Millville, MN (7/1/2016)
- The eighth round of the
2016 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship
will take place at Spring Creek MX in Millville,
MN July 2-3. Prior to start of the race weekend,
a special pro media day was held on Wednesday
June 29th.
|
TV
Stations & News Papers from MN &
WI attended the Media Event held on
Wednesday |
Media day was a huge success with four different
news stations and several newspapers from
both Minnesota and Wisconsin making the trip
to find out just what ATV Motocross is all
about. The day was huge in terms of exposure
for the series, and over half the Pro class
was in attendance, including the four time
Pro class national champion and current points
leader Chad Wienen.
“Spring Creek has been very good to me with
the rough conditions and sand rollers. Last
year we went 1-1 and we have won every single
event that has been here on the Pro ATV motocross
circuit. We hope to continue that, I feel
really good on the machine and had a lot of
fun at press day,” said Wienen.
|
Chad
Wienen has won the overall at every
race held at Spring Creek MX in the
past, so it will be interesting to see
if he can continue his winning streak
this year with Joel Hetrick winning
Five straight heading into Spring Creek
MX |
The intensity of the Pro class has been heating
up all season with the battle between Wienen
and Joel Hetrick, who has won the past five
consecutive races. Hetrick is closing in on
Wienen for the points lead with every win,
and Spring Creek is sure to bring another
epic battle between these two top competitors.
Other top Pro racers from all around the
country made an appearance at press day in
preparation for the weekend race as well.
David Haagsma travels all the way from California
to compete with the country’s top racers.
|
David
Haagsma scored his first Pro Podium
finish at Sunset Ridge MX |
“It is something I grew up watching and wanting
to do. To race Pro and compete against best
guys in the world is incredible. When I had
the opportunity, due to David Eller and the
whole team, I had to jump on board and try
it,” stated Haagsma.
Many are familiar with dirt bikes and motocross,
but fewer with the ATV Motocross series. However,
the ATV riders put in just as much time and
race just as aggressively as the nation’s
top bike competitors. With added media coverage
from press day, the sports exposure is growing
larger. “Give us a chance and watch us. We
work just as hard and a lot of us don’t get
recognition we should. I race quads because
I love it,” explained Pro racer and 2015 Rookie
of the Year Nick Gennusa.
According to Spring Creek MX owner, Greta
Martin, the track has been in existence since
1963. It began as a hill climb course and
has since progressed into the prestigious
motocross track it is today. Greta is the
mother of two Pro Motocross and Supercross
racers, Alex and Jeremy Martin. Despite her
strong connections to the dirt bike industry,
Martin has great things to say about the ATV
riders when they make the trip to Spring Creek.
“I love seeing the quads race. I have a lot
of respect for what they do. We had Randy
Poulter come in and work the track for the
weekend and he does a fabulous job. I think
everyone is going to he happy and it will
be worth the drive.” stated Martin.
Texas Pro class racer, Thomas Brown, was
also in attendance at media day. “ I am looking
forward to the weekend. This race-track is
top notch. Racing Pro ATV Motocross is something
I have always wanted to do while growing up.
I cannot tell you how much I enjoy it. Every
day is an honor,” said Brown.
Pro ATV Motocross racers love what they do
and look forward to opportunities to give
back. This week, eight Pro racers visited
the Mayo Clinic’s Ronald McDonald house in
Rochester to spread smiles and positivity.
It was a truly special evening where they
met with kids and gave out posters, stickers,
Frisbees, and autographs.
|
Nearly
half the Pro class visited the Ronald
McDonald House on Wednesday Evening |
Not only were the Pro racer’s covered at
media day, local amateur racers Noah Mickelson,
Haedyn Mickelson, and Alex Gillette were given
coverage from media sources as well.
Haedyn Mickelson competes in Pro Am and lives
in Eyota, MN just 30 minutes from Spring Creek.
“I feel really good here at press day. This
track has always been good to me. I think
this will be my week to show what I really
have,” said Haedyn.
Haedyn’s younger brother, Noah Mickelson
competes in the 450 B and Open B classes,
where he is the current points leader. “Spring
Creek is fun, it gets rough and technical.
There are big jumps on it, which is a lot
of fun. Its really nice having my brother
race because I can ask him any questions about
the track or how to ride. It gives me something
to work for, to get as fast as him,” explained
Noah.
On top of the great action on the track,
Spring Creek will host many other fun activities
such as a DJ, karaoke, a hula-hoop contest,
and pit bike race. If media day was any indication
of how this weekend’s event will be, it is
shaping up to be a spectacular one.