Mid-South Hare Scrambles Series Pirelli, American Patriot Getaways, Moose, Maxxis

Cross Country Motorsports Championship

Banquet: Wild Horse Saloon

Gibson Goes Wild

Nashville, TN, July 24

The Mid-South Cross Country Motorsports Championship saved the best spot for last in Nashville, Tennessee. Its last hurdle created a feast fit for a king in the Wild Horse Saloon. Over five hundred people crammed into the Pirelli / American Patriot Getaways / Moose / Maxxis / supported series for a festive afternoon. The Silver Awards Banquet included nearly $36,000 worth of bike related prizes; plus there was a grand prize drawing for a vacation to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Top honors went to Dustin Gibson. He fought long and hard to achieve his long term goal of becoming a Mid-South Overall Champion. This season he topped the overall points for the entire season, winning three races and coming in second place three times. He thanked his “beautiful wife, family, and Jeremy Ketchum [Mid-South’s Regional KTM Representative] for helping him out all year.” The Sarge’s Cycle / Maxxis / Pro Action of Kentucky backed Gibson boasted $1,500 from KTM. He said, “I really wanted to clench this thing early, so I could play around at the last race. That’s what I did, and I had fun all season long.” P.A. Allen also was in attendance. He took third place in overall this season. The four times Mid-South Champion had the perfect explanation for getting third place. He said, “First off, I liked to congratulate Dustin for this year; he did a good job, he earned it, and I’m proud of him. Now, here’s my excuse. Today is my one year wedding anniversary, so I blame my wife. [She smiled.] And, I’d also like to thank my sponsors.” Like Gibson, thirty-five other Champions were recognized for their outstanding achievements. Each one gave their best, and each one received a five foot trophy and many more gifts. In the A class, Travis Green, Harvey Whitaker, Alan Westerfield, Robert Patterson, and Richard Ward prevailed. These guys beat out 65 other riders who were signed up for points in the A class competition. Patterson was the fastest, making fifth place in overall while Westerfield, Green, and Whitaker bragged a spot in ninth place in overall or better. Richard Ward, winner of Senior A class, mostly credited Scott Martin for his victory. He said, “He really taught me everything I know.” Riding strong in the B classes were Eric Gill, Jake Young, Geoffery Vermilyea, Chaz Akers, Brad Bradley, James Fleming, and David Smithson. Young was the hot rider, winning the 250 B class and finishing the series in fourteenth place in overall. He wrapped up his season early after the ninth round by winning eight of the first nine races; then he moved into 250 A class and got two seconds and a third for the next three races. Paul Michels toughed out his racing in the Super Senior class. He won every race entered. He said, “The people and the promoters are the very reason why I keep coming back to the Mid-South. The people are so friendly and the promoters do such a good job at each and every one of their races.” Last year, the Mid-South riders boasted a whopping $275, 200 from factory support from Husquavarna, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha. This coming year Mark Hosback, Mid-South’s Regional Kawasaki Representative, gave a tempting incentive of $167.000 worth of contingency for next year’s winners while Wayne Foster, owner of American Patriot Getaways, promised his sponsorship for the upcoming year as well, making the Mid-South Winter Hare Scramble Series the most prestigious among regional events.

Mid-South Hare Scrambles Series Pirelli, American Patriot Getaways, Moose, Maxxis

Cross-Country Motor-Sports Championship

Banquet: Wild Horse Saloon

The Ashburn Assault

Nashville, TN, July 24

Taking center stage at the Wild Horse Saloon, Jordan Ashburn proudly boasted the top honors in the Youth division of the Mid-South Hare Scramble Series. Standing in awe next to his very large trophy, he smiled; then proudly walked off stage to sit with the remaining five hundred people who were celebrating their victories too.

After winning the Junior A class in the Mid-South Hare Scramble’s Youth Series, where does a youth go? According to Ashburn, you head straight for the Mid-South Summer Series and enter the 200 C class. While there, you not only win it twice, but you also take a thirtieth place in Overall and a twenty-sixth place in Overall. His first year of racing has been awesome. It was no wonder that he topped out nine wins at the Cross Country Motorsports Championship.

He said, “I started racing because I thought it would be fun. I entered the Junior A class at the first round this winter, and I haven’t stopped since that time. ”

The top riders in the Junior B class were Tyler Carter and Zachary Nash. They had a tight battle going the entire season, racing in all thirteen races. Nash was thankful for his sponsors and his picture in the donated Cycle News. Jeremiah Bowman, Tanner Byarly, and Richard Brewer were thankful for being in the top five of the Junior B class.

Nearly fifty youth participated in the trophy presentations at the Pirelli, American Patriot Getaways, Moose, and Maxxis sponsored series. No one seemingly enjoyed this celebration more than them. They smiled from ear to ear; enjoying complimentary Cycle News and Moto-Kid’s donated from the national Cycle News Headquarters. They also received gifts donated by Carter Engineering, and the youth wasted no time in their serious play. The Magnetix, Lego Sets, and Erector sets kept them content throughout the long presentation. Steven Middlebrook, eighth place in the Mini class, relished the top prize. He got a Gatlinburg vacation from American Patriot Getaways.

Last, but certainly not least, were the Pee Wees. They had the best time, lifting big trophies midair. They celebrated victories up to the top seven in their classes. Racing for the win in Pee Wee 7-8 was Austin Smith followed by Cole Kirchoff, Justin Lenard, Trent Jones, Clint Watson, and Dalton Riddle. Tyler Bottoms was the winner of the Pee Wee 4-6 group. He was followed by Samuel Thurman, Zachary Kirchoff, Ben Jones, Hunter Gates, Kenneth Wolfe, and Briar Gates.

Bottoms said, “I like getting muddy and going through the tent the best.”

Unbeknownst to them, many years ago the Mid-South riders were scored through the barrel system. During this banquet, Mid-South riders celebrated racing in its twenty-fifth season and acknowledged its ten year anniversary with having Scott Horton’s Score Machine (No More Barrels!). This fact along with other things like the www.msws.org web site and huge factory and local support has prompted larger turnouts not only for the youth but for the entire series.