VBS-Kenda wins the TEAM NBL Title

VBS-Kenda Team Report:

The 2007 NBL Grand National was a spectacular event this year. Moderate heat and no rain in sight made for a good weekend of racing for many riders. This year’s grands had its ups and downs. Riders racing Friday, using the new random gate starts, made for some interesting racing. Congratulations to Jessica Patton, a former VBS rider, who did really great in her first Junior Women’s class on Friday (at the age of 15) by placing 3rd in the main event.

The VBS-KENDA BMX Team had a terrific weekend of BMX racing. The team, going into the Grand’s, was in third place; nine points from second place (HBR team) and twenty-eight BIG points from the first place team, Radd Racing. The VBS-KENDA riders did great in their rounds Saturday and were done in plenty of time to relax and then watch the Pro Spectacular race that evening which featured a couple of other former VBS-KENDA family riders like Rachel “THUNDER” Smith (National #4 Elite Woman for 2007) and Jeffery Upshaw.

Well now that Sunday had arrived we talked to the riders reminding them to be careful, ride smart, keep their cool and, as I always tell them, race the track and not the riders (don’t worry where they are, just look forward, play it smart in the turns, and if, for some reason, you become uncomfortable about a jump then just manual over it and, most of all, don’t give up no matter what happens). I have seen it several times where a rider might have a bad gate, slip a pedal, or just being behind and then not giving it their all. Everybody needs to remember what I tell the riders DON’T GIVE UP, anything can happen and then it’s your time to shine. That’s what this fine team of riders did. They did their best, didn’t give up, raced smart, and in the end they won the Grands and best of all came from third place, made up the twenty- eight points plus to win the 2007 Team NBL Title by three points. A talented HBR crew took second and a great Radd Racing Team placed third for the year. I will say it was a long hard battle with these two teams as well the other teams, which demanded that we put our best-pedals-forward all season! I also congratulate Dan’s Competition in retaining their National title followed by Felt/Extreme Sports and OFR.

I offer sincere thanks to our sponsor/supporters and PRAISE to the VBS-KENDA Team Riders for a job well done. I extend special recognition to Team Co-manager, Mark Hardy, for his kind support and hard work. Kenda’s Jim Wannamaker deserves a medal for all of his support to our team and BMX. To say it couldn’t have been done with out all of you would be an understatement. It was a team effort that I hope will continue in the coming year. Also I want to yell out a “Miss you buddy!” to Tim Taylor who races in the 17-24 novice class, was on the team roster for part of the season, and who was unable to attend this year’s Grands as he is now in the U.S. Army. We wish you the BEST Tim!
Joe Pittenger, VBS-Kenda BMX Team Manager

The 2007 Team NBL Champions VBS-KENDA
Mckhenna Calhoun #1 – 7 girls, Shyla Shirkey #3 – 7 girls, Brittany Hansel #8 – 15 girls and #2 cruiser, Kailee Stevens #2 – 13 girls, Dax Madden #1 – 32 novice, Jake Miller #1 – 15 novice, Brendan Baker #1 – 26 cruiser, Gary Boling #4 – 18 cruiser, Louis Taylor #5 – 19 cruiser & #30 – 19 expert, Matt Hardy #7 – 11 cruiser & #15 – 11 expert, Greg Boring #9 – 34 expert & #12 – 34 cruiser, Tom Wagner #10 – 32 cruiser, Larry “RED” Bivens #3 – 55 cruiser

Check for updates on the team’s web site vbsbmx.com & www.myspace.com/vbsracing
The VBS-Kenda BMX Racing Team THANKS its fine sponsors and supporters who helped keep us looking sharp, quenched our thirst, and provided great bicycle components for the 2007 season!
VILLAGE BIKE SUPPLY KENDA TIRES AND TUBES DK BICYCLES FLY RACING PRODUCTS ANSWER BMX
ODI GRIPS BAWLS GUARANA THUNDER PRODUCTIONS THE BIKE SHACK JW BICYCLE PRODUCTS
Thanks to Jack of www.idcbmx2.com for the two photo’s of the team riders above