clarkp

The NATC is the established statesman, if you will, as a governing body overseeing national trials competition in the US. Dr. Wiltz Wagner and a long list of other dedicated enthusiasts have labored many years behind the scenes to build and maintain an honorable entity in the NATC, and the NATC remains that today. I seriously doubt that any other group, club, clubs, or association could do today what Dr. Wagner and these ambassadors of the sport have done over the years and keep it together and keep it moving forward. Every year, they do the thankless job of pulling together a disparate group of trials clubs, sorting through differing opinions, egos, and agendas to deliver a competition series that is recognized across the country as the definitive championship for our sport. And every year, individuals praise parts of the series that they like and complain about the parts they don

Anybody have any links to video clips of Cody on the 3.2?

About ten pictures on the Sherco USA site... ...and some really nice pictures here at LewisSport USA... Maybe the same pictures... dunno...

Patrick, just pretend you're back in the shed in Wisconsin - no pressure. We all just want you to enjoy the experience and log some battle time. Keep your head up! A podium finish in world-level competition is absolutely fantastic!

Patrick, Patrick, Patrick! Beautiful, just beautiful! Congratulations from the Texhoma Club! Thanks, Craig, for the pictures and video...

http://www.rideok.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1127 Some really fantastic pictures by James Pratt, owner / editor of Ride Oklahoma! magazine. The first picture is of Ronnie Commo (very cool pic), the second is Cody Webb, pictures 3 & 4 are Patrick, and the last picture is of Larry Terrill and his minder.

Oooohhhh... kilt... now THAT's a good idea! My Black Watch could use an accompaniment. Remember Jon, the pleats go in the back. You'll notice I ride best with no section tape... I know it's hard to imagine, but just think how much cooler I would look wearing my new TDN Support Shirt!

I got mine at the Sooner Cup; it looks really good AND it has the added benefit of shaving (I'm averaging here...) about 8 points per section off of my score. Come to think of it, I should probably get another one...

It looks like Noel was 5th both days in a field of about 18 riders in the Expert class.

Most definitely "World Class"! Yesterday evening late, after almost everyone had left, I could hear the sound of a small-bore trials bike being flogged. I went for a walk and found Pat putting his 125 through a tough workout. He rode our event on his 2.9, but since he's headed back to Europe in a few weeks he was back on the 125 getting some practice time. He appears to me to be the complete package; he has the physical ability AND a head for the game - not to mention that he's only 17! A rare and unique talent for sure. I hope he goes all the way to World Champion. If you haven't seen him ride yet, make time this year to watch him. Now for the other good news - Will Ibsen looks like he could have a breakout year this year just like Patrick did in 2006, and Cody Webb is right there swapping sections with Will. It's nice to see that Will and the GasGas seem made for each other. This should be a very exciting year.

Left to right: Colton Haaker, Will Ibsen, Patrick Smage, Cody Webb, Chris Florin Day 2 results for the Pros: 1 - Patrick Smage - 8 points 2 - Will Ibsen - 26 points 3 - Cody Webb - 40 points 4 - Chris Florin - 54 points 5 - Colton Haaker - 95 points 6 - Josiah Mizell - 98 points 7 - Ronnie Commo III - 110 points Cumulative for both days: 1 - Patrick Smage - 9 points 2 - Will Ibsen - 48 points 3 - Cody Webb - 69 points 4 - Chris Florin - 96 points 5 - Colton Haaker - 196 points 6 - Josiah Mizell - 213 points 7 - Ronnie Commo III - 235 points The $6,400 purse money was paid as follows: Smage - $2,560 Ibsen - $1,536 Webb - $1,216 Florin - $768 Haaker - $320 The Texhoma Trials Club would like to thank all the pros, their sponsors, and their families for attending and supporting our national warmup event. It's a big committment to travel to any event and we really appreciate everyone making the Sooner Cup a priority in their schedule this year. FYI, we had the pros ride three sections three times in a row before moving on to the next three sections which made spectating a lot more fun as all of the sections were fairly close together; more people all in one area cheering these fine young guns on. With the club-level competitors and local spectators we had several hundred people enjoying the spectacle. Great weather, great event; thanks guys!

Left to right: Chris Florin, Will Ibsen, Patrick Smage, Cody Webb, Josiah Mizell Day 1 results for the Pros: 1 - Patrick Smage - 1 point 2 - Will Ibsen - 22 points 3 - Cody Webb - 29 points 4 - Chris Florin - 42 points 5 - Colton Haaker - 101 points 6 - Josiah Mizell - 115 points 7 - Ronnie Commo III - 125 points The guys will ride again tomorrow and their cumulative points total will determine how the prize money gets split up. OBTW, thanks to our fantastic sponsors, generous donations from many sources, and the spectators, the purse has climbed from $5,000 to $6,400. More info tomorrow! The weather is here, I wish you were beautiful...

This nice little radio spot goes out this week to re-inforce the TV spot. Backing up your TV spot with affordable radio ads during the week leading up to the event is very effective. Hope everyone can make it!

Tishomingo weekend weather - 15 / 16... Right now it looks like sunny and 69 on Saturday, and sunny and 76 on Sunday!

ZIPPY - come to the event. You can discuss the cost with Robert - local cable spots are a LOT more affordable than you might think. The broadcast networks?! No way! Much too expensive! City... we did include a little get-off by Keith at the end - it's too bad that picture and video compress depth because that was a looonnnnggg way down. OBTW - please don't get cope on this - nobody can kill a thread faster than him... love you, Mark...

I was so excited about the new Sooner Cup TV spot that I posted it in the wrong forum. Fortunately, Andy corrected my mistake. Anyway, under the USA Trials Reviews & Previews forum see the following topic. http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/index....showtopic=18188 Sorry about that Andy!

The Sooner Cup is right around the corner - we're looking forward to seeing everyone there! Remember, this event is open to ALL club-level competitors. The Sooner Cup is a traditional two-day event that happens every year in Oklahoma; this year the Pro's are coming to compete for $5,000 in purse money. Do not miss this event! All club-level competitors ride in the morning (both days) and enjoy the pro exhibition in the afternoon (both days)! Here is a link to the Sooner Cup web site... and this is the Sooner Cup TV Spot! This is being shown on the cable TV networks networks in Ardmore, Durant, Tishomingo and surrounding areas in the weeks leading up to the event. So, like the Rock Creek National in '06 - we should have a good number of spectators! Special thanks to Scott Williams of NEOTT for allowing us to use the video highlights. Thanks to Jason Shackelford for his work on the video as well, and, of course, thanks to Robert Shaw, President of the Texhoma Trials Club for pulling this spectacular event together and to Steve Higgs and Michael Martin for buying the land! The weather looks to be perfect! So pack your toys and beat it to fun and funky Tishomingo for a national warmup! This Google Map should get you there - be sure to plug the Lat / Lon into your Garmin...

Same loop, different sections. We want all the club-level competitors to ride in the morning so everyone can enjoy watching the Pros in the afternoon.

You'd be surprised at the freedom of movement the kilt allows while riding. The only problem (I guess you could call it a problem) is the look on the checker's face when I do a jap-zap in a section.

I'm a big believer in the idea of a regional rep for new bike sales. I don't like the idea of buying a 'drop-shipped' bike directly from the importer. Your regional rep can / will help with bike fit, parts at the events, lube, tools, event-based service, etc. All good stuff. This also helps the regional rep develop a rapport with individuals who will, when the time comes for a new bike, give the rep his/her business. Now, notice I've said, 'regional rep'. What I don't think is a good idea is what we have now - lots of one-sy, two-sy 'dealers' all over the place, selling two or three different brands of bikes. Trade-in sales are a different conversation, we're focusing on new bike sales. I think each brand should have one 'regional' power dealer in dedicated geographic territories or regions. Just like when we have regional (multi-state) series competition events, likewise, there should be regional dealers each supporting one brand. These regional dealers would be people (many already carrying one or more lines of bikes) that are already supporting lots of localized events. So if you wanted a new trials bike, you'd contact the brand dealer in your area and make a date for either meeting them somewhere for a dedicated sale, or plan to meet them at the next event they'll be attending to pick up your new scoot. This has lots of advantages for the importers. They still have local guys supporting their local trials scene, but only selling one brand. This would have the effect of stabilizing prices (good for the importers) and stabilizing the brand image (the importer hand selects the dealer that supports the company line 100% - no crappy dealers - no dealer / individual carping about the brand behind the importer's back). The importers know which geographic areas are trials 'hot' spots and they already know potential 'power' dealers in each area. "So let it be written... so let it be done" -cp

Here's a Google Maps link to the location in Oklahoma. If you toggle on the "Satellite" view you can juusssttt make out Copemech splattering a 9' granite bolder on a zero approach blast out of Rock Creek. The guy's got skills... OBTW, we just missed getting some video of the landowner almost endo-ing his Kubota track dozer while clearing some of the new land across the creek. He was seen later in a fresh pair of pants patching the dozer seat. Can't wait to see everybody there. Copemech promised me a dance when the band comes on Saturday evening.

hensley... the "morning" classes will consist of: Rookie - first season / first time trials riders - young or old Novice - may have ridden dirt bikes / motorcycles quite a bit in the past, but riding trials for the first time / season Amateur - Advanced novice, one to three seasons as a novice - good command of basic trials skills. Senior Amateur - Same as amateur but they're (we're) older and break more easily Additionally the afternoon club-level classes are: Intermediate Expert Senior Expert Master

For those who haven't experienced the grin factor of riding at the Sooner Cup venue, here's a link to some pictures taken by Bill Smage. http://www.natctrials.com/photos_ok_2006.htm Remember, this is a Pro/AM event - club level riders all ride in the morning both days (yes, everyone...) so we can all enjoy the pro exhibition sections in the afternoon! If that doesn't make your trials pants fly around, you might want to have someone check for a pulse...

We'll cordon off a nice spot for you this time Ron, but remember, there is no water available at the camp site. We're looking forward to seeing you and the BETA USA Team. OBTW, since the '06 National, we've acquired additional acres on the other side of Rock Creek. Plenty of virgin granite to deflower!

If the Western Inn in Tishomingo (580) 371-2358 is sold out of rooms when you call, I have a list of hotels in Ardmore (20 miles away?) - a list of hotels and restaurants in Ardmore is available here.