Local Practice at our track

Went to our local spot to get some good practice in… Man, was it hot!

2008-2009 FTR Championship Awards

August 1st was the year end championship awards banquet for FTR. I was presented with the class 1st place year end championship trophy and jacket. Sherry and I had a great time and a fun night at the event. Thanks to Matthews Currie Ford for all there support this year as well as Action Power Sports in Nokomis.

1st place… It’s all about the jacket!

Sherry, my biggest fan of all.

I got into this sport when I came across a website called Daveintheusa.com . It was a blog about hare scramble racing by Dave Francis who has been racing just about everything on 2 wheels most of his life. I was so inspired, I started training and racing in FTR. At the banquet a family asked if they could join us at our table and the man said “Hi, I’m Dave Francis, nice to meet you” … Seriously, How cool is that. What a great way to end the season. 

My biggest competitor and friend, Jerry Mena. The season would not have been as great as is was without him pushing me though every rut, bump, rock, tree, mud-hole, and whoop. Whoo – Whoo!    See ya’ on the line next year bud.

Not bad for my first season… 13 races 2-1st, 2-2nd, 2-3rd, 1-4th, 1-5th, 1-6th, and one 1-7th

11 trophies in a row with the overall Championship and a Championship Jacket… priceless!

Awesome Croom Ride!!

The ride to day was awesome. No other way to say it… 20+ FTR’s finest blasting our way through the woods for hours on end playing follow the leader. Great way to practice and have fun!!!!

Fun ride at Croom!!!

Jonny’s track is flooded so everyone is meeting at Croom Sunday morning for a fun ride. I can’t wait to blast the trails with some of my FTR buddies. Croom should be perfect with moist sand slightly packed and best of all… No Dust!!! I can’t wait!

Another ride at Jonny’s Place this Sunday!!!!!!!!!

Jonny Simpkins is having another ride this Sunday at his place. Awesome!!!

Quote from Jonny via FTR forums

“I will be having another ride here at my house, south of Clermont, on next Sunday the 12th. Last time we had 23 FTR racers show up for the riding, swimming and eating. It was a blast and also great training for the upcoming new season. If you think you can make it, please email me at mxracer36@msn.com I want to make sure I try to keep the number of riders around 30. I want to say it again that this course is single track, not high speed at all, some mud, some water, palmettos, roots, big spiders, face slappers, huge mosquitoes that will take you off the bike if you stop anywhere in the shaded woods. This course is not like Crooms, it is tight and tough and will work you the whole 5 mile loop. The food afterwards is always great and prepared by the perfect cook, Wendy. The pool is always full and some crazies attempt to do back flips. I just did get 2.5 inches of rain here today, so we will need to keep an eye on how much rain we get before Sunday. I will post a note here on Friday and Saturday letting everyone know if I have had too much rain to have the ride. Email me if you have questions,
Jonny Simpkins
www.jonnyjpeg.com “

James Stewart having fun in his backyard!

Jonny Simpkins Ride!!!!

Had a blast at Jonny’s place this Sunday. It was awesome to follow riders like Eric McCain, Joey Medina, Jonathan Bell, and of course Jonny Simpkins. Watching there technique, following there lines, and trying to learn from the best will help me improve my skills. I wish my son Cody could have rode with us… oh well, next time. It was good to see my friend Jerry Mena after the season, all healed up and blasting through the trails. I can’t wait till the next ride at Jonny’s!!

Jonny Simpkins group ride. I can’t wait!!

“Planning a big ride here at my house on Sunday, June 28th. The course is tough, tight and will wear you out quick. It is not for the weak, but it will get you used to dealing with the demons that attack you during a regular Hare Scramble. It consists of palmettos, tight woods, mud, stumps, some water, a little open areas. Riders are encouraged to bring family members to enjoy the pool. If you bring a youngster, please bring a baby sitter to watch while we are all riding. Camping the night before is welcome as well. If you think this is a fun, easy, relaxing course..... then you would be thinking wrong! If you want to be ready for the first race by sweating, pushing yourself into your endurance limits with no frills... then this is it. I need to set a limit to around 30 riders, so if you want in, please email me soon. This course is really not good for Pee Wees or any rider that cannot go a complete lap of a regular Hare Scramble. I plan on having at least two more rides before the season starts, so if you can't make this one, maybe you will make the next one. Email me if you have any questions at mxracer36@msn.com I need to be ready for next season.... will you be ready?
ROCK ON!!”

HS#14 - Okeechobee, Fl - Helmet Cam

Click to Play

This is the last race of the 08-09 FTR Hare Scramble season. I managed to win 1st place and the Season Championship by 2 points.

HS#14 – Okeechobee 1st Place – Season Champion!!

I started out with a good start right behind William Campbell and by the third corner I was in 1st. About half way through the first lap of the 12 miles course I had a nasty wreck and Jerry Mena took the lead. I managed to fight my way back to 3rd place on the 1st lap and came across Jerry on the sideline holding his shoulder screaming “It’s all yours” (He had dislocated his shoulder)… I was heartbroken… I wanted to battle Jerry to the finish, but I knew I had to win this race to win the championship (2nd place would make me lose overall by 1 point to Jeff Moan) so I just focused on the rider who was in front of me. I battled back and forth with Tom Healey #630 for the next hour. With about 5 miles to go I made the pass and put some distance between us. When I came through the chicane I knew that not only did I win the race but I won the Class Championship.

William Campbell on the right with another hole shot!!

After the race, relaxing and giving Jerry some pointers on how to avoid the trees and roots! Ha Ha (I hope you get better soon)

The toughest trophy I have earned yet!!!

My bike took the worst beating of the season. I broke my left radiator cage, my left hand guard, both of my radiator shrouds, crushed my silencer, broke my headlight, and knocked a 2 inch hole in the trans cover There was actually palmetto root jammed in the hole which helped keep the fluid in. But it was all worth it!