National Coverage Archives

Historic Loretta Lynn Ranch Set to Host Largest Amateur Motocross Championship

Tri-State Area NY, NJ, PA (7/16/17) – Twenty-four AMA District 34Tri State Traxx Members just made their dream come true. The dirt bike racers ranging in age from four to over fifty have qualified for the largest amateur motocross race in the world, the 36th Annual Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship, presented by Lucas Oil, to be held this August at the historic Loretta Lynn Ranch. The 24 D-34 members took on over 22,000 hopefuls from across America to earn one of just 1,446 qualifying positions.

“The Amateur National at Loretta Lynn’s is the event every motocross racer in the country wants to compete in,” said Event Director Tim Cotter. “A win at Loretta’s gives a racer instant national notoriety and can serve as a springboard to a lucrative professional motocross career.”

Most of America’s top professional motocross racers, including James Stewart, Ricky Carmichael, Travis Pastrana and Ryan Dungey, have won AMA Amateur National titles at Loretta Lynn’s.

Students:

Travis Johnsmeyer out of Fleischmanns NY, who attends Margaretville Elementary School in the 1st grade, has been riding dirt bikes for two years now. With the help of sponsors such as Tri-State Hardwoods, Performance Recreation, NEDay construction, TNT Landscaping, and Aaron Lampi Mx training, all helping pay his way to the races, Johnsmeyer has the opportunity to pursue his dreams, by competing in the 50cc 4-6 Special Limited class.

Wayne Powers Jr, from Keyport NJ, attends Keyport Central School in the 2nd grade and has been riding dirt bikes for two years. With the help of sponsors such as Fun Factory/Cobra John, Dunlop all helping pay his way to the races, Powers Jr. has the opportunity to pursue his dreams, by competing in the 50cc 4-6 Special Limited class. While down there he will also be rooting for his father Wayne Sr. in his class.

Landon Palmer, from Hammonton NJ, will be joining his big brother this year at the ranch. 2017 will be Landon’s first time to the ranch, as a racer and with the help of sponsors and big brother Jaden, Palmer will have the opportunity to pursue his dreams, by competing in the 500cc (4-6) Shaft Drive class.

Kevyn DePinho, of Croydon PA., has been riding dirt bikes since he was four years old. DePinho will have the opportunity to pursue his dreams, by competing in the 50cc (7-8) Limited class. Last year Kevyn became the National Champion in the 50cc (4-6) Shaft Drive DePinho is also the second of our brother’s team that has made it to the ranch this year, with Kevyn’s little brother Kayky sitting on an alternate list to ride the ranch.

Mason Mickle, from Lanesborough MA., will be attending the national for the second time in his career this year. Mickle, who attends Lanesborough Elementary in the 3rd grade, has been riding dirt bikes since he was five years old. With the help of sponsors such as Mickle Electric Inc., Sandbox Kings, Minton Cycle, Bell Helmets, Dunlop, Performance Rec, GoPro, and Illusive gloves Mickle will have the opportunity to pursue his dreams, by competing in the 50cc (7-8) Limited class. He has won many races in the last three years and races nearly every weekend in races across the country. Mickle will have the opportunity to pursue his dreams, by competing in the 50cc (7-8) Limited class.

Canyon Richards, from Egg Harbor Twp. NJ. has been riding dirt bikes since he was two years old and will be going to the ranch for the fourth time in his career this year. Previously Canyon has won the national championship in the 50cc shaft drive class. With the help of sponsors such as Cobra, 100%, Dunlop, & Alias who help pay his way to the races, Richards will have the opportunity to pursue his dreams, by competing in the 65 (7-9) Limited and the 65 7-11 class.

Klark Robbins, Shamong NJ., has followed in his father’s footsteps riding dirt bikes. With the help of sponsors and family, he has qualified for the 2017 National at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Tennessee. 2017 will be Klark’s 2nd time to the ranch. This year he will have the opportunity to pursue his dreams, by competing in the 50cc (7-8) Limited Class.

Jaden Palmer, of Hammonton NJ, will be attending the National for the third time in 2017. In 2016 Jaden placed 2nd at the National in the 50cc (7-8) Limited class. Palmer will have the opportunity to pursue his dreams of being a champion by competing in the 65cc (7-9) Limited and 65cc 7-11 classes. Jaden will also be helping his little brother Landon who will be racing at the ranch for the first time this year.

Tyler Devers, from Williamstown NJ., will be heading to Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch for the 2017 National. With the help of sponsors such as Dunlop, EVS, Mobius, Acerbis, O’Neal, Dragon, Engine Ice, and Suomy who will help pay his way to the races in the 65cc 7-11 class. Devers is also an A+ student making honor roll all year.

Joseph Rainone, from Little Egg Harbor NJ., will be heading to Tennessee this year to race in the national. Rainone has had the opportunity to pursue his dreams, by competing in the

65 (10-11) Limited class.

Travis Mecking, who attends Minisink Middle School in the 6th grade, has been riding dirt bikes since he was three years old. With the help of sponsors such as Cycle Motion, Action Photos, and Family helping pave his way to the races, Mecking will have the opportunity to pursue his dreams. He has won countless races in the last eight years and competes nearly every weekend at District 34 races along with many races across the country. Travis will be racing in the 65cc (7-11) & 85cc (9-11) classes.

Ayden Beckage, from Jermyn PA, will be going to the National for the third time in 2017 and try and bring home a title. He has been riding dirt bikes since he was five years old. With the help of sponsors such as Dunlop, Defiance Lifestyle, Seven, Notoil, Scott 6D, Atlas, & Mika Metals all helping pay his way to the races, Beckage will have the opportunity to pursue his dreams, by competing in the 85 (9-11) Limited class.

Danny Congdon, Forest City PA will be heading to the ranch for his fourth time this year. With the help of sponsors such as Scranton Craftsmen, helping pay his way to the races, Congdon has had the opportunity to pursue his dreams, by competing in the very competitive Supermini 1 (12-!5) & Supermini 2 (13-16) classes.

He’s also at the top of his class in school making the honor roll all year.

Jessica Wahl, who attends Central Bucks East High School in the 10th grade, has been riding dirt bikes for two years. After riding and showing horses before racing. With the help of sponsors such as Bell & Dan Callahan Motocross School, helping pay her way to the races, Wahl has had the opportunity to pursue her dreams, by competing in the Girls (11-16) class.

J. Ryder Fox, who attends High Point Regional High School in the 11th grade, has been riding dirt bikes since he was three years old. With the help of sponsors such as JLM Motorsports, Tube Worx, RG3 of NJ, Pat’s Towing, Engine Ice, Cycle Motion, Mavrix Motorsports, Maroney’s, Walden Motocross, Little Bird Racing, ISC Racers Tape, Motorcycle Madness, BYC Racing, Elite Plumbing and Heating, Galligan Blue Stone & Excavating, Mom & Dad all helping pay his way to the races. He is trained by Gina Calabrese, of R & T Nautilus in Hampton Twp. NJ. Last year Ryder placed 5th in the 250C class at the national. This year he has the opportunity to pursue his dreams, by competing in the Schoolboy 1 (12-16) & Schoolboy 2 (12-17) classes.

Emily Post, who attends Warwick High School in the 11th grade has been racing since she was nine years old. With the help of sponsors such as BYC Racing in Pine Island NY, Mark Wundrack MX Schools of West Milford, BSE Well and Water, Dunlop Tires, Atlas, Bell, Acerbis and family friends Uncle Edgar and Mike Burke, Post has the opportunity to pursue her dreams, by competing in the Girls (11-16) class.

Adults:

Leah Raines has been running locally and will be sure to put a show on for the fans while at the ranch. Raines will have the opportunity to pursue her dreams, by competing in the Women’s (12+) Amateur class. Raines is familiar with the ranch; this will be the fourth time she has qualified for the national.

Cory Carsten, who works with his father in their family business repairing RVs as a, has been riding since dirt bikes he was 14 years old. With the help of sponsors such as Suzuki, Answer, Aria Helmets, Bromley’s Suzuki, FMF, Twin Air, Scott, Sunstar, Traction Mx, Dunlop, Decal Works, KPS Suspension, Delb who help pay his way to the races. Cory is familiar with the ranch following in his father’s footsteps he has been to the ranch on more than one occasion. This year Carsten has the opportunity to pursue his dreams, by competing in the College (18-24) classes.

Andrew Povall, from Lagrangeville NY, will be attending the National for the first time. His father will be on the side of the track watching his son fulfill a dream he too once had. In 1983 the 2nd year of the National he was shy by one place to make it to the national himself. Povall will chase his dream in the 250 C & 250 C Limited classes.

Mike Tippin Jr, who works as a Realator, has been riding since he was five years old. With the help of sponsors such as Bromley’s Suzuki, 100% Decal Works, Factory Connection, Works Connection, Spy, who help pay his way to the races, Tippin has had the opportunity to pursue his dreams, by competing in the Vet (30+) class

Chad Smith, from Jackson NJ., runs his own construction business, Artesian Construction when he is not riding dirt bikes. Chad has been riding dirt bikes for 38 years. With the help of sponsors such as Ocean County Powersports, Scott, Pro Taper, Answer & Bell Helmets helping pay his way to the races, Smith will have the opportunity to pursue his dreams, by competing in the Senior (45+) class.

Barry Carsten, working at his family business as a Recreational Vehicle Repairman, has been riding since dirt bikes he was 12 years old. With the help of sponsors such as Bromley Suzuki, KPS, Scott, Answer, Dunlop, Twin Air, Decal Works, Sunstar helping pay his way to the races, Carsten has had the opportunity to pursue his dreams, by competing in the Senior (40+) & Masters (50+) classes. Barry will also be wearing the hat of mechanic for his son Cory Carsten. This father/son team has been to the ranch together on many occasions over the last couple years. Bringing home many top ten finishes as well as Championships.

Wayne Powers, who is self-employed at Renovate Swimming Pools, has been riding dirt bikes since 1984. With the help of sponsors such as Dunlop, Vortex, FMF, RG3 NJ, and Scott helping pay his way to the races. Powers has had the opportunity to pursue his dreams, by competing in the Senior (45+) class, this year. Last year Wayne finished 13th in the class. Wayne is also the second of our father/son teams which have made it to the ranch. He will be there with his son Wayne Jr. for his first appearance at the ranch.

James McIlvaine, who works for Local 254 Union as a carpenter, has been riding dirt bikes for 37 years. With the help of sponsors such as Retro Fitness, Dunlop, MSR, EVS, and Acerbis helping pay his way to the races, McIlvaine will have the opportunity to pursue his dreams, by competing in the Masters (50+) class. 2017 will be McIlvaine’s 8th time back to the ranch.

The D-34 riders will make the long journey to Hurricane Mills, Tennessee along with their family, friends, sponsors, and fans to compete for the title. The race runs July 31 through August 5. The riders and their families will be camping onsite for the week-long event and will participate in many non-racing evening activities.

These riders are just one of the over 22,000 racers across the country who spent the last four months qualifying for the event. The top finishers in Area Qualifiers and Regional of these classes earn a gate position in the National Championship race at Loretta Lynn’s. Racers may enter a wide variety of classes, from mini cycle classes for children as young as four, all the way up to a senior division for riders over 50. There are also classes for women as well as both stock and modified machines. In total, there are 35 different classes of competition.

The track, constructed on a section of Loretta Lynn Ranch and Campground in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, contains a variety of jumps, corners and other obstacles designed to test the skills and stamina of the racers. The motocross track is used only once a year for motorcycles, so there is no hometown advantage. Athletes compete in three 15-20 minute races over the course of the week per class, sometimes in grueling temperatures. Proper training and preparation are paramount.

Most riders attend the event with the help of their families. In fact, many consider the event their family’s summer trip, nicknaming it the “World’s Greatest Motocross Vacation.” Besides the races, the week-long event hosts many family-friendly activities, including swimming, talent show, concerts, and live entertainment.

The race action will be broadcast live daily at www.RacerTV.com, July 31 through August 5, for a total of 40 hours of live coverage. In addition, two highlight shows featuring the event will air on NBC Sports Network in the fall.

For additional information on the Amateur National, visit the official website at www.mxsports.com or call (304) 284-0101. Also, follow the official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for exclusive content and to catch the latest news.

About the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship

The Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship is the world’s largest and most prestigious amateur motocross racing program. The national qualifying program consists of 57 Area Qualifiers (February through May) and 13 Regional Championships (May through June), hosted at select motocross facilities across the country. The qualifying system culminates in the National Final (first week of August) hosted annually since 1982 at the home of country music star Loretta Lynn in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. Nearly 22,000 racers attempt to qualify in 35 classes for the 1,446 available positions at the National. Christened “The World’s Greatest Motocross Vacation,” the National event serves as a launch pad for some of the biggest names in professional motocross and supercross, including Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, Ryan Villopoto, and Ryan Dungey. The national program is produced by MX Sports, Inc., a West Virginia-based race production company and sanctioned by AMA. For more information, please visit www.mxsports.com.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com. Not a member? Join the AMA today: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/membership/join.