Mona

By Mona DeShong

After the massive response, from my ‘Quads Last Place’ piece, I want to dedicate this column to all of you out there who are getting dumped on so we can do something about it together. I had my fifteen minutes, now it is your time to shine. I’m looking forward to hearing less horror stories and complaints about local district tracks. I had no idea that I was going to hit such a sensitive nerv with that last column. After reading many of your e mails I now have an even broader perspective on what is going on with the districts all over the US. Who knows, maybe someone will read some of the responces below and get motivated enough to somehow raise the bar as far as the quality of local ATV racing goes.

One more quickie before you get a taste of the responses. I want to clue everyone in on what has been going on in my life. In January I went under the knife for major knee surgery. This past summer my boyfriend (Kevin) and I were involved in a pretty nasty street bike accident. Motorcycle plus oncoming car turning in your lane equals a nasty recovery and an extensive lawsuit.

Since then I have gone through months of rigorous physical therapy, knee braces and every other possible solution in the medical books besides surgery. I ended up seeing four different Orthopedic Surgeons and scheduled the inevidable.The procedurethey performed on my knee is called an ‘Open Wedge Sagittal Plane Osteotomy, yeah you need a degree just to say it. It’s pretty nasty to say the least. They have to break my shin bone and shove another piece of bone in the break to change the angle of the bone. So, I just wanted to let you guys know that I’m still here and kicking (with one leg that is). The goal is to get rid of my long time buddies, aka my crutches, then back to the races on my own two feet. I can’t wait to walk like a normal person!

Feel free to send some mail my way. I’m going to need something to do while I heal up. Please keep in mind that I will be under the influence of some good pain killers, so if my replies don’t make total sense, I have an excuse other than being blonde – that is. Don’t forget pictures! I love pictures. Who knows maybe your pic will make the SCENE. Well, I’m outee for now. Hope to see you all at the races real soon! As promised, here is the mail that I received in regards to my personal bitch session on the local District tracks, ‘Quads Last Place”, with some other topics mixed in as well.

 

Mona,
I agree with you. At our local track in Casey IL, the quads are always last when it’s dusty so they can water right after us and first when it’s muddy so we can clean off the track. They treat quads like crap. The bad part is that Casey is the last race on this year’s GNC schedule. I guarantee they will not be back next year. It is a bad facility. Nasty ass port-a-potties that have been there for at least twenty years and one little hotdog stand with room for one fat-ass nasty lady.
Later

I am really glad to be getting feedback on this particular article. I was a bit hesitant on the idea. I didn’t want to piss anyone off, but at the same time I think the district level of ATV racing needs attention and this column might be a great start. I am REALLY glad that you guys are relating to it. I am in PA and we normally hit the High Point GNC every year. I am sorry to hear that you feel disgusted with your local track. Maybe once this gets around and the track owners/operators see how the racers and spectators feel things might change. Fat chance, but that was my full intention from the start.
Thanks for checking me out :)
~Mona~

Mona,
I am writing from District 17, home of one of the new ATV MX nationals, Casey IL. I and a few other guys race at Casey and the same story every time, quads first on muddy days, last on sunny days. I never could understand how the motorcycle guys could bitch about us tearing up the track when they use us to groom the track on muddy days.
I used to bitch, along with 20 other guys, about this to the owner, and now they get a national! How did they do that the track isn’t what you would expect a national track to be. I’ve been to Loretta’s, Red Bud, and London KY, and that track is a joke next to those three..
Just thought I’d let you and the rest of your readers to know what to expect if they go to Casey, IL event in August.
#95 Scot Wolf,
GNC 4-Stroke B Class

Scot –
Hopefully the track promoter will pull through and work the facility into national caliber ranks. The fact that there will be a National event in your local area might really open people’s eyes to ATV racing. I sure can see it drawing more people in, getting attention and building excitement. And that might be just what the racers need.
~Mona~

Hey Mona,
I can’t believe your story. I have had the same thing happen to me. Get to the gate bright and early and sorry, no quads today. It seems that the two wheelers hate it when our quads ruin their lines. I have almost been in a couple of fights with two wheelers, because they disrespect us quad racers. It is just plain stupidity. All around the world people have found different things to race. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, I have even seen them race bathtubs! So what is the big deal with racing four wheelers. It is fun and challenging and as you stated, we pay just like they do. Granted there are more twos than fours at most MX tracks, but that is probably because the two wheelers are much cheaper to race than the quads are. I am sure not all racers are the same. I have a nephew who races junior motorcycles and he likes to watch me race quads. My brother-in-law helps me out, when we go race it it’s good time for both of us regardless of what we’re racing. Too bad more racers can’t be like my 9-year old nephew and his dad.
Zach

Zach –
When I first started writing this I was a little worried that I would upset some people. But I have been getting e-mails like yours from the readers. You made a few points that are sad, but true. Thanks for checking me out, and I am glad that you enjoyed and related to this article.
~Mona~

Hey Mona!
First I would like to express that you are HOT!!!! You are a very attractive woman. You GO GIRL!!! My, name is Morris and I have had the same problem at a couple of MX races in Louisiana. When we would pull up and it would be a muddy day, all of the dirt bikes would get excited cause all we were good for was” to flatten the track”. So one day I got all of the quad racers together and said that today is a good track day and if they don’t race us first we are going to the line and not moving. The race order came out, 21 classes, 2-stroke 15, 4-stroke 20. That sucked! So we all went to the line, all 25 of us, and didn’t move! There were a couple of hot tempers with a few guys but no fighting; even though they are dirt bikers we are all still brother and sisters. Well anyway when the owners came over we told them our beefs and we solved the problem. Now if there are 20 classes that day and enough quads to make two classes, one class will race first and the other will race 10. At intermission they will groom the track and it will be kind of lumpy, the way a couple of quad guys like it, and we will flatten out for the second motos. I think myself along with my fellow racers did a GREAT job of standing up for ourselves. And we had justice served.
Thanks for your time,
Morris

Morris –
You know, I have been getting a ton of mail in regards to this last posting. And unfortunately, most are stories like the one you have told. All except for the fact that you all pulled together to stand up for what you believe in, and you won! It is so great to hear that! I am proud of you. I can totally understand where all of the hot tempers came from, but you made your point and no one got a broken nose or black eye. It is also great to hear that the owners got involved and saw your point of view. I love to hear stories with an ending like yours.
Well, you take care, congrats on your defeat and good luck in the new season!
~Mona~

Hello. My name is John Natalie, 2000 GNC pro # 10. I just wanted to say that for as long as I can remember quads have been used to groom the tracks for the bikes. But I really think that’s changing. The more people that see how exciting and fast quads really are, the more fans we are getting. I have a lot of local tracks here in PA. that are starting to realize this. I have won jumping contests and dash for cash races against the top A bike riders in many local events. People really love quads when they get the chance to see them. Most people are amazed that they are just as competitive as the bikes! My point is if people can just hang in there for a little while longer there will be plenty of support for all classes, and in my opinion quad racing will be as big if not bigger than bikes someday.
Thanks for your column,
John Natalie

John –
Thanks for checking me out. I hear what you are saying. That whole thing came from some REALLY bad experiences in D-5 races here in PA. Steel City was one of them. I must agree with you that things are getting better. And yes, we have been hanging in there. At least our local district HAS ATV events. Although, I do believe that PA riders have a larger advantage – since Racer Productions hosts both the GNCC and GNC racing for the ATVs, I think that it carries over to our (their) local tracks. That also helps to pull spectators and fellow District racers into the action and they see how things are run at the National events.
And yes, people are recognizing how exciting ATV racing is. Hell, most of the guys that I know locally that race dirt bikes also have quads that they ride and enjoy. I have also seen the big, huge, gigantic steps that ATV racing has taken in the past few years, and it is nothing but good. I know that we need to wait longer, but I also think that in the mean time we need to stand our ground and show everyone that we won’t be put aside like we were in the early nineties. That’s a message I was hoping to get across. And I will be hanging on your words. I also hope that ATV racing will someday be as popular as the two wheel bikes. Thanks for you e mail. It’s nice to hear from top names pros in my column for sure! Good luck this year and congrads on the ATV Scene.com Baja team. Hope you guys win the Baja 1000! I’ll be cheering for you.
~Mona~

Dear Mona,
I stumbled on your column and would like to share a couple of points with you. First off, I will let you know I am a motocrosser, more specifically a two-wheeled kind. We race all over this country and love our version of the sport and its insane growth and exposure. Anyhow, after reading your column (which was very good) I totally agree with you that tracks do not treat ATV riders very well. But consider this:

#1 Most big tracks are AMA. The AMA limits class structure so much that even the biggest tracks at the biggest events cannot run but a couple of ATV classes. (Why are AMA tracks limited to these few classes and ATV nationals break out into others? No youth at AMA tracks?) If there were more ATV’s at Muddy Creek for example than bikes (week after week) the promoters would give you the keys. If you look at who pays the bills by shear numbers you know why we get the better treatment.

#2 I love big races. We want to be where there are 1000 to 2500 riders each weekend, bring out everyone. It needs to be very muddy in practice to make for good lines and good racing at large events. I don’t mind going out first, I prefer it, but be honest we hear more quad riders complain about being first in practice than any bike guys because we really don’t mind. We go out first at every mega series and every national. The only tracks we don’t practice first are these silly local tracks that somehow feel ATVs make the track better if it’s muddy. Quad riders need to show up in big numbers and practice and race like the rest of us. I do not know that much about ATV racing in general (like where and when and what’s big, etc.) but I know very well the issues that continually get brought as complaints. Why would a bike rider know about these things at all? Can you name THREE things that upset us at races. Show up with good crowds, run the promoters way, make him need you and he will take care of you.

#3 Quad racing needs contingency payouts. We race where the factory cash is, guess what, those are the biggest races. These promoters think we need them or their tracks or the crap you and I know happens to both of us. But I don’t really care, I want the cash (week in and week out). You get factory money at some of these combined events and your crowd will be just as big (and as important to the promoter). You don’t have to work as hard to make ATV racing grow, it will just happen. It’s funny these promoters think somehow they have made these big races happen by their promotions and flyers, but I knew where we were going when Suzuki sent out their payout schedule in February. The ATV Racing industry needs to lobby hard and loud for their fair share.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not criticizing you, I want to see all racing grow, I want combined events, but the numbers have to be equal for playing fields to be equal.
Steve
Bowling Green, KY

Steve –
Hi there, thanks for checking me out and for writing in your opinion. I was hoping to get feedback from both sides, but it has mostly been one sided so far. It’s great to get an e mail from a bike rider! And please – by no means was I trying to knock you or bike racing in any way – I go to the Steel City National every year and watch the two wheelers race. I love it! After reading your e-mail I do see your point. I dont think that the AMA too fond of ATVs. We finally got our own National Association (ATVA) and maybe it will help make a change. Honestly, at this point, I would much rather race an outlaw track than a local AMA District sanctioned track. At least that way we have a chance at some dough. One more thing to consider. Have you ever priced what it would take to put an ATV on the track, and be competitive? You are talking (in most cases) In most cases the average person can’t just run out and put a race ready machine on the track. Please, don’t mistake me I am not saying that you guys have it easy by any means. Another thing to look at is advertising. When is the last time that you saw an ATV on the TV that wasn’t a 4X4 running through the woods dressed in camo to match the rider who just happens to be hunting. We can’t stop at blaming the track officials and promoters, it starts at the roots. I do understand that. and hate to admit it, bust the two wheelers do make up a majority of the racing. Yes, numbers are a big factor. But I must say one of the reasons that you are not aware of the big ATV events is because there aren’t many on television. And since the ATV Nationals done get any help from the manufacturers like the bike scene does – the off road community doesn’t really hear that much of our sport. We do have the GNCC’s, GNC’s, TT/MX and the Stadium series – just not too much mainstream media coverage to showcase our sport to the rest of the world. Not much more other than local events. Not much room for advancement.
Well, I gotta run. Thanks so much for your comments!
~Mona~

Hey Mona
Thanks for responding. After reading your e-mail it is very obvious you are extremely intelligent and very well spoken (even when your talkin’ about Rolling Rock, I grew up in Columbus, OH). I guess we both see the biggest problem being the AMA. The AMA stranglehold on the East is slowly starting to die out. Just look at Supercross and the Pace Arenacross series, no AMA. Thanks for being so open minded on some of my comments. But you might of hit on something that really is holding your side of the sport back – the cost. I do totally agree that it is expensive, but the two-stroke class, and all the focus on the modified classes is why the factories aren’t stepping up with the contingencies. We get them because they want us on their products and all six major brands are competing for my future purchases. ATV industry has something that the bike market cannot get, that NASCAR type of thing. People love four wheel racing that want to race themselves. A lot of people buy Utility ATVs and stock four-stroke quads.

So I do sorta disagree with you on the fact you can’t buy an ATV or dirtbike and go out and race it competively if the rest of the class is on equal equipment. At all of our Outlaw tracks the four-stroke class is always the biggest and usually has the best racing. Hey thanks for listening. By the way, I’m not completely a four wheeler dummy, I live within a Rolling Rock bottle throw from Jeremiah Jones, Bill Ballance and James Perry. We all ride together every now and then.
Later, Steve

Mona,
I read your article and have to say I agree with what you said in the context you said it. Before I go much further let me say I am an avid ATV racer and love this sport. It is my first year racing ATV’s, but am a long time ATV rider and dirt bike MX racer. So I have seen it from both sides I have been one of the guys watching on the fence while the quads groom a muddy track.
I see why anyone who is a quad fan who goes to a motocross event with bikes would feel like quads are last place. There are several obvious reasons we don’t get much respect. The biggest one is turnout. How many quads show up at the average bike/quad event. Usually, from the events I have been at there are less than 25 quads, and something like 300+ bikes. The bikes bring in the money and fans. Promoters probably look at 25 quads showing up at their races and say these guys should be happy we even let them race.
Where I live, the Mid Atlantic ATV Association is the major racing sanctioning body. Generally we get fair turnouts (around 150 racers). This is is enough to cover expenses, but I doubt anybody is getting rich. Now the ATVA is sanctioning a series in VA and NC. At the TT at East Bend, the turnout was terrible. I signed up for two classes like many others and still there were only 36 entries. Obviously, if things don’t improve this will be the first and last ATVA series in my area. So while it is easy for people to complain about the current circumstances – what are people doing about it. I do commend you on taking the time to send letters and make your voice known. I try to do my part by helping my local track owner and generating interest with fellow racers, and of course the most important thing to do. – show up. If they don’t see us they will never give us respect. So keep doing what you are doing, and keep getting your friends to go to races.
Adam Smith

Adam –
Thanks for the mail. I am getting a BIG response from this one… Can I ask a question? I was just wondering how much more money it takes you now on an ATV to be at a competitive level in comparison to bikes. I think that may be a factor. Hell, Kevin (my man) has well over $9,000 into the R (that I know of). And it still isn’t “right” yet.
OK – I must agree with you on the turnout aspect. But in defense, there has not been much advertisement. How long have the SX and outdoor Nationals been on TV? FMX, X games etc. You know, all two wheel events get a ton of ink. This is the first time that ATVs have ever been nationally televised in the manner that the GNCCs are, and even with that we still have to share. Actually ATVs are on because the bikes are there the same weekend. But I’m not gonna go there, I’m just glad that we are getting the exposure. Now think about this. If you show up at the local district races and get treated the way I was speaking of, would you want to go every week? Would you feel like you were being dismissed and set aside? See where I’m gong with this. It is VERY discouraging. We have gone as far as looking into the local outlaw tracks where the big #’s do turn out. No bullshit (excuse my French) to deal with, and best of all there is $$ involved. Which would you choose? We are there every weekend for pure love of the sport, the way it should be. And yes, I am also hoping that the ATVA will be sticking their noses into this subject. Key word – hoping. You gotta give them a chance. There are a lot of great guys put together there that are all in it for people like you. They are still “new”, so please give them a little time. And another thing I might toss out. Do you work a steady day job? Could you race an ATV on a professional level without that job? What about guys like Pastrana ,McGrath, RC, LaRocco-just to name a few- and all of the others that do this for a living? Tell me one place you could do that on an ATV.
Look I apologize for being so, I guess blunt about things. I am in no way pointing any anger towards you,(or anyone in particular) – I just feel strongly about this subject. How will we ever grow if we can’t even get respect from our local tracks?
Thanks for checking me out, I appreciate that as well. It is people like you that make my voice possible to be heard. Lots of luck to ya in the future.
~Mona~

Ok, I will try to keep this shorter than the first one. Since you said you were getting a big response. Let me answer your questions. First off the dirtbikes I raced were both a couple years old when I bought them and got each of them for about $1200. Both of which were race ready and good running bikes. The cost was the biggest reason that I race dirtbikes over quads.
Now, I work full time and make good money so I have a nice truck and enclosed trailer basically the works. My 440EX is basically totally aftermarket except the frame. I bought it used for $4800 and have since put at least an additional $8500 in it. So basically I have about $13000 in mine.
You are right about the lack of advertising, and also the lack of money for pros. I don’t think there are any pros who live strictly from being ATV racers.
Adam Smith

Adam –
Okies. When Kevin bought the quad it was 14 years old, in terrible condition, and he paid what you paid for the two bikes combined. The cost in racing is a BIG factor. We raced with a kid, his parents had over 30 G’s in one machine, the other -his back up- was close to the same price range. We don’t all have mommies and daddies to pay for our stuff. I am not trying to say that ATVs are superior and I am not trying to put bikes down in any way, I am just trying to make a point.
I honestly believe that the manufacturers and the promoters can take some blame too, for instance, the advertising. It sucks! Same with the lack of $$ in it for the racers. That sucks too. Same with sponsorship, but that again leads back to the point that you made about the lack of riders. Well, you take care and I wish you all the luck. I really appreciate the response that you have given me. It gives me a new way to look at things.
~Mona~

Hello Mona,
You beautiful woman you! Ok, enough with the shmooosing and down to business. My name is Christian Sims, #51 from District 15. I run the Motorsports Unlimited website at http://www.geocities.com/msuracing You have brought to my attention that we are not the only district with quad race track grooming teams. In district 15 we have a very nice track called the Wabash Cannonball in Wabash, Indiana. Maybe you have heard of it. They seem to be one of the biggest offenders there is. This year they said absolutely no quads. Ok, now I am not a big whiner and I didn’t have a real problem with that until, I found out that there was to be an AMA sanctioned District 15 State race there. Now I have a problem. I like all the other quad riders PAY my money to the damn district. They are not supposed to have favorites. As it turned out, quads were um, well not exactly welcome, but we could show up and ride for our points if we could put up with people knocking us, those people I am referring to are the DISTRICT OFFICIALS, and the !@#$heads that run the track. Now, why would I want to be somewhere that I was not wanted? I haven’t been permitted to set foot on the grounds until they HAD to let me on for a state race. Once there, quad practice was cut wat SHORT, that was nice, we haven’t been able to ride the track all year, and now we can’t practice either? The weather was nice, so get this. Those Jack Holes ran quads last moto. Big surprise right, well some of the flaggers were leaving before we even got off the line. I guess Basically what I am trying to say is I understand and agree with you and would like to know what we can do about it. I have a good friend and neighbor of mine that has been trying to get a job with the ATVA, but they filled his position early, no big deal, the AMA wants him now. He has been though several meetings with them, he is also a quad racer, and though these meetings he has figured out some things. The AMA is full of a bunch of old guys that HATE ATVs. He said that is a major topic at company functions. I though that the AMA was here for us, not here to fight us. Oh, one more thing, I have a race order that I think tracks should stick by and the reasons why.

The track should be groomed first, then, run the quads, the reason being, we smooth out the big chunks of crap that the “groomers” didn’t get for the 50cc autos and we aren’t knocking down any deep corner ruts that the ding dong bike riders have made. After quads, run the 50cc bike classes, that way it is safe for the kids. I have seen more than once, that big pile up in the 1st corner of 50cc bikes because they couldn’t get there foot pegs though the ruts. After the 50’s, then run like the 60’s, 65’s, and the 80’s and so on. This way the quads don’t ruin the track for the bike guys by knocking down the ruts, the kids are safe, and we only get half as winded racing around the track. At intermission they groom the track again so then let the same order stand for the second set of heats. It is just my way of thinking. Oh, and as for running quads first on muddy days, — you take the good with the bad. At least we get to go first every once in a while. I would however like to commend the Reads of Reads Racing Unlimited for there outstanding support of quads and bikes alike. It is not often you find people as good as the Reads are about being fair. They run four District 15 tracks, D&D, Fulton County, Hangtime, and Trojan. They are nice people with very nice tracks. Thanks for taking the time to read my long winded letter.

Christian Sims
c/o Motorsports Unlimited
Roanoke, Indiana
http://www.geocities.com/msuracing

Christian –
That is a prime example of the A-holes that I want to point out and highlight as big butt heads. So, what was it that you did to get banned? I wanna hear all about it! It just really burns me to hear things like this. You are not the first one that has presented this to me either, which is even more sad. You wanna hear a sad thing, the tracks I was talking about are run by a big time production company. VERY big in the scene. I think you can figure out who. That’s sad. And it is funny that you mention being somewhere where you are OBVIOUSLY not wanted… How the hell is this sport ever supposed to grow? And I hear ya on the AMA thing. Hopefully now that we FINALLY have an established organization working for US things may change in the future. With all of the animosity it will take a while I am sure. But as long as we stick together and fight for what we believe in, things WILL HAVE TO CHANGE! Right? It will take the great people like the ones that you mentioned to make a change.
I like your moto order idea. I think that it would work VERY well if we could get cooperation.
Thanks again, best of luck to you.
~Mona~

Your last column describes my local District 5 race promoters to a tee. They even went as far as trying to use promoter choice weather or not to let us race. Don’t get me wrong there a few tracks that like quads but most hate us. My only question to them is – I have well over $19.000 in my YZF 426 quad. That is a lot more money than any bike raced in the district. Why do they think if our bike breaks because of mud it’s no big deal? I know I have a lot of money in my quad but most riders have more than $8.000 invested. That’s a lot for most riders. Any advice you can give me to stop this sh@t would be loved from all us quad riders in PA district 5 .
Lots of love,
Jesse Mattucci

Jesse –
I know who you are. :) We race D-5 too, and this is where the stories came from. Kevin Stover (my man) races Two-stroke B, on a Honda 250R. He was the focal point of my stories. We had a hell of a time this year. Steel City was the track that didn’t run us on the qualifying weekend and Pleasure Valley was the mudhole. What a mess! Well, I think that if we want to change things we are all going to have to stick together and see what we can do. We can’t just rely on the ATVA to change things for us, we are going to have to do it. But, after what was said, it will undoubtedly be VERY HARD. Considering the fact that a lot of people who have experienced this are out there running other tracks, outlaws and non-sanctioned events. That is not helping us at all either. I am hoping to get info from all of the ATV racers out there, maybe together we can do something. In the meantime, unfortunately, we just have to deal. Please, pass this info on to all of your buddies in D-5. I would like to hear from them and get their info for when I do try to help out and do something.
Thanks for checking me out Jesse, and I wish you lots of luck in 02.
~Mona~

Dear Mona,
Here in Southwestern PA. quads come last too! I am as disappointed as you. I only go to see the quads, I think the quads should be at least alternated between bike motos. then I would not get so bored! I will be racing next year and I hope the ATVA can do something to fix the problems between the quads and the AMA
p.s. I love your stuff (editorially that is).
Jared

Jared –
D5? That is where all of this came from actually. And yes, I agree we should alternate somehow with the bike motos, but apparently they don’t think so. Well, I think that if we want to change things we are all going to have to stick together and see what we can do. We can’t just rely on the ATVA to change things for us, we are going to have to do it. But, have you ever personally had a conversation with the track owners? If you have, you know where I am coming from when I say how HARD it will be. Another thing that we will have to try to do is promote for the ATVs. We need larger turnouts, more racers to prove our point. After this posted I got some interesting controversial stuff from some riders and I will post it all soon.
~Mona~

Mona,
I sadly read your article “Quads Last Place” I thought maybe this was a phenomenon we had here in New Mexico, but apparently it exists all over the country. We have heard all the excuses from the local tracks. At one point this was their position:
We were told that quads were at the end of the program because there were only four or five of us. So we recruited riders from other tracks and other states and brought that showing up to between 40 and 50 quads at any given time. Guess what? We were still last in the lineup. (Of course we were still first in the practice order to groom the track. And I also reminded them I had a $16,000 quad vs. a $6,000 motorcycle). We then were told we were last because the two-wheeled guys complained about us tearing up the track. I questioned if we could maybe get the two-wheeled guys to run last because they were making ruts for us- (joking of course). We were told if you don’t like the way it’s being run, to go somewhere else. Now I’m not a financial analyst but how can a track that willingly takes in about $3000 (per race) say to go somewhere else? On a brighter note this behavior encourages us to race any GNC we can get to or the SFX series or yes even a Quad war just because we finally get respect.
John

John –
Thanks for checking me out. Although, I must say I am sorry of the circumstances. I have not gotten much positive e-mail from this column yet! I am really glad that I decided to do it though because you never know who might get their hands on it.
Let’s hope that we’ve lit a fire under someone’s butt out there in this industry. We need help. I was hoping to hit some major points of interest in this thing, and I think that I have accomplished bits and pieces.
I hope to see you at a GNC one of these days John! You take care, and keep sticking up for what you believe in, it will pay off someday. At least, that is what I keep telling myself :)
~Mona~

Hello,
I do agree with you about tracks treating quads like shit. My buddy and I race quads here in Texas. It is just like you said — they stuck us at he very end of the motos unless it had been raining. If the track was wet we got the “let the quads deal with it”. That chaps my ass so bad. I understand that there are more dirt bikes racing and the track make more money on them, but I think we should get more respect than what we’re getting. Anyway thanks for your time ma’am, I just wanted to agree with you. Thanks,
Russell

Russell –
I’m sorry to hear that you are treated the same. Seems like it is a nationwide thing. Hopefully the right-or wrong- (LOL) person will get their paws on this. We need some help. I have mail coming in from all over the US, and it all seems to be the same. But, I am hoping that with all of this new exposure the ATV world will excel.
Thanks again for checking me out :)
~Mona~

Hi Mona,
I am an avid racer and quad rider. I race in District #16 and have had some horrible experiences as have you. The worst of all was when I was at a race in Merrill WI. I was up to race and getting ready to run my second moto after getting second place in the qualifier. They started the race before they even got everyone on the track! With us quads they don’t care and just try to get us through as soon as possible. I was extremely upset and almost did something I shouldn’t have, (Punched out the REDKNECK official). But I held my cool and went up to the tower and talked to them. After three hours, six of us got our money back for the event and that was it! I was so upset I didn’t run a single AMA event the rest of the year. Only local events and fair races. I would really like it if all of us could get together and get the AMA to give us quad riders some recognition. I am going back to AMA this year but from now on I am not going to take it lightly.
On a second note I would just like to express my disgust with some of the readers who only see you as being a sex object that they want to see naked. They probably don’t even read your articles! I would just like to say that I appreciate your intelligence and your finesse more than your angelicness. You are an exceptional women and keep writing the great articles! Catcha later
Matt
02 Raptor
XC/MX Racer

Matt –
I am very sorry to hear about your experience. That sounds like the way they handle the riders here in PA too. But it would have taken a few punches to get the money. I actually had to fight tooth and nail to get money back at a National event (Racer Productions) after my grandmother passed away. We got there late Friday night and I got the call before practice even started and they weren’t going to give Kevin his registration money back. We never did get our gate fee back, but that’s OK. Although, it’s a shame it has to be like that. I guess that it all goes to their head after they get big. Oh well. I wanted to thank you for your compliments. It is nice to know that there are people out there reading what I have to say. I put a lot of T & E into this gig, and it makes me feel good to know that there are people out there like you. People interested in reading the words and not just looking at the pictures. All we really use those for is to help draw people in a little. Now the secret is out. I am really surprised at the massive responses I get.
Tanks again :)
~Mona~

Hello Mona,
I was just “surfin” and happened on to your web page! I thought I would send a letter. Six months ago I got into quads. I purchased my first, a very rough 1988 LT500. I have since had it “fixed” by the boyz at East Coast ATV near you and the pics I have attached are the finished product. I plan on racing in a few AMA CC events this year to see how I fair. I am very excited about it. Good luck with your website and hope to meet up sometime on the tracks.
Scott Langley
Fulton, MO

Scott –
You have one beautiful machine. I don’t think that was a manly comment – but it is SWEET! Glad to see that the guys up at ECATV are turning out some kick ass work! And you can mark my words. Well, I wish you all the luck in your racing. Take care and enjoy all your LT.
~Mona~

Hi Mona…
I was wondering if you casual ride in PA/NY. I usually ride in NY but am looking for places to ride in PA. I’ve been riding and racing for a long time but I need more places to ride. My sister and I are always looking for people to ride with. Any information about riding in PA would be appreciated. Thank you -Tracey Pierce

Tracey –
Hey, thanks for checking me out. It is so great to hear from the other racers and weekend warriors, and I know what you mean needing to find some new terrain. The same old gets boring – REAL FAST.
Well, here is my best suggestion. There is a site that was recently started and I think that you can find some stuff there… www.PAATVING.com There is also a Yahoo club – Pittsburgh Mudrunners. There are a lot of great people there.
Hope I helped :)
~Mona~

Just happened to check out the site and read your intro. Glad to hear there are more girls in ATVing, as you put it. I am a girl and I race in District 13. We have been trying to start a women’s quad class for the past year or so. We finally have some recognition in the district and they will be running a class for us this coming year. We have put together a 15 race series for the women. Anyway, we have around 8 consistent women who race in our area. Some with only the women’s class and some also ride with the guys. All ages in the women’s class also, the range from 16 to 47 years old. We are having a blast! If you ever get to our area, (my home track is Elizabeth City Motocross Club, ecmx.com) look us up we would love to have another women come ride with us. We get a bunch of two-wheel racers from Pennsylvania in the winter usually. I think it is probably too frozen up there to ride.
Good luck with the column, I will check it out again.
Wendy

Wendy –
Hey, thanks for checking me out :) I love to hear from other women riders out there!
What you did is great!
If I am ever out your ways I promise to let you know. I would LOVE to come see you race! I’m kinda laid up for quite a while after a street bike accident. I don’t know if I will be allowed (from the medical standpoint) to hop on an ATV again. But – I love watching too. And yes ma’am, PA is in a pretty frozen state in the winters, but snow riding is yet another bonus in having an ATV.
Well, you take care and I hope to hear from you again :)
I wish you all the luck in racing…
But don’t break a leg.. LOL
~Mona~

 

Hi Mona,
This ATV scene page is pretty cool. It’s hard to find GOOD ATV XC coverage. I plan on stopping in often, to check out race results and rider (pro & amateur) updates/interviews .
My very first experience with any kind of ATV racing was at the Ironman “01”. Not knowing what to expect out of a XC race — We (ATV riding buddy and I) were ready to give it a try on our slightly modified (pipes) Honda 300ex’s. LOL ! My strategy was to survive, have fun and finish. Only after my buddy and I arrived did we find out that the Ironman was supposedly the toughest and most demanding courses of the series! Well, to shorten the story somewhat, we both finished and had a great time and met some really nice and helpful racing friends along the way. That’s what it’s all about! Now being (REAL RACERS) haha. My partner and I are hooked, planning on a local six race XC series, and going to get in four or five GNCC races starting with Loretta Lynn’s (hope to see you there!)
We have both acquired a sponsor (Geared UP Racing Team) and newer Honda 400’s and plan on racing stock four-stroke class. Any words of wisdom along the way would be appreciated. And looking forward to meeting you .
Glen

Glen –
Thanks for checking out ATVSCENE. I am glad that you enjoyed yourself here. You aint seen nothin’ yet though. There’s some pretty big plans in the works for this site. I think you’ll like what’s to come for sure. It is great to hear that there are new people getting into the action. Congrats to you for finishing! I am not sure if I could do it! And getting yourself a sponsor is a big accomplishment in itself. I hope to see you out there in the action this year, and I wish you and your teammate all the luck.
~Mona~

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