Mid-South Championship Winter Hare Scramble Series

Awards Banquet: Wild Horse Saloon

Allen Rides the Wild Horse

BY DEBBIE ALLEN

Nashville, TN, July 25

The Mid-South riders saddled up for a new location. This time the conditions were not as brutal. After the long haul of twelve races, winter’s bitter cold and soggy trail seemed well worth the wait because now it was time for the celebration. It meant only one thing for those in attendance today. They were among the top five within their classes, so nearly 500 people packed into the Wild Horse Saloon for the Mid-South Championship’s Awards Banquet.

Scott and Kathy Horton organized this festive event and several things were noted throughout their hard work. Some things just don’t change in a Mid-South season. They simply get bigger and better, and so was the case for this event. There were more prizes from more sponsors which only added to more smiles on the winners’ faces. It was a job well done and everyone continues to appreciate the Hortons for doing this year after year.

Other things were also noted as reluctant to change; at least from an overall perspective. Now in his fourth season, Team Green Kawasaki’s P.A. Allen won the Overall Championship. He rode hard all season, making the podium more than anyone. He bounced back into his KX 250 stirrups after recovering from back surgery in the early part of the season. The Fox / Shift / Scott / Dunlop / Renthal / GPR / CTI / RK Chain / Twin Air / Pro Circuit / Sarge’s Cycles backed Allen went home with a Gold Winner’s Cup and the number one plate. He wanted to thank all of his sponsors for their support.

Sarge’s Cycles / KTM / Gibson Trucking / Maxxis / Moose supported Dustin Gibson made second place in Overall for his second season. Riding strong, he battled his heart out and earned an extra $1,000.for his efforts. Gibson took home the first place trophy at the Cottonmouth in Kentucky, and made the podium at least seven times throughout this past year.

John Robbins finished in fifth place in Overall. He said, “I’m just glad I finished fifth in Overall, one spot better than I did last year.” Cycle Shed / Robbins’s Turbo Chargers / Scott Goggle / Michelin / Motorex supported Robbins had nine hole shots and was happy with the AA competition.

In spite of terrible weather this season, the Mid-South winners chomped at their bit while digging deeply into the mud. It was a grueling Mid-South season filled with many ill-weathered events. Three promoters were awarded plagues for their distinguished accomplishments at overcoming inclement conditions. They were Steve Gordon, Paul Allen, and Mark Akers.

However difficult, some riders galloped into the winner’s circle. Kawasaki mounted Travis Green had more wins than most. He topped out eight wins this season in 200A class. Other riders who won and completed the series with eight wins include: Paul Michels, Charles Cunningham, and Geoffrey Vermilyea. Michels rode the Super Senior class while Cunningham clenched the Vet C class. After winning 200 C, Geoffrey Vermilyea moved into the B class and won. He also won eight races, seven were in 200 C and one was in 200 B at Hazzard Hill.

Steven Middlebrook, winner of Senior B, had seven wins. He said, “This season has been fun, muddy, and long. The worst part was running out of gas in Maplesville, Alabama, and the best part is right now.” Middlebrook, like all other winners, took home a six foot trophy and several prizes such as: tires, gear, tanks, bike stands, and the Mid-South movie called, Just Having Fun. (See www.msws.org for details on video.)

This year’s Senior A competition was tight between Scott Martin and Michael Cornett. They ended with a tie in points, but a DNF at the TMT and a sixth place finish at Hazzard Hill secured the win for Martin. He garnered six wins and six second place finishes.

Scott Horton, President of the Mid-South Championship Winter Hare Scramble Series, said, “We had good growth this season with 1,350 different riders and 5,755 entries. One good thing about this growth is that luckily our sponsors have also grown.”