NBL Recognizes Veterans with Free Memberships

The NBL announced this week that, beginning at the Freedom Nationals in Woodbridge, VA this weekend, a new program would provide free NBL memberships to Veterans of the US Military.

A press release said “To receive the free membership, veterans need only complete a membership application, [and provide] proof of veteran status.” While the offer fittingly begins at the Freedom Nationals, it will be available league-wide at nationals and local tracks alike, forward of May 8. It is open to 20″ and cruiser memberships, and Veterans racing both are welcomed to avail themselves of both memberships, compliments of the guys in Gahanna.

Notice that, throughout the piece, we have said “Veterans,” quite specifically. The offer is open to Veterans only, meaning non-active-duty personnel. When asked by a reader, why this innovative promotion would not be extended to Active Duty personnel, NBL Chairman James Bagwell commented on VintageBMX.com “there are more things to come as relates to “active” military. Stay tuned.” Stick with BMXNEWS for more details on this and other breaking news items.

BMXNEWS.COM wishes to take this opportunity to acknowledge, and thank, our brave Veterans and active-duty servicemen and women for their unwavering commitment to the freedom of our nation. The NBL definitely deserves our gratitude as well, for bringing more of these brave men and women to our sport, and recognizing the prior commitment of those already in staging.

Interview: New NBL Chairman, James Bagwell

BMXNEWS brought you an interview with NBL CEO Gary Aragon a week or so into his tenure. Given the changes to the complexion of the NBL board at last month’s Competition Congress, we felt that many of you would be interested to hear from the new chairman. James Bagwell (Bags1 on Vintage) has what no chairman before him has had—an NBL card. Bags is a racer from way back, a BMX dad, and has some good day job cred to do what needs doing in Hilliard.

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NBL Congress Brings Change In Top Spot

Last year, at the NBL’s Competition Congress meeting, a movement was set into motion to change the make up of the NBL Board of Directors. Prior to 2009, the NBL board was packed with what many would describe as “lifers,” whose children quit racing decades ago. This gave the very public impression that the NBL, via its board (whose approval is needed for any substantial initiative), was woefully out of touch with BMX in the 21st century. Last year, in Nashville, the so-called “We” group was successful in presenting a slate of candidates who were both dyed-in-the-wool NBLers, but also actively involved in the sport today—and succeeded in getting three of four candidates elected to the board (Steve Doan, James Bagwell and Tim Dinger). There are nine spots on the board, plus a chairman who does not have a vote, except as a tie-breaker. Thus, the ability to effect a complete turnover would a more long-term plan.

Since last year, the “We” group has been held together by a core group of individuals, led by Ed Reinhart of Derby City BMX. They did a great deal of brainstorming and dreaming on recreating the NBL. For the 2010 Congress, held in Bethlehem, PA last weekend, the “We” group put up a slate of five candidates for election and re-election (Steve Doan, Ed Reinhart, Dan Rumple, Mike Gentilcore and Todd Hines). These candidates were reviewed and recommended by the NBL’s nominating committee. There could be additional candidates throwing their hats in the ring, trying to get elected “from the floor,” and in fact that is presicely what happened.

Five candidates (Tom Ritzenthaler, Justin Travis, Robbie Tafoya, Kim Feinstein and Don Olson) joined the process. In the end, the five who were elected were: Steve Doan, Michael Gentilcore, Todd Hines, Robbie Tafoya, Kim Feinstein. The existing NBL Chairman, Darol Carr decided not to stand for re-election, thus opening up the chairmanship to a new appointee. The chairman is chosen by a vote of the board of directors, traditionally the day following congress. This year, it was James Bagwell (BAGS1 on Vintage), who got the nod.

Additionally, the role of Director of Competition was open following the departure of Bob Tedesco from the position just after Christmas. This is one of the most important and powerful positions in the NBL structure, and was filled at the meeting of the new board, by UCI International Commissaire and existing NBL board member, John Pingol. John will bring a ton of experience to the role, and keep the traffic flowing, in efficient vectors, around his inbox, no doubt (John is an Air Traffic Controller by day).

BMXNEWS will have more on the new developments and changes brought about by this historic change in leadership, as the key players get settled into their new spots.

NBL Southern Charm Nats Set McDonough Ablaze

After hitting town Friday Night, there was talk about whether or not this one would actually happen. Some people turned around and left, upon seeing several inches of snow on the track Friday night (it was a fairly daunting sight which, upon seeing it, made people wonder aloud: “HOW, on Earth is this going to be possible?”).

Saturday, practice was delayed till 12 Noon, which was smart move by the NBL, as there were still some icy spots on the roads leading to the track. Upon arrival at Sandy Ridge BMX, we saw the now-uncovered-and-snow-free track being worked by a battalion of volunteers with rakes, brooms, shovels and, yes, gas cans.

The valleys between most of the jumps were wet, and in an effort to dry them out, they decided to pour diesel fuel in those spots and light it up. Add some hay to the mix, and the heat from the fire dries the racing surface. While the net result was far from butter-smooth, the process did an adequate job of prepping the track.

The first gate of practice dropped at 2:05PM, to what many riders called “soft” conditions, but considering what could have been, I believe that all were happy to be out riding, and the track crew and volunteers did a very impressive job and should be applauded.

After one practice session each for 15 & over and 14 & under, it was time to go racing—68 motos of NBL racing action.

Elite open featured nine riders, with a couple of Masters Class riders joining in the fun. But the day belonged to John Miller of Addison Bikes, with Fred Lintz pulling the 2nd, after recently turning pro in December.

Those with Expert perfects from day one included, Tony Lehman, Chris Meaker, Petey Peters, Bakari Hassan, Seth Utz, Geoffrey Banser, Damien Cherepko, Antonio Bonessi, Coleman Habib, Warren Large, and Dylan Shipley.

The ladies perfects were Aryanna Wilfork, Kendra Stoddard (coming off a big injury and sporting her new HRPdesigns Factory jersey for the first time), Carly Jacobs, and Melody Large.

The big bikes were fast and furious, and dominated by the perfect rides of Jim Rempkowski, Anthony Robinson, Shayne Robinson, Tony Lehman, Samantha Brungart, Tony Spencer, Nathan Grant, Tyler Heinrich, and Ryan Ellefsen.

Sunday had the same moto count— at 68 racks, run two-moto-transfer, as on Saturday. Hats off to the NBL for trying to give the most bang for the buck, given the conditions. The time of day, the temperature and the safety of those driving to and from the track had to be considered, and two-moto was the most logical choice.

Day Two saw many of the same names on the top step with the expert perfects belonging to Leham, Meaker, Peters, Dimitrie Dyke, Menardo Simon II, Banser, Cherepko, Kavin Bradner, Bonessi, Richey Dey, Grant Green, Shipley, and Ezra Poole.

Sunday perfects for the ladies included Taylor Thomison, Christina Harvey, Emily Grice, Jacobs, and Large.

On cruiser it was more of the same with Rempkowski, Jeff Tapscott, Robinson, Lehman, Melissa Woodruff, Mike Powers, Grant, Brungart, and Gabriel Barwick.

The Elite open had nine riders on Saturday and 10 on Sunday, as Jason Larev jumped into the mix. As noted above, the top money went to John Miller of Addison Bikes, with twin wins. Day one saw newcomer, Fred Lintz pull the 2nd and Masters rider Jason Sherrill pick up the three spot, followed by Jason Carne$, Matt Lindley, Josh Smith, Tremain Johnson, and Chris Norberg.

On day two, Josh Smith crossed the line behind Miller, followed by Lintz slipping a spot into third. The rest of the field went: Carne$, Jason LaRev, Justin Travis, Sherrill, and Lindley.

Overall, Mother Nature threw a big, icy curve ball at this race. It is amazing that a race even occurred, after 6” of snow, the freezing temps, and the abundance of mud and water runoff that flowed around and through the pits all weekend. A lot of people missed this race because of travel fears and honestly, I cannot blame them, but that did not dampen the racing of those who did attend. The conditions were the same for all that chose to race, and any trophies won were well-deserved. Had this race been held under good conditions I believe it would have been hailed as one of the best races of the year, but now it will be hailed as the “snow race”.

Stuart Harrison
BMXNews Cub Reporter

NBL Flips the Switch on New Website

BMXNEWS got a glimpse of it last week, but today marked the day when the NBL officially flipped the switch on their new website. With eyes toward providing a reasonable alternative to their now-defunct print publication, BMX Today, the new site has a few solid “Web 2.0″ bells and whistles which will hopefully bring info-seeking members and prospective members to the site a time or two each month.

The “BMX Today” section was jumped on, in fairly short order, by Vintage members. But we think the site deserves some runway before the serious criticism is leveled. One aspect we find interesting, however, is the fact that stories served up online should probably not be as long as the ones that used to be published in the print version of the BT. The Christmas Classic story was fairly tedious to get through, reading at times more like prescription drug instructions than entertainment copy. That is the nature of the beast in the online setting. The story is probably better told in photo/caption form (but, we also noticed that the photos in the gallery were devoid of captions, so that may be tricky).

All in all, we commend the NBL on their efforts to polish up their online offerings. The old technology maxim “ship, then iterate” will undoubtedly be applied here as we start to see some of the other features NBL touted in their lead-up to the new site launch. We especially like the “Rider News” section this week, where you can find links to BMXNEWS Announcers Tower Podcast episodes featuring Arielle Martin and Donny Robinson.

Check out the new site at NBL.ORG

NBL Faithful Make Their Way To Louisville For Christmas Classic

With a paid pre-practice the week before, riders drove from as far away as Texas, some in the biggest Winter storm of the season, to get some laps on the Christmas Classic track in Louisville. Some were stranded on snowbound Interstates for as long as eight hours before turning back. Of the people who were in the house, the feedback was generally positive, with a lot of predictions that fortunes would rise and fall in the last turn.

There is more news and discussion about the X-Mas Classic on the VintageBMX.com forums. Check it out now.

Also, NBL announced today that they would be conducting some trials of a new RFID system that would automate registration and scoring. Check it out on the NBL Web site.

BMXNEWS will be covering the Christmas Classic, beginning Saturday, December 26. Keep an eye here for the lastes news, and our sister site, BMXNOW.COM for photos.

Above photo courtesy of VintageBMX.com user, Kevin Garrett