Blountville, TN (6/19/2014) - Finding the time to produce a race report in between national race weekends can be challenging for an owner of a race team. When you own a team of truly dedicated and driven riders and staff, the least I can you is let the world know how awesome I think they are doing. The team is all about fighting through adversity, injuries and all the highly competitive field of riders in all their respective classes.

Over the course of the last month we have been to High Point MX in Mount Morris, PA for round 3 and Sunset Ridge MX in Walnut, IL for round 4. At these 2 races the team riders have scored 8 1st place overall finishes and are currently holding 9 top 5 series spots in 7 classes.

The reason I have such confidence in the team riders is because everyone is now out of school and healthy again. Balancing school, training and racing can really be a challenge at this level of our sport. Since I require a 2.5 GPA out of my riders, at times they have to cut back or even skip some training to keep their grades up in school. Keeping caught up in school can be a challenge as well do to the amount of traveling and school days missed for the first 4 rounds.

Haedyn Mickelson in the first moto of the season broke his leg. We all hope for a speedy recovery and that is what we got. In just 8 weeks, Haedyn was back on his quad at High Point and it was like he had never broken his leg. By the time he hit the track at Sunset Ridge, he was out for blood. In both Production B and 450 B, he led 3 of the 4 motos from start to finish. It was awesome to see him do so well taking 1st in both classes.

After breaking his leg at round 1, Haedyn Mickelson is back racing. Michelson earned an impressive win at Sunset Ridge by winning both the 450B & Open B Classes

After having a tough showing at High Point in his Production B class, Alex Gillette returned home bound and determined to not make mistakes and to find more speed. In the week prior to Sunset Ridge, one of Alex’s favorite tracks, he sprained his wrist in training pushing himself to the limit. After intensive care of his wrist all week he still wanted to try to race. His first moto of the day he almost had the holeshot, but got pinched and thrown off his quad battling with the 1st and 3rd riders in the second turn. After the tumble, I pressed Alex to take the rest of the weekend off and let himself heal. As of today, he is back to 100% and training for the next round.

Sammy Rowe & Megan Manshack are showing dramatic improvements from last year. They have definitely done their homework and found a new gear and a new more aggressive attitude. Sammy has really found his place at or near the top of the A class riders. Megan is really battling this year and showing off her definite strengths. In the Women’s class, she is really surprising everyone including her fiercest competitor and 2013 national champion, Katie Mette. Megan has gone 4 for 4 in the Women’s class and is strongly in 1st place.

Megan Manshack is 4 for 4 in the 2014 ATV Motocross Womens Class

Dylan Tremellen, Noah Mickelson and Bubba Hicks in the last 2 races have struggled in at least one of their motos. Their frustration quickly gets turned into victories. Pressing themselves, their machines and the tracks beyond the limits sometime it bits back.

#33 Bubba Hicks & #940 Dylan Tremellen battle for position at Sunset Ridge MX

I have faith that they will have continue their winning ways.
The Pro and Pro Am classes, where the absolute fastest riders in the sport race, is turning into a real chase for the top spot. Sean Taylor is doing a great job mixing it up with all of them. I’m proud of him and his ability to be a new father and staying focused on training and racing. He is still showing strong strides of pushing his way to the top.

Sean Taylor finished fifth in the Pro-Am Class at Mtn Dew ATV Motocross Round 4

Our team is doing very well. Better than I expected. The riders and pit crew are human. We all make mistakes. All my riders are beatable. That being said, I have heard some rumblings around the pits that some riders and families are getting a little discouraged when they have to race against any of the Root River Racing riders and machines.

2014 Root River Racing Team Machines

Our team is virtually an open book. All of our riders and pit crew are available for help especially away from the track. If a rider would like to work out, train or ride with anyone of our riders, all it takes is to ask. If a there are mechanical issues with your quad, bring it over. We don’t always have time at the track to look over your machine, but between Rod Mickelson, Dee Manshack and Tony Subjek, they have been around or worked on most of the models that are being raced today.

2014 Root River Racing Team Rig

They are always willing to help you try to figure out what the issue maybe. With everything I am doing for the sport, I would hate to see anyone leave the sport because they are discourage in some way that we as a team could possibly help. I know we can appear intimidating but I assure everyone they are welcome any time to stop by for advice, help or even a slushy.

Hope to see everyone at the next round. Make sure to check us out on Facebook or the team’s website. Also subscribe RotoFilms on YouTube.com to see all of our videos that are being made throughout the season.

Live Life to the Fullest!
Rich Gillette

About the Mtn. Dew AMA ATV Motocross Championship
The Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship, sanctioned by AMA, is the nation's premier amateur and professional ATV motocross series, hosted at top motocross facilities nationwide. The 10-round series features the Nation's best racers, teams and sponsors, and is America's largest and longest-running ATV national motocross program. Since 1985, the series continues to expand and produce top talent from the amateur ranks, while premiering the professional class.  For more information, please visit www.atvmotocross.com.

www.atvmotocross.com