Team Blog Entry
~ LORETTA LYNN'S AMATEUR NATIONALS 2009 ~
28TH ANNUAL LORETTA LYNN'S
AMATEUR NATIONALS MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009
HURRICANE MILLS, TENNESSEE
LORETTA LYNN'S PHOTO GALLERIES - 2009
~ LL MISC TUESDAY - JERRY'S ~
~ LL MISC WEDNESDAY - JERRY'S ~
~ LL MISC MONDAY, TUESDAY - ARLENE'S ~
~ LL MISC THURSDAY, FRIDAY - JERRY'S ~ NIEBEL, COOMBS, DRETZKA, YEZEK, EVANS, SIGMUND
~ LL MISC THURSDAY, FRIDAY - ARLENE'S ~
~ LL MISC FRIDAY, ARLENE ~
~ LL MISC TUESDAY ARLENE - SATURDAY JERRY ~
http://www.pbase.com/MXLens
We are working on the misc galleries first and will be getting to the racing pictures soon!
Monday morning and my mind is still filled with the events of Loretta Lynn's. From the very first qualifier thru the regionals and then the three amazing moto's of each class at "The Big Dance". The talent of the 42 riders that fill the gates in each moto are the top riders from across the country. Each one with the dream and the agonies of reaching the podium or at least the top 10 in each moto. This of course involves the heat and humidity of Tennessee. If one has not been in that area this time of year it is hard to comprehend it. Yes we have the humidity here in SW Pa. but WOW what a difference at the ranch. When we arrived home yesterday it was hot and I guess humid but it actually felt good compared to what we were in last week. The thing that amazes me is how the riders do what they do in it. I'm just taking pictures and finding the closest tree for shade as much as I can. How do they run a 20 minute moto in such extreme conditions? The track is one of the most technical ones that I have ever seen. Beautifully laid out, constantly being groomed for the best that it can be but if can get ruff and unpredictable. Watering, disking and leaving the most awesome ruts that jet the riders out and into the next ones. Watching the riders coming off the track heading for the top ten area or just wanting to get back to their pits for something cold. Many may head for the cool water of the near creek to cool down. While the top ten are being tended to the next moto is going off like clock work, and so it goes on for nearly eighteen, 20 minute motos a day.
Arriving at The Dude Ranch gets the heart racing and meeting Dee Shuckhart with her smile at the gate was a good way to start it out. In reaching the pit area in its self is an amazement of all of the people that are there. Rows and rows, camp sites of people from all across the country, north, south, east and west. Some of the biggest motor coaches to the many tents with fans in them every where. It didn't matter what you were in, just being there was what it is all about. In the Shuckhart's pits already was the group of 5 boys from our area in their two tents. ( Dustin Charcalla, Vinny Olenick, Matt McKeown, Clint Zentner, Brandon Zentner) Set up and ready for any type of weather that could and generally does come to the ranch. Tarps laid down under their tents, e-ups over their tents, string holding everything in place. They are ready. Their Ranger unloaded with plenty of gas, food (Pop Tarts, donuts, water guns) and mainly water and "Red Bull" in the cooler and they were set for cruising and watching their favorite riders and girls. This group of our boys barely stopped the whole week. Always with smiles on their faces and ready for the next event. The weather at LL does come fast and furious and hard to predict what it can and will do to your pit area. As we pulled in they had had some weather a day before and the ground was wet muddy and very slick. One does not pull their truck into the soft areas. Boots are required at times and as for walking caution at all times. (for the mud or the golf carts). Golf carts/mules are indeed a necessary vehicle needed in getting around the track and pit areas. The distance from our pit area to the gates is a good walk but for me the distance to the entrance to the back of the track was a blessing.
Jerry spent most of his time at staging and the gates. Dee would give him a ride up. It's not so much the distance as to what all is involved in that walk. Golf carts going everywhere, humidity, heat, bikes, mud, children, believe me it’s crazy! The riders have to report to staging 30 minutes before their moto. Harsh in waiting in the H/H along with the anxious nerves that they all have. Jerry just loves being in that area. Watching the faces of the riders, the last minute preparations of confidence boosting to the all exciting preparation of the gate area. The pit boards are generally used for fanning the rider and of course many umbrellas keeping the sun off the riders. There is a wonderful woman there that makes sure that all is done correctly. Her diplomatic way of telling you to get it right is done thru out the week. Many riders that have been there have been thru her correct way of staging and gate preparation. Jerry watched her all week with her direct way but still with as gentle way with the younger boys to get the message across. Jerry said that her message is like a recording. The same one to each group brought on that crack in her voice as the week progressed. Hats off to the "Lady At Staging" a job well done! Jerry also enjoyed watching the Durham brothers. Darryn was always there in setting up Shane's gate and the last minute confidence boost. Some serious messages being given and the intense look in Shane’s eyes was receiving it all. The serious time was also filled with a relaxed serious time to help with the nerves. What a wonderful experience for these two brothers. Jerry captured the beauty of staging, gates, riders and their mechanics in his pictures. Where else but at a MX race can one find beauty in tires.
I would like to thank at this time so many wonderful people. Jeff Cernic for all of the wonderful things that you do for many of us. Watching out for us even when you are so busy with more important things. Thank you for setting up the press passes for Jerry and I, Patty and Carrie Jo thank you issuing them to us. It would have been nearly impossible to get many of the pictures of this week with out your help. We would like to thank the riders for being so responsive at our constant in your face picture taking. With all of the pressures that you have to deal with you were all so polite and accepting. Doc Holliday thank you for your help with information about some of the riders. How you do what you do all day long out on the track area is commendable. Mimi Greiner with your insight on where and what to watch out for in the middle of the track took those first day jitters away. The Shuckhart's with their open arms at their pit area and golf cart. Dee rode Kristin and I around getting as many shots of our peoples pit areas that we could find. (Dee is an awesome golf cart driver) We put our ez-up with the picnic table under a great big tree behind the Shuckhart's trailer. It was a great place to cool own with the natural breezes and of course a big fan blowing most of the time. Visiting and doodling on the Parts Unlimited table cloth was a highlight under the ez-up. Many of our people stopped by and signed the plastic cloth. A big keeper for sure.
Our riders had some tuff motos but they represented our area with talent and perseverance. Thank you all for your efforts. Broc Papi came off with a Hole Shot and $100.00 to show for it. Congrats to you Broc and Dad! I still feel that Brian Shuckhart should have had one maybe two of those $100.00 checks but where they call the placement must be different than mine and Mimi's. BUT great effort on your efforts Brian, they were hole shots for me! David Grimes in his first 450B stroke moto was coming beautifully right down the center toward the right hander when a rider in front of him got into another and David had no where to go but into them and down. David got back up quickly and finished the moto. Ray Niebel was in good form into the right hander always near the front in all of his motos. Davey Yezek did the same coming off the gate right up in front. Broc Streit getting a great start in his first 4 Stroke moto as well as Alex Odell in many of his. Our riders were AWESOME! Timmy Coombs had a very bad spill in his 2nd +45 moto. Timmy was out for some very long minutes. Just one of those times that seem to go on forever waiting for the rider to move, stand and leave the track with some help but none the less under his own power. Raeslee Weimer had a very bad crash that has given her many injuries. She had a great start in her 1st moto but went down very hard. Mimi has told us that on Sunday she was released from the Children's Hospital in Nashville and was returning to home. Raeslee has from what Mimi told us, broken hand, thumb, elbow and many internal injuries. So sorry that this had to happen to such a wonderful young lady with a great deal of talent. Take care Raeslee and get well soon. As for other injuries from our riders I have not heard of any. Actually most of our riders headed directly to The Knob for yesterdays first State Championship race. Now that's dedication. The amount of energy that one has to put out down at LL is incredible. We are talking about 5 or 6 Sunday races in a row. Not a 5 or 6 minute moto but 20 minutes of the most demanding motos of the year, against the top riders. Many of our riders had two classes in the same day. Then to jump in a vehicle and take the 9-11 hour trip North. Unbelievable. I really hope that next year when they pick dates for the first state race they take in consideration of LL and give the riders and their families that week in between like they have in the past years.
On Saturday morning Jerry asked me where did the week go too? So many good memories of it all, we will be talking about them until next August as we travel down to Tennessee (with a golf cart) Again what a wonderful MX family we have, we love you all. Always In Memory of Aaron #98, Arlene. THANK YOU RIDERS for sharing your dream at LL with an Aaron Sticker. I can’t even tell you how much that means to the Lantzer's. A dream that Aaron would have like to been involved with. Alex I tried as much as I could to get that bid of yours with the sticker on it. Shane your stickers stood out on both sides of your helmet, Davey your yellow sticker and green on your # plate and bike right up front and I know that there are more of you that had them. (I will have my eyes open as I do your pictures) As for pictures we have a great many miscellaneous pictures to show all of you that have not been there and ones that have but not this year. We will be working on those first. As for racing pictures. Our riders looked marvelous! We will be getting to them soon. I'm sorry RIDERS that we did not make the State's race, just too much for us after the full week. Hope to see you all at Maple Shade. Have a good week.
~ KRISTIN'S GRAPHICALLY REDESIGNED PICTURES ~
http://www.pbase.com/krismx98
~ pBase SITE FOR PAST RACES AND THEIR GALLERIES
~ PLEASURE VALLEY, HIGH POINT, STEEL CITY, ROARING KNOB, R & D ~
http://www.pbase.com/MXLens
Lantzermx98@windstream.com - Arlene
ALWAYS IN MEMORY OF AARON #98 - ARLENE
PLEASE DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!
Posted by Arlene on 08.10.09 @ 02:23 PM ET | Top of Page