My week at Loretta Lynn’s:

I have been hearing about Loretta’s ever since I can remember. The most prestigious Amateur Motocross race that most everyone who is anyone in the Motocross industry has raced. Last week, I was right there for all of the action at Loretta’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.  This year I was able to be there at the Arenacross booth and interact with everyone. I was there to answer any questions, give out our new schedules and of course sign some autographs and take some pictures.
I flew into Nashville, Tennessee on Monday July 30th got in my rental car and headed west, about 70 miles to Hurricane Mills. As you pull up to Loretta’s Ranch, you can’t see much. Some motor homes parked up the hill and Registration offices. As you turn and head towards the track, it is completely indescribable.  Acres and acres of pure motocross!

The competition, however, is tough! In order to race at Loretta’s you have to go through 2 qualifiers one Area and one Regional. Once you are at Loretta’s, it is not the usual line up on the start gate; there are riders from Florida, riders from California and everywhere in between.  The Motos are not the usual 4-6 laps; it is a full 20 minutes charging the entire time. But hard work pays off!  I am sure that not much feels better than the accomplishment at Loretta’s, especially for an aspiring motocross star. For some, it is a week of beginnings, and for others it is their final week as an amateur, stepping up to race their first ever pro outdoor in Millville the following weekend.

Loretta Lynn’s has a reputation of producing some of the biggest names in the professional motocross world, including the G.O.A.T. (Ricky Carmichael) and Arenacross’ own Robbie Reynard. But, Loretta’s is not just a place to show off your skills on the track. It is a facility that keeps in mind the entire family. There are so many activities that anyone can participate in at anytime, including BINGO! The weather is HOT and HUMID in Tennessee, but not to worry, there is a creek that is chilly and refreshing. If you can’t find who you are looking for, just check the creek. I saw a couple of riders go straight from their Moto to the creek and straight from the creek to their Moto!  Each and every night, they have activities brought to you by the sponsors, giving away a lot of prizes and giving you the chance to make new friendships.  Everyone is there because they have a love for the sport, but it is easy to find that you have a lot more than Motocross in common.

One of my favorite parts of the week was the Air Nautiques Scholarship. If you are a part of the  A+ rider program, you were able to send in an essay explaining “What Motocross has meant to me and my family”.  Air Nautiques gave a $2500 in scholarship money to the winner of the competition. The essays were very touching and every motocross family could relate. The winner this year was only 10 years old!

The experience of Loretta’s in unforgettable. The property is breathtaking, and the people are so friendly. It was hot and sweaty, and nothing like our winter Arenacross season. But being able to be there and promote Toyota Arenacross was the perfect way to unite the two together. Our sport is growing so fast, and the youth is the future. I was happy to see some familiar faces return to where it all began for them. Professional racers like Ivan Tedesco, Denny Stevenson, Jimmy Neese, Ryan Villopoto, Robbie Reynard and, of course, Ricky Carmichael all returned to Loretta’s to help keep the dream alive for all the amateurs.

So, if you ever have the chance to go to the AMA Air Nautiques Amateur Motorcross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s ranch, don’t think about twice! It not only lived up to my expectations, it surpassed them. I am so glad that I was able to meet new people and reunite with others who I have seen at past Arenacross races. It really got me excited for the 2008 Toyota Arenacross season, I cannot wait for it to start! My hats off to MxSports and Racer X for putting in an endless amount of work, not to mention running a smooth event!

The Toyota Arenacross season is just around the corner so get your tickets now! I thought that last year was a year for the record books, but I have a feeling that “we ain’t seen nothin’ yet.” This will be a season that you won’t want to miss!  I look forward to getting back into the action packed racing of Arenacross! Please don’t hesitate to come up and say hi to me! I enjoyed meeting everyone and cannot wait to see you all in Des Moines for round 1 of the 2007-2008 Toyota Arenacross Series! Until then keep charging hard, and always keep your smile!

Xoxo
Ashley Miss Arenacross