OZ ATV :: The Australian ATV Forum

[kpracing12]

Dan and Luke
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Pit vehicle
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Joel Hetricks Honda
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Lorettas Dirt Days 2011 would be the most anticipated roadtrip Dad and Dan would be doing this year although it didn’t all come together till 3 weeks before departure.
Both Daniel and I would be racing at this years event thanks to Hetrick Racing loaning us Joel Hetricks Honda TRX450R practice bike.
Last year we were spectators but this year we would be amongst the action on the racetrack side of the fence.
After 20 hours flying “cattle class� we arrived at Nashville International Airport and met up with Luke Nixon and Emily. Into a rental car and drive 1.5 hours towards Memphis to a place called Hurricane Mills arriving at around 2am Thursday Tennisee time.

On arrival at the track and the sight is jaw dropping. The excitement is building although it is a sign on / rest day. After renewing friendships with the Hetricks Daniel disappears for 1.5hrs to walk the track. I’ll see it in practice. I’m too old and tired for that stuff.
We also meet up with Chris, Kym and Helen Boznakis from WA and friends from our 2010 trip.
Daniel and I prep the Hetrick Honda setting up levers, handlebars and changing tyres in readiness for Fridays timed practice sessions.
Sign on takes longer than expected. First you rent the transponders and line up for approximately 1.5 hours for sign on as there is in excess of 400 riders. Join the AMA, pay your entry fee and its game on.
No sleep Thursday night in anticipation for Fridays practice sessions.
Beautiful weather greets us and Dan and Luke Nixon roll onto the track for Pro Am unlimited practice. Nothing like throwing Daniel in the deep end and see if he floats! Luke showed Daniel the way and gave Dan some ideas on fast lines and cornering speed. Daniel comes in with blisters across both hands and we tape him up for the next session. Even in practice sessions these guys ride hard and fast with quick lap times. Rich Hetrick tells Dan to harden up as well as other things I can’t print. I’m out in the 40 + class and the top guys are throwing down lap times that would put them in the front of Pro Am! Wash the quads and tuck them into the trailer for the night.

Broken sleep again Friday night and we arrive at the track Saturday to watch the first Pro ATV timed qualifier for gate start pick. From the get go these guys are on it!! Joel Hetrick reels of a 1.33.7 min scorcer for 1st gate pick. To put it in perspective Dans best lap time was a 1.43.9 and Dads a 1.56.3. You do the maths!
The 1st Pro races are awesome with Joel Hetrick easily winning from Canams John Natalie and Josh Upperman.
Pro race 2 and its John Natalie and Josh Upperman battling for the championship. Into the 2nd turn and Upperman leads from Hetrick with John Natalie on the dirt and rejoined in last place. Hetrick was riding smooth and fast and waited for the right moment to pounce leaving Upperman behind. Joels Dad Rich Hetrick paced around the mechanics area and held out pit boards with “2nd you win� and being the good son Joel is took he no notice and went for the win. Joels Mum Michele was stressing out at the back of the mechanics area and could not watch.
The focus was then on Natalie who was making up ground to the leaders very rapidly. Natalie ended up one spot behind Walsh Motorsports Jeremy Lawson to take the championship but it was Hetrick Racings Joel Hetrick taking the top step on the day. After podium celebrations Natalie was carted away to the medical centre as He had been run over in the start.
A very nervous Dan lines up for the College 16-24 class and has to qualify to get into the final moto or go through the LCQ. A hard fought 7th place sees Dan straight through to Moto 2. 4 races later and Luke and Dan are lined up for the 450A class. The start is hectic with rider cartwheeling in front of Dan in the 2nd corner.
Luke then lines up for the ProAm Unlimited class and battles hard for 5th place.
I’m next with 19 other 40+ class riders ready to do battle. 1st turn and riders and quads are going everywhere and I settle for a safe and solid finish.
We can all breathe easy and its time to eat, day over.
Sunday we are met with the same great weather and Dan is first up. 2nd turn and Dan is facing the way he came after getting rammed from behind and spun around.
Luke and Daniel are up next in the 450A class with Luke scoring 2nd place and Dan 11th after riding back through the howling pack from last.
My last race on US soil leaves me wanting to return next year. A better start and I get slammed from the right and ran off the track narrowly missing the end of a water filled barrier. I’m mad after charging as hard as I dared ended up 8th.

Placings as follows

Rider Class Moto 1 Moto 2 Overall
Chris Boznakis 90 Mod 5th 8th 7th
90 Production 3rd 1st 2nd
Luke Nixon Pro Am Unlimited 10th 14th 15th
450A 5th 2nd 3rd
Daniel Middleton College 16-24 7th 15th 16th
450A 13th 11th 13th
Pete Middleton Vets 40+ 13th 8th 10th

Notes

- Daniel ended the weekend with no skin on the palms of both hands- see pic

- We met a guy at the motel who was run over in Daniels race. (remember the cartwheeling quad)
- Daniel met the guru Wayne who is PEP suspension
- Chris Boz podiumed and won a race. Well done Chris!!
- All classes from 50cc to Pros ride to win at all cost.
- You could sit and watch the entertaining pit parade all day.
- It is far easier to enter a race in the USA than what we have to go through in Australia.
- Its harder on the track in the USA but well worth the experience.
- THE PLANE TRIP SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!
- Joel Hetrick is a very talented rider.
- John Natalie has time for even his littlest fans.
- Chad Weinen has a very dry sense of humour and doesn’t understand Aussie humour
- Jeremiah Jones remembered me from 2010 and is one of the great guys in the sport
- Canams Chase Snapp goes hard and his cute little white dog bites. Ask Dad Snapp
- Chase Snapp has 4 race quads for sale but unfortunately there is no more room in my garage.
- All the Pro riders are approachable and love a chat
- Luke Nixon would rather sleep all day and doesn’t say much
- Daniel Middleton doesn’t like loosing and rode safe and hard
- Watch your choice of Aussie slang as the Americans stare at you blankly till they pick up on your accent.
- Wash your race gear before boarding the plane as customs will definitely check your gear, especially your boots.
- Watch out for Joel Hetrick next year to win the Pro Atv championship

Thanks to Rich, Michelle and Joel for the hospitality you have shown Daniel and I we hope to see you again soon.

Dan talking to Luke at Denver
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Dans Hands
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Dad
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John Natalie
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Cam Riemers
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Dan
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Hetrick rig
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Joel Hetrick
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Dan, Luke and Emily

Dan
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Chase Snapp
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Chase Canam
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Dan and Luke out for practice
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Awesome stuff guys.
Great to see our young blokes like Pete Middleton having a go in the U.S.
_________________
Can-Am X Team
Bullet #Y12. MrsB #Y18.

[47industries]

Great info and pics mate, looks like you had a ball.
Mick@47
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The way to this man's heart is through his esky

[Barney]

Well done and thanks for the report guys ,it is a great read
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2012 Can am Outlander Xt 1000cc
Can Am Full set of Armour ,Grip and thumb warmer
Fox Podium Shocks and springs front and back
GME Tx 4600 UHF with Helmet Mic
Hema Gps

[pyjamas]

We would love to go to Loretta Lynns one day. Their whole set up is beyond comprehension. Maybe not to race (the girls not me) but just to experience it. Great report on the event! any video?
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[JRE]

how much does chase want for his bikes?? I want the one with the blue swinger

[kpracing12]

http://www.ds450hq.com/forums/quads-sale/5266-4-can-am-ds-450s-chase-snapps-race-bikes.html

[snapp48]

$12,00o for the bike shown in those pics, was built brand new for last two rounds. Also have two other race bikes for $10,000 and one practice bike for $8,000

[surfin]

Great report and pics..thanks for that
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