Entire 2011 series to run on consecutive weeks beginning on February 12^th

Irvine, CA (Feb. 8, 2012) – All six rounds of the 2011 GEICO AMA EnduroCross series, presented by Lucas Oil will air on the NBC Sports Network on consecutive weekends beginning this Sunday, February 12^th. Check your local listings for the Lucas Motorsports Hour on the new NBC Sports Network (Formerly Versus). Cameron Steele, David Bailey and Terry Boyd do a great job showcasing the talent of some of the best off road motorcycle racers in the world and EnduroCross provides plenty of action.

With the 2012 Series kicking off on Friday, May 4^th in Las Vegas, this will provide a great recap of the 2011 series and get you up to speed on who to watch during the new season.

For more information, go to www.motorsportshour.com

2011 GEICO AMA EnduroCross, presented by Lucas Oil TV Schedule

All Times are Eastern

EnduroCross tracks incorporate various elements of extreme off road racing into a Supercross-style setting, including rocks, boulders, logs, sand, mud, a water-hole…and even a few special obstacles like giant tires thrown in!  Known as the “toughest racing on two wheels,” this indoor off road racing will certainly keep you on your feet. For the seven EnduroCross events, be sure to log-on to www.motorsportshour.com for local air dates/times for the Lucas Motorsports Hour on the Versus network.

ENDUROCROSS is a registered trademark of Source Interlink Magazines, LLC.

For rules and race information visit www.EnduroCross.com or email endurocross@sorc.com.

Mark your calendar for the second annual American Extreme Enduro

Sequatchie, TN (December 13, 2011) – The first ever KENDA Tennessee Knockout, fueled by Monster Energy took place last summer to rave reviews from riders and fans. So the team at the Trials Training Center is excited to confirm that the event will be back for 2012 on September 1^st and 2^nd during the Labor Day holiday weekend. If you want to compete in or see a true “American Extreme Enduro”, mark your calendar now. Mike Brown, the 2011 winner stated that the multi round event “Was tougher than anything I have ever done. At the halfway mark, I thought I would not be able to finish but I was leading so I kept pushing”.

The top off-road racers from around the world will be invited to compete and amateur riders can race on Saturday with the top finishers earning the opportunity to move on to the Sunday Expert Knockout rounds. On Sunday, the riders will compete in a very tough and spectator friendly four round format.

Here is a peak at some of the action from the 2011 event:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB6461AFVHk

For more information about the 2011 Kenda Tennessee Knockout, fueled by Monster Energy, please visit: http://tennesseeknockoutenduro.com/

Josh Strang –  KTM 450 XC. WORCS Pro, Endurocross, XGames Enduro X and Limited GNCC. “Josh is a great addition to the team” says team owner Mike Hurlbert. “We are all very excited to have Josh on our team and look forward to working with Josh to win races and championships”. Strang has decided to take a run at the WORCS series, Endurocross, XGames Enduro X and limited GNCC events. “It will be a new challenge” says Josh Strang. The team and sponsors helped put a great support package together for the 2012 race season”. “This team has produced a lot of race wins and championships in every division they have competed in”.

Kacy Martinez – KTM 250 XC F. WORCS Women Pro, Endurocross, XGames Enduro X. Three-time WORCS Pro Woman Champion Kacy Martinez returns to contest for her 4^th WORCS Women’s Championship. “I had so much fun last year,” stated Kacy, “I sent team-owner Mike Hurlbert a message right after the final round last year that I couldn’t wait for next season to start again.”  “We are so proud of Kacy,” says Hurlbert. “She works hard, she trains and does all of the off track and on track work to be a champion.”

Ivan Ramirez –  KTM 450 XC F. WORCS Pro 2, XGames Enduro X, Baja. Ivan won the Mexico National Enduro Lites Championship in 2011 as well as the Pro 2 WORCS rounds at Lake Havasu and Phoenix, Arizona. He also finished 3^rd in the Baja 500. Ivan’s performance earned him a sharing position in 2012. Factory FMF/KTM will use Ivan for the Baja 500 and 1000. FMF/RPM/KTM Racing Team Maxxis will have him under the canopy for select WORCS Pro 2 events. “Ivan is a great rider with a really super fun family,” claimed Hurlbert. “He will be a podium contender at every event.”

Travis Coy – KTM 350 XC F.  WORCS Pro 2, Endurocross. Several podiums in the WORCS Pro 2 events and 3^rd in the 2011 championship earned Travis Coy full support for 2012. “Travis has worked really hard,” says Hurlbert. “He trains with Rodney and Lori Smith, as does Kacy Martinez and Josh Strang. Travis, Kacy and Josh will be spending a lot of time together training and riding in 2012 and I am confident Travis will contend for the Pro 2 WORCS Championship.” Says Hurlbert.

Bobby Prochnau – KTM 300 XC. XGames Enduro X, Endurocross. Bobby has won 2 Canadian National Enduro Championships. He is always a top 10 Endurocross contender and in 2011 Bobby finished 3^rd in the Tennessee Knockout Extreme Off Road race. “Bobby will be a podium contender at Endurocross.” Says Hurlbert. “Working as a logger, Bobby brings logs home from work or takes his bike to logging camp for practice. I call him the David Knight of Canada”. Says Hurlbert.

Personnel announcements:

Scott Christensen – Long time team manager for FMF/RPM/KTM Racing Team Maxxis, Scott will take care of building and maintaining Josh Strang’s bikes. Scott took care of all the team’s KTM’s for former riders David Kamo, Kyle Summers and has been instrumental in taking care of all team riders and sponsors.

Megan Blackburn – Megan has been enlisted as “Team Publicist” and will help handle press, media, sponsor exposure, social media and promotions for the team and sponsors.

Thank you to all our great sponsors and supporters.

KTM. www.ktmnorthamerica.com

KTM Spare_Parts

KTM Power_Parts

KTM Power_Wear

All KTM Dealers.

FMF www.fmfracing.com

Maxxis Tires www.maxxis.com

SIDI Boots www.motonation.com

Motorex www.motorexusa.com

Acerbis www.acerbis.com

D.I.D www.didchain.com

DP Brakes www.dp-brakes.com

DT1 Filters www.dt1filters.com

Fluidyne Radiators www.fluidynepowersports.com

IMS www.imsproducts.com

GPR Steering Dampeners www.gprstablizer.com

Leatt www.leattbrace-usa.com

Maas Bros. Powder Coating www.maasbrosinc.com

Matrix Racing Products www.matrixracingproducts.com

Motion Pro www.motionpro.com

Moose www.mooseracing.com

Rekluse www.rekluse.com

Renthal www.renthal.com

PG Grafx www.ridepg.com

RB Components www.rbcomponents.com

Ritchey Racer www.ritcheyracer.com

T.M. Designworks www.tmdesignworks.com

Vertex, Hot Cams, Hot Rods, Cylinder Works, Pivot Works www.pivotworks.com

Zip Ty Racing www.ziptyracing.com

Alexander Exhibits www.alexanderexhibits.com

Earthworks NW www.earthworksnortwest.com

Mt. Baker Moto-Sports www.mtbaker.net

Northwest Chip and Grind www.northwestchipandgrind.com

Sponsorship Inquires are welcome. Please contact Mike Hurlbert.

Contact info:

Mike Hurlbert

FMF/RPM/KTM Racing Team Maxxis

461 E. Pole Rd.

Lynden, WA 98264

www.rpmracingteam.com

PH. 360-398-1316

Cell. 360-927-3841

Megan Blackburn – Team Publicist

PH. 702-493-1374

About RPM Racing Team: Mike and Sharie Hurlbert started RPM Racing Team in 1980. It began as a Dirt Track Stock Car Racing team and grew into a NASCAR Craftsman Truck race team in 1994. In 1996 Mike retired from Nascar Truck racing. After a few years managing and working for NASCAR race teams Mike had started riding dirt bikes again. In 1999 Sharie and Mike were discussing long term future options and they decided to put their efforts into a motorcycle Off Road race team that would develop into a NASCAR type race team over the long term future. The team focuses on WORCS, Endurocross and GNCC series events. We have put together many sponsors and supporters over the years and we couldn’t do it without them. Thank you so much to all the great promoters, riders, sponsors, media, fans, friends and family.  We sincerely hope you will watch us go and grow. Racing is our life. “Success is our only option.”

Visit them at http://www.schaefertracks.com.

Great recognition for an amazing 2011 season

Irvine, CA (November 22, 2011) – Source Interlink Media, the parent company of the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Series presented by Lucas Oil was honored to receive the 2011 Off-Road Organizer of the Year award at the annual AMA awards banquet. The EnduroCross series has proven to be a great venue to showcase the talent of some of the World’s best off road motorcycle racers in a very fan friendly environment.

“EnduroCross brings the excitement of extreme off-road racing to the fans and that has helped to broaden the opportunities for a lot of really great motorcycle racers so we want to thank the AMA for this recognition,” stated Lance Bryson, the Director of Sales and Marketing for Source Interlink Media’s motorcycle events. “It is an amazing show for the fans and we are already hard at work to make 2012 even better”.

EnduroCross tracks incorporate various elements of extreme off road racing into a supercross-style setting, including rocks, boulders, logs, sand, mud, a water-hole…and even a few special obstacles like giant tires thrown in! Known as the “toughest racing on two wheels,” this indoor off road racing will certainly keep you on your feet. Don’t miss your chance to see GEICO AMA EnduroCross “Live”. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will combine to telecast 25 hours of live X Games 17 competition, which will include Enduro X. For the six remaining EnduroCross events, be sure to log-on to www.motorsportshour.com for local air dates/times for the Lucas Motorsports Hour on the Versus network.

ENDUROCROSS is a registered trademark of Source Interlink Magazines, LLC. For rules and race information visit www.EnduroCross.com or email endurocross@sorc.com.

About EnduroCross
EnduroCross has quickly become recognized as the most exciting and entertaining form of motorcycle racing in America. Introduced to the states in 2004 as a single, stand alone event, the Maxxis National EnduroCross grew to a three-round series in 2007. To celebrate its success in 2008, GEICO EnduroCross expanded to a six-round series playing to key markets across the United States. www.EnduroCross.com

About GrindMedia
Media giant Source Interlink Media’s GrindMedia is home to renowned action and adventure sports magazine brands and the leading provider of online action sports and entertainment content. With flagship action sports brands including Surfer, Surfing, Snowboarder, Skateboarder, Powder, Bike, Canoe & Kayak, SUP-Standup Paddler and Paved, as well as their standalone websites, GrindMedia is the leading action and adventure sports magazine publisher in the United States. Delivering significant reach across both action sports enthusiast and various in-market consumer audiences, GrindMedia also produces more than 20 leading events and webcasts such as Surfer Poll Awards, Powder Video Awards, Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro, EnduroCross and International Surfing Day. GrindMedia is also the action and adventure sports content provider for Yahoo! Sports. To learn more, visit www.grindmedia.com.

About Source Interlink Media Motorsports
Encompassing the highly successful GEICO AMA MiniMotoSX presented by Monster Energy and Braaap USA, the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Championship Series, presented by Lucas Oil and the AMA EnduroCross Grand Championships, the Source Interlink Media Motorsports brands reach millions of motorcycle enthusiasts with live events, DVD packages, web sites, television and magazine coverage. Visit www.minimotosx.co or www.EnduroCross.com

About Source Interlink Media
Source Interlink Media is the premier source of special interest media in the United States. With more than 70 publications, 90 websites, 400 branded products, 65+ events, and TV and radio programs, SIM is the largest provider of content to enthusiast communities interested in automotive, action sports, marine and other niche activities. The organization’s strategy is to wholly focus on targeted audiences by leveraging and expanding upon its core market-leading brands through a multiplatform media approach.

Brown and Soule round out second and third in the championship

Irvine, CA (November 19, 2011) – KTM’s Taddy Blazusiak won both main events at the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Finals presented by Lucas Oil in Las Vegas. Monster Kawasaki’s Justin Soule finished second in the first main event followed by Husqvarna’s Cory Graffunder. In the second main event, Monster Kawasaki’s Taylor Robert earned his first ever EnduroCross podium with a second ahead of KTM’s Mike Brown. Blazusiak ended with a perfect 240 points and Brown had a solid second in the championship with Soule overtaking Geoff Aaron for third in the chase.

Beta’s Cody Webb set the fastest lap time during the afternoon Hot Laps, which determine the heat race gate picks and bragging rights. Blazusiak was second with Brown third, Graffunder forth and Soule fifth. Webb, Blazusiak and Brown won the three heat races for the direct transfer to the double main events. Destry Abbott and Colton Haaker were among the surprise non qualifiers.

Blazusiak took the $1000 Girardi Wealth Management Holeshot award to start the first main event followed by Soule, who stayed close during the entire main event to keep the race interesting; but Blazusiak rode a flawless race to keep his perfect season intact. Husqvarna’s Graffunder got on the podium in only his second race back after a broken wrist kept him out of most of the season. Brown passed Webb in the last turn to take forth. British KTM Rider, Johnathan Walker, rode a good race to finish sixth ahead of Robert, Bobby Prochnau, Kyle Redmond, Geoff Aaron, Jacob Argubright and Gary Sutherlin.

GEICO Honda’s Redmond took the $1,000 Girardi Wealth Management Holeshot award in the second main but Blazusiak quickly passed him to take the lead. Blazusiak held nothing back and immediately checked out to a large lead. Redmond held second for a few laps but then Monster Kawasaki’s Robert took over the position and held on for his first ever EnduroCross podium finish. Brown was a very close third ahead of Soule and Redmond, who held on for fifth. Aaron had an off night and finished sixth with Prochnau, Graffunder, Webb, Walker, Argubright and Sutherlin rounding out the main event in 12th.

Taylor Robert won the E3 Spark Plugs Junior Championship, which recognizes expert riders that are 21 and under. Keith Sweeten was second in the Junior Championship and Jacob Argubright was third even though he missed several rounds to race National Hare & Hound events.

Max Gerston won the Open Amateur EnduroCross Grand Championship ahead of Derrick Mahoney and Shane Cuthbertson. In the Vet 35-plus class, Kurt Nichol took the win Josh Adams and Shane Cuthbertson. Bryan Roper won the TrialsCross class ahead of Max Nelson and Chase Harker. The Baja Designs night race was won by Eric Rhoten over Ryan Rodgers and Wally Palmer.

The Freegun Underwear Women’s invitational was won by Louise Forsley, the top female Trials rider that used her consistency to make up for a crash on the first lap. Maria Forsburg, the current GNCC Champion finished second ahead of fifteen-year old Rachel Gutish, Kacy Martinez and Nicole Madsen.

The 2012 Championship will expand to eight events with the series kicking off in Las Vegas on Friday, May 4^th on Supercross finals weekend.

2011 Las Vegas GEICO AMA EnduroCross presented by Lucas Oil results – Main Event 1

1. Taddy Blasuziak
2. Justin Soule
3. Cory Graffunder
4. Mike Brown
5. Cody Webb
6. Jonathan Walker
7. Taylor Robert
8. Bobby Prochnau
9. Kyle Redmond
10. 10.  Geoff Aaron
11. 11.  Jacob Argubright
12. 12.  Gary Sutherlin

2011 Las Vegas GEICO AMA EnduroCross presented by Lucas Oil results – Main Event 2

1. Taddy Blazusiak
2. Taylor Robert
3. Mike Brown
4. Justin Soule
5. Kyle Redmond
6. Geoff Aaron
7. Bobby Prochnau
8. Cory Graffunder
9. Cody Webb
10. 10.  Jonathan Walker
11. 11.  Jacob Argubright
12. 12.  Gary Sutherlin

2012 GEICO AMA EnduroCross Schedule

EnduroCross tracks incorporate various elements of extreme off road racing into a supercross-style setting, including rocks, boulders, logs, sand, mud, a water-hole…and even a few special obstacles like giant tires thrown in!  Known as the “toughest racing on two wheels,” this indoor off road racing will certainly keep you on your feet. Don’t miss your chance to see GEICO AMA EnduroCross “Live”. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will combine to telecast 25 hours of live X Games 17 competition, which will include Enduro X. For the six remaining EnduroCross events, be sure to log-on to www.motorsportshour.com for local air dates/times for the Lucas Motorsports Hour on the Versus network.

ENDUROCROSS is a registered trademark of Source Interlink Magazines, LLC.

For rules and race information visit www.EnduroCross.com or email endurocross@sorc.com.

Source Interlink Media Motorsports:
Encompassing the highly successful GEICO AMA MiniMotoSX presented by Monster Energy and Braaap USA, the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Championship Series, presented by Lucas Oil and the AMA EnduroCross Grand Championships, the Source Interlink Media Motorsports brands reach millions of motorcycle enthusiasts with live events, DVD packages, web sites, television and magazine coverage. Visit www.minimotosx.com or www.endurocross.com

Story By Pete Peterson Photos By Drew Ruiz, Joe McKimmy And Pete Peterson

[Before you read this story you should know KTM is offering this same riding experience to amateur racers at the Vegas round this weekend... but it's already sold out. So be sure to check the sign-ups for next season at www.endurocross.com to see if and where KTM will be doing this in 2012.]

KTM is a cool company. They try new things, they continue to develop their two-strokes, they support off-road racing, they make a race car, and they give back to their customers. Sometimes this takes the form of a KTM-only ride day at a local track, other times it’s a demo ride day (yes, they really have dirt bike test rides!) for anyone who knows how to ride. But recently KTM took a step forward with a special opportunity for amateur EnduroCross riders to walk the track of the 2011 Ontario, Califonia round with Mike Brown and Taddy Blazusiak. This gave the racers a chance to see what they’d be racing a day early, get some line suggestions and warnings from two of the best EnduroCross racers, and then, best of all, take to the track for an hour with Taddy and Mike trackside to offer advice, encouragement, or more often just help them up.

Mike Brown used to sometimes appear like, and has the qualifications to be, an arrogant guy. That’s an assumption many people made watching him in interviews during his motocross racing career. But he’s actually incredibly nice, just a bit shy. But he wasn’t shy during the track walk where he did most of the talking as he and Taddy toured the collection of KTM racers around the course. Mike’s and Taddy’s lines and methods of attacking the obstacles weren’t necessarily the best choices for the lesser skilled riders, so they offered ‘paddle-through’ tips as well.

And when Mike and Taddy were done walking and talking, the KTMs fired up and the violent, awkward ballet of EnduroCross filled the stadium floor. I was semi-safely trackside hiding behind a camera, so I thought the Experience might be best told by those who actually experienced it. Here’s what the racers had to say before their KTMs had even cooled:

“I do desert racing and this is insane even compared to the National Hare & Hound… I didn’t think the wood pile was going to be that hard… It definitely helped a lot to have [Brown and Blazusiak] here. They gave great advice through the rocks. The first few laps I was just bouncing all over the place and by the last lap I had it dialed through the rocks… They just told me to hold my line, ease in and just lean back and be smooth through it. Don’t just try to grab a big handful of throttle. It’ll just wheelie on you and you’ll get stuck. Ease on, lean back, and just go for it. That made it a lot easier for me… If I’d gone into tomorrow without doing any of this I’d be screwed. These guys gave great advice and I’m feeling a lot better than I was this morning.” Ben Meza

“[The track walk] was awesome. They basically stopped at each obstacle and talked about how they would go through it. They realize how they go through it is different than how most of us go through it, but they gave us some tips about positioning on the bike, when to have weight in the back, when to have the front wheel up, each different section they spent about two to three minutes talking about each one and taking questions. It really gave us a strategy and an ability to visualize how we’re going to go through it. And that was probably the best thing out there, them taking the time on each one of them and giving us the insight…  This is a huge advantage [for tomorrow's race]. If I just came out here and did it dry my first time around I don’t even know if I’d finish the evening, to be honest. But with their tips and everything, I’m not expecting the make it through the entire course quite clean, but at least I know I can make it through now. This is a valuable, KTM stepping up and doing this was greatly appreciated. It was definitely worth the price of entry.” Darren Moen

” ‘More’ is the best advice I got. When I was practicing the firewood section, I came around the second time and crashed and Mike Brown said, ‘you did it right, just give it more.’ So that’s what I did and I made it through the next time. I did it the same way each time and I went through the same way each time, so it helps… It definitely helps [coinfidence], because one of the biggest things you worry about before is, ‘what does the track look like?’ and it was wonderful that we got to get a little bit of help from the KTM riders and we got to see it.” Levi Jones

“I wasn’t even going to do it, actually, but I just decided last-minute I’d give it a shot because it would give me an advantage to ride the track. It’s a good way to get out there and get a little time in… I asked Taddy on the Matrix how he was going to ride it and it’s definitely a lot different than how most of the amateur riders are going to ride it. I actually tried the way he’s going to ride it and I got mostly through it, except the last double-out was hard for me to time it right. But any information that he can give you is good.” Mike Damm

“I was having a little trouble in the Matrix, I was getting my linkage caught on the logs and he just gave me a couple tips, ‘keep your front end higher up and just try to ride light over the logs’ and that’s what I did and it works a bit better now… Now I know what to expect, I know how hard each lap’s going to be, I what gears to be in, I practiced a couple starts – it helps a lot.” Max Gerston

“I was running up front and got stuck in the rock section and was stuck for the whole race in Vegas last year… It was really good to get out on the track and get a few practice laps for sure and get some expertise from them obviously… Mainly, off the big logs going into the firewood section, just keep your front end up and jump into it instead of rolling and then go. Definitely jump in and keep your weight back. And they were talking about going into the water, just jumping over that log, which obviously is kinda sketch but I think I could do it.” Gavin McCarthy

MIKE BROWN

I also spoke with the stars themselves. Here’s what Mike Brown had to say after watching the racers attack the course and try to apply the advice he was giving -

PP: When you were back racing motocross, were you doing off-road or strictly track stuff?

MB: All track stuff. I still do a lot of track stuff. If I’m doing EnduroCross I’ll practice a couple weeks before the race but for WORCS stuff I’m still doing mostly motocross practice… EnduroCross is like Supercross. If you don’t practice that you aren’t going anywhere. It’s the hardest thing I’ve tried to do on a motorcycle and compete in it. It’s fun to go ride it, but when you get ten people on the track it’s totally different. You’ve gotta have your lines and you’ve gotta know where you’re going.

PP: When you were converting from motocross champion to EnduroCross racer, did you have someone come out and help you like you’re doing today?

MB: No, I learned it myself. Same as I did in supercross. I never had a supercross track when I was growing up. I got on the Pro Circuit Honda team back then and was straight to California on a supercross track, I’d never ridden one and it was, ‘What am I doing here?!’ and this is the same way. When I was asking about it, wanting to do it, I was thinking, ‘You do six laps, that’s easy. Eight laps for the main, that’s nothing.’ Six laps here feels like a 25 lap main in supercross. I learned (EX) myself, and being with Taddy, you can’t ask for a better teammate. He helps me a lot, and just watching him, being at practice tracks with him, that’s helped me more than anything. And just riding it as much as you can, that’s how you get better at this stuff here.

PP: Before you teamed up with Taddy did you have somebody that was helping you get through these tricky obstacles?

MB: Not really. When I first did it I was on a 450, too. I was on a big bike because I didn’t know any different. KTM said you can go do it because Taddy was hurt at the time. I went and did two races filling in for him. I thought everybody was riding 450s and just went straight to the race in South Carolina. I’d never been on a (EX) track in my life and went straight out there and did it. After two laps I was, ‘This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.’ You can’t breathe, there’s always something in front of you, it gets tough, it gets tiring, it gets frustrating. You get people on the track getting in your lines, getting stuck, you gotta take a different line, it makes it different everywhere. In supercross or motocross you can go anywhere on the track and keep your speed going. Here if they get stuck in front of you in a good line you can lose a couple seconds or places.

PP: Is there any general advice you can give amateurs trying to get better at EnduroCross?

MB: Even for me, I don’t know if I slowed my speed, but I slowed my actions. I was getting too aggressive, trying too hard in certain areas, and it doesn’t work in this stuff. Some areas you can go fast down the straightaways, but in the rocks, in the logs, you’ve got to take your time, get through there, not get stuck. Before I was just hitting it fast and getting stuck and making mistakes. Just take you time, be patient, get through the stuff, even if you’re just creeping through it, don’t get stuck. That’s what I was telling these guys here about The Matrix for tomorrow. Get through it the best you can. If you get stuck, get off the bike as quick as you can and get it going. You don’t want to waste time sitting there spinning the wheel. You’re not going anywhere. Just be patient and make sure you get through everything. It doesn’t matter how fast, just make it through it.

TADDY BLAZUSIAK

I spoke with Taddy just after the amateur racers finished their track practice time.

PP: What did you think about these riders and what’s the best advice you can give guys at this level?

TB: To be honest I was really surprised at the riders. They are amateurs, right, but they improved a lot with that hour we had on the track. The most important thing is the track walk. Walk the track to figure out some lines, and if you don’t feel comfortable with something you have the see what to do if something [goes wrong] and not be uncomfortable with all the obstacles. And then it’s important to keep as much speed as you can and let the bike roll as much as you can. Sometimes it doesn’t feel right, but that’s the way to do it. You’ve just got to keep the momentum going.

PP: So on the track walk, you pick more than one way through each section?

TB: Oh yeah, for sure. When I do a track walk I’ll walk every single section and at least I gotta pick three lines. Because when we race there’s lots of people around so you’ve got to be prepared to change lines and go not according to your plan. You’ve got to have a plan B and C.

PP: For the average guy that doesn’t have an EnduroCross track in his back yard, what can he do to get ready for this type of race?

TB: If he’s from around Murietta, he should be riding the [EX] track at Glen Helen, it’s a pretty good practice track. If not, for sure just trail riding and finding stuff like that, like loose rocks and some log crossings, for sure it helps, but at the end of the day if you want to be good at EnduroCross, you have to be riding an EnduroCross track which is different than trail riding. If you can spend some time on a track, that’s ideal. If not… improvise. (laughs)

PP: Do you advise getting a trials bike? How much does that help?

TB: I don’t know… For sure trials is good, it’s all about control and throttle control and clutch control and it helps a lot but I think right now EnduroCross has developed its own technique so if you want to be good at EnduroCross you’ve got to be riding EnduroCross tracks and that’s it. It’s not about having that trials bike and riding it, because it’s not going to help you be fast on an EnduroCross track. It might help you understand how to get over some obstacles, but if you want to be fast at EnduroCross, ride an EnduroCross track for sure.

PP: So when you went from trials, to extreme enduro, to EnduroCross, did you have people that were coaching you and giving you advice?

TB: No, no. Not really. I was always riding by myself and trying to figure out stuff. Trying to go faster and faster and all I thought of was to have a better bike, a faster bike, to be more fit, to be faster, and that’s how it goes. It’s hard to get any tips from other guys because we’re competing against the other guys. So it’s just about trying to be a better rider.

PP: Tonight was about you making the amateur riders better. Let’s say that guy has a regular job. On a Wednesday night, is there anything that guy can do in his living room, gym or at work to help this?

TB: Yeah, for sure. The first and the most important thing is to do something every day. If you’re an amateur and if you like to play tennis, [then] play tennis, because it’s going to help you with your endurance. If you like to play squash or whatever you like, it’s good. If you want to do something really good for dirt bike riding, it’s cycling, but I know if you have a regular job it’s hard to do. But maybe you can do it on the stationary bicycle at home. Cycling 30-40 minutes a day, every day, makes such a big difference for amateur riders. They’re going to feel it after three or four weeks, like they went three steps forward.

If you’re going to be at the EnduroCross watch for Taddy to attempt two wrap up a perfect season in the two-main-event evening, and watch for Mike Brown to try to stop that win streak with a victory of his own. Who knows, maybe they’ll be stealing lines and ideas from one another the Friday night before the race when they help another group of amateur KTM racers.