| Loretta Lynn 2007 Summary |
| Saturday, 11 August 2007 | |
 "A motocross race is more than a race… It's a life style event." This was never more true than for the 1,386 racers who competed in this year’s 26th annual Air Nautiques AMA Amateur Motocross Championships at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee...
 In fact, “a life style event” is far too simple a phase to sum up the memories and emotions that, not only the racers and their families experience, but also the family friends, industry personnel and fans who come to witness the greatest motocross race in the world. 2007 proved to be just as exciting and eventful as in preceding years. Awe inspiring battles, new championship records, and the tons of fun activities are memories we all will not soon forget as the Lock Jaw crew looks back on our week at Loretta Lynn’s. The week began with the Lock Jaw rig pulling into the front gates early Sunday morning. After a painfully drawn out ten hour drive from Michigan, we were happy and excited to finally arrive at the ranch. As we followed Concept Haulers and double-decker trailers up the hill towards our spot along vendor row, we all perked up a bit, despite our heavy eyelids and stiff bodies from the tiring drive. We were all anxious to see familiar faces and friends, as well as meet new ones. Once we parked the trailer, we began unloading all the tents, tables, TV screens, banners, Lock Jaws and other stuff in order to set up for the week ahead. We were immediately greeted by old friends, as well as fellow racers and their families who were excited and nervous about the week of racing that was about to take place. 
 The next morning, after a well deserved night of rest and relaxation back at the hotel, we were greeted and approached by many new faces. People were curious about Lock Jaw and wanted to hear all about it. Although I would have preferred to sit trackside and watch old and new prospects tear up the fresh Loretta Lynn’s track all day, I was happy to let people know about the benefits of wearing a Lock Jaw Helmet Stabilizer. Once I did get a chance to get out on the track, I was amazed at some of the new speed that clearly separated the leaders from the rest of the pack. The usual suspects like Jason Anderson, Ian Trettel, Adam Cianciarulo, Tyler Wharton, PJ Larsen, Trey Canard and Austin Stroupe (the list goes on and on) seemed to slice through berms and soar over jumps so smoothly, it was as if the bike and the rider were one being. It was obvious to me and the rest of the fans that surrounded the track that day, that the stage was set for another year of epic battles. 
 As our week continued, we were pleased with all the positive attention we were getting, not only from our Lock Jaw riders, but also many influential people and companies in the motocross industry who are now looking forward to future relationships with Lock Jaw Racing. Even better was the racing we all were treated to, from so many up-and-comers on the amateur scene. The 50 classes were full of tough little racers who were hungry for action, but it was riders like Jordan Bailey, Adam Bestafka and Mark Worth who bested the rest of the 41 racers in their respective 50 classes by being consistently fast all week. KTM riders seemed to dominate all three 65 classes, with rider Jesse Masterpool sweeping the 7-11 Mod class and a second overall in the 10-11 Stock class. If you happened to be at the ranch this week, another rider who was hard to ignore was Kawasaki rider Adam Cianciarulo. Adam absolutely ripped. By the end of the week he won 4 of his 6 motos, settling for second place in the two remaining motos, which earned him two number one plates this year. Eli Tomac also won four of his six motos in the 85 (14-15) Mod and Supermini classes, earning two Loretta Lynn titles. Even more impressive was rider Jason Anderson who completely swept both his 85 classes with 6 moto wins! Luckily, I had the pleasure of watching Jason in his first moto win as well as hear him thank Lock Jaw for their support while on the podium. Thanks and congratulations Jason! In the girls 9-13 class, 13 year old Chiara Fontanesi (a name that announcer Jason Weigandt practiced all week long before getting it right) swept her class. Despite the rough track and hot, humid weather she was not accustomed to, the Italian youngster seemed to make quick work of the track and pulled a significant lead in all three motos. For the older girls (12 plus class) a consistent Tarah Geiger edged out favorite and past champion Jessica Patterson for the overall and number 1 plate at the end of the week. 
 Some of the best news made here at the ranch this week was the two titles Kevin Walker took to officially break the previous record and earn him more titles than any rider in Loretta Lynn’s Amateur Motocross Championships history. Greg Bixby from Lock Jaw Racing has had the pleasure of having dinner and hanging out with Kevin and his family and would like to congratulate Kevin on his record breaking year. There is no nicer guy, or family, in Motocross. Good job Kevin. The A, Pro Sport and Four Stroke classes were an amazing site this year. Crazy-fast riders like PJ Larsen, “Ice Trey” Canard, Austin Stroupe, Nico Izzi, Wil Hahn, Phillip Nicoletti, Tyler Wharton, Darryn Durham and spoiler Ben Evens battled each other all the way to the, checkers fighting for that all-important number one plate. In the Motocross A class, PJ Larsen smoked the competition and showed everyone that he had the speed, even after all the bad luck that seemed to stop him from getting a title in past years. Ben Evens also showed that sometimes consistency does win championships, earning the number one plate in the Motocross A-Pro Sport class with a 3-3-1. In the Four Stroke class, Pennsylvania’s Darryn Durham led the 3rd and final moto on Saturday for most of the race, which would have given him the overall and the title. Tyler Wharton had other plans though, as he ran down and passed Darryn for the win and the title. Meanwhile, younger brother “Double Ace” Blake swept his Schoolboy (12-15) class for the title. In the Motocross Lites A and Pro Sport classes, Trey Canard bested a very fast Nico Izzi and Austin Stroupe with 4 of 6 moto wins to take home two titles by the end of the week. These two classes proved to be some of the best racing of the week as “Ice Trey” Canard demonstrated to the Loretta Lynn crowd that he’ll be someone to look out for as he makes his transition into the Pro ranks. 
 By the end of the week here at Loretta’s, a whole new standard was set for next year’s riders to follow. Moreover, thanks to the Coombs family, Tim Cotter and Loretta Lynn personnel, the motocross vacation we all know and love has only continued to get better. With new fencing, new additions to the track, new facilities and added on-site security to help calm the youngsters when they get a little too rambunctious, these additions once again helped ensure that everyone here at the Ranch could enjoy themselves to the fullest. Motocross racing and the Loretta Lynn’s national is our lifestyle and the event we most look forward to year after year. Thanks to everyone for making this year a memorable one for Lock Jaw and congratulations to all the racers who had the honor of racing at the Loretta Lynn ranch. |
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