USA INSIDER #174: BIG CASH FOR LITTLE GUYS

Transmoto’s weekly web-exclusive column, the USA Insider, penned by Jason Weigandt, presented by Ipone.

Just got back from the annual Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Championships at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch. This is a huge, huge event, probably the biggest motocross race in the world when you consider 1400 racers compete over the course of five-straight days of racing in 38 classes. Crazier, though, is that the 1400 rider cap comes via a qualifying process. There are over 22,000 entries for the event, each hoping to make it through Area and Regional qualifying races around the country to earn a shot at racing at Loretta’s. For a lot of riders, just making it ranks as their greatest career accomplishment.

Once you’re down there, you’re in a world by yourself. Loretta Lynn is a huge country music star here and her ranch is large and impressive. It’s also pretty much in the middle of nowhere, so internet and cell service goes there to die. You’re somewhat isolated from technology. However, you are surrounded by money. People spend a lot if they qualify for this event, with motorhome lots stretched as far as the eye can see. Heck, there are usually quite a few Aussies on hand racing the event, which means mum and dad fronted a trip to at least two qualifying events and the big dance itself. I can’t even fathom how they do it.

But I can see why. Loretta’s week is the end of the rainbow, the pot of gold. This is where you get discovered, this is where you make it. That’s true now more than ever, because the pro 250 teams have built a model around hiring young guns, and the pressure to get them earlier keeps ratcheting tighter.

Yes, most manufacturers have an amateur department that hired young riders and got them on the right bikes. But if the rider was good enough to turn pro, he’d then get handed off to the pro factory team. Then GEICO Honda shattered that mold in 2007 when the pro team simply hired prospect Trey Canard and treated him like a member of the pro squad. Canard, who had ridden Kawasaki’s previously, went to the next level, cleaned up at the ’07 amateur races, and then won the 250 East Region Supercross Championship in 2008. GEICO Honda then grabbed Honda prospect Justin Barcia, as well as Suzuki’s Eli Tomac and Blake Wharton, and Kawasaki’s Justin Bogle. With all of that talent, the team finally turned the tables on long-time nemesis Monster Energy/Pro Circuit Kawasaki. This was the new model.

A few years ago, Yamaha was in rough shape, with a roster devoid of big names or results. So, they went fishing for prospects at the amateur level. Yamaha created a new name for its amateur division, Blu Cru, and Star Racing Team Owner Bobby Reagan started scouting. They nabbed Jeremy Martin from Suzuki and Cooper Webb from Honda, and this duo is now the strongest 1-2 punch in the 250 pros. At Loretta’s this year, the race was on to get the next big things.

There were hot rumors about Austin Forkner, who is about a year away from turning pro. Everyone courted him, but Forkner ultimately choose to stay with Kawasaki because he was offered a four-year deal. His first four pro seasons are guaranteed! You’ll see him debut professionally next may when the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Nationals kick off.

Further down, Kawasaki has a fast 105cc pilot named Garrett Marchbanks, and teams are all over him. Reagan, the Star/Yamaha owner, supposedly walked up during a podium celebration and said he’ll pay him more money than anyone else will. Marchbanks is 13 years old. In an era of four and five-year offers, though, he’s in line for a big deal. This all means that, yes, Loretta’s, the race itself, is still a pretty big deal in it’s own right.