dbrown

The shootout sections were much enjoyed by all who attended. Many support riders greatly enjoyed the opportunity to see the top 5 Pro riders finish as a group in a setting where everyone could watch and know the score. There was a nice crowd Sunday, and even a good crowd of hardy folks who watched the shootout on Saturday in a pouring rain! The pro riders seemed to enjoy taking center stage for the shootout, and the feeling I got was that they really like this format. The guys at MavTV loved it, as it makes for great TV. Pat Smage was really on his game and put on a show, and all of the riders got enthusiastic applause from the many fans watching. The shootout scores were added to the scores from the 1st 2 loops to determine the final results, which came out the same each day. Results and total prize money for the 2 days was as follows: 1st Pat Smage, $2,000 2nd Cody Webb, $1,000 3rd, Will Ibsen, $600 4th, Keith Wineland, $400 5th, Ronnie Commo, $200 This format was my proposal to the NATC and was used as a one time test of the format. It will be the subject of discussion at the NATC meeting I'm sure, to see how people like it, whether it might be continued, and how it might be improved. I think the Oklahoma guys would like to do it next year. regards, dan brown p.s., MavTV is covering all the nationals on their network, which is available on Dish and many local cable systems if you get the sports/adventure package. The coverage is excellent, a one hour broadcast of each individual round which airs a couple weeks after. I just saw the 1st round of Nebraska last Friday, it was great. Now that it is on Dish satellite, anybody can get it. And if you do, be sure to tell the network that you got it because you enjoy the coverage of Trials. The Mav guys have inquired about trying to get the world indoors to broadcast in the states, I hope they can work out a deal for it.

Help! We need a language translator for the upcoming World Round in TN on April 26/27! Our FIM rep is from Italy but is said to speak French quite well. Officially, we are obliged to provide French and English translation, but our French-speaker in the STRA that helped before is unavailable so we need some help. Maybe some French Canadians could help out here. Italian speaker would be ideal, since our guy is Italian. Section inspection is on Thursday, April 24, so we need somebody who can be in TN on Thursday through Sunday for the section walk-thru and for Jury meetings & official stuff. thanks, dan p.s., we got a lot of photos and also a video preview of some of the sections on the website at www.trialstrainingcenter.com, check it out!

The AMA notary deal is intended to speed up signup at events so that you are on file with a release and you really won't need to sign one at the event. Of course if it's a trial with 30 guys that's hardly a concern, but most amateur AMA events end up with a long line at signup so I can see the overall benefit to the average member. My bank will notarize something for me without charge, so it's just the minor one time hassle to go by there sometime to do it.

Cody Webb 1st, Chris Florin 2nd, Big surprise Diego Ordonez from Guatemala was 3rd! Fantastic show and a good time was had by all. Cody was definitely on and riding extremely well, close race for 2nd among the other 3 finalists. Will Ibsen put in a good performance and should have made the final but crashed in the race and got bumped from the final 4 by a lucky Chris Florin. Keith Wineland was riding well and was 2nd going into the final races but crashed over the bars in the 1st race and the spinning rear tire injured his hand. He was unable to continue in the final race. Full report tomorrow, I'm going to bed. dan

Hey guys, lots going on and everybody is running full bore but here are the championship results: Youth A: 1. Josiah Mizell, 2. Andrew Oldar, 3. Karl Davis Jr. Youth B: 1. Chase Harker, 2. Ian Delaney, 3. Homer Hensley Youth C: 1. Matt Schubert, 2. Zeke Mizell, 3. Dean Bechard Youth D: 1. Ty Cullins, 2. Brooks Davis, 3. Luke Littlefield Youth E: 1. Douglas Dapp, 2. Joey Jackson, 3. Jacob Mizell other classes will be posted soon on TTC website. Friday course was on limestone side of the property towards the spring. Weather was warm & dry for the event, traction excellent, and then towards the end there was just a trace of a sprinkle but enough to affect traction on two of the sections with big limestone steps. Great BBQ last night in the pavillion. Today's event goes up Sawmill creek along the 1st 4 world round sections. Indoor tonight is looking good, riders are here & final details are being attended today. dan

What's all this about a press bib? In the middle of someone riding section 11 Saturday on the steep hillside that was section 2 of the world round, I see some clown in a press bib tumbling ass over teakettle down the hill (guess who!?!). Camera was saved, photographer seemed a bit dingy but I think he was already like that. Wish we would've had video. dan p.s. good job Craig

p.s., the first broadband show on the web airs at 9PM Thursday night, June 14.

TMavTV broadcast of the 1st two rounds of the series from Colorado will be coming very soon. I did the color commentary with Brian Drebber announcing. Rounds 1 and 2 will each be a separate 1 hr show, focused on the Pro class of course. Excellent video coverage in High-Def, if you are lucky enough to have the MavTV network on your cable system. If not, you are still in luck because the shows will be broadcast via broadband over the web, at the location & time shown below. If you miss the broadcast I think there's still a way to get video-on-demand later. Check it out, this is the dawn of a new day for televised coverage of our National Championship Trials! And don't forget to thank them for their coverage and to call or email your cable provider and tell them you want MavTV! They will have full coverage of the nationals this season, as well as some other AMA motorsports. Spread the word! http://www.mavtv.com/pages/public_motorsports.asp -dan brown

P.s., we discussed setting up a collection fund to help Pat go to Europe this summer, and Brad Baumert at RYP said he would do it. We'll start a collection at the STRA event at TTC this weekend (April 28/29). dan

I didn't get many photos as I was running the loop with Noel carrying water & shouting times to Pat (he didn't have a real minder!) Anyway, There's a few on the TTC photo album. My favorite of course is the podium girls, Pat only just made it into the view. dan

Pat will ride the youth class for 16-18 yr olds riding 125cc bikes. He has been practicing a lot on the 125 Sherco and looked good on it a few weeks ago at TTC. Bruce LeRiche and Keith Wineland and Pat were practicing together and Pat was riding the 125 and riding all the same stuff (and very well!). I think a podium finish is a very realistic goal for him, and I wouldn't be surprised if he finishes on a high step of the podium. No pressure, though, this is his 1st real competitive international event. Brad Baumert & I are going down to cheer him on! dan

Great weekend, with about 115 riders and everyone had a big time. Will get a blog up on the TTC website soon. Meanwhile, photos are available at: http://trialstrainingcenter.com/gallery/album04?page=1 dan

Stay tuned, interview with Pat recorded today & coming soon. Also many others, we're having a big time here at Training Days except it's so dry it's dusty and the rocks have too much grip! Fun time today, all the Pro riders showed off after lunch in the area around WR section 15. Chris Florin stole the show with a spectacular climb to a jump across a gap to a splatter that was pretty outrageous. Everybody having a fun time, 115 riders attending. I lead about 20 or so on an adventure ride to waterfalls & such and we had 3 or 4 survivors of that. dan p.s. citytrials is here, I'm surprised he hasn't chimed in and posted photos already. He has been pretty well behaved, Noel must be medicating him.

Ringo, Steve Ahlers has your press pass, swing by Duluth on your way over and pick it up.

In case you don't peruse the FIM press releases, I'll bring attention to the recent one at: http://www.fim.ch/sec/documents/f_4277.pdf which has the tentative 08 schedule. While it is preliminary, I'm told it's 99% certain at this point. It's ON! Late April is perfect spring weather in TN, sure to be water in the creek. Mark your calendar for April 26/27! dan

It's shaping up to be a great time. Weather has been warm of late, flowers are blooming and by the end of March spring will be in full swing. Instructors so far include: current pros: Bruce LeRiche, Chris Florin, Pat Smage, Will Ibsen, Andrew Blaine past pros: 6-time champ Ryan Young, Steve McNeal (maybe) veterans: Noel Smage, Dale Malasek, TTC instructor Charlie Roberts, Jim Zuroske young rising stars: Ronnie Commo, Alex Bedley, Cody Manning Brad Baumert and Mike Harker will man the Sherco PitStop. Dan Brown will lead the kiddie brigade on a merry ride in the morning and later lead an adventure ride to caves, waterfalls and scenic spots only accessible by trials bikes (buckle your chin strap and bring extra gas). BBQ dinner Sat night is included. Signup online at www.trialstrainingcenter.com We have about 70 or so pre-entered now with 2 weeks to go. It's a blast, don't miss it!!!

Hey, STRA and TTC have a booth at the ATL cycle world show this weekend, come by & see us or even better, help out by manning the booth for a bit. We are promoting STRA and trials in our area, as well as the national this June and the indoor coming up in July. I hope we can especially attract some casual motorcycle people to come to the indoor national championship at the Camp Jordan Arena, exit 1 at the TN/GA border south of Chattanooga, July 7, 2007. dan

At the NATC meeting, it was decided that the AMA and NATC would encourage clubs in each region of the country to organize a regional championship series. The Mid East Regional Championships have been established as a part of that effort for NATC/AMA regional series championships and maybe we're the first to get (somewhat) organized! The Mid-East series is hosted by Florida Trials Association (FTA), Southeastern Trials Riders Association (STRA), and Trials, Inc. TI of the midwest with the events as follows: March 3/4 Fun-n-Sun Trial, FTA, Ocala, FL April 28/29 Spring Splash, STRA, Sequatchie, TN Sept. 1/2 Dixie Cup, TI, Carrolton, KY Each event includes 2 rounds on a Sat/Sun format, and the overall championship in each class will be determined by the best 5 events for each rider. The Championship Classes are: Champ Expert Advanced Sportsman Intermediate Novice Other non-championship classes may be included at individual events. The section difficulty will be set in general accordance with the descriptions for the AMA classes AA-A-B-C-D-E and the rules will be generally consistent with the AMA rulebook. Any exceptions between section marking systems by individual host clubs will be described in detail at the individual event. The primary motivation for this series (and we are hopeful for other similar regional series) is to provide funds for our U.S. Trials des Nations effort. A portion of the proceeds of at least $5 per rider will be donated to the U.S. TDN team. The ATA club in Southern California has done most of the heavy lifting in funding our team for many years, and this series concept is our way of funding the team through a national effort. We expect a good turnout of riders from the eastern U.S., so don't miss it!!! dan p.s. encourage your club to help organize a regional series! The Central Regionals have been going on in the plains states for years, and although they have not been AMA-sanctioned, they could still help with the TDN effort. The California-Arizona clubs and the Pacific Northwest clubs could each do a series. The rocky mountain clubs could have one from WY-CO-NM, maybe they already have something similar. The upper midwest clubs could have a series in MN, WI, MOTA, NITRO, etc. The New England, New York (D-4), and Pennsylvania clubs could organize a great regional series (or maybe a fight, or maybe both!)

I sent the press release below to Andy in hopes that he will post on the TC front page news. But I'd also like to hear back from folks about possible interviews you'd like to hear from on our biweekly audio podcast. Future episodes include interviews with new Scorpa Pro Will Ibsen, our U.S. fastest rising star Patrick Smage, our Ladies TDN team of Louise Forsley and Sara Duke, and former World Champ Tommi Ahvala. Please let us know who you'd like to hear from and we'll get it on there! I think a chat with Andy of TC would be interesting! press release The Trials Training Center is pleased to announce that "On The Pegs: Motorcycle Trials World Radio" is now on the air with a biweekly podcast of news and interviews from the world of motorcycle trials. The show is based in North America and features extensive coverage of the U.S. motorcycle trials scene as well as world championship news. The first episode includes a news update of all the changes among the U.S. and World Championship teams and riders, an interview with Women's World Champion Laia Sanz from the recent FIM Women's Training Camp at TTC, and a feature on a local club, the Upper Midwest Trials Association. The podcast can be found at www.onthepegs.net Thanks to show sponsors GasGas USA, Ryan Young Products, and Trials Competition Newspaper for making this show possible.

Riders with world championship aspirations need to ride a variety of terrain, that includes the stuff at TTC and also the big dry grippy rocks out west (like Spain!). Adam Raga used to be strong on the big rocks but struggle in the wet, slick stuff where you just knew that Doug would dominate. Well, this year he showed that he can ride and win on any terrain, any time, any where. The two dominating wins in the U.S. rounds turned out to be the deciding factor in his 2006 championship. Point is, it is important for young riders to challenge themselves in unfamiliar conditions and ride in all kinds of terrain. Seems to me that some English lads would do well for themselves to ride a bit in California. It's so much like Spain, lots of the people there speak Spanish! After we have the best-ever family camp and Youth Nationals at TTC this coming July (and Indoor Championship!) you can expect to see me out at Donner in early August as I am determined to give Mr. Bill a hand with the western Youth Nationals this year. It's great for our kids to ride in both places! dan

After talking to several folks, I know that I am not the only one with a motorcycle in the living room. The photo below is from the den of the TTC Lodge. Thanks to Brad Baumert for the loan of the immaculately restored Bultaco Sherpa T and to Les Mizell for his handiwork building the bike stand out of a log from our property. How about some other photos of living room bikes? dan

TTC would like to announce our new star rider, Joey Jackson on the factory Xispa. The yellow boots and Power Ranger helmet are special and not sold to the general trials public.

The video that we have is made by Doug Farrar of Nachville for the TV show "Throttle Down" which is shown on cable TV systems across the state of TN. Doug included that show plus a bunch of additional video which he put to music. It is some really excellent footage of the riding, very entertaining to watch, and the music rocks, just like the riding! Different from the TrialsTV or TechnoVideo style, but quite entertaining and well worth the $20. We took a bunch of them to the STRA trial in Georgia last weekend and sold them out, but Catherine will get some more at TTC. dan

Looking forward to a great event this year, Oct. 21/22 at the TTC. I think we'll have a rather short loop and ride all the cleared areas that were part of the world round. But unlike May, October is usually dry and grippy. Leaves will be turning, it is always a beautiful time of year in the TN mountains. Will make sure we have a good mix with some creek bed sections and hills and rock steps. dan

Good news on the FIM Women's trials training camp! Women's World Champ Laia Sanz will be there along with U.S. Women's champ Louise Forsley. The date is moved back one week from the previous scheduled time so as to avoid a conflict with Laia's Spanish nationals, so the camp will be held at TTC on Nov. 10-12, 2006. Please spread the word, as we'd like to see a big attendance from the ladies this November. The cost of the camp is FREE!!!! RV sites and cabins are available on-site from TTC, contact Catherine for reservations. Lodging info on nearby motels is available on the TTC website at www.trialstrainingcenter.com Also note that interested ladies need to send in an entry to AMA. The form is on the TTC website. No FIM license is needed, only AMA membership. regards, Dan Brown p.s., the first round of the 2006 Women's Trial World Championship was last weekend at Andorra; Laia won easily (as expected), and Louise finished an outstanding 6th place, her best ever.