Cup. But I thought it would get better, so I just tried to ignore it. Well, after feeling it everyday for over two months, I got it checked out and now I have to go to physical therapy for the next 4-6 weeks. Which means I will not be able to ride the next few World Rounds in Europe. I'm really sorry to let everyone down. But after hurting very bad in Japan and not even being able to walk without a lot of pain a few days after, I can’t keep riding like this. I'm not riding like I know that I can, and it has been really frustrating. I thought this year was going to be good for me and it started out great. But since this has happened, I haven't even been able to have fun riding. I am just hoping that I can get better and start having fun again.

I want thank everyone SO much for supporting me this year. I wish it could have turned out differently. I hope everyone understands what's been going on and will continue to support me later in the year. HUGE thanks to David Chaves for helping me more then I would ever ask for. Not just minding, but helping me get bikes and even opening up his house to me. He has been awesome. Also, thanks to everyone donating, my Dad, Craig Gernhardt, Sherco, Ryan Young Products and the whole team, Top Fun, Midwestbiketrials.com, and Go Fast! Energy Drink. I know my attitude has not been where it should be, but I REALLY appreciate what everyone has done for me this year. And I'm very sorry for not showing 'it' how I should have. I know things would be different if this never happened, but I plan to come back with a much better attitude and ready to do my best. I haven't been able to actually ride for the past week or so, and it has made me realize how much I love to ride trials. I can't wait to be able to ride again! -Pat

 

EnduroCross Grand Championship
The organizers of the AMA/Maxxis EnduroCross Championship Series proudly announce a key restructuring of the previously released six round national championship series. The current cumulative national championship point’s series will only apply to the premier Expert class; the support classes will now be part of the newly established AMA EnduroCross Grand Championships! In an effort to make EnduroCross racing more affordable and appealing to amateur level racers, the support classes will be reorganized into the AMA EnduroCross Grand Championships (EXGC). AMA Grand Championships are typically used in amateur competition as they only require a racer to compete in two events (a Qualifier and Final) to win a National Championship and the coveted AMA #1 Plate.

The AMA EnduroCross Grand Championships will be comprised of EXGC Regional Qualifiers and the EXGC Finale for the following four (4) EXGC Classes: Open 2-Stroke, Open 4-Stroke, Vet +35, and TrialCross. Each class will be a separate National Grand Championship and contesting riders will have to finish in either of the top two positions in an EXGC Regional Qualifier in order to be eligible to transfer to the EXGC Finale and a chance to win an AMA EnduroCross #1 Plate. Interested riders, of course, will be permitted to ride in multiple EXGC Regional Qualifiers. (Please see complete rules listing at www.EnduroCross.com.) The AMA EnduroCross Grand Championships will be run in conjunction with the AMA/Maxxis EnduroCross Championship Series.

The scheduled events are as follows:

*July 5; Las Vegas , NV - Orleans Arena
*August 16; Guthrie , OK - Lazy E Arena
*September 13; Florence , SC - Civic Center
*September 27; Denver , CO
*October 4; Columbus , OH
*November 21; Las Vegas - Orleans Arena
**November 22; Las Vegas , NV - Orleans EXGC Classes: Open 2-Stroke; Open 4-Stroke; Vet +35; TrialCross.

RACERS!! Make plans today to attend an AMA EnduroCross near you… you could be a 2008 AMA EnduroCross Champion! For detailed rules and race entry information please log onto www.EnduroCross.com.

 

New England Vintage Trials Championship
The Rhode Island Trials Club will be hosting the 3rd Annual New England Vintage Trials Championship at their facilities on Escoheag Road in Exeter, Rhode Island on Saturday September 13, 2008. The first US round of the World Trials Championship was held at the same location in 1975, and much of the same terrain will be incorporated into this year’s event. Entry for the day is $30, and the entry fee includes a free event t-shirt. You must be an AMA member to ride. More details are available from Dave Allen at (508) 285-6074. The vintage rules are posted on the club’s web site at: www.ritrialsclub.com/vintagerules.htm. (www.newenglandtrials.org).

 

10th Anniversary Sherco
Sherco USA announces that Sherco is celebrating its 10th year in the production of trials motorcycles and to commemorate this outstanding accomplishment, Sherco has decided to release an exclusive limited edition model which will be available in both 2T and 4T versions. In addition to the competitive price that these models will receive, those who purchase them will receive an exceptional and unique motorcycle at a very attractive price, with optional clothing. In each bike order, the customer can choose to take with them one Parka Team Sherco or one Fleece Jacket, also with one Cap.

The new Sherco 10th anniversary edition is a tribute to the brand and to all of the many models that have left the factory in Montbui these past 10 years. The graphic design is very elegant and is complimented by the frame which is finished in an attractive gray color and produces a very pleasing effect. The body is smooth and streamlined and includes the colors that have been associated with the company throughout these first ten years; they include red, yellow and black.

At the technical level the new Sherco 10th anniversary edition hides few secrets. The high technical level of all of the models produced by the company has generated a high degree of trust in the quality of the components used to produce the current units. These new machines utilize most of these same components and will have that same high quality level.

The 3.2 4T model will include all of the recent technical developments implemented by the design group and will provide the user with a motor that will fully meet all of their varied requirements. Between the two models, 2T and 4T, there will be a total of 200 units produced; each of them will be identified with a unique number on the chassis. These new motorcycles will be available in the very near future.

 

2008 Issue of MotoTrialsport Magazine

The 2008 Trialsport magazine is better than ever. Like last year, this year’s issue is all color and includes bios on the top world and national riders, as well as a wrap-up of the 2007 US National Championship Series, which was won by Sherco’s Patrick Smage, and a recap of the 2007 World Outdoor Championship, which was dominated by Montesa’s Toni Bou. You will also find coverage of last year’s US Indoor Championship event in Tennessee, plus all the latest trials news, including who switched teams during the off-season and who got what prestigious award. As usual, there is a segment devoted to the US Support classes and the history of the sport in the US.

Click <HERE> for additional information.

 

Trials des Nations Gets Sponsor
Kip Webb, manager of the U.S. Trial des Nations effort, has announced a title sponsor for the 2008 team which will compete at the annual team trials event this September in Belgium. “We are very fortunate to have Specialty Welding Machine, located in Pampa, Texas to support us,” said Webb. “Owners, Sid and Dawna Mauldin, have graciously contributed a substantial sum to our TdN effort. The team name and continued effort will now be referred to as the SWM/NATC Trial des Nations Team. This corporate sponsorship is in line with the current trend in marketing that is now prevalent in many different sporting venues. Specialty Welding Machine will have the option to use this name in advertising and for their business development needs. “We are very excited to be working with Sid and Dawna,” adds Webb. “They are long time Trials supporters and have many good ideas that will help us to definitely achieve our Team goals. It was important to put this deal together as it has been a huge boost to our supporting fund. It also raises our level of professionalism and our ability to attain the objective of continued positive support for our young men and women’s TDN team members.” Last year’s U.S. team finished sixth at the event on the Isle of Man, the best ever finish for an American squad.

 

2008 Ute Cup Set
The 2008 Ute Cup is set for August 17-18 at the Rainbow Trail near Coaldale, Colorado. This year’s event is expected to be a good one since the conditions are perfect due to heavy moisture through the winter. There will be no pre-registration this year. Registration will be at the staging area on Friday afternoon and evening and then again on Saturday morning (early). Everyone is encouraged to stay at Cutty’s Hayden Creek Resort which is 3/4 mile north of the staging area (www.cuttysresort.net). The forestry service camping is limited and costs $11.00 per day. OHV stickers will not be required for the two days of the event. However, if you plan to ride any other time or anywhere else you will need to get one. Get one online at: http://parks.state.co.us/Registrations/.

 

MotoVentures Opens Web Site Store
MotoVentures (MV) has just added a “Dirt Rider Department Store” to their award winning web site. Their store features easy navigation for shoppers to browse through ten different and unique departments: 1) Gift Certificates 2) MV Apparel 3) Motorcycle Accessories 4) Rider Accessories 5) Instructional Products 6) Trials Goodies 7) Trials Motorcycles 8) Used Motorcycles 9) Stickers and Stuff 10) Garage Sale. The store was created as a convenience for MV Tours, Training and Trials customers who want products before and after riding with MV. MotoVentures is an authorized dealer for many top brands of motorcycle parts and accessories. In addition to many popular brands and products, they feature specialized products like trials goodies, exclusive MV apparel, instructional books and DVD’s, riding gear essentials and used motorcycles. “Our new web store features high quality products we count on to provide and compliment our high quality services, so it was only natural to make them available to our customers, too, who can expect the same level of service from sales that they have come to know from our services,” says Gary LaPlante, President/Owner of MotoVentures. For info go to the web site at www.motoventures.com.

 

2008 ITSA Schedule
The 2008 International Twin Shock Association's North American Championship schedule, Southeast ITSA schedule, and the Midwest ITSA schedule have been set.

The ITSA North American Championship will consist of four (4) rounds. All four rounds count towards the championship:

• Rounds 1 & 2 are in Marion, IL on June 7th & 8th
• Rounds 3 & 4 are in Dickson, TN Sept 28th & 29th

ITSA's Midwest Championship Series is as follows:

• Apr 20 - Cuba, MO
• May 10 - Cape Girardeau, MO
• Jun 7/8 - Marion, IL
• Sep 27/28 - Dickson, TN
• Oct 25 - Marion, IL - TENTATIVE.

ITSA's Southeast Championship Series is as follows:

• Mar 30 - Palmyra, TN (Seminar Mar 29)
• May 18 - Goodlettsville, TN (NEW TRIALS AREA)
• Jun 7/8 - Marion, IL
• Jul 13 - Lenoir City, TN
• Aug 17 -Greeneville, TN (Moved to Paris, TN)
• Sep 27/28 - Dickson, TN
• Nov 15 - Dickson, TN (Final 2008 event with awards banquet afterwards)
• 2009 Round 1 ITSA SE Series - Nov 16, 2008 - Dickson, TN.

 

2008 AMA/NATC National Schedule
The annual meeting of the North American Trials Council (NATC) concluded on Sunday October 28, 2007 with a new, condensed national schedule for the coming USA National Trials season in 2008. “The 2008 competition year will have a six (6) round series, making it easier for all to attend multiple national events. They are to be held at two world-class trials locations, each using a three (3-day) format,” noted Brian Behling, NATC C.E.O. This six event series staged at only two locations, (Canon City, Colorado, and Spirit Mountain, Duluth, Minnesota), will enable the Importer Pro-teams and National Trials competitors to plan their calendars to make these two sites in 2008. “It will dramatically reduce travel costs; even with the increased entry fees for ‘08, this lower event count will be good for all,” said Behling. “We are excited by the initial response from the trials community on the 08 series and feel it will be good for the long-term growth of the sport.”

2008 AMA/NATC National Schedule
Rounds 1, 2, & 3: May 24, 25, 26, 2008 (Memorial Day Weekend) Canon City, CO
Info: www.coloradotrials.org.
Rounds 4, 5, & 6: August 22, 23, & 24, 2008 SPIRIT MOUNTAIN, Duluth MN
Info: www.umta.org or www.natctrials.org

Pros count all six, Support classes count 5 of 6 count for overall championship.

 

News