FreestyleMX

Stories from the Road – Hutchinson, Kansas

This was my first show in Hutchinson, Kansas for the Kansas State Fair since I was on another show last year, and let me say it was a great show.  The grounds were really not what I expected from such a small town and probably one of the nicest fairs I have been to.

The fans were pretty great too although a little quiet at times.  When the riders wanted to get the crowd pumped they just started doing what FMX is all about- riding and having fun.  I saw more Goonstyle tonight than I have all year and from riders who normally don’t goon in a show.  It was a good time watching them go and the fans really loved it.  In the Monster Energy Final, Niki Danielson and Jim McNeil did a team session against the other contenders to take the win on the night like ‘stars.  Captain Nick Dunne had a good day with his trick Captain Morgan and was getting the itch to flip the Boost Mobile ramp to ramp setup.  He’s been feeling it lately and is fun to gawk at on the bike.

Big Chong John Distler is feeling better and the ribs are less of an issue as he was able to ride the whole show.  He’ll be back to normal in no time and is talking flip too.  Speaking of Dis’s and flips; Lil Dis Robert got the flip to dirt.  He pulled about fifty in one day and even squeezed off some Heel Clicker Flips with no flip levers!  Nice work Robert, we can only hope learning new tricks means we will be seeing more of you next year.

Got to talk to Metal Mulisha member, Niki Danielson, at length yesterday about the AFMXA (www.afmxa.com ) which is a group founded to assist Professional freestyle motocross riders apply the trade while being safer, protected and better insured.  All of which can translate into a lot more green for a good rider.  They have medevac insurance which will fly you home in an air ambulance if necessary to see your doctor (there are few good Ortho’s out there that understand the sport, see a good one), protect you if you get surprised by a 1991 CR125 by a promoter as the loaner bike they would “provide” you to jump wooden ramps in a third world country (thanks Nik) you would still get paid if they signed the contract as well as many other benefits.  They plan to hold contests with real qualifying for anyone who wants to try and will have nice purses and safe courses.  If you are a pro or plan to be a pro someday you need to check them out.  It’s fully endorsed and includes as its members some of the top names in the sport.  I am against “unions” the whole way, but this is not a union and is more like a committee of members looking out for its brothers and sisters in the sport.  I really hope it works and doesn’t derail because this kind of thing can benefit not just the riders but the good promoters, sponsors, televised action sports and other media outlets much like ASR has done for surfing pros.  Good luck guys!

As I write this I am co-driving down the road with Thunder Love through north central Kansas into Nebraska and the amount of corn I see growing never stops blowing my mind.  Any back to the task here- we are heading for Spencer, Iowa for a ten rider contest for the first time.  These new venues get interesting sometimes because a lot of the new ones aren’t sure what to expect when we get there.  Most are okay and adjust quickly with a little massaging from Marc and I and it actually makes it a little more fun for me.

See you in Georgia!

Cory