Guetter Brothers Akraix ATV Freestyle Team
::Continued::

The show was over much sooner then they would have liked and due to weather they had to deal with more down time then they would have preferred. Packing up was a task in itself as they dismantled the ramp and began packing it all up in the trailer. This was a spectacle as they have it down to an art. With no room to spare, 3 quads, the ramp and all their gear was nestled safely away and it once again time to hit the road.

Derek Guetter performs freestyle during the Fisher ATV World Reunion event, displaying the tricks that he has practiced over and over again to perfect

Now anyone who has a job traveling knows full well the burden that’s placed on the families they leave behind. For Jon, being recently married has his wife wanting to know when she can expect to see him home and of course wanting him to be safe at these events. Searching for cell service, trying to get things all running smooth and praying for nothing to go wrong, he is caught in a world that demands his presence at both ends of the rope. It’s not an easy row to hoe, but understanding and compassion usually rule the day.

The Akraix team with the Crusty Demons

Derek on the other hand seems right at home on the road. Both are fully dialed in to the electronic world and seem to endlessly have a cell phone handy as they keep family and friends in the loop. The fears from home are easily seen in their expressions as they chat away the down time. It’s one thing to have your son, brother or husband away from home, its another when you know they will be clinging to an atv sailing over a jump doing a trick! Somehow it’s all worked out and it is a testament to the family background they hail from.

Throughout the day’s topics, injuries are always discussed. Jon speaks of breaking bones and Derek has had his share of serious issues as well. The one story that stuck with me more then all others was that if Derek and a crash at the very beginning of their career. As Derek explained it, he wrecked and knew he was hurt. They got him in the house and he could see he couldn’t just avoid mom as quite a few teeth were missing.

The Akraix team has had the priviledge of traveling all over the world to perform the freestyle they work so hard on. Sometimes the traveling can be hard on the brothers, especially Jon who is recently married.

They quickly surmised that if she found out he wrecked then their FMX career would be grounded before it ever had a chance to fly. An ingenious story was quickly thought up and their mom was told that he had slipped getting off a piece of machinery on the farm. She bought it, his teeth were repaired and it wasn’t until years later that she found out the truth. Now the story itself is one we can all relate to, but it showed me how dedicated these guys were right from the beginning.

The future looks bright for them, and as long as they can remain injury free, the sky is the limit, as long as it has a one handed seat grab in the sunset!

www.akraix.com
83782 Santo Lane
Coachella, CA 92236