12 Hours of ATV America 2002
- Updated: October 12, 2002
Your questions answered:
Why are you trying to build the premier ATV race in the world in Fort Dodge, Iowa?
Location Since Fort Dodge, IA is in the middle of the country, we’re able to pull teams from California to Conneticut. A track built in PA or Arizona would surely limit attendance from the other half of the country. In addition, the track is only a few miles from the city of Fort Dodge. In fact, it’s only two miles from the Holiday Inn and as close as five miles from ten other hotels.
Facility The Mid West Offroad Racing complex features excellent elevation changes that make it perfect for spectating.. The rolling landscape begged for a premier ATV course. The facility has a huge amount of potential. It will grow as the event grows. In addition the local ATV club, The Webster County Wheelers, the City of Fort Dodge, Webster County and the State of Iowa are working together to build a premier ATV Park. There is a good chance the neighboring land will become a state backed recreational ATV park. This means more land and bigger and better attractions in the future. Although the proposed park would be located across the river it would provide another location for various activates as the 12-Hours of ATV America grows into a festive multi-day end of the year extravaganza.
People The icing on the cake as to where to hold the 12 Hours of ATV America – the fine peple of Fort Dodge themselves! The help and support we get from the people of Fort Dodge is outstanding! From the Messanger Newspaper to the radio stations right down to the city officals and the mayor – this place deserves to hold the reigns of the future home of the World’s premier ATV event! We were amazed at just how bad the city wanted an event like this – something not too regular in ATV racing. We’ll be back for sure
What will the pro purse be for next year?
If we max out at 20 teams the purse will be $32,000. 33% of the field will be paid. The majority of the purse will go directly to the podium. In this, we crown the three best teams with the richest purse the sport has ever witnessed. This is not an ordinary ATV national where a little of the purse money is distributed to the most riders possible – instead, it’s a once-in-a-year happining that enables a team to win a lot of money if they finish on the podium.
What about the amatuer riders?
We have established a marketing committe to aggressively go after aftermarket and outside the industry companies for quality contingency that the heart and soul of our sport badly deserves. It’s our goal to award top five in each class with quality prizes. At the same time we are looking into new and creative ways to deliver the most exposure possible for all sponsors. At least 50% of entries will recieve quality plaques to showcase their team’s outstanding achievment.
What else is in the works for next year?
- An access road will make its way to more areas on the track.
- Two tractors will pull trailers that will transport staff, racer crews and spectators alike to all areas of the track.
- Most of the track officials will hop on the “hay-ride” instead of riding their own personal ATVs to their designated areas.
- Another section will be added to the track for longer lap times and less lapped rider interference. This new section will be on the east side of the track down in the big valley. This will give spectators another bird’s eye view of the track and offer more challenging terrain for teams to endure.
- There will be more tow quads available for disabled racers.
- We’ll widen many areas of the track and create more passing opportunities.
- We’ll work further on track drainage.
- An awards ceremony director will be hired to make sure the top three teams from all classes are recognized on stage.
Credits
Main Sponsors:
Maxxis Tires
United Trailers
SHIFT
Red Bull Energy Drink
Shipley Construction Limited
Mid Country Machinery, Inc & MCM Rentals
Rasch Construction, Inc.
R&J Material Handling
Holiday Inn Fort Dodge
Electronic Engineering
Racing Unlimited
Double M Signs
Access Audio
Tropical Smoothie Café
Hy-Vee
Fibrenew
Fort Dodge Midwest Top Shop
Contingency Sponsors:
Maxxis Tires
Nac’s Racing
Denton Racing
Baja Designs
Oury Grip
Outerwears
Media:
Chaz Rice – Ehlhert Publishing, ATV Sport
Steve Casper – Hi-Torque Publishing, Dirt Wheels
Tim Zimmerman & Mike Demaree – Fox Sports Net Hi Octane Producers
Fort Dodge Messenger
Track Layout & Design:
Bryan Shipley – Shipley Construction
Bruce Bresser
Kam Schmehr
Jim Dahl
Leo Reigelderger
Jill Couldter
Doug Wilke
Track Officials:
Tom Prendergast – Chief Referee
Scott Foens – EMT
Webster County Wheelers – Tow Crew/Flaggers
Des Moines River Ridge Runners – Flaggers
North River Ridge Runners – Flaggers
Announcer:
Mark Straubinger – Banger’s Race Announcing
Pit Gate, Sign Up and Scoring:
John Dains – Trackside Software
Angie Crimmins
Lisa Crouse
Becky Marvin
Vickie Crimmins
Lori Hoover
Beverly Bowden
Kris Bresser
Jessica Schmehr
Promotions:
John Pellan – Fast-Trak Promo Marketing, PR, Track Building, Event Coordinator…
Bob Fleege – Public Relations
Dean Fleege – Graphic Art
Jim and Sue Ricke – Mid West Off-road Racing owners
Jay and Anna Lukawski – Mid West Off-road Racing
Matt Cooper – Webster Country Wheelers President
Iowa OHV Association
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