Grant Baylor Has The Blues? (Jared Bolton)

So by now the news Grant Baylor broke at the banquet is sort of old news, but still exciting. In case you missed it, Grant announced that he’s going to be riding with the Am-Pro Yamaha team in 2015. Now this news had actually been buzzing around some of the Internet forums for a few weeks prior to the banquet but there was no official word anywhere and a lot of people were suggesting that Grant landed this ride thanks to Paul Whibley’s retirement.

From what I had heard though, it actually sounds like he was lined up to be on the team if Whibs returned or not. Regardless though, it’s pretty cool to see that the 2-time XC2 champ has a deal lined up for 2015. One thing that is ultimately going to be pretty strange though, is seeing someone named Baylor on something other than a KTM. Grant and Stu both have been long-time KTM riders, going all the way back to their days on 65s. In fact, Big Stu rode KTMs as well in his days as a racer.

Of course, Grant isn’t really trekking into unfamiliar territory. Randy Hawkins’ place is less than an hour away from where the Baylor’s live, and Randy has opened his place up to more than just riders on blue machines, so they’ve definitely spent some time there.

Bike wise, it’s a bit of a change. Going from a KTM to any Japanese bike is a pretty significant change, especially when you’ve ridden a KTM for much longer. While all riders are different, I’ve thought a Yamaha comes closest among the Japanese brands to feeling like a KTM. No matter what, it’s still about the rider and Grant will more than likely make a smooth transition to the blue machine.

Off Season and Livin' Large (Rodney Tomblin)

Adam McGill is spending his evenings relaxing in hot tubs talking about life and basking in the Florida sunshine during the day. Adam says he made his way south to pick up some new equipment and talk to some new sponsors. He is staying and training with his good friend, Steve Johnson, and was actually going to use some of the time to visit his sister while down there. Adam also said that since it was Christmas, he would also take advantage of the time and do some shopping.

As far as what's on tap, you may have gotten a little preview if you were at the banquet. Adam, being the showman he is, could not resist making a "Gun Show" of the situation showing off his newly formed beefier physique. Adam says he has been hitting the gym hard and expects to be up to "fighting weight" before the season starts. He said he knows at what weight he performs most optimally and he wants to be there soon so he can begin to train for the New Year ahead. 

The past season for McGill was certainly a positive one when you look at the big picture. Had it not been for the two bad races where he scored no points, the championship race may have been a little different heading into the final rounds. However, that was not the circumstance, but it really didn't disappoint the veteran, it actually inspired him knowing just how close he really is to the possibility of winning a championship. Adam said, "I may be getting older, but I have learned a lot and have the experience it takes to win a championship." To me, having both on his side could make things even more exciting in next years championship race.

As far as sponsors go, Adam said that most of his sponsors would be returning. He said he would most likely have a different title sponsor however. He said regretfully that www.piratemx.com would not be returning this season but said he has a great relationship with them still. He also said that between his Baldwin power plant and CST tires hooking up that he hopes to pull all the holeshots next year not just most of them. That he feels is the start to his winning combination and honestly how can you argue with the success he has seem so far with just that.

Adam did say that one thing might look a little different for his program in 2015 other than the title sponsor. He said that he recently signed a deal with the boys at Spider Graffix and said things would looking good without a doubt. 

Silly Season Is Getting Sillier! (Jared Bolton)

In other Baylor news, Stu announced that he’d be fielding his own effort for 2015. He’ll still be on a KTM, just no longer with the Factory FMF KTM team. In addition to himself, Stu also has Trevor Bollinger teaming up with him for this effort. Bollinger will be hungry for the XC2 class championship in 2015 after putting together an impressive 2014 season to come away with 2^nd place in the final XC2 class standings.

Bollinger also showed up at the banquet with a cast on his wrist from an injury he suffered at, uh, yeah, the Zoo City GP race I put on. (sorry Trevor!) However, it’s not a bad break and he’ll be back on the bike in a few weeks and ready to go at the first round. In similar news, I’ve also heard of a fast amateur rider who will be making the move to XC2 and will have some orange support behind him. Stay tuned.

Speaking of the first round, in case you missed it at the banquet, we’re going back to Palatka, Florida for the first round. Now before some of you freak out remembering the mud of the last time we visited Palatka back in 2004, one thing to remember is they’ve obtained new property and I believe we’ll be on a different section of the property, so you don’t really have to worry about that.

Last week Josh Strang posted a photo on Instagram thanking Rocky Mountain ATV/MC for their support the past two seasons and wishing them the best. The way it was worded makes it sound like he’ll be departing with the Rocky Mountain and Am-Pro Yamaha crews for a different venture, and there’s no sort of bad blood or anything. Well, just a little earlier today it was finally announced; Strang will be riding for the Factory Husqvarna team in 2015. That's a pretty big announcement and will definitely bring some more star power to the Husqvarna name which has already stepped up for 2015 on the Motocross and Supercross side. This could bring Husqvarna it's first GNCC overall win since Ed Lojak's win at the 1988 Buckeye 100 GNCC.

The other rider who has been hinting at a new venture for 2015 is Thad Duvall. Recent tweets from Thad sound like he’s getting something new lined up for 2015 but I actually haven’t heard the exact details on that yet, so it’s sort of like a cool Christmas gift that we might even be lucky enough to open early.

What’s Staying The Same For 2015 (Jared Bolton)

Now, while there’s a lot of change on the horizon there are also quite a few guys who will be remaining on their current machines. It’s been announced for a while that we can still expect to see Kailub Russell and Charlie Mullins under the Factory FMF/KTM tent. At this point, KTM is going to hang onto these guys as long as they can because they’re the hot commodities. While Charlie sat out part of the season with a wrist injury and struggled a bit when he came back for the final rounds, I think we’ll see him right back where he was when the 2015 season kicks off.

Jordan Ashburn will also be sticking with the AmPro Yamaha team for 2015. After his best season ever coming away with 3^rd overall, Jordan will be looking to grab some wins in 2015 aboard the same machine we’ve become used to seeing him on. Chris Bach will also be back with the JCR Honda squad in 2015. While Bach had somewhat of an up and down season, he adjusted to the Honda pretty well as the season wore on and we could very well see him challenging for wins in 2015.

Andrew Delong will be back on a Husky for 2015. Delong also had a bit of an up and down 2014 season but between landing a podium at Snowshoe and coming away with the National Enduro championship, it was still a pretty great season for Andrew. He’s another rider that I believe will come on strong and will be a potential threat as well.

World Champions! (Rodney Tomblin)

Congratulations are in order to the before mentioned Adam McGill and his soon to be brother-in-law and fellow XC1 competitor Braden Henthorn. The duo recently competed in, and won, the 30th Annual Team Harescramble World Championship a.k.a. The Team Harescrambles Championship of the World. However you say it, McGill and Henthorn won the thing.

Adam said it has been a goal of his for some time and was able to finally find the winning combination. It was a '03 Z400 with a "six pack rack" for Adam and an '04 Predator 500 with a K&N filter and a pipe. He said that PirateMX.com supplied the machines and he and Braden rode hard and stayed near the front striking near the end to capture the win away from Mark Notman and Walker Fowler. Adam also, stated the quad he rode had been purchased at auction and had just recently arrived to the piratemx.com headquarters. 

You may remember a few weeks ago Walker Fowler was running the '03 Banshee and if you wonder that is the machine he rode that day. On top of that coolness, it what mega-cool to see Mark Notman back in the saddle racing again. We tend to forget that he is also a pretty good racer as much as mechanic. It was Probably a good move on Fowler's part to hire the competition and pay them to help you win. I take that back, it WAS a good move for him to hire Notman to help him win.

Henthorn Contemplates Early Retirement (Rodney Tomblin)

I had a chance to catch up with the other half of the World Championship duo, Braden Henthorn a young XC1 Pro racer. He had an amazing and convincing start to his pro career moving up late in the season a few years ago to finish a solid top five his first time out. Then a season of growing pains as a top ranking rookie before having the carpet yanked out from under his feet.

Braden had always enjoyed success growing up through the ranks. The young DeRisi Racing rider had excelled and won or came close to winning nearly every battle he faced. He was a top youth racer then top Amateur and then, of course, a top Pro Am racer as well. He excelled and earned a number 6 as a rookie and things certainly were looking good.

Heading into the 2014 season Henthorn was riding with a wave of confidence that not many riders at his age get to experience. He was one of the fastest riders in the world as far as off-road ATV racing was concerned, and he had the racing world in his palm so to speak. He was at the short part of a tall ladder and he was ready to climb.

Then it happened! The unexpected! Braden was involved in a practice crash prior to the season. It wasn't even a practice crash by all rights, so it was just a crash from playing around that may ultimately cut his career short. It is not because of lingering injuries, but more so because he stopped to think and ask questions that at some point in an individual's life need to be answered.  

It was a newly built jump that no one really knew what it would take to clear the newly formed obstacle, so Braden without fear launched the jump and landed it so hard he ended up breaking his jaw. It split right down the center of his chin, and what would have made most men curl up and wait to heal only fueled this young man to work through the pain. Remarkably he raced with his jaws wired shut and still finished strong in the points and walked away from the season with a #10 for 2015.

I spoke with Braden at the banquet and he just seemed to be a little distant. It was as if something was weighing on his mind. I asked what was up and soon we were talking about this past season occurrences. He said "you know I am pretty young but I know I can't do this forever and what's it really ever going to bring me. I'm not going to get rich doing it and there is not much of a future after racing." He said, " I got to thinking during that time my jaw was wired and I realized that ultimately I want more. I mean I enjoy racing and riding but what's going to pay for life. I think I am going to race one more year seriously and then focus on working more." He said he had been working already and really enjoyed it. 

Braden says he hopes he can get back to having fun on the quad and see where it's goes. He said that now more than anything he needs to figure out where he wants to go, and just exactly how he is going to get there. Braden said, "I'm not real sure what I will do after next season but this could be it." Let's hope whatever decision he makes it is the right one for him.

#ThrowbackThursday

Headlines

Josh Strang joins Husqvarna Factory Racing for 2015!

AMA announces award nominees for the 2014 AMA Championship Banquet

Kylie Ahart wins Yamaha's "All-American ATV Racing" contest