Speed Gets Traction With ABA Rollout!

Back on March 1, BMX News reported on the newest brand to come out of the secret labs at Toby Henderson’s VSI Products (home of other marquis names such as Intense BMX, T.H.E., Sinz* Products, ITS and Vigor helmets). This week, Speed Bicycles announced they were ready for the starter to hit the cadence button and get the race started: building a brand new BMX brand from scratch.

A release said:

The Speed “M Series” frames are constructed from custom-drawn, 6061 alloy, triple-butted, hydroformed tubes, with integrated head tubes. Lightweight and strong, Speed frames offer the perfect blend of engineering and design for BMX racing.

The Speed M Series Frames will be offered in 7 sizes –Mini XL, Junior XL, Expert XL, Pro, Pro XL, Pro XXL, and Pro 24”. MSRP is $399.99 and each frame includes a headset.

Bikes will begin shipping within the next few weeks, and the web site should be up & running by the time you read this (or very soon thereafter)

As part of the rollout (to continue with our starting gate analogy), Speed is kicking its promotional machine into hyperdrive by joining as an ABA National Series Sponsor. Quoting, again, from the press release:

“As it has been for over 30 years, the American Bicycle Association is the leader in BMX Racing.” said Toby Henderson, CEO of VSI. He continued: “When we decided to launch Speed Bicycles, of course our first contact was with the ABA. They have been a key partner in marketing VSI brands for many years now, and we are very happy the relationship focuses on the growth of BMX Racing. This Team effort makes us, again, proud to be an official sponsor of the ABA with the new Speed line of bicycles.”

We assume the debut of the Speed/ABA partnership will be at this weekend’s US Nationals in Bakersfield, CA.

Check out the line of Speed Bicycles at speed-bicycles.com

*You did know, of course, that Sinz is properly pronounced like “Signs,” not as in “acts forbidden by God.”

Estrella To Bring SX to PHX

There have been a few rumors kickin around the forums and pit areas the past week, that we may be seeing another BMX Supercross track in the United States before long. Today, BMXNEWS confirmed that Estrella Mountain BMX in Goodyear (Phoenix), AZ is the place. In an exclusive interview with “News” today, Track Operator, Justin Hill said that they are “already moving dirt, and getting the straightaways in place. The [8-metre starting] ramp is in the process of getting its engineering drawings approved by the City of Goodyear, and we expect that to be done in the coming week.”

The track will be a “ride-along” track which will have two starting hills (Elite and Challenge), and will have parallel straightaways…basically a replica of the 2010 UCI Worlds track in South Africa (both tracks sharing a last straight). “We want riders to be able to train on the Worlds track so they have the best preparation possible” said Justin.

Justin’s clearly-stated goal is to offer an additional resource to the long-established SX track at the US Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. “This track will be open to more riders, and will be a little more affordable to train on. We are working with local resources like the Comfort Suites here in town and the LA Fitness club nearby, so visiting teams can ‘plug in’ to a package deal we will set up for them. When they land, all they need to do is show up, and we’ll hand them their hotel keys and gym cards. We will even have an entertainment component set up at the local Dave & Busters so the riders can enjoy some down time.”

You may recall that Estrella (properly-pronounced “Ess-tray-ah,” for the Spanish word for “Star”), made headlines earlier in the year by resigning their NBL sanction and joining the hometown crowd of the ABA. Since the switch, local and state-race moto counts have gone through the roof.

A natural question, given the fact that his will be one of only a handful of permanent BMX Supercross facilities in the world, is “Will you be hosting a UCI World Cup event?” On that, Justin is, understandably, a bit guarded, simply saying “Naturally, we hope to attract that kind of event to Estrella, but nothing firm has been put in place yet. The ABA is a tremendous help in helping us make the right connections on that.”

Another begging question is “What happens after the 2010 worlds? Will you be changing the track to model the 2011 worlds?” Again, maybe more work is being done behind the scenes than can be spoken of publicly, as Justin says “We do plan to change the track in the fall. If the 2012 Olympic design is out by then, who knows?”

All this development is not some “way down the road” affair, for as we said at the top, dozers are moving dirt now, and the ramp is due to be built in the coming weeks. Justin says that they are shooting for an “early-to-Mid-June” opening.

BMX News will have first photos of the in-progress build, and we hope to have coverage from the first events and ribbon-cutting ceremony when the time comes.

ABA Winternats: Talent Zooms as Storms Loom

On the heels of yesterdays post, where we talked about the events leading up to the big day, today was akin to the moments just after the Space Shuttle lights ‘em up and begins to shake, rattle and roll up the tower. Not quite calling “Liftoff” just yet, the 2010 ABA Winternationals held its organized practice and pre-race today. And not unlike the stars arriving 300 miles away in Hollywood, a constellation of BMX stars unlike any other this year has turned out to uphold the long-standing tradition that holds “it ain’t a season until the Winters.”

In addition to top-hand American elites, Phoenix is playing host to contingents from the Netherlands, the UK, South Africa, France, Japan and even a Canadian or three. Mike Fields made a great point in his Vintage post earlier this evening when he noted that the pro turnout was thick enough to cause a 15-minute delay in getting through staging to get another gate in practice. Granted, it was mingled in with JR. Devo types, but still… Also on hand are a slew of dirt jumper stars who trekked down in the Vans rig. .

Mike Day and Khalen Young are in town—two blokes we have not yet seen in the new decade. Check out the newest episode of the Announcers Tower Podcast where Mike talks about his ongoing back injury, and long-term plans for London 2012.

GT and Free Agent are suited up in new jerseys, making it extra fun to try and pick them out of the crowd. Known no-shows thus far include Injured-reservists David Herman (nursing a hip fracture), and Jason Rogers.

A healthy 97 motos in the pre-race today, which Mike Fields says foretells a 280+ moto Saturday (I think the formula is suspended for this race, due to “special circumstances” of added foriegn participation and everyone wanting to escape colder days in their zip code (present company included).

No GO211 this weekend in Phoenix, so you’re going to have to kick it mid-school and get your news from us. We will be posting nightly updates here, as well as photo galleries on BMXNOW.COM. Also, follow BMXNOW on twitter for as-they-happen-updates from the infield. Speaking of the infield, there is an 80% chance of rain Sunday, so providing there IS an infield and a place to stand, we’ll be reporting from there Sunday as well. There was talk of the weather, but it did nothing to dampen spirits in the pits.

Photos will be posted by lights out both days. Speaking of photos, here is an appetizer course of photo-ala-moto from Friday’s pit stroll and pro practice. Enjoy!

“Dude, where’d you get this jahket?” —Jeff Spicoli

For those who have not seen 80s cult classic “Fast Times At Ridgemont High” lately, this may just trigger your itch to get on over to Netflix. Before you do that, however, spy the 2009 ABA District Jackets.

ABA will have a booth set up at the upcoming Winternationals to distribute jackets (be sure to bring your ABA card or State-issued ID to claim yours). Jackets not claimed at the Winters will be shipped soon after. Questions can be directed to Amy@ababmx.com.

Check out the larger photos on ABABMX.COM

Loebe Slips Past the ConMan and Maris Edges out Cristian

Story and Photos via BMXNOW.COM

The 2010 ABA Gator Nationals got into gear Saturday with 138 motos (said to be a few ticks higher than last year). The full four Elite classes were active, and USAC/ABA’s blossoming Junior Development Program was chock-full of superstars-in-waiting (Saturday’s honors going to Tyler Whitfield and Shelby Stacy in Jr. Devo Boys and Girls, respectively).

One bit of new process that was announced today was that Elite classes would get to pick lane assignments for the semis and main based on riders’ finishes in the previous rounds. BMXNOW did not completely understand how it all worked, as the goldenrod sheet that was handed out at the riders meeting looked a lot like “build your own computer out of everyday parts” instructions, but we will find out more about the inner working of how this will work at future races, and report back.

Elite Men was a suspense-filled race with classic reversals of fortune applied, as if at the command of a Hollywood director who had not received his shiatsu that day. In the race, Cristian Becerine lead it pretty much from the crest of the first jump to the deepest part of the last straight. Stumpy was there in second for most of it, but Maris was stalking the lead in a big way and mounted a awe-inspiring charge in the last straight to get the win from his FA teammate by half a wheel at the line. It looked a lot closer from half a track away, but Bill Morris, ABA head official zipped it up on the instant replay and there it was…Maris had his win! Tough break for Donny Robinson today. dR was sitting in second or third in the semi, when he went down double-H-hard in turn two. BMXNOW talked to him after the race, and he is OK, but had a nasty-looking scuff on his shoulder blade.

Elite Women was as stacked as it could get with Dom stuck on the undercard. Current UCI World Champ, Mariana Pajon, was up from Columbia to size up the American girls she will likely meet in Madrid in a month. Aside from Mariana, the main had most of the other “Who’s Who” names in the class, with Post, Geving, Barragan, Verhagen, Pitts and Carr in the gate. Props to Kim Hayashi for grabbing her own spot in the big lap. Into the first turn, it was Pajon, Post and Verhagen, then the balance. The omelette got scrambled in a way only the marvel of a GO211 replay will be able to confirm, but ended up with a sizable portion of the field on the pavement of the first turn. Amanda Geving got around the shards of her fallen comrades and made a successful drive for the stripe. Stephanie Barragan and Madison Pitts were 2-3.

Have you ever seen one of those Atomic bomb films from the 50s, where trees bend in half, and houses are blown into matchsticks on the test range? OK, well, that sums up pretty well how Dom Daniels dispensed with Junior Women. Nothing against the other seven ladies, as they were the only Elite class main of the day in which nobody pulled the eject cord.

Which leaves Junior Men. Connor Fields pretty well owned the class throught the day, with impressive showings at key times by Tory Nyhaug, Corben Sharrah and Austin Loebe. The stage was set for a contentious main, and we sure got one. Through the second straight, it was Connor and Austin in Siamese-lockstep. Through the Pro Section some unfortunate circumstance befell Connor (though we did not see what it was because our view was blocked), and Austin came out on top, with Tommy Zula and Corben Sharrah with the two and three. The crowd was definitely

If you are a recurring BMXNOW visitor, you probably know that, on Saturday Night, we usually are pressed between the unstoppable force of the Earth rotating on its axis, and the immovable object of the 8AM first gate. Thus, after the evening’s primary activity is complete (editing, correcting and posting the day’s photos), the time for writing is short, before the witching hour is nye.

Translation: Check out Saturdays photo gallery and we’ll have more from Oldsmar after Sunday’s race.

Interview: News Gets the Dirt on Dirt From ABA Track Builder Billy Allen

Minutes after the final main crosses the line at an ABA indoor national, Billy Allen and his crew go to work to dismantle what was a perfect track moments before.

No matter who is king of the hill at the end of an ABA Local or National race, chances are that Billy Allen built the hill (and the jumps, and the turns to go along with it). Since Billy and his team have just about the most impact on “rider experience” as anyone else in American BMX, we thought we’d invite him to sit down with us to talk about how he goes about building new tracks, some of the trends in track design, and what might be coming next. Billy gives us all the good scoop, and more—as well as early news on his promotion to the “executive suite” in Gilbert.

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Young Guns Barrel Into Steel Wheels

With 19 racks of riders ranging from six to 13 years in age, the second installment of the Answer BMX Young Guns Shootout went off with a bang today in Hobart, Indiana. Cars, cold cuts and coolers were loaded up from as far away as Dallas to make the trip to Steel Wheels Indoor BMX on a “warm” winter day (36 degrees at race time outside, about 60 inside—so similar to San Diego, trackside).

“The Juice” Justin Richmond and “Dirt Diva” Mikenna Koth took the top spots in the 11-13 “Elite” Boys and Girls classes, respectively. Justin won the 10 and under class at last years inaugural Young Guns Shootout, and ran the table today. Mikenna has her own unique story on her route to the top of the podium. That route, in this case, involved over a thousand miles of Interstates, US Highways and State Routes, as well as the Steel Wheels straightaways. Mikenna’s dad, Tim, rallied as only a BMX dad could after a full Friday of business, and set out for Hobart from Dallas, TX last night at 6PM. They arrived in the parking lot just in time for the opening of registration at 11AM. As we said, only in BMX Racing! The 100+ mile journey earned Tim and Mikenna the “longedst trip” honors, and a $25 gift card.

Full results are forthcoming, but BMXNEWS wanted to get the winners, and the photo gallery from today’s race posted (includes both the Young Guns Shootout racks, as well as the single pointer that ran as well).

2009 Answer BMX Young Guns Shootout Winners
7-Under Boys winner…..”The G-Man” Gavin Freewalt
10-Under Girls winner…..Mattie Pusateri
10-Under Boys winner…..John Jilbert
11-13 Girls winner…..Mikenna Koth
11-13 Boys winner….. “The Juice” Justin Richmond (11x)

Check out the photo gallery on PhotosArePosted.com

2009 ABA Grands – Awards

As we noted earlier, all major ABA titles were up for grabs as of the start of the mains on Sunday. ABA does this awesome “rolling” format where they announce the person in each main who is in contention for a National title (National Number one Amateur, Girl, Cruiser, Girl Cruiser, Pro, Girl Pro and Pro Cruiser). It really makes a great show of it, with people rooting for (or against) the person on the gate now, who has the chance, with a win, to snatch the title out of the hands of the person who just took over the points lead in the previous race.

This was huge in the National Number One Girl title, as BA announced that Kristin Hokit had the title locked up with a win in 17-27 Girls. Kristin lead the race to the last turn, where Samantha Bretheim slipped into the inside, and made the pass to take the trophy of the day, and hand the National Number One Girl title back to Jordan Nopens for another year.

Major Title Recap:

2009 ABA National Number One Pro: Randy Stumpfhauser (GHP BMX)
2009 ABA National Number One Gril Pro: Dominique Daniels (Avent Bombshell)
2009 ABA National Number One Vet Pro: Kenth Fallen (Supercross BMX)
2009 ABA National Number One Pro Cruiser: Danny Caluag (Intense/Bawls)
2009 ABA National Number One Amateur: Corben Sharrah (Redman/Rockstar)
2009 ABA National Number One Girl: Jordan Nopens (VRP/Bike Alley)
2009 ABA National Number One Cruiser: George Goodall (Redline Factory)
2009 ABA National Number One Girl Cruiser: Carly Dyar (Team Inseino Racing)
2009 ABA National Number One Trophy Team: Holeshot/Elite
2009 ABA National Number One Bike Shop Team: VRP Bike Alley
2009 ABA National Number One Factory Team: Intense/Phantom/OnTrac

Check out the Awards Ceremony Photo Gallery on PhotosArePosted.com

2009 ABA Grands – Saturday

As always, Saturday at the 2009 ABA Grand National contained the first two rounds of motos. With 461 motos, this ABA Grands was 31 motos shy of 2008, but the action just seemed to hit a higher amperage this year.

Check out the Saturday Photo Gallery on PhotosArePosted.com

New ABA Pro Rules Synch Up Classes With UCI, Pause Dom/Alise Rivalry…Sort Of.

Just before Disney, the ABA put out some hints that they would be making changes (some said dramatic changes) to the Pro classes for 2010. After three weeks of uncontrolled-burn of the rumor mill on the forums, the official rules were released today. And the sky IS NOT falling.

For those who are uncomfortable with change, however, it may take a little getting used to (like the first few times you heard the Beep-Beep-Beep-Beep of the random gate in Reno or Guthrie last year).

The changes center largely on aligning the ABA Pro classes to the age requirements of the UCI Elite and Junior classes. This permits Pros to earn ABA and UCI points at the same time (instead of running a UCI race on Saturday under UCI rules, and an ABA Pro race on Sunday under the ABA rules). For 2010, all ABA Pro races will also be UCI races (of one stripe or another…more on that later).

This brings the Jr. Women class into the spotlight in a big way. We are used to seeing the younger women not gated up with their older ABA competitors at UCI events (for example Arielle Martin not racing Alise and Dom in Adelaide), but back on home turf, the race was on with all going for it at once. In 2010, Jr. Women comes to ABA racing, which means Dominique, Taylor Wolcott and Brooke Crain say bye bye to racing Alise (now 19 in “UCI years”), Arielle and others—unless the Jr. Women class doesn’t make. AND, to make it even more exciting, both classes will recombine at the Grand National and will race each other for the ABA National Number 1 Womens Pro Title.

It also has radical implications for NBL Elite riders who are not 19, and Super-Ex riders who are not at least 17. The new rules would mandate these riders to race either Amateur, or Jr. Men.

With so many questions potentially swirling around these changes, BMXNEWS wanted to get a from-the-boss-himself answer to our questions. Thus, ABA BMX CEO, BA Anderson agreed to give BMXNEWS an exclusive interview today to answer our questions on the new pro rules, and how they impact our readers.

Before you listen to that, please download the PDF containing the full rule changes. This will help you fully understand the interview.

Listen to the Podcast by clicking the player below. Running time: About 20 Minutes

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