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MIKE BARTON Christopher Blackmer, winner of the 85 cc class at 55th Annual Indoor Motorcycle Races to Benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters FLINT MOTORCYCLE CLUB (Flint, MI) | December 06 INSIDE: 2015 Ice Race Schedule, Rules and Classes Worker Points – More Fun than You Think! Howard Highlight A D14 Motocross Legacy Moto Musings Banquets, Banquets Banquets Other Division News & Updates BLACKMER BANKS A WIN PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ROYAL OAK, MI 48068 PERMIT #792 10450 Enterprise Dr. Davisburg, MI 48350 December 2014 Michigan’s Motorsports HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

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Page 1: D14 news dec14

����� ����� �������� �� MIKE BARTON

Christopher Blackmer, winner of the 85 cc class at 55th Annual Indoor Motorcycle Races to

Benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters FLINT MOTORCYCLE CLUB (Flint, MI) | December 06

INSIDE:2015 Ice RaceSchedule, Rulesand Classes

Worker Points –More Fun than You Think!

Howard HighlightA D14 Motocross Legacy

Moto Musings

Banquets, BanquetsBanquets

Other Division News & Updates

Christopher Blackmer, winner of the 85 cc class at 55th Annual Indoor Motorcycle Races to Christopher Blackmer, winner of the 85 cc class at 55th Annual Indoor Motorcycle Races to

#BLACK MERBANKS A WIN

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDROYAL OAK, MI

48068PERMIT #792

10450 Enterprise Dr.Davisburg, MI 48350

December 2014

Michigan’s Motorsports

HAPPY HOLIDAYSEVERYONE!

Page 2: D14 news dec14

2 December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

Jared Mees dominated on the Ice all night. He topped it off by winning the Open Pro class from the back row, aft er a bad start!

Chaz Springsteen getti ng the inside line on Josh Shoup.

Kyle Johnson shows that he’s just as comfortable on an ice rink as a dirt half mile.

Kaley Johnson shows the boys she means business winning the

250 Amateur class handily.

Dan Ingram looks to the other end of the ice as Dillon Phelps tries to reel him in.

Allen Rabinett e isn’t afraid to mix it up with pro fl at trackers like Kyle Johnson and Doug Lawrence!

Kholton Massey

showing his race face!

Morgan Notti ngham shows her ice racing skill, keeping both feet on the pegs.

Doug Lawrence and Chaz Springsteen check out the boards as Jared Mees slips by!

Aft er taking the Summer off from racing due to injuries, Allen Rabinett e is back on the horse like he never stepped off .

photos by Mike Barton

Page 3: D14 news dec14

December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 3

PLEASE RECYCLE.This publication is printed on recycled paper using soy-based inks.

FEBRUARY 2015MATERIAL DEADLINES:Materials need to be submitted by the following date. Sorry, but late submis-sions are subject to prevailing space and time restrictions and may, if neces-sary, be left out of the deadlined publi-cation until the following edition.

Advertising & Editorial:Due JANUARY 25

SPACESpace is reserved in every issue for ev-ery division in the District. Please, pro-mote your sport by contributing stories and photos about your events, past and/or upcoming. This is FREE adver-tising for your division. Take advantage of it!

When submitting a story or photo please ensure to include event dates and locations, and photos MUST in-clude captions. Event results are al-ways nice to include as well.

For detailed information on submission policies for editorial content and adver-tising, please go to www.D14News.net.

DELIVERYThe delivery goal of District 14 News is normally around the middle of the month. However, due to varying factors of submissions, printing, and mailing, there is no guarantee the newspaper will reach readers by a specifi c date in the month. It is recommended and good practice to think at least 1 or 2 months ahead when promoting special events or other time sensitive dates. For example, if your special event is in August, you should consider promoting that event no later than the July edition.

For more info:[email protected] | 810.496.0069D14News.net

DECEMBER2014

Brrrr! The winter chill has fi nally set in and the holidays are just around the corner. Racing – with the excepti on of the Ice Division – is over and done. Now it’s ti me to sit back and chillax a bit with fellow riders and their fami-lies at our upcoming January banquets. You’ll fi nd noti ces again for Enduro/FES/Hare Scrambles, MX, ATV Hare, ATV MX and Vintage through the paper. Time is running short, so get your reservati ons in if you haven’t yet. As always, a big THANK YOU to all my contributors. Thank you for giving of your ti me so generously to write about your division. Every month you help make my job a litt le easier and I am very much grateful to you. OXOX In closing, whether you’ve been naughty or nice, I’d like to wish each and every member of the District 14 Family a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Peace be with you always.

DON’T WAIT!Ensure continued

delivery of the

District14 News direct to your

home mailbox &

SAVE TIMEAT SIGN UP! Complete this form & send in

your membership dues today!

Important!Keep a Copy Before Mailing

mail to:HEATHER SOENKSEN

3155 Prescott Dr, Howell MI 48843

Michigan’s Motorsports

a few words from the editorStarting Lines

Don’t have your card in 30 days? Call 517-775-5897 to fi nd out where it is.

MEMBERSHIPAPPLICATION

$15 – REGULAR MEMBERSHIP

$30 – Two (2)-Year MEMBERSHIP

$45 – Three (3)-Year MEMBERSHIP

Must be AMA Member; includes Competition Card and Newspaper Subscription. All memberships are non-refundable.

Please check ALL riding disciplines that apply: Road ______ATV _____MX ______Ice ______Hill ______

Enduro _______Hare Scramble _____ Flat Track _____

$13 – FAMILY MEMBERSHIP

(Canadian Residents NOT eligible)

Must be AMA Member; Must have One (1) Full District FamilyMember; includes Competition Card Only. Your card will expire one-year from the issue date.

Indicate Name of Member with Full Membership:

Name

AMA#

$40 – CANADIAN MEMBERSHIP

Required if you have Canadian Residence. Must be AMA Member; includes Competition Card and NewspaperSubscription.

Your card and newspaper subscription will expire one-year from the issue date.

$6 – LOST/REPLACEMENT CARD You must have previously been issued a card that has not yet expired, otherwise your privileges to compete in theDistrict could be forfeited completely.

Indicate your AMA# or your Original District#:

AMA# DISTRICT#

You must be an AMA Member to join District 14PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY and fill out COMPLETELY to receive your paper and membership card.

Name: First Middle Last

Address: Apt.#

City: State: or Canadian Province: Zip: If you have a Canadian address, you must choose “Canadian Membership” above!

County: e-mail:

YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION

AMA NUMBER: ( all 6 digits or temporary number from application ) EXPIRATION DATE: DISTRICT 14 NUMBER: (all numbers or write NEW/RENEW)

BIRTHDATE: PHONE: ( home / cell )

I understand that this membership is for the right to participate in a District 14 points paying event and I am required to follow theBy-laws, policies and procedures of District 14 Club Council as well as the applicable policies of the participating promoter.

Signature Date:

Attention D14 Members: Your copy of this application may be used to sign-up in AMA/District 14 Events for 60 Days. If you have not received yourDistrict 14 Membership card in 30 days, contact District 14 Membership Administration with information as to where you purchased your membership.

DISTRICT 14 MEMBERSHIP ADMINISTRATION INFOto find the current contact info, visit us on the web at www.ama-d14.org

For Club/Promoter use only - must have club and event date name for credit - ALL sold applications must be turned into Membership Administration within 14 days of purchase.

Club / Promoter Name & Charter Number Event Date

D14 Membership App10.26.2013 Rev. 10/2013COPIES: White = D14 Admin Yellow = Club/Promoter Pink - Member

DECEMBER 2014 - D14 NEWS

Bring your copy of this completed form with you to EVERY race until you receive your card!

To this Month’s Rockin'

Contributors

‘Til next ti me . . . take care, stay warm, but mostly, enjoy the ride 'cuz it all goes by in a blink.

– In order of appearance – Mike Bar�on, Jeremiah Sher�an, SpeedPumksImages.com,

Steve Baginski, Fred Thompson, Thomas Dunn, Steve Beane, Bill Smith, The Soenksens, Bob Miller, Dan Brendel,

Andi Wagenschutz, Roseanne Grezbinski, Team Freelin, Chris Howard, Dean Howard, Mike Maurer,

and last, but not least ... Ter�i Sweet

Page 4: D14 news dec14

4 December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

2014 District 14 Board of Directors & Division ChairsPRESIDENT

Thomas Dunn [email protected](517) 896-9757

VICE PRESIDENT Neal [email protected](313) 244-6827

SECRETARYHeather [email protected](517) 775-5897

TREASURERSteve [email protected](313) 805-2285

LEGISLATIVE DIRECTORThomas Dunn [email protected](517) 896-9757

AMA CONGRESS – OFF ROADDick [email protected](586) 677-0456

John Zwerican989-871-3008

AMA CONGRESS – ROADKaye [email protected] (248) 459-1777

RIDER REPS – OFF ROAD Tim [email protected](989) 751-8073

Brian Kidner(231) 670-7418

RIDER REP – ROAD Lanny Johnson(248) 225-5651

ATV CHAIRPERSONRobert [email protected](517) 282-4373

VICE CHAIR – ATV MXNeil Sutfin (989) 223-7890

POINTS KEEPERTerri [email protected](517) 719-6264

RIDER REPS - XCLarry Seeley(269) 986-2197

ENDURO CHAIRPERSONBill [email protected](248) 891-1400

VICE CHAIRMark [email protected](517) 304-0726

POINTS KEEPERTom [email protected](989) 245-6812

RIDER REPSA/AA CLASSScott [email protected](248) 925-6468

B CLASSFred [email protected](586) 246-3156

C, 60+ & WOMEN'S CLASSESTina [email protected](989) 875-8186

FLAT TRACK/TT CHAIRPERSONRobert [email protected](248) 763-3623

VICE CHAIRAndy [email protected]

POINTS KEEPERJanet [email protected]

HARE SCRAMBLE CHAIRPERSONMark [email protected](248) 672-1224

VICE CHAIRNeal [email protected](313) 244-6827

VICE CHAIR – ATV-XCDan Brendel [email protected](810) 217-7404

POINTS KEEPERMark [email protected](248) 672-1224

RIDER REPSJames Cook (ATV)[email protected](586) 855-7827

Rudy Richardson (HS)[email protected](616) 422-1094

Kevin Fleszar (HS)[email protected](734) 735-3717

HILL CLIMB CHAIRPERSONTom [email protected](616) 813-7322

VICE CHAIRRoger Bibbler(616) 813-0646

POINTS KEEPERSeth [email protected](616) 902-7110

ICE RACE CHAIRPERSONJeremiah [email protected](989) 621-8701

VICE CHAIRPatty [email protected](810) 327-1062

POINTS KEEPERPatty [email protected](810) 327-1062

MX CHAIRPERSONKreg [email protected](810) 965-8764

VICE CHAIR - VINTAGE MXSteve [email protected](586) 321-5680

POINTS KEEPERJenny Johnson(989) 871-3356

ROAD CHAIRPERSONTerri [email protected](517) 719-6264

VICE CHAIR Jim Charleboisphone & email – not provided

POINTS KEEPERDon [email protected]

VISIT US AT WWW.AMA-D14.ORG

Page 5: D14 news dec14

December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 5

33 Motosports Pk .................989-889-1785Baja MX ......................................989-871-3356Battle Creek MC................... 909-806-5149Bent Wheels CC .................... 248-626-3140BigAir Motocross ..................231-578-3828Boulis Racing ......................... 810-686-7083Bulldog Riders MC ............. 248-284-5570Cadillac MC ............................ 231-884-0996Flint MC .................................... 810-687-4284Freelin MX ................................ 989-761-1301Goshen IronHorsemen ... 574-514-1894Grand Kankakee TR ............ 219-221-0900Grattan Raceway ................. 616-788-4454Hill & Gully Riders ................708-261-3433H&L Racing ............................ 989-415-2808I-96 Speedway ...................... 616-642-0555KnuckleBusters Rider’s Club ...... 989-287-0120Lansing MC ............................. 517-763-9406Lucky Thumb MC ................ 810-404-2895

If your Charter is not listed, you need to submit a Charter Application and $25 Charter Fee. If your application is

currently pending, your listing will appear once your status has cleared. If you believe this information is incorrect, please verify your status with the D14 Secretary, Heather Soenksen at 517-775-5897 or via email [email protected].

2014 DIRECTORYCHARTER CLUBS & PROMOTERS

All D14 membership and charter registrations/renewals, address changes,

card replacements, missed newspapers and other membership related issues

should be directed to the MEMBERSHIP ADMINISTRATOR:

HEATHER [email protected]

3155 Prescott Dr, Howell MI 48843 • 517-775-5897

MI Off Road Events ............ 517-896-9757Muskegon MC ....................... 231-733-9856NAAS ...........................................989-871-3356Ogemaw Hills Bike Week .......989-312-1312Owosso Kart Speedway ... 810-691-5781Plymouth Blackhawks .......574-904-3006Para-Dice M/C ........................616-893-3542Polka Dots MC ...................... 989-205-8807Port Huron MC ...................... 810-327-1062Portland Trail Riders........... 517-294-6161S.O.R.E. ....................................... 989-370-6791Tri-City Motor Speedway ..... 989-316-6840Tri-City Travelers ................. 989-501-0911Twin Bay Trail Riders ......... 231-645-7905UP Sandstormers ................ 906-228-7010Valley Motocross ..................517-881-8756Valley Trail Riders ................ 989-890-1411White Lake Racing .............. 989-621-8701White Trash Racing ............. 989-274-7243

4185 Blood Road, PO Box 65 • Metamora, MI 48455

810.678.2617

MATT CROWN RACING{ Suspension + Performance }

Over 25+ Years Providing Support to Local & International Riders!

Over 30+ Years Racing Experience!

Complete Line of SUSPENSION SERVICE

from Beginner to Pro!

PRIVATE & GROUPMX TRAINING!

UPS DAILY ... Quick Turn Around!!

MCRSUSPENSION.COM

Page 6: D14 news dec14

6 December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

2015 ICE RACETentative Race Day Schedule:

Sign up at 7:30Practice at 9:00Racing at 11:00

Be sure to check with Promoters for offi cial times!

DATE PROMOTER CONTACT LOCATIONIce race locations may be changed do to ice conditions, but no less than 72 hours before race day.

Jan. 04 Valley Trail Riders .................. 989-879-6397 / 248-689-6971 Bentley, MI

Jan. 11 Valley Trail Riders .................. 989-879-6397 / 248-689-6971 Bentley, MI

Jan. 18 Port Huron MC .................................................. 810-531-0031 Port Huron, MI

Jan. 25 Port Huron MC .................................................. 810-531-0031 Port Huron, MI

Feb. 01 Valley Trail Riders .................. 989-879-6397 / 248-689-6971 Bentley, MI

Feb. 07 DEVILS LAKE TIP-UP FESTIVAL - 60 Years of Racing! Manitou Beach, MI Saturday Race - See Devils Lake Tip-Up Festival on FB

Feb. 15 Valley Trail Riders .................. 989-879-6397 / 248-689-6971 Bentley, MI

Feb. 22 White Lake Racing ........................................... 989-621-8701 White Lake, M

Mar. 01 Valley Trail Riders .................. 989-879-6397 / 248-689-6971 Bentley, MI

Dates are subject to change, please check www.ice.s3webcenter.com or www.ama-d14.org for the most up to date information. Ice race locations may be changed due to ice conditions – but no less than 72 hours before race day.

EVENT SCHEDULE

2015 Ice Race Chairman

JEREMIAH SHERMAN989-621-8701

[email protected]

February 2013 ~ photos courtesy SpeedPunksImages.com

2015 AMA/D14 SUPPLEMENTAL RULES AND CLASS LISTING – PAGE 27

Page 7: D14 news dec14

December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 7

Sandbox MX (Vassar, MI) | November 09Story and photos submitt ed by Steve Baginski

Hello, it has been a while since I have writt en anything for you. As most of you know I was involved in a very bad crash at Portland back in September. I have received a ton of support from everyone and I am sincerely grateful. I am recovering at my mom’s house and am making some great progress. I sti ll have a long way to go, but I am on the right path.

As I am writi ng this, our schedule is ninety percent complete and I will have it posted as soon as I can. I am looking forward to seeing everyone out for 2015.

I have to give a big thank you to Todd and Bryan Hoeldtke. Aft er they heard the extent of my injuries, they came up with the idea to hold a benefi t ride for me at Todd’s track called The Sandbox in Vassar. He contacted me and we came up with a date and started spreading the word. He did not have to do this but insisted that at the end of the day all of the proceeds would go to me to help with bills. A lot of people showed up even though it was extremely cold. He had a huge fi re going for us and we had a great day of riding. I was able to see a lot of old faces and even a few new ones. In the end it was a huge success and would like to give a big thanks to him.

I would also like to thank every person that gave extra that day and throughout my enti re recovery ti me so far. My motocross family has opened their hearts in my ti me of need.

So thanks again and I look forward to seeing everyone at the D-14 MX Banquet on January 17th. If anyone else is planning or would like to att end our Vintage Banquet on January 24th, you can contact me at 586-321-5680 or send payment to: 8449 Potomac, Center Line, 48015. Tickets are $20ea and let me know if you would also be interested in a shirt.

Sandbox MX (Vassar, MI) | November 09Story and photos submitt ed by Steve Baginski

Hello, it has been a while since I have writt en anything for you. As most of you know I was involved in a very bad crash at Portland back in September. I have received a ton of support from everyone and I am sincerely grateful. I am recovering at my mom’s house and am making some great progress. I sti ll have a long way to go, but I am on the right path.

We had a great turnout despite the cold weather

Vintage MX Ride Day Fundraiser

story and photos by Steve Baginski

Steve Phillips from Bulldogs tries out a “new” Hodaka

Page 8: D14 news dec14

8 December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

Most of the district riders are aware of the “worker points” option, where instead of racing an enduro, you help a club with the event instead, and earn 25 points for that event. You are only allowed worker points for one event. “Yeah, we all know that...”

BUT! …Did you know that working an event can really be fun too? I am not going to lie and tell you it’s easy work; on the contrary, it’s very hard work, but it’s enjoyable be-cause as you dirt bike nuts already know, we love to be out in the woods on our dirt bikes with our buddies, picking on each other, and making fun of riding adventures gone awry… it’s only natural!

You may or may not know all that is involved in creating the event you all love to attend and compete in, but to experience it first-hand will lead to an even greater apprecia-tion for what happens before “On Any Sun-day” gets started.

I see the rider surveys after the events – Comments about face slappers, clearing trail junk out better, more arrows, etc...and every club yearns to get an “A+” on all of that stuff, but it takes many man hours, and frankly most clubs only have a handful of people that do all that work...seriously...a handful. Like only 4-6 guys!! And the addi-tional fresh trail you all love to ride that is added, just makes it even harder to make it pristine....with a handful of workers.

Most events are a series of sections strung together on privately owned land, so next year’s event starts this year with club mem-bers visiting land owners and asking permis-sion to use their land, sometimes begging for permission to use a part of, or all of their land to put event trail on. Establishing a good relationship with land owners is vital to the survival of the events. There are 20-30, sometimes even 50+ land owners may be involved to put on a single event.

On events such as the Jack Pine (that I am familiar with), where it is still possible to use State Land, another process occurs where the DNR is contacted (diplomatically) by a key club-member, and parcels of land available for trail making are discussed, maps approved, and permits purchased. Many times there are a lot of new trails made each year as the parcels, or as we call it “logging compartments”, change every year. This af-

fords sometimes up to 30+ miles of brand new trail to be made each year. As a rider in an event, this is important to keep in mind when you are racing the event, as “cut-ting course” on private land, or running off marked trail can cause property dam-

age that risks the loss for the future use of that land. So please… never cut the course to save a second or two; the risk is HUGE!

Anyway, after that work is done, the se-quential stringing of the land plots begins, and the trail layout begins. This is where the “worker” part comes in. Some workers just start walking through the woods, for miles and miles with ribbon marking a projected trail, meandering along until a good section is established, and then the trail is cleared and marked for the event.

This can consist of brush trimmers, chain saws, machetes, weed whackers, and in some cases brush hogs. Some guys just hop on their bike and ride around finding the best way to go, but that can be quite eventful if you have ever hopped on a bike and started riding through the tall ferns and grass with all the hidden logs, stumps, large holes, etc....you can spend a lot of time on the ground that way, I know firsthand!

I personally find the trail layout job fasci-nating and fun, and use a Honda XR 100 to traverse the countryside, and a GPS to help keep a sense of direction going, and to have the trail logged in GPS memory for the fu-ture. LMC has been using a GPS to mark and get DNR approval of trail for several years, and it really works great. We can print the maps off and send them to the DNR for their approval. Usually a surveyor’s ribbon is hung from tree branches to mark the trail to indicate to the “brushing and marking” crew where to go.

I am not going to kid you - brushing and trail clearing is hard work, but it can really be fun if you have several people working together, traversing the trails on their bikes, with hand saws and other trimming tools. That camaraderie, fun, and laughing rela-tionships that band together us dirt bike junkies is prevalent as soon as you start up the bikes and take off, no matter what you are doing on them, even if it’s work. It’s just fun to be out in nature, in the woods, and you see a great deal of animals you might never see otherwise.

Enduro Worker Points are more fun than you think.

Really, I’m not kidding!By Fred Thompson - Lansing Motorcycle Club Member, Jack Pine Enduro Layout Crew

Page 9: D14 news dec14

December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 9

Closing Out 2014 The 2014 racing season is officially over! The District 14 Annual Sanctioning meeting is finished. Year-end awards banquets are already filling up with series riders wanting to have one more gathering with their friends and families to relive the past season and collect their rewards for working hard all season! For a few of our members, prayers and healing are needed as they suffered some life altering crashes. May we all help lift their spirits and give where we can to help. The meeting went well, no knock down drag out fights, no name-calling, for the most part we all left as friends! There will be some changes coming to some divisions next season. Mostly class changing or clarification of existing rules, which already are in place. A couple of Divisional Chairman changes, as Robin Pangborn returns as Flat Track Chair and Mark Becker steps down for Steve Beane as Hare Scrambles Chair, whom will also remain the District 14 Treasurer. The District Executive board will remain the same as last year and I thank you and am humbled by the District’s faith that I can perform the duties as President in a manor befitting of you and all the great leader’s that have served before me. Watch the District website at www.ama-d14.org and watch facebook for most of the different division's schedules and rule changes and banquet information. You can see all the rule changes and schedules, all together in the District 14 Newspaper coming up in February, some dates are previewed in this edition. The Holiday season is here.

A lot of us will trade our motorcycle families for our blood relatives, but that line seems to blur more and more each year as the racing family becomes more and more part of our lives. No matter what you celebrate, I truly hope it a magical and wonderful time of relaxation for all of the District 14 families! The new 2015 season will be upon us soon enough. For Ice Racing it is already here, and at least in the Upper Peninsula and some parts of the upper Lower Peninsula of Michigan where the ice and snow is already building up. For the rest of us, the schedules are set for 2015 season! Soon the winter’s snow and cold will recede into spring’s warmth. For me personally, it cannot come soon enough!

See ya at the races!

Visions by Thomas Dunn, District 14 President

Following the trail clearing step, the “arrowing” process begins. Carpentry pouches are filled with staplers, arrows, and spare staples strapped around your waist while riding your bike through the new trail, seeking the best spot to place arrows to help direct the racing participants the right way to go.

What is also very fun are the “worker breaks” during the day; stopping for drinks, lunch, and spending time with fellow riders is always a good time. It takes a great deal of time to mark trail with arrows. I have seen on occasion beers removed from the coolers at this ceremony. You can all guess what happens after that, more shameless companion ridicule!

Next up is “Mileage Day”, where the mileage team rides the trail, and determines pause or reset lengths based on elapsed time riding the section during layout. Corner markers are made, checkpoints identified at “check-able points”, and everything gets written in a log book that is used to make the route sheet. Depending on the lengths of the sections and the difficulty of the trail, the average speeds are identified for each test section.

It’s important that the mileage bike has an accurate odometer, and the bike is reliable, as it needs to “Finish” the event to get the mileage done. I have been part of a group that had to repair the mileage bike so it could continue on, where more shameless com-panion ridicule resulted. It was all in good fun!

Next on the agenda for the event is “trail burn in” and tweaking. This is really fun as you get to ride primo virgin trail to make a track for the racers to follow, and to correct any trail marking based on racing “at speed”. This is a fun day no doubt! We live for it, and I don’t know how much sweeter work can get!

There are many jobs needed to be filled for the event, including road crossing guards for rider safety crossing roads, check crews, pre-riders to inspect the trail just before the event takes place, sweep riders needed to follow the last riders through the woods and make sure everyone and every bike makes it out of the woods safely. There are also gas trailer drivers and chase truck drivers to help get bikes out of the woods. All of these jobs takes a lot of cooperation, coordination, logistics, and communication. It can take 50-70 people to be working on the day of the event to pull it off. Many clubs get assis-tance from outside help from many volunteers that show up just in time for race day. Some know what they are doing, and sometime they do not. They learn on the fly, and sometimes it ain’t pretty! But the riders so graciously let us know after the event while scores are posted, protest periods are held, and it’s always a lot of fun. Especially after you have been out working the event for 10 hours on the event, hungry, thirsty, and tired....it really kind of makes your day! Always make it a point to scream and complain at a worker as soon and as loud as you can, it really makes them feel better.

So maybe you have never thought about working on an enduro before, maybe you have, I can tell you that if you have the ability, and the time to sacrifice even 2 weekends to show up and help a club, they will be very grateful, and you will be better educated as to what really happens before that first row leaves the start, and maybe you will hand a worker an ice cold beer because you know that that guy really, really did the best he could, with no pay and a great personal sacrifice because he/she loves to have a race that you can enjoy.

And it really, really is a lot of fun, and we love it! If you have a hard time making friends, these guys will like you, no matter what!

Think about it this offseason, and contact Bill Smith for advice on who to talk to, or con-tact any club you may be interested in helping and check it out. You will enjoy it more than you ever thought!

Page 10: D14 news dec14

10 December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

www.enduroeng.com517.393.2421

Fall Suspension

SPECIAL• Oil Changes• Seal Changes• Lowering Suspension• Revalve Forks & Shocks

Call or email our Suspension Expert for special pricing now! Dave Kyle 517.393.2421 or [email protected]

EE_SuspenSpecial_10wx5.375.e$S__ 10/3/14 4:59 PM Page 1

DECEMBER 2014 – by Steve Beane

• There was a song in my childhood that went something like “So close, so close and yet so far …” That’s the line that comes to mind when I look back at the US riders’ performance at the ISDE in Argenti na. Kailub Russell was an animal, exhibiti ng blaz-ing speed and fi nishing top American, and Mike Brown a worthy if unplanned fi ll-in as team captain, but poor Zach Osbourne – his bike expired on the very fi rst day and that meant that every other rider on the team had to be spot on for the rest of the week. Thad Duvall was solid, Charlie Mullins exhibited incredible grit to recover from a Day 2 crash that would have sidelined mere mortals, and Taylor Roberts was oft en the fastest of the fast, but ulti mately the Americans could only secure a silver medal against the dominant French Trophy team.• At one point 111 riders suff ered engine failure in the silt bed of doom, cleaning out almost a third of the riders in one fell swoop, including Beta club team rider Nick Bur-son. In bett er news for the US-importer-backed team, Cory Butt rick won the C3 (club 300cc class) overall.• Elizabeth Scott club team rider Jeff Fredett e suff ered his fi rst ever ISDE DNF – in his 34th and fi nal running of the event, his Kawasaki motor the victi m of too much silt.

• D14 regular Mandi Masti n was the lone American woman to fi nish, with a sixth overall.• Look for full report from the Beta Dealers’ Meeti ng in this issue – besides getti ng to rub shoulders with the likes of Max Gerston, Axel Pearson, and Ty Cullins, we got to spin laps of the Anza, California MotoVentures off -road loop on (almost) everything from the diminuti ve RS125 to the mighty Beta 480 thumper.• There’s fast and then there’s “RV Fast”. Ryan Villipoto conti nues to blow minds as he prepares for his fi rst season of MXGP competi ti on by blitzing jumps like they were ti ny whoops, wheel-tapping the peaks of a half-dozen jumps separated by at least 20 feet each.• The Last Ride Before Deer Season went off November 14th with only a couple snags. It was a balmy 27F when we headed out onto the Denton Creek loop for a last blast in Michigan woods unti l December, and the frozen sand ruts broke free at the least opportune ti mes. Properly atti red the riding was actually quite comfortable, but then the snow really started to come down! The strangest sight of the day was pulling into a trail-head parking lot and meeti ng a trio of riders with their boots off and jackets unzipped – the power-washer blasti ng away was providing power to a torpedo heater.• You did know that the US Junior team won their division at the ISDE right?• Seemingly no sooner did Cody Webb wrap up the US EnduroX ti tle, the fi rst man to dethrone KTM’s Taddy Blasuziak in fi ve years, than he was jumping on a RPM/KTM satellite team race bike.• Think that KTM/Husqvarna isn’t serious about worldwide off -road dominati on? How about Husky signing Josh Strang, Danny McCanney, and Colton Haaker to contest GNCC, WER, and EnduroX series respecti vely, in additi on to all the others already under contract.• Watch this paper and your email inboxes for news about the upcoming 2015 D14 off -road series. The Hare Scrambles division has put together a fantasti c 13 race that will see the introducti on of Evergreen Creek – a new track near Vassar, Michigan.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Don’t get caught without a bike to ride when the weather breaks – we’ll be happy to talk to you about sprucing up your current ride, buying a new Beta, or almost anything else off -road related. Check us out at www.aft erhourscycle.com, or layer up and let’s go ride!

Page 11: D14 news dec14

December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 11

ENDURO REPORTby BILL SMITH Enduro Chairman

2014 DISTRICT 14 ENDURO AWARD WINNERS!Congratulations on the accomplishments of all D14 enduro riders who rode their hearts out this past season. Looking forward to seeing you at the banquet on January 24th, 2015!

GRAND CHAMPION: Cody MastinOVERALL A: Eric BriggsOVERALL B: Alex GoodOVERALL C: Derek Heisler

TOP 12 / AA FOR 20151. Cody Mastin 7. Zach Dubois2. Martin Ryerson 8. Brett Dubois3. Kiel Mueller 9. Travis Troyer4. Eric Briggs 10. Tom Zettel5. Joshua Cairl 11. Jordan Mapes6. Ryan Moss 12. Tyler Vore

AA1. Martin Ryerson2. Kiel Mueller3. Joshua Cairl4. Neal Soenksen

A 2001. Terry Whitmore2. Scott Allen3. Spencer Vandecar

A 2501. Zachary Dubois2. Travis Troyer3. Jacob Cairl4. Logan Densmore

A OPEN1. Brett Dubois2. Craig Hamilton3. Clayton Erb

A 30+1. Max Corbett2. Tom Coughlin3. Cory Maryan

A 40+1. Matt Lohone2. Mark Beltinck3. Erik Shafer

A 50+1. Kevin Allen2. Vic Flegel3. Jeff Kirkwood4. Brian Lohman5. Paul Bucher6. Bruce Mueller

B 2001. Tyler Klein2. Talon Soenksen3. Stanley Szlachciuk

B 2501. Owen Hufnagel2. Tanner Kotterman3. Tommy Cox4. Blaine Allen

B OPEN1. Eddy Cox2. Aaron Foy

B 30+1. Jerry Schroeder Jr2. Eric Smith

B 40+1. Greg Ericksen2. Fred Kraemer3. Mark Hufnagel4. Zach Park

B 50+1. Dale Deveau2. Kirk Tolly3. John Yuhn4. Tom Densmore5. Bill Fritz6. Bill Smith7. Fred Briggs8. Jerry Pekel

C ≤ 291. Asa Abel2. George Deveau3. Alex Kramp

C 30+1. Sean Platt2. Patrick Second

C 50+1. Donald Gierlach

60+1. Jeff Fisher2. Ed Tervoort3. John Bombyk

WOMEN1. Tina Flegel

2014 SEASON STATSThe season in review, by the numbers:

(see stats, page 12)

Enduro Division Sanctioning Meeting - Recap

By all accounts, we had a fairly lively D14 Enduro sanctioning meeting this past De-cember 6th. There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes in running the divi-sion and series, and I want to thank all the clubs, Rider Reps, and attendees who took time out of their day to help us grow, shape, and improve our series.

In attendance were Fred Kraemer (B Rider Rep), Mike Kurncz (S.O.R.E / Grizzly), Rev. Ron Packer (Grapevine), Jeff Hunt (LMC / Jack Pine), Tina Flegel (C Rider Rep), Vic Flegel (Old Fast Guy), Tom Zettel (Young Fast Guy / Points Keeper), Lou Ann Cous-inaw (Treasurer), Tom Cousinaw (Knuckle Buster), Dave Morgan (LMC / Rider), Mike Maurer, (FES / M.O.R.E), Craig Scott (VTR / Bark Buster), Scott Allen (A Rider Rep), Mark Beltinck (Vice Chair). Kyle Harter (Treaty City MC / Peace Pipe) dialed in via conference call.

As has been the case the past few years, we used the full 3 hours of meeting time to review, discuss, and debate on topics concerning the enduro series. This includ-ed the 2014 season in review, event and series stats, areas for improvement, the 2015 schedule, and rule proposals.

I want give special thank Rev. Ron (Hard-core Jesus Freaks) and Kyle Harter (Treaty M/C) for considering the D14 schedule and swapping their respective FES events. This allows the Knuckle Buster to be a

short drive for those that want to ride both series on the weekend of June 27-28 (see 2015 schedule below for details).

MEETING HIGHLIGHTS:

• There are 10 enduro events on the schedule for the 2015 season - 5 in Michi-gan, 4 in Indiana, and 1 in Ohio. Please refer to schedule listing for dates and lo-cations.

• We have two Nationals on the sched-ule; the always popular Jack Pine, put on by Lansing Motorcycle Club. It will be the 90th running of this famous enduro, home of the Cowbell Classic.

Serving as the 10th and final round of the National Enduro Series, and #8 in the D14 series, the Muddobber returns as a Na-tional event for the 2015 season.

• The Grizzly Enduro, put on by Singletrack Off-Road Events, is taking a 1-year sabbat-ical in order to let the “land heal” a bit. This is in-part at the request of the land owners, who without, the event would not be possible. It also gives the “lean” layout crew some time to recharge as well. We’re hoping to see the Grizzly back for the 2016 season, possibly as a much-needed May event.

• In the spirit of trying something new, we’ve added the Peace Pipe Enduro the D14 series schedule for 2015. Hosted by the Treaty City M/C for the past 69 years, the club must be doing something right to enjoy that kind of longevity.

There are many reasons for including this event on the D14 schedule – It provides our riders with a new venue, new terrain to ride, and some variety given the range of soil and trail conditions we have. From the rocks of Marquette, the sand of Jack Pine, the creeks of Indiana, and the mud of Ohio, you can say many things about the series, but you can’t say we don’t have variety!

The Greenville, OH event is also a closer drive for the many D14 riders who live in the southern half of Michigan. While we hope as many D14 riders as possible can attend all events, adding the Peace Pipe gives our riders another option, allowing them to potentially ride more events in the series.

ENDURO continued on page 12

Page 12: D14 news dec14

12 December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports NewsENDURO continued from page 11

Year D14 Riders % Change Avg # Entries % Change # of Events / Nationals 2014 323 - 3% 228 + 22% 9 events, 2 Nationals 2013 333 + 21% 177 - 4% 9 events, 1 National 2012 276 - 8% 185 - 19% 10 events, 1 National 2011 297 - 4% 229 + 9% 10 events, 2 Nationals 2010 310 + 24% 211 + 8% 10 events, 2 Nationals 2009 249 + 32% 195 + 17% 8 events, 2 Nationals 2008 188 - 16% 166 - 2% 8 events, 1 National 2007 225 n/a 169 n/a 10 events, 1 National

Average D14 Riders per Event: 109 riders, 48% of entrants Average # Races per D14 Rider: 3

Events ordered by Highest Turnout - All Riders / % D14:

1. Muddobber National 528 / 18% 2. Loose Moose National 392 / 24% 3. Sand Goblin 236 / 39% 4. Jack Pine 223 / 82% 5. Turkey Creek 170 / 55% 6. Bark Buster 144 / 91% 7. Grizzly 125 / 100% 8. Summer Bummer 124 / 54% 9. Knuckle Buster 111 / 88%

Events ordered by Highest Turnout of D14 Riders / % of D14 Members:

1. Jack Pine 183 / 57% 2. Bark Buster 131 / 41% 3. Grizzly 125 / 39% 4. Knuckle Buster 98 / 30% 5. Muddobber 96 / 30% 6. Loose Moose 94 / 29% 7. Turkey Creek 94 / 29% 8. Sand Goblin 93 / 29% 9. Summer Bummer 67 / 21%

Adding the Peace Pipe also helps the many Indiana riders who have joined District 14, or have considered it. With most of the D14 enduro events now within driving distance for these folks, we welcome more of them to join our great series.

Finally, we want to support enduro clubs as much as possible. If there’s a group willing to spend hundreds of man-hours in the woods, stringing together trail and hanging arrows, and are looking for more riders, it’s best we do what we can to help make their efforts worthwhile.

2015 ENDURO SCHEDULE (see page 20 for race dates)

• There were 3 rule proposals that passed; as a recap, here is the impact:

1. The number of drops has changed. Previously, if there were 10 or more events, a rider could drop their 3 lowest scores (the best 7 out of 10 events counted towards overall series points). It is now a max of 2 drops when there are 8 or more events in a season. For 7 events or less per season, the number of drops remain the same.

Total # of Events # of Events Counted 1 – 5 All 6 5 7 6 8+ Drop 2

2. The Grand Champion category (includes A/AA riders) will have only 1 drop. This is only for determining the Grand Champion at the end of the year. All other classes, including Overall A/B/C, will use the standard drop schedule.

3. We will be using MotoTally to automatically manage, calcu-late, and assign points. Benefits to the riders include:

a. There’s no delay in posting series points. Race results and series points are posted at the same time. No more waiting days or weeks for points due to manually-intensive member-ship updating and reconciliation processes.

b. Eliminates, or at the very least greatly reduces, the chance that series points will suddenly change “late in the season” due to corrections being applied late, missing riders being added at a later date, etc.

c. Saves significant time and effort for your Points Keeper!

d. The series will no longer be dependent on having someone with special technical skills to ensure that series points are accurate.

e. MotoTally provides a real-time, online report of all riders signed-up for the series, accessible by clubs, riders, other dis-tricts, etc.

f. Rider info is updated / managed by the rider’s themselves: Address, phone, e-mail, emergency contact, and bike brand can all be updated by the rider. It’s a “self-service” system.

ADDITIONAL INFO:

• In order to facilitate all this, at the beginning of each season (or whenever someone is ready to start racing the series), the rider must register for the series online. This is done via MotoTally, and is very similar to online pre-entry for events. For riders that can’t or don’t wish to register online, mail-in registration will also be available.

• Registration is needed only once per season, and runs from January 1st – December 31st.

ENDURO continued on page 18

Page 13: D14 news dec14

December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 13

Our Year in Reviewwhile following the NEPG Nati onal Enduro series...

Story and photos submitt ed by The Soenksens

10,680+ miles

176 hrs of driving. That’s 7.3 days non-stop. We could have driven to Alaska and back to Michigan.

890 gals of diesel fuel. We won’t even begin to calculate the cost….

Blessed sunshine in March in South Carolina and then I-75 closure and a night spent in a snow storm in Kentucky.

Home by Monday night!

Mom was able to bring her bike and race a Family Enduro in Tennessee, placing 1st in the Womens class. Lots of rocks and a injured hand for Talon.

Home by 2am Monday morning!

School’s fi nally out so no more Mountain Dew for breakfast before school Monday morning.

U.P. of Michigan. We get to drive 8 hours and never leave Michigan. Hanging with our D14 friends.

Vacati on ti me aft er Marquett e. Mosquitoes of Michigan

Missouri Nati onal. St. Louis arch and camping in an old mine. Thankful that Alex survived a big get-off 200 yards from the fi nish with only a hurt foot.

Blackwater tank explosion all over I-70 and our dear friends, The Goods, red truck. Red and brown make orange.

Home by 3 am Monday morning!

No cell coverage in Pennsylvania for hours. Fireworks and “Weedville”. Rocks, rocks and more rocks and watch out for snake!!!

Home by 1am Monday morning!

Colorado mountains, Denver traffi c jam, Talon’s socks blew out of the truck so he has a new pair of “cool” socks from Grand Juncti on CO KTM, Denver traffi c jam, Melanie’s food rati ons. Breathtaking views both racing and pitti ng.

Left Thursday before and home Monday night aft er!

Hush Puppies in South Carolina. WoW! It was hot and humid. Some great trail mixed with GNCC crap. Long weekend to take our ti me on the return trip.

Meeti ng new people. Riding diff erent terrain.

The challenge of more competi ti on. Beauti -ful scenery. Family ti me. Sharing the com-pany of friends and celebrati ng that Randy Good was able to enjoy a year of watching his son’s success!

200 B Nati onal Championship for Talon and 3rd Place for Alex Good!

PRICELESS!!

Home by 10pm Sunday night from Indi-ana!!!!!

On the line in Tennesee

Neal Soenksen, Alex Good, Melanie & Talon Soenksen

Neal, Talon Soenksen and Alex GoodSouth Carolina

2014 200 B Nati onal EnduroChampionsMuddobbers Nati onal – Matt hews IN

Tennesee

Talon & AlexLitt le Brown Jug Enduro

Ann & Alex GoodPark Hills MO

Heather Soenksen with Russell Bobbit

School’s fi nally out so no more Mountain Dew for breakfast before school

Heather Soenksen with Russell Bobbit

Page 14: D14 news dec14

14 December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

INDIAN conti nued from page PB

We started our year out at the friendly confi nes of Portland Trail Riders. It was a good start to the year. Then we trav-eled to the east side of the state, to Freelin Mx. With a good turnout and great track conditi ons this was the perfect com-binati on, which lead to some very competi ti ve racing. Ann and the staff had the track in great shape. Along with some

new faces, our friends and foes were all there. Great ti mes were had at the campfi res and the bleachers.

D14 ATV MX ran 11 championship races, these races were at Portland Trail, Batt le Creek MX, Gratt an MX, Freelin MX , M33 motorsports park, and Valley MX. Unfortunately the race at M33 was totally rained out from an unbelievably intense two day rain storm. This rain severely washed out the track, but it could not stop the canoe and tube trip down the Au Sable river, nor could it stop the Side by side trail ride, the cook out or the adult duck duck goose game. We didn’t consider the trip a total loss.

This year we also got to welcome Valley MX to D14. This has been a favorite of many quad racers going back through the ages. It was an awesome place to take the series to. Many thanks to Steve and Amy for giving the D14 ATV MX family a personal invite to att end whenever they are open.

50 LIMITED 1st Gage Isham

70 LIMITED 1st Daniel Thatcher

70 PRODUCTION 1st Easton Urbanek 2nd Natalie Jackson 3rd Gabriel Martens 4th Mason Jackson 5th Cody Roth 6th Violet Scribner

90 MODIFIED 1st Blair Miller 2nd Trevor Thatcher 3rd Gavin Hadu 4th Mason Jackson 5th Andrew Maurer

SUPER MINI 1st Trevor Thatcher

A CLASS 1st Chad Reed 2nd Jacob Geeseman 3rd Tyler Desilva 4th Ryan Korody 5th Miles Burgtorf 6th Chad Barker

SCHOOLBOY JR 1st Chase Seeley 2nd Jacob Nixon 3rd Brock Zehr 4th Drew Mercure 5th Aaron Andrachick 6th Alayna Stuckman 7th Joseph Hewitt

WTrail Riders. It was a good start to the year. Then we trav-eled to the east side of the state, to Freelin Mx. With a good turnout and great track conditi ons this was the perfect com-binati on, which lead to some very competi ti ve racing. Ann

50 LIMITED 1st Gage Isham

SUPER MINI 1st Trevor ThatcherWe started our year out at the friendly confi nes of Portland

Trail Riders. It was a good start to the year. Then we trav-

ATV SCENE

The following list are the results for the 2014 season.

Fierce powersports hole shot contest between Cole Sepesi and Trevor Thatcher at Freelin MX

story by Bob Miller | photos courtesy of SpeedPunksImages.com

Page 15: D14 news dec14

December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 15 SCHOOLBOY SR 1st Drew Mercure 2ndThaneSutfin 3rd Mitchell Frantz 3rd Mason Ferguson 3rd Cole Sepesi 6thMitchellPratt 7th Thomas Heisler 8th Brandon Feagan

YOUTH OPEN 1st Blair Miller 2nd Trevor Thatcher 3rd Mason Jackson

50 PRODUCTION 1st Easton Urbanek 2nd Natalie Jackson

B CLASS 1st Andrew Hartwell 2nd Adam Wilson 3rd Tony Wroblewski 4th Shelby Harvey 5th Tony Benschoter 6th Mike Caron 7th Ryan Korody 8th Dylan Mercure 9th Silas Blough

C CLASS 1st Dylan Mercure 2nd Jacob Rhoda 3rd Davison Emery 4th Cody Lepper 5th Trent Gordenski 6th Jacob Hill 6th Jacob Wilson 6th Josh Woods 9th Chris Isham 10th Chris Conley 11th Jason Franklin

16-29 1st Andrew Hartwell 2nd Adam Wilson 3rd Tony Benschoter 4th Tyler Desilva 5th Mike Caron 5th Cody Lepper 7th Dainen Bates 9th Chad Reed 10th Miles Burgtorf 11th Ryan Korody 12th Shelby Harvey

30+ 1st Tony Wroblewski 2nd Larry Seeley II 3rd Jacob Hill 4th Brendon Holtz 5th Joe Scarrow 6th Edward Hayden 7th Bryan Zimmer 7thScottBlanchard 9th Thomas Gentz 9th Chirs Conleey

40+ 1stScottBlanchard 2nd Brendon Holtz 3rd Thomas Gentz 4th Michael Snider

The D14 ATV MX group also held the second annual Hole Shot Contest this year, thanks to Fierce Powersports of Swanton Ohio as thetitlesponsor.ThiseventwasheldunderthelightsatPortlandTrailRiders. Thiswasanotherextremelyexcitingevent,withtwicetheentriesas last year. Bothof thefinalswereflatout epic. Thebikeshadabigbikefinalbetweenafatherandason(TheFleishmans),withthetreacheryofagecomingouton top.OnourQuadsidewehad thestory of the student versus the mentor between Joe Scarrow and Cole Sepesi.JoeScarrowcameoutontopwinningtheQuaddivisionandalsotheQuad/Bikeshootout.CongratulationsJoeScarrow.Thanksagaintoeveryonethatmadethispossible.CoreyThatcher,HeatherThatcher, Brandy Miller, Tom Mercure, Casie Lambert, Chad Brun-ton, Haley Burnton, Grace Stephens, Luke Adams, Nick Fisher, Bruce HeightchewandallthefolksfromPTRwhopitchedin.ThankYou. ThereareafewchangesintheATVofficers:LarrySeeleyisnowtheViceChairmanandJacobHill isnowtheATVRiderrep.,socon-gratsguys.Thescheduleforthe2015seasonisgoingtobeevenbet-terthanlastyear,soletsalljustgetreadytodosomeATVMXracing.

Hole Shot Contest betwen Chad Barker and Adam Wilson at Portland Trail Riders

Freelin MX – Dlyan Mercure pulls his first hole shot

Page 16: D14 news dec14

16 December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

POLKA DOTS conti nued from page PB

2014ATV Harescramble Series

Year in ReviewStory and photos submitt ed by Dan Brendel, ATV Hare Scrambles Chairman

The 2014 race season was one to remember. The top spot is most classes came down to the last couple races and many who took that top spot were fi rst ti me champions. Bo Hatf ield rejoined our series this year aft er a few years living out of state. Although he had a rough start, showing up 8 hours early for a race at Plymouth Blackhawks, he went on to take the overall A-class ti tle. B-class also had a great batt le between Brent Bergeron, Josh Herter and Mark Andrew Gott s. Mark had a very rough year with all kind of problems with his Suzuki, but aft er coming to blows with his machine he gave up and got a Yamaha. I expect him to be a front runner next year. Josh was able to get his fi rst career win in the B-class and pushed Brent all season long, but fell short making Brent the class champion. Vet 25+ had great racing all year long with a steady group of riders showing up to every round. If there was a holeshot award given for the best starter it would go to Scott Sanderson. He had his YFZ dialed and got every holeshot. The racing was close all season with race wins swapped between the top three. But in the end Dan Brendel was able to edge out Adam Murphy and Chad Meyers for the class win. The fi rst ti me champion of the C-class made history. Sarah Meyers is the fi rst women rider in the District 14 ATV harescramble series in to take the ti tle.

The clubs this year did a great job building tracks that were not only challenging but fun and safe. The two new courses we traveled to were Plymouth Blackhawks and Valley MX. Plymouth was a very sandy track with miles of deep whoops. It was a great test for man and machine as the suspension got quite the workout. Valley MX had more of what I would call a GP style course with a MX track thrown in. I look forward to going back to these great faciliti es next season. Every course we went to this year gave us their best eff ort, but the track that stood out to me was Bent Wheels in Rose City. I have personally raced there for many years and something was diff erent this ti me around. I can’t put my fi nger on it, but it was the best track of the year. The course fl owed well and made for very ti ght racing. I would like to thank them and look forward to the same style of racing next year.

Our banquet will be held at the same locati on as last year in Fenton, Michigan. Tickets are $20 a person and money is due by January 4. I hope to see everyone there for a great ti me of bench racing and trash talking. Congratulati ons to all our 2014 class win-ners.

First ever female D14 Hare Scramble Champion Sarah Meyers tearing it up against the boys

A CLASS:1st – Bo Hatf ield, 2nd – David Lett s, 3rd – Chris Blough

B CLASS:1st – Brent Bergeron, 2nd – Josh Herter, 3rd – Mark Andrew Gott s

C CLASS:1st – Sarah Myers, 2nd – Brad Kerns

VET 25+ CLASS:1st – Danniel Brendel, 2nd – Adam Murphy, 3rd – Chad Myers, 4th – James Cook

Page 17: D14 news dec14

December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 17

David Letts clear the pond at M-33

2014 ATV Harescramble Awards Banquet

Come celebrate another year of Racing!

*****************BE SURE TO INCLUDE RACERS NAME

WHEN SENDING PAYMENT AND NUMBER OF PEOPLE ATTENDING

*****************

SATURDAYJANUARY 24, 2015

6:00pm-11:00pmFenton Community Center

150 S. Leroy St. – Fenton, Mi 48430

TICKETS ARE $20 A PERSON Food, Drinks and snacks will be provided.

Please send money via Paypal or send check by mail made out to

Dan Brendel by Saturday January 4, 2014Paypal account: [email protected]

Mailing address: 12444 Gage Rd., Holly, Mi 48442

Page 18: D14 news dec14

18 December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

A Few Words from the Hare Scrambles World

Steven Beane, 2015 AMA D14 Hare Scrambles Chairman

First of all – greetings! I’m as excited about racing D14 hare scrambles now as I was when I first started 15 years ago - no wait, I may even have done one or two a couple years before that – and just as excited to be the division chairman for the 2015 season.Being competitive by nature I look for ways to do things to the best of my ability. It’s go-ing to be tough to top what the past chairmen – Mark Becker, Brian Kidner, BJ Tomanek, and Brian Marr to my memory – have done, but I will do whatever is in my power to make the D14 hare scrambles series the premier off-road series in the mid- west. Make no mistake though, the job can’t and won’t get done alone. I will be relying heavily on the other members of the hare scrambles board – Neal Soenksen, and Jesse Richardson, the rider reps Kevin Fleszar, Brian Kidner, and Mark Becker, the clubs and promoters, the scoring team, and even you as riders to make this happen.

For the riders, you can expect to see a couple immediate changes. First, directions to each of the tracks will be posted on the website and Facebook pages so you can invite your friends to the races and they will actually have a chance of finding their way. Sec-ond, all races will share a common start time for the mini riders as the first class of the day, and then the remaining classes will have “start on or after” times so you will know what time you need to be at the track. Quad riders, at the courses where quad races are held, will be the final race of the day. At the recent sanctioning meeting we ham-mered out a 13 race schedule that will feature a variety of terrain, and will see a new woods-course added to the schedule. With the clubs’ cooperation we were able to set the schedule to minimize back-to-back race weekends and still avoid almost all of the enduro races.

We also streamlined a couple of classes – no longer will there be both 30+ and 40+ A and B segmentation. New for 2015 there will be 30+A and 30+B classes.

Here’s an area that I need your help to get the word out. The D14 hare scrambles rule book has carried a rule stating that if a rider had won a B level championship he was automatically advanced to the A class. That meant that no matter what B level class it was, if you won it you were bumped to A. In reality many of the B class champions got there more through perseverance or small class sizes than raw speed, and they simply were not competitive in the A class they were forced into. If you know a rider that won a B class championship but dropped out after facing the lions in the A class, tell them to petition us to drop back a class. Not every petition will be granted, but each one will be taken seriously. Going forward we’ll be paying much more attention to the AMA off-road advancement point system to see who really needs to advance from the B to the A class, but let’s get guys back on the starting line and back into the woods.

For the clubs and promoters, I am really excited to work with you to promote off-road riding and AMA D14 racing, and your events in particular. It’s my belief that if we col-lectively provide great courses and well-run events we’ll start to see full gates and crowded parking lots on hare scrambles days. I appreciate your willingness to shape a schedule that provides the racers a chance to experience a variety of courses that are neither enduro-tight nor GNCC-fast without getting burned out by too many races in too short a span of time. As the Hare Scrambles division we will do everything that we can to support you as professional partners that have your success as a club or pro-moter in mind. You can contact me at [email protected] at any time leading up to or throughout the season with your thoughts or questions.

The Other Stuff …Don’t forget to get your tickets for the January 24, 2015 Hare Scrambles banquet. If you’re not able to make the January 11 Valley Trail Riders winter hare scrambles this may be the next time to see some of your riding buddies. Bennigan’s has been put on

• Once registered, you will receive series points for the remainder of the season. If reg-istering on the day of an event (you can register via a smartphone), you will get points for that event. If you registered after an event you raced, you will not get points for the previous race.

• In order to help operate the enduro series and fund the awards banquet, a $10 fee will be assessed during series registration (1x per year).

• You must be a member in good standing with the AMA and District 14. This will be strictly enforced. It is a promoter’s responsibility to ask for proof of membership, and a rider’s obligation to provide such proof. Riders without proof at sign-up may be re-quired to purchase a membership at the event.

Rational:

• MotoTally was introduced into the D14 Enduro Series eight years ago (in 2007). It forever changed the way event results are tabulated and series points calculated. It also provided a platform that allowed for online event entry, and electronic scoring. The National Enduro series adopted MotoTally beginning with their 2008 season, after successfully piloting it at the Mosquito Classic National in 2007 (using D14’s equipment).

• It’s time to leverage MotoTally’s series registration system to provide similar efficien-cies and improve accuracy for the points system. While MotoTally is great at calculating points, we’re not able to post them in a timely manner that riders deserve (and we’d like). It’s also a manually-intensive process to make sure they’re accurate.

• Implementing MotoTally’s series registration system will help us take the D14 Enduro Series to the next level, while providing many benefits to riders.

• For 2015 your interests as Enduro riders will continue to be served by Bill Smith as Chairman, Mark Beltinck as Vice Chair, Lou Ann Cousinaw as Treasurer, and Tom Zettel as Points Keeper. Rider Reps will be elected and announced at the Awards Banquet on January 24th.

If you are interested in helping out with the Enduro series in 2015, please get in contact with me. There’s a lot that goes on “behind the scenes”, and it’s a great way to help “give” back to a series that has hopefully brought you some priceless memories over the years.

ENDURO = CLUBS + LAND OWNERS + VOLUNTEERS + WORKERS + RIDERSThe D14 Enduro Series would not be possible with enduros, and enduros would not be possible without the tireless efforts of the clubs, land owners, volunteers, workers, and riders that support the events. A big “Thank You” to all the D14 enduro riders who worked an event for points this past year. If we somehow missed including you on this list, please know that your efforts are recognized an appreciated nonetheless!

Asa AbelMark AdamsKenneth AlkemaDavid AndersonMark BeltinckBrad BirgyPaul BuhrJacob CairlJoshua CairlTom CoughlinTom “Bruno” CousinawLucas CoylePatrick CoyleTed del SolarRob DelinskyJeffrey Fisher

Brent FloydJeff FredetteMark HufnagelKyle KeenJeff KirkwoodTyler KleinFred KraemerMike KurnczMatt LohoneJoe MapesCody MastinDavid MorganBrian NannengaGreg NottinghamJames RoyceAustin SandersDennis Sanders

David SchimetzVernon SchollJerry Schroeder JrAlex ShullEric SmithNeal SoenksenTalon SoenksenStanley SzlachciukFred ThompsonDavid TrippMike VeldJames VincentDavid WhiteDonald WhiteJason WierJohn Yuhn

ENDURO continued on page 20

ENDURO continued from page 12

Page 19: D14 news dec14

December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 19

alert to expect a big supercross crowd aft er the festi viti es. If you don’t see me there, it’s because my wife is expecti ng our third child a week later …

We’re looking for rider-writers to contrib-ute words and pictures to the AMA D14 News. If you’re in school you may be able to use what you put together as an inde-pendent-study credit or as part of a jour-nalism or writi ng class. Moms and dads are welcome too. Linda is the best editor you’ll ever get to write for, so if you’re wonder-ing what’s involved contact her at [email protected]

The Hare Scrambles scoring crew is also looking for trainees to assist with the nuts and bolts of rider sign-up and scoring. You’ll have a chance to work alongside some of the greatest ladies in the business and learn the ever-important job of rider scoring. Contact Heather Soenksen or Jessie Rich-ardson to fi nd out how to get involved.

Look for some exciti ng promoti ons and ‘series within a series’ events as we get organized for the new year. Get those muf-fl ers repacked (we will conti nue to enforce sound limits) and bikes over-hauled … we’re going to have a great 2015 race season!

The schedule for 2015 is as follows:

Mar 29 – Plymouth Blackhawks (Q)

Apr 26 – Portland Trail Riders (Q, PW)

May 3 – Plymouth Blackhawks (Q)

May 17 – Batt le Creek Motorcycle Club (Q)

May 31 – White Trash

June 21 – Valley Trail Riders (PW)

July 12 – M33 (Q)

July 26 – Valley MX (Q)

Aug 9 – Bentwheels (Q)

Aug 16 – Polka Dots Motorcycle Club (PW)

Sept 13 – Evergreen Creek (PW)

Sept 20 – M33 (Q)

Oct 11 – Portland Trail Riders (Q, PW)

Braap!

Enduro - Hare Scrambles - FES Awards Banquet Saturday, January 24, 2015

Comfort Inn & Suites 2424 South Mission

Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 48858 (989)772-4000

Cocktails 5:00pm (Cash Bar) / Dinner 6:00pm

Please Note: Registration deadline for the banquet is Jan. 15th, 2015. No tickets will be sold at the door, and we cannot issue refunds.

Seating is first come, first serve. Come early to get first choice of seats; banquet room will open at 4:30pm. Celebrate in style! To reserve a room for the night, call the hotel and let them know you’re with

D14 Off Road to get our group rate of $99 (limited number of rooms!)

Questions: Mark Becker at (248) 672-1224 / [email protected], Bill Smith at (248) 891-1400 / [email protected],

Mike Maurer @ (517) 655-5505 / [email protected]

Register and pay ONLINE at www.ama-d14.org or www.d14enduro.org

Or complete the bottom half of this sheet and mail with your check payable to “D14 Hare Scrambles ” to: Andi Wagenschutz 4064 N. Sharon Road, Kalkaska, MI 49646. Please email me to let me know you are mailing a check: [email protected]

BANQUET REGISTRATION

Attendee Name Adult / 13+ - $37.50 12 & Under - $20 Highchair Age - $0

TOTAL DUE:

Page 20: D14 news dec14

December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 19

alert to expect a big supercross crowd aft er the festi viti es. If you don’t see me there, it’s because my wife is expecti ng our third child a week later …

We’re looking for rider-writers to contrib-ute words and pictures to the AMA D14 News. If you’re in school you may be able to use what you put together as an inde-pendent-study credit or as part of a jour-nalism or writi ng class. Moms and dads are welcome too. Linda is the best editor you’ll ever get to write for, so if you’re wonder-ing what’s involved contact her at [email protected]

The Hare Scrambles scoring crew is also looking for trainees to assist with the nuts and bolts of rider sign-up and scoring. You’ll have a chance to work alongside some of the greatest ladies in the business and learn the ever-important job of rider scoring. Contact Heather Soenksen or Jessie Rich-ardson to fi nd out how to get involved.

Look for some exciti ng promoti ons and ‘series within a series’ events as we get organized for the new year. Get those muf-fl ers repacked (we will conti nue to enforce sound limits) and bikes over-hauled … we’re going to have a great 2015 race season!

The schedule for 2015 is as follows:

Mar 29 – Plymouth Blackhawks (Q)

Apr 26 – Portland Trail Riders (Q, PW)

May 3 – Plymouth Blackhawks (Q)

May 17 – Batt le Creek Motorcycle Club (Q)

May 31 – White Trash

June 21 – Valley Trail Riders (PW)

July 12 – M33 (Q)

July 26 – Valley MX (Q)

Aug 9 – Bentwheels (Q)

Aug 16 – Polka Dots Motorcycle Club (PW)

Sept 13 – Evergreen Creek (PW)

Sept 20 – M33 (Q)

Oct 11 – Portland Trail Riders (Q, PW)

Braap!

Enduro - Hare Scrambles - FES Awards Banquet Saturday, January 24, 2015

Comfort Inn & Suites 2424 South Mission

Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 48858 (989)772-4000

Cocktails 5:00pm (Cash Bar) / Dinner 6:00pm

Please Note: Registration deadline for the banquet is Jan. 9th, 2015. No tickets will be sold at the door, and we cannot issue refunds.

Seating is first come, first serve. Come early to get first choice of seats; banquet room will open at 4:30pm. Celebrate in style! To reserve a room for the night, call the hotel and let them know you’re with

D14 Off Road to get our group rate of $99 (limited number of rooms!)

Questions: Mark Becker at (248) 672-1224 / [email protected], Bill Smith at (248) 891-1400 / [email protected],

Mike Maurer @ (517) 655-5505 / [email protected]

Register and pay ONLINE at www.ama-d14.org or www.d14enduro.org

Or complete the bottom half of this sheet and mail with your check payable to “D14 Hare Scrambles ” to: Andi Wagenschutz 4064 N. Sharon Road, Kalkaska, MI 49646. Please email me to let me know you are mailing a check: [email protected]

BANQUET REGISTRATION

Attendee Name Adult / 13+ - $37 12 & Under - $20 Highchair Age - $0

TOTAL DUE:

Page 21: D14 news dec14

20 December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

Please read Fred Thomson’s excellent ar-ticle (elsewhere in this newspaper) on the blood, sweat, tears, laughs, and FUN that goes into working an event. Please reach out to a club EARLY in the 2015 season and commit to helping them put on their event next season.

If you can dedicate even a few weekends, it will help lessen the tremendous load on the very small handful of volunteers that typically take on 85% percent of the work needed to host an enduro. If you’re not sure who to contact or where to help, con-tact me at (248) 891-1400 / [email protected].

A Season’s End Tip of the Helmet…• They made it happen for the 4th year in a row! The Scott family team of Craig (front office), Riley (design), and Ross

• Mark Beltinck – Enduro Vice ChairMark has been a great Vice Chair these past three years, and has been a HUGE help with the Enduro awards. Mark has taken on ownership of getting all the ap-parel awards embroidered, working with vendors to get the best pricing possible, is involved in the design, and works closely with them to ensure a high-quality prod-uct.

If you like the award you’re wearing, be sure to thank Mark - just make sure it’s nicely ironed, or you’ll never hear the last of it from our Vice Chair!

• Lou Ann – Enduro TreasurerLou Ann has volunteered her time and effort over the past 3 years to help keep our finances up-to-date, organized, and documented appropriately. She handles

all the invoicing and payment processing for the Division, helping to ensure proper oversight of your funds. Thanks Lou Ann!

• Tom Zettel – Points KeeperDespite a demanding work schedule, per-sonal commitments, and very little seat time at the enduros, Tom has made the time to keep our series points up-to-date and accurate. Knowing firsthand what the job entails, I’m very thankful Tom’s there taking care of business. Tom also compiles and submits all the Overall Reports after every event, as required by the AMA (I’m sure the clubs appreciate this too.)

• Enduro Rider RepsScott Allen – Scott continues to be a valu-able representative for enduro riders. The series has benefited from his ability to consolidate a range of rider feedback,

Date Series Event Name Club / Promoter City, State04/18/15 FES Sand Booger Family Enduro Grand Kankakee Trail Riders Roselawn, IN04/19/15 District 14 Sand Goblin Enduro Grand Kankakee Trail Riders Roselawn, IN04/25/15 FES Arbor Day Family Enduro Family Enduro Series, Inc. Kalkaska, MI04/26/15 District 14 M.O.R.E. Enduro Michigan Off Road Events Kalkaska, MI06/13/15 FES Mini Moose Family Enduro UP Sandstormers Marquette, MI06/14/15 District 14 Loose Moose Enduro UP Sandstormers Marquette, MI06/27/15 FES Grapevine Family Enduro Hard Core Jesus Freaks Lawton, MI06/28/15 District 14 Knuckle Buster Enduro Knuckle Buster Riders Greenville, MI07/11/15 FES Treaty M/C Family Enduro Treaty City M/C Greenville, OH07/25/15 FES Matthews Family Enduro Muddobbers M/C Matthews, IN07/26/15 n/a Muddobber Dual Sport Muddobbers M/C Matthews, IN08/01/15 FES Weed Wacker Family Enduro Valley Trail Riders Bentley, MI08/02/15 District 14 Bark Buster Enduro Valley Trail Riders Bentley, MI08/09/15 District 14 Summer Bummer Hill & Gully Riders Roselawn, IN08/22/15 FES Pine Cone Family Enduro Lansing Motorcycle Club Moorestown, MI08/23/15 District 14 Jack Pine National Enduro Lansing Motorcycle Club Moorestown, MI09/19/15 FES Fall Classic Family Enduro Series, Inc. Traverse City, MI10/11/15 District 14 Muddobber National Enduro Muddobbers M/C Matthews, IN10/31/15 FES Turkey Gobbler Family Enduro Riders M/C New Paris, IN11/01/15 District 14 Turkey Creek Enduro Riders M/C New Paris, IN11/08/15 District 14 Peace Pipe Enduro Treaty City M/C Greenville, OH

Series schedule and event dates are subject to change. Please visit www.d14enduro.org for the most up-to-date info.

D14 Enduro Series: Best 8 out of 10 events count towards overall series points, best 9 out of 10 for Grand Champion Award.Minimum 6 events to be eligible for year-end awards. AMA and District membership is required to compete in any D14 sanctioned event.Family Enduro Series: Best 7 out of 10 events count towards overall series points. Minimum 5 events to be eligible for year-end awards.The FES is NOT a District 14 sanctioned series, and is open to riders from all districts - AMA or District membership NOT required.

2015 District 14 and Family Enduro Series Combined Schedule

www.d14enduro.org www.facebook.com/D14enduro Schedule as of: 12/16/2014

(back-office) have once again brought a group of generous sponsors onboard for our D14 Offroad Schedule Poster. I hope you grabbed a few of these at one of the events this past season, and displayed it proudly in your garage, trailer, workplace, and/or living room.

The annual schedule poster helps provide sponsors with a way to advertise their goods and services, support our sport, and helps the series with much-needed funds for the awards banquet. Approxi-mately 1,500 copies were distributed to dealers and off-road events throughout the year.

Please continue to patronize these spon-sors, and let them know you appreciate their support!

ENDURO continued from page 18

Page 22: D14 news dec14

December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 21

DISTRICT 14 MX BANQUET SATURDAY January 17th, 2015 Best Western Sterling Inn & Waterpark 34911 Van Dyke Avenue Sterling Heights, MI 48312

(586) 979-1400

Doors open at 5:00pm Dinner at 6:00pm Sorry NO tickets will be sold at the door.

YOU MUST PURCHASE A TICKET TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY PART OF THE BANQUET! Information must be postmarked NO LATER than December 20th, 2014

Make checks payable to: District 14 MX

NAME____________________________________________________________________ADDRESS__________________________________________________________________CITY______________________________STATE________________ZIP________________

PHONE________________________Email_______________________________________

TICKETS Adult (11yrs & Up) Child (4-10) Child (0-3)

$30 $20 Free Quantity Quantity Quantity Name____________________________ ________ ________ ________

Name____________________________ ________ ________ ________

Name____________________________ ________ ________ ________

Name____________________________ ________ ________ ________ Please attach a separate sheet for additional names

Total Tickets_________x$30= _________

________ x$20= _________ Total Enclosed $ ____________

JACKET INFO

Rider Name_________________________________________________________

Class#1___________________________ Jacket Size__________________

Class #2___________________________ Jacket Size__________________

Class #3___________________________ Jacket Size__________________

Youth: Adult: Small (6-8)= YS Small= AS

Medium (10-12)= YM Medium= AM Large (14-16)= YL Large= AL

X-Large (18-20)= YXL X Large= AXL XX Large= A2XL

Please note we will print 1st names on jacket ONLY. Last name and/or racing number can be added at an additional fee of $5.00 per name or number.

PLEASE MAIL FORM TO: Baja Acres

8683 Birch Run Road Millington, MI 48746

Any questions please contact Baja Acres (989)871-3356

Be sure to visit these websites often during the season and o� -season to make sure you’re up to

date on the latest and greatest!

AMA – AmericanMotorcyclist.comD14 – AMA-D14.org

D14 News – D14News.netENDURO – D14Enduro.org

MX – D14MX.comICE – ICE.s3webcenter.com

_______________________33MotosportsPark.com

BajaMX.com BattleCreekMotorcycleClub.com

BentWheels.comBigAirMotocross.com

BullDogMX.comBundyHillO� Road.com

CadillacMC.comFlintMotorcycleClub.com

FreelinMX.comGKTrailRiders.com

GrattanRaceway.com I96Speedway.com

LansingMotorcycleClub.orgLuckyThumbMotorcycleClub.com

MidwestEnduros.com (Hill & Gully)MichiganVintageMotocross.com

MuddobbersMC.orgMuskegonMotorcycleClub.com

NAActionSports.comPHMC-USA.com

PolkaDotsMC.netPortlandTrailRiders.com

RidersMC.orgTheValleyTrailRiders.org

ValleyMotocross.comUPSandStormers.comWhiteLakeRacing.com

Club wEb

opinion, and senti ment, keeping in mind the best interests of riders and the series as a whole. (I can only hope that Scott will once again be able to wear riding gear in some-thing other than “Youth Large”, as he is someti mes mistaken for the FES 14-15 Class rider rep)

Fred Kraemer – Whenever I need to advice on riding strategy or technique, I can always count on Fred. No matt er what the terrain is like, or what trail obstacles lie ahead, Fred is always able to track down Dale Deveau for me to get that spot-on advice.

Regrett ably, a young Joe Kraemer att empted to cross a parti cularly slippery bridge at Turkey Creek this past November, and Dale was nowhere to be found. Fred, however, was able to dig into his B-rider bag of tricks, ensuring at least that Joe’s bike did not fall in the creek – Gear can always dry out… engines need to be rebuilt!

Fortunately, Fred has a big bag of tricks (you did see him at last year’s aucti on, right?!?). He brings a solid rider perspecti ve to the role, and as part of the Grizzly crew, can ap-preciate what’s involved in laying out trail, inch-by-inch, foot-by-foot, and mile-by-mile. Not bad for a former Supercross rider!

Tina Flegel – Tina is the “voice” of the C, Women’s, and Master’s class. She has provided great input to help ensure that course layout, length, and diffi cultly is appropriate and enjoyable for this segment of riders, as well as for new riders (we were ALL new riders at some point). Thanks Tina! (We’re also incorporati ng some of Tina’s suggesti ons into the year-end awards… stay tuned!).

Finally, I want to thank my family for giving me the ti me to be involved with the Enduro series for the past 8 years. It’s one of the best “part ti me” jobs I’ve had (except when it’s been like a 4th part-ti me job!). My plan is to be in the woods and on the trail a lot more in 2015… Hope to see you there too!

Page 23: D14 news dec14

22 December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

Story by Team FreelinPhotos courtesy of Chris & Dean Howard

Every once in a while a family comes along and makes a connection to those around them. The Howard family is an example. For years we have seen this family race, grow up, win motos, recover from injuries, have fun, and in general dedicate a certain part of their lives to District 14 and the continuing motocross legacy we have here in Michigan. We’ve all seen images, brought to us by the matriarch of the family, that portray a passion for this sport. The familia support is a good model for what our sport is supposed to be about. The racers in this family may not always win their motos, but the encouragement and backing is always there. We wanted to take some time and learn more about this group of D14 enthusiasts.

HISTORYThe patriarch (Daniel) and matriarch (Christa) live in New Baltimore. They have two sons; Daniel in Macomb Twp. and Dean in Columbus. Dean and his wife Anne have two children; daughter Brittany who currently is studying physics at University of Michigan Ann Arbor (UofM) and son Matthew currently a junior in high school who attends two

classes/weekly at St Clair County Commu-nity College (SC4).

Christa studied Design & Photography in Ger-many and worked at a large photo studio for 12 years. Her and Daniel met in Germany while he was stationed there in the US Air Force. They moved to New Baltimore in 1971. She started working for local newspapers and also freelanced for the D14 newspaper and Cy-cle News. Son Dan also wrote articles for MX newspapers. Addition-ally, Christa covered news for Selfridge Air National Guard (ANG).

In 1976 son Dan started ice racing and then MX

with his best friend Mike Sokalski (motocross racers Amanda & Ashley’s father). In 1977, for Deans 12th birthday he received a XR75 Honda. His MX racing career began in 1978. Dean also participated, and was very busy with Little League Baseball and karate. Dean stopped racing when he moved to Ann Arbor for collegiate studies as UofM. After graduation Dean started to race offshore boats and became World Champion 2006 in Florida. Motocross racing reentered his life again in 2007. Son Matthew began moto-cross racing that year also on a TrailBlazer KLX 110.

HOWARD HIGHLIGHT

A D14 Motocross Legacy

Matthew Howard 2011 St Augustine football team

Dean, Matthew and Daniel Howard

Matthew Howard

Page 24: D14 news dec14

December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 23

TODAYCurrently Dean races the 45+ class. Matt races the 250C, 125 B/C, Schoolboy 1 & 2, and NonCurrent classes. The boys own a 2005 YZ250, a 2007 YZ250 and a 2013 CRF 450. Dean started racing because older brother Danny was. The bikes have some engine mods by Fast Core Mods and some suspension work by Korte Suspension and MCR (Matt Crown Racing).

It takes a lot of time, money, patience, encouragement and love to get to the racetrack. Dan & Christa gave that support to their two sons (Danny & Dean). Without that fam-ily and parent backing it can be very difficult to be involved in this sport. Dean & Anne have continued that legacy and given that support to son Matthew. Without a doubt Danny, Dean and Matthew have their parents to thank for letting them participate. This has continued for two generations.

Dean Howards offshore boat, won World Championship 2006 in race in Florida, pictured is Matthew, the crew chief

Touch Down. Dean Howard coaching the St Augustine football team

Dean Howard, his first practice of the year, he broke his collarbone and could

not race all year

Holeshot! #19 Matt Howard

FREELIN continued on page 24

Page 25: D14 news dec14

24 December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

HOWARD’S continued from page 23

The 2014 Family Enduro Series came to a close at the beginning of November with our final event in New Paris, IN. By the end of November we had identified the 65 banquet award winners and the 2015 FES schedule.

We set a new attendance record during the 2014 season. A huge THANK YOU to all of the clubs who organized the 11 events and to our sponsors who made the series pos-sible. Safety First, Enduro Engineering, Elizabeth Scott Community, Garceau-Wenick-Kutz-Magowan Insurance, Co-Man toilets, Delux Trophies, Capture-Me Photography, Iott Seed Farm, Jester’s Court and Michigan Off Road Events.

BUDDY WOMENS 16+ YEARS OLD 1) Emma Coughlin 1) Taylor Carpenter 2) Lydia Hopkins 2) Stephanie Williams 3) Jacob Harter 3) Susan Fisher 4) Easton Wright 4) Heather Soenksen 5) Ben Alkema 5) Ashley Mills 6) Diane Zettel 7) Stacie Smith 8) Nicole Soule4-6 YEAR OLDS 1) Hunter Harter 16-39 YEARS OLD 2) Matt Alkema 1) Neel Bhagat 3) Christian Hicks 2) Keenan Bush 4) Tyler Miller 3) Jerrod Engler 5) Luke Alkema 4) Yiannis Sabanis 5) Spencer Flannery7-8 YEAR OLDS 6) Adam Harner 1) Dillon Chrestensen 7) Chase Dittrich 8) Conner Gynn9-11 YEAR OLDS 1) Justin Kurncz 40-54 YEARS OLD 2) Cadin Alcorn 1) Tony Vollmar 3) Fletcher Collins 2) Steve Beane 4) Joshua Bohnette 3) Rob Delinsky 5) Caleb Hicks 4) Darren Wycoff 6) Ezra Smith 5) Dicky Bhagat 7) Gunnar Buhr 6) Shawne Collins 7) Mark Goff12-13 YEARS OLD 1) Race Vollmar 55+ YEARS OLD 2) Dawson Vandecar 1) Dennis Vandecar 3) Joseph Kraemer 2) Floyd Allen 4) Glenn Sipes 3) Dave Barclay 5) Kyle Bush 4) Alex Shull 6) Ethan Hicks 5) Jeff Gibson 6) Herb Duncan14-15 YEARS OLD 7) Chester Micinski 1) Gage Fedewa 8) Bill Larson 2) Mason Gynn 9) Dan Guggemos 3) Sky Knisely 10) Bruce Bradley 4) Gavin Putnam 5) Kane Kimmel

Submitted by Mike MaurerFES News

FAMILY ENDURO SERIES

Deans best race was in Reidsville North Carolina at the 1981 Amateur National. Matts best race was the Mini O’s in 2013. With this family, they would probably say every race has been great. There is no complaining, just the attitude of joy that they are able to be involved and be out there on the track. Or in the case of Daniel & Christa, trackside and pit-side enjoying the action and living it through the camera’s eye (Christa). Her photogra-phy skills have allowed a lot of us to relive the events through images. Christa does enjoy additional hobbies of scrapbook-ing, travel and gardening. If you are a FB friend, you also get to see beautiful im-ages of wildlife and architecture.

This is a very outgoing group. They enjoy all the friendships that have been gained through our sport. Some of the special people they hang with are the Duve’s, El-liott’s, Thomp-sons, Reickels, John Korte and everyone else who passes, gets passed, and pits along-side their every present camp site. The com-petition sto-ries continue after the races

are complete as bikes get cleaned and checked me-chanically. Mo-torcycles of any type are of inter-est to this group. The sport is bet-ter because of them and they would probably say they are bet-ter because of the sport. Dan-iel & Christa love spending time with their son and grandson

and all the friendly people you find at the track.

Ever since Matthew started to race Grand-ma (Christa) has been telling him “Don’t get hurt because I will cry when the medic flag comes out”. Many years ago he crashed at Baja. The flag man asked if he needed help from medics. He said “No, because my grandma would cry”. Christa was very touched when she heard this but felt back because he should not refuse help. When Matthew returned to the pits all covered in sand and tire tracks on his back Dean proceeded to squirt him off with the power washer. Thanks Dad! Guess he was ok after all.

It’s been a fun ride with the Howards and it aint over yet. We look forward to Dean having a healthy shoulder for 2015 and the ability to be back on the bike. He loves to watch his son but would love it better to be out there with him. Thank you How-ard family!

Banquet Award Winners #61 Dean Howard, 1981

Dean Howard, 1981, 125cc

Page 26: D14 news dec14

December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 25

ATV BANQUET JANUARY 17, 2015

Where: Ramada (same location) 7501 W. Saginaw, Lansing, MI Time: 5:30 PM Dinner at 6:30 PM

Special Room Rate: $81.00 use D14ATV when you call in to get the special rate Rooms must be reserved by January 7, 2015

Meal: taco bar with soft taco shells, nacho chips, seasoned ground beef, chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, sour cream, salsa, sliced jalapenos, iced tea, coffee, milk and cake for dessert.

Tickets: $25.00 per person

Ticket payment must be in by January 7, 2015.

______________________________________________________________________________

Name ________________________________ # of Tickets _____________

Address _______________________________________________________

Phone # __________________________________________________

Make check payable to: District 14 ATV or you can pay using PayPal to: [email protected] 12189 Okemos Rd. please mark as “gift” include your name, & Portland, MI 48875 # of tickets in message area of PayPal

Pool open until 11:00 PM

Cash Bar

ATV BANQUETJANUARY 17, 2015

WOMEN 11-15 YEARS OLD 1) Megan Nannenga 2) Shelby Handrich 3) Nicole Nannenga

We look forward to seeing everyone at the banquet on January 24th in Mt. Pleasant.

We are planning 10 events for next year with our traditional start of the season in Rose-lawn, IN in April and our final event will be in New Paris, IN on October 31 (Happy Hal-loween!). Here is the complete schedule:

April 18 - Roselawn, IN July 27 - Matthews, INApril 25 - Kalkaska, MI August 1 - Bentley, MIJune 13 - Marquette, MI August 22 - Moorestown, MIJune 27 - Lawton, MI September 19 - Traverse City, MIJuly 11 - Greenville, OH October 31 - New Paris, IN

We will be counting the best 7 rides for year end awards. A rider must participate in at least 5 events to qualify for the banquet.

If you have any questions about the banquet or the 2015 season, please call Mike Mau-rer (517) 655-5505.

MIC

HIGAN OFF-RO

AD

MIC

HIGAN OFF-RO

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EVENTSEVENTS

M.O.R.E.

Page 27: D14 news dec14

26 December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

DIRTWISE continued from page PB

AMA / DISTRICT 14 SUPPLEMENTAL ICE RACE RULES FOR 20151. All solo and sidecar motorcycles will use studded tires, except rubber solo and sidecar classes. The studs will be an unaltered #7 to #10 hex headed screw with no more than one slot, uncut, no drilling or hollowing out of the head and the screw to be flush into the tire tightly ,not using a shim or washer to hold it out from the tire. The screw head cannot ex-ceed 3/16” above the tire. No cut tires, except in rubber tire classes.2. All tires used must be a motorcycle type tire not to exceed 510 or equivalent in size, with the exception of the 651cc and up stud-ded side car, they may use up to a 610 or equivalent. Sidecars can only be driven by one rear wheel.3. All motorcycles and quads used in ice race competition shall be equipped with a tether type kill switch. The cord must be fastened to the body of the driver, not the clothing.4. No front brakes allowed on motorcycles and sidecars. Front brakes are allowed on Quads only.5. It will be mandatory for studded classes to have a front fender having a brace at a right angle to the fork leg through the center of the axle. Fender must be mounted with in two inches of the tire and extend through axle centerline.6. For all studded classes it will be manda-tory to have a solid rear motorcycle fender,

mounted to the swing arm a maximum of two inches from the tire and extending at least to the axle centerline. If the fender encloses the entire rear wheel, it does not have to be swing arm mounted.7. If a nerf bar is used to protect the rider’s feet, it cannot be mounted higher than the axle centerline.8. The distance between the sidecar wheel and motorcycle wheels, measured from the center of the treads, must be between 32-50 inches, with a maximum total width of 60 inches from the motorcycle tire centerline to the out side of the sidecar. Any exposed area, to the passenger, of the rear drive and inside of hack wheel must be enclosed in a safe and workman like manner.9. All motorcycles shall be equipped with 3 number plates measuring at least 7” high and 10” wide, using a white back ground and black numbers at least 5’ high standard block numbers, No Shaded or outlined num-bers. All quads must have 4 plates one on the front, rear and both sides with number plates mounted vertically, not on the top of fenders.10. Year end awards will be awarded in all classes. The money for these awards will be raised in the following manner. The club/promoter will pay $2.50 for each class en-tered. The fees will be sent to the D14 Ice Race Chairman by the event promoter. Rid-

ers must compete in at least 50% of the sanctioned events held to be eligible for high point awards. (I.E. If 8 are scheduled, and 4 are canceled, you must have attended all 4 completed events) 11. We will allow up to two (2) points paying events per weekend if they are within a 50 mile radius.12. In all B classes, the top 30% of riders will be moved up to A class for the following sea-son, 1 rider if the class has 10 riders or less for the year. The Ice Race Chairman and com-mittee will retain the right to review all rid-ers’ performance in any class for possible advancement to a regular amateur class. Up to 50% of C class riders may be moved up to the B class.13. Six riders (6) not counting sidecar passen-gers constitute a class. If less than six riders sign up for a class, the promoter or club does not have to run that class. If they choose to run a class with less than six riders points will be 1st-10pts; 2nd-8pts; 3rd-6pts; 4th-5pts; 5th-4pts. More than one class may be run at the same time and scored separately.14. Points will be 1st-20pts; 2nd-16pts; 3rd-13pts; 4th-11pts; 5th-10pts; 6th-9pts; 7th-8pts; 8th-7pts; 9th-6pts; 10th-5pts; 11th-4pts; 12th-3pts; 13th-2pts; 14th-1point.15. A rider placing in a National ice race, out-side of District 14 (D14), will receive straight

D14 points according to the position he /or she placed, only if a D14 ice race is held on that weekend. (You cannot ride your class on Sat. out of state at a national and race in D14 on Sunday and receive points for both).16. The ice race division shall have two tech-nical advisors.17. The Ice Race Chairman, rider rep or Techi-cal Advisor will pay no gate fee.18. An AMA licensed pro rider may compete in amateur competition, but is not eligible for D14 points and musn’t displace amateurs if eliminations are necessary.19. Any former Pro rider may return to ama-teur competition and compete at the A level. If the rider feels he is unable to compete at the A level, he can petition in writing to the ice race chairman to be reclassified to the B level.20. Ice race locations may be changed do to ice conditions, but no less than 72 hours be-fore race day.

NOTE: You must have a notarized consent from both parents if you’re under 18 years old and wish to participate.

NOTE: 50cc classes may run fewer laps at pro-moter’s discretion.

(Revised 12-10-14)

NOTE: You must have a notarized con-sent from both parents if you’re under 18 years old and wish to participate. NOTE: Combo class – 250cc & up, A rid-ers, Pro-Am & Pro riders only. EXHIBITION CLASSES - These classes are offered this year without points, awards are at promoters’ discretion. In the event

that the class has 5 riders at 50% of sanctioned events, year-end awards will be awarded. Must have three riders minimum at signup on race day or class will not run. This the vetting program to make new official classes. If you want your class to be successful, get riders for it to enter. This is a part of the riders’ responsibilities, to promote your sport. *All 50cc motorcycles will run to-gether at each event but scored separate for year end points. The promoter can run separately based on number of entries. The 50’s are broken down as follows. Shaft Class, Chain Single Speed, Chain Multi Speed. **The ATV “A” Class is based on the starting of the ATV “B” Class in Ex-hibition

STUDDED SOLO MOTORCYCLE 0-51cc 4-8 yrs * 52-65cc 6-11 yrs 66-85cc 7-15 yrs86-250cc Open 12 + yrs 251-505cc “A”251-505cc “B” 125-505cc “C"250cc up Open 16+ yrs OpenVeteran 30 + Yrs OpenSenior 40 + yrs OpenSuper Senior 50 + Yrs OpenVintage Class (79 or older) RUBBER SOLOMOTORCYCLE0-125cc 126-250cc "A"126-250cc "B"251cc Open

RUBBER TIRE SIDECAR0-360cc361-505cc506cc up Open Hack Solo Open Displacement ATV0-125cc 4-13 yrs 251-450cc 16 + yrs Open 250cc up OPEN “A” 16 + yrs **Rubber Tire Quad (two wheel drive) Open

EXHIBITION CLASSESATV91-250cc Open250cc up Open “B” 16+ yrs250cc up Open “C” 16+ yrs (No Sway Bar)Women’s Studded ATV OPENCOMBO OPEN STUDDED SOLO MOTORCYCLE Women’s Studded Motorcycle OpenCOMBO OPEN

2015 ICE RACECLASSES

Page 28: D14 news dec14

December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News 27

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28 December 2014 / January 2015 – Michigan’s AMA/D14 Motorsports News

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