Welcome to Quick Fill. As they say, that’s why they run the races.

Long way from Australia, but it felt like home to Josh Strang. Hooper photo

I’m going to call the ’08 edition of the Yadkin Valley Stomp GNCC the upset special. Honestly, if you go back to the off-season and told someone that the bike XC1 and XC2 winners would be Josh Strang and Jason Thomas, and the ATV XC1 and XC2 winners would be Bryan Cook and Jeff Maloney, well, you’d get some raised eyebrows. Not that these four aren’t capable riders, but they weren’t at the top of the list of contenders when the years began.

Let’s think about the history of these four real quick:

Two years ago, Josh Strang showed up at the Yadkin Valley Stomp GNCC as an unknown 18-year old from Australia. No one knew him. In fact, even Glenn Kearney, the other Australian on the FMF Suzuki team at the time, had never really met Strang. Josh raced 250 A that day and finished 5^th in the class and 17^th overall. Solid debut? Yes. Signs of future greatness? Not quite. Josh has come a long way in a short amount of time.

Josh gives a lot of credit to Rodney and Lori Smith, who really pushed him in training this winter. After the race, when Josh won, Lori told me, “See, this is why I didn’t have my own kids. When these guys win, I feel like I do!”Â

Jason Thomas raced GNCC a few times last year, and these were his results in XC2 Lites: 32-23-18-6-8-15-17. Then he was out of the country at the beginning of this year. Did anyone besides he and his mechanic even know he was going to race this GNCC this weekend? I know we had no clue who he was when he took the lead on the second lap on Sunday. By the end, we knew. For more on Thomas, check out Tuesday Toolbox.

And, if Jason Thomas is reading this, or someone who knows him, we got this email:

My son and I are GNCC racers who live near Lancaster, Ohio. We have a spare room and have a practice riding area if Jason would need a place to use as home base. We are centrally located to the next races. We would be willing to help him get to the races as we are racing Snowshoe, Powerline and Ironman this year. Will not be going to the Unadilla, New York or Sommerset, PA races due to scheduling. We are in the heart of District 11 race area. Please have him get in touch with us if he is interested.

Mark #644 KTM

Peyton #642 Husqvarna

Jason Thomas (or someone that knows him), if you’re interested, shoot me an email at [email protected]and I’ll give you Mark’s phone number.

On ATVs, hey, I admit I barely knew who Jeff Maloney was before the race began on Saturday. I remember he grabbed the Rekluse Holeshot Award earlier this year so he got to come to the podium, but that’s about it. On Saturday, I saw him riding down from the pits to the starting line, and he had a buddy with him carrying his helmet and some water. It was just the two of them getting ready for battle, and they looked like they had a plan. Later, we realized Jeff was from the area and had lots of people cheering him on in the woods, and we all know that makes a big difference. Now Jeff is an XC2 winner. Congrats!

I don't get it right often, but I had a feeling Cook would win this one. Hooper photo

And if you want to talk about home town boys, there’s Bryan Cook. I’d like to sound smart here because last week I did our Tuesday Toolbox interview with Bryan, because I really thought a win might be coming for his home-state race. And he did. But in reality, watching Bryan ride this year, you just knew that if he got a good start he could beat anyone. So it wasn’t that risky of a pick. Still, that was an inspiring ride. I talked to Bryan before the race about trying to get in training and testing time after working his concrete laying job all day, and he told me it was hard. “When you get home from a hard day, and it’s 100 degrees out, the last thing you want to do is go back outside and beat yourself up some more. But you have to do it. You have to dig down deep because you know the other guys have already been doing it.”Â

Bryan has been working hard. But I think the real key to his win was choosing to drive up to High Point last weekend but not racing Moto-X-Country. That extra rest paid off!

What we're saying here about all four if these riders is that GNCC, and off-road racing in general, is still the place for the everyman and everywoman. What other motorsport at this level can someone buy their own equipment, work a regular job during the week and win at the highest level? Destiny didn't make Josh, Bryan, Jason and Jeff winners over the weekend. Desire did. That still goes a long way in this business.

Also props out to Jarrod McClure for his first XC1 podium. Performances like this prove once again that this is the sport for the everyman””with enough heart and determination, it can be done!

Also, credit out to another privateer who has really been coming on lately, Ryan Lane. Ryan scored a career-best fourth in North Carolina. We start the year with all of these contenders, and then we add a bunch more!

How about the Women’s class in the ATV morning races? Angel Atwell now has an edge over Traci Cecco with five wins. And Angel’s niece Kristin took third!

How about the Youth ATV ranks? JD “Cutie Pie” Welch took his second overall win of the season. We’ve had four different overall winners in the ATV Youth ranks this year. Competition is better than ever.

Former Youth ATV Champ Walker Fowler is back in action on his Yamaha Raptor 250, and he won the Schoolboy class in a hard-fought battle with Cody Parmerter. Walker’s not out of the championship hunt yet, but after missing some rounds with an ankle injury, he needs to be perfect all season. Parmerter, Hunter Dalrymple and others aren’t going to make it easy. Walker’s doctor told him to stay off of his motorcycle for the next month, so you won’t see Walker back in the Four-Stroke Lites A class until after the summer break.

A few other ATV notes: Brandon Ballance, Bill Ballance and Darryl Rath were all spotted at the ITP/Moose ATVA Motocross National at Muddy Creek in Tennessee on Sunday after the GNCC. They were just there to watch, but it shows how much they love this sport to take in two races in one weekend.

A few injuries to report: Michael Houston is out for the season, he has a shoulder injury and head injury, so he’s out for the rest of the year. Also, Craig Reed crashed and broke his arm. Bummer.

For a look at what the ATVs looked like, check out the awesome video Jason Hooper put together on from Yadkinville. The link is on our main page, or you can get it right here.

Ryan Lane is yet another ATV Pro who is getting fast very, uh, quickly. Krista Shaw photo

Sunday at Yadkinville started with Steward Baylor completing his perfect season, winning his eighth youth overall in eight races and wrapping up the 2008 title. Now he’s moving to the big bikes, probably 200 A, at the next race in Pennsylvania. Steward is just 13, and he swept the 14-15 SuperMini Class this year! Amazing. And of course, he made it funny with more classic podium quotes:

“Hey, I won, where are the podium girls? We need some girls up here.”Â

“Yeah I’m moving up. Tell Knighter I’m coming for him!”Â

Steward was just kidding about Knight, of course. Still, it will be cool to see what kind of damage this kid can do on a big bike.

Spotted this cool Paul Whibley story from back in New Zealand. Click here.

It was a busy week for the factory Husqvarna team. First, team manager Scott Summers had to go through with his bet to dye his hair red. Since Scott’s two riders, Glenn Kearney and Gordon Crockard, are red heads, they bet him that he would dye his hair red if either made a podium. GK did it in Kentucky, so Scott showed up with the reddest red hair you can have for North Carolina. “My girlfriend actually had to bleach it first,” said Summers. “I figure go big or go home.”Â

Crockard had his problems in Carolina, crashing hard once and ringing his bell, and then crashing again until calling it a day.

The team also added a third XC1 rider for the race with former World Supercross Champion Heath Voss. Voss doesn’t race the AMA Toyota Motocross Championships, so he has some free time this summer. I actually think his ride was a bit of a try out for the team, but Heath only made a lap before calling it quits. “I’ve ridden in trails my whole life, so that wasn’t that bad,” said Heath after the race. “But I thought I would do better. I had a few crashes. It was pretty tough.”Â

It was also tough for Red Bull KTM’s Kurt Caselli, the WORCS Champion and record-setting top American at the ISDE. Rumor has it that Kurt is racing the GNCCs next year, and there’s no doubt that he’s a good rider (remember, he won the XC2 class in Florida and Georgia last year). But this one wasn’t so smooth, as Kurt crashed a lot and ended up 10^th in XC1. Kurt’s a really funny guy so he just made fun of himself after the race, saying he sucks and he’s slow. He’s not and he’ll be back in Pennsylvania to try to prove he’s not. Although he also told me he sucks at riding rocks.

Caselli to GNCC in '09? Krista Shaw photo

So why is Kurt coming to the GNCCs next year? Rumor has it that David Knight is going back to Europe, although when I talked to Knight about that, he said, “Nothing is really official yet, despite what you might hear.” Hey, I’ve even heard a rumor that BMW is waving huge money at Knighter to get him on their 450 next year. Hmmmm.

And where are those Bimmers? Summers still says they’re coming soon. I hope so.

Hawk wins again. Although this time in the morning race. Krista Shaw photo

Barry Hawk will be back for the Somerset, PA round to battle again in the XC1 class. Barry won easy in the morning race in North Carolina, and it was the first time he’s ever raced in it (he also told us that he hopes it’s the last time he races in it. Barry expects to be an afternoon contender for a long time). Unfortunately, Rodney Smith decided not to race due to the dust, or we could have had classic combat between Barry and Rodney. Should be interesting to see where the two-stroke YZ250 lands once Barry is back in the pro class.

Whatever happened to Garrett Edmisten? Last year at this time Garrett was tearing it up on his KX450F, and even battled for the win last year in Yadkinville. I asked his dad, Robert, about that over the weekend, and he told me that the difficulties of being a privateer, such as not having as much equipment to practice on, is finally catching up to the them.

The other Kawasaki boy, Jesse Robinson, was unable to race Yadkinville because he was sick. The concussion the Robinson gang talked about last week ended up being okay, though, but he was too under the weather to race.

A few more race notes from the bike XC2 class: Josh Weisenfels was riding with three cortisone shots in his shoulder (torn rotator cuff), so that slowed him pretty badly. Still, he fought his way up to second place and was challenging Thomas for a win until he smacked a tree. Kailub Russell, who won the last race in Kentucky, was challenging for the lead until his clutch went out. Thad DuVall had two big crashes. One on the first lap left him so far behind that the A riders in row three got in front of him. Then he mounted an amazing charge to get all the way back into contention for the win until another bad crash ended his charge. Thad looked a little out of it when I saw him after the race, he said he was just happy to have salvaged fourth. But don’t look now, Dustin Gibson is creeping back closer in points.

PJ Larsen is one of the top prospects for Loretta Lynn's this year in amateur motocross. He decided to try a GNCC in the XC2 Lites class over the weekend, but he decided to do it without bark busters. The result? "Man, I'm a tree hugger now. The trees literally came out of nowhere and tackled me. I don't understand it, they just came out of nowhere!" After a few laps, PJ decided to end his GNCC career and go back to motocross.

Top amateur motocross prospect PJ Larsen (27) battled with Ryan Echols (345) and the boys in XC2 Lites. But after tragging a lot of trees, PJ called it quits. Krista Shaw photo

Long-time GNCC fans may remember the name Rick “Super Hunky” Siemen. The affable old editor of Dirt Bike magazine (when it started back in the ”˜70s) is a legend in our sport. Now he’s suffering. Here’s a letter that is circulating through the industry:

Dear Friend,

I don't know if you are aware, but our old friend Rick (Super Hunky) Siemen has been facing some serious personal challenges lately.

Super Hunky recently found out that he has prostate cancer for the second time,and has been undergoing Chemo therapy. As you may know, Rick has lived inBaja, Mex. for years, but recently had to move back to the US to get his medical treatment. Rick and his wife Tina moved out into the desert of Maricopa, Arizona, however, because Tina had to take a job to help with bills, they have had to move again. The real estate market being what it is, Rick lost quite a bit of money that was earmarked for retirement and other things due to the moves.

To be clear, Rick receives medical benefits from the US Navy, however he has lost quite a bit of money in the moves, and at his age, and condition (recent stroke, as well as prostrate cancer) he couldn'treally afford to lose that money.

For those of you that grew up in the 'Golden age of Motocross' you may remember Super Hunky as the CZ, and Maico riding older brother that wrote of his adventures. Super Hunky gave us the straight scoop about the newest dirt bikes, which ones were worth the money, and which ones were junk. Rick also told us about waging a legal battle against the BLM and the Sierra Club to preserve riding land here in California. Rick was jailed, and almost bankrupt himself taking on the BLM, fighting to keep the Barstow to Vegas desert race going, for dirt riders everywhere.

The reason I'm writing this letter is that the vintage community has always helped out guys in need, and now Rick Siemen needs our help. It is time to give something back to Rick 'Super Hunky' Siemen for his 35 plus years of giving to us.

There are FIVE ways to help Rick, and each way the money goes right to Rick.

1. Go to his website SuperHunky.com and buy his books, CD's, posters and other collectible items. If you haven't read his book 'Monkey Butt' you ought to.

2. Buy Rick’s 1970 Husqvarna 400 Cross. (Being sold for Rick by a friend)

http://www.vintagemx.us/cgi-bin/larg...XduhE6NovC8UAe

3. I know not everybody has a PayPal account but if you do, a donationcan be sent to Rick via https://www.paypal.com/ Simply click on 'Sendmoney to your friends and relatives'. Enter Rick's email address:superhunky@... and follow directions.

4. Mail a donation directly to Rick Siemen. (this is his NEW address)

Rick Siemen
36607 West Cosa Blanca St.
Maricopa, AZ. 85238

5. Forward this email on to a few of your friends, and let the spirit of goodwill guide you.

Get well soon, Super Hunky.

One more note, this one from our friend Dave Smith, who arranged the second-annual Vendor’s Row Challenge at Yadkinville.

Jason,
Wow, the vendor challenge has come and gone and all that remains are the bruises. I had a blast and even had a few brief glimmers of thinking I could still ride. The conditions chased off more than a few of the contestants, but the few riders that stepped up to the challenge got to enjoy both the dust of Yadkinville, as well as the real nice conditions down by the creeks and crossings. The only real bad areas were the field crossings to get back to the woods. For the most part the spectator areas were the worst areas of the race that gave a false impression of the rest of the race. Powersport GrafX had a first year racer entered and he rode for three laps before giving in to the conditions. John Gallagher Sr. did not have the race he was looking for either. I caught up to John on the first lap and gave him a shout of confidence just in time for him to hit a tree and roll down the trail. I think he was ready to get back on the quad after two laps finished. Barney from ITP/MotoTees finished three laps and said he would much rather change tires than do this. It may have something to do with the second lap smoke break that gave him too much time to think the race. The real let down was from Finish Line Café’s Gary Delapenna. After all the hype, the new bike, and even the threat of lapping his competitors, Gary pulled out after four laps saying that when Barry Hawk lapped him, it just took the wind out of his sails. I have to agree, I finished the fourth lap and turned the final corner in hopes of the checkers. I almost fainted when I saw the two lap board. I was not only hoping that Barry would lap me on the fifth lap, I was begging. I was planning on stopping and waiting if needed. I have fielded a few factory offers this week trying to get me off the Honda, but I am still waiting for the right one. No really, I had such a great time I am already looking forward to next year. I hope to see a larger turn out in the 09 Vendor Challenge III.

Digital Dave
http://www.racedaypix.com/

That will do it for Quick Fill this week. Hope you get your rock practice in this weekend.

Ten Man Push rocked the house on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. And hey, remember Bryce Martin, the kid who burnt his bike to the ground at the John Penton GNCC? Well, his buddy Andrew Matusek hooked him up with a bike, so Bryce got to race again. That's him checking out the concert! Hooper photo

Cory Buttrick was top amateur again. He's also getting fast, uh, quickly. David Scearce photo