“If you only look at what it is, you’ll never be able to see what it is capable of becoming.”
It seems like just yesterday we were racing at Apex at the final SMX race of the 2011 season. Now we are in the first few days of March with only a couple weeks until the first race of the 2012 SMX race season. It’s going to be a big year for SMX and Supermoto in general. There are a lot of new and exciting things to come for SMX and the sport of Supermoto in 2012.
One of the first changes to come to SMX Racing in 2012 came behind the scenes. Kirk Zurbriggen is no longer partners with Steve Isenhower in SMX Racing. Kirk has stepped aside in pursuit of different business ventures. Fortunately for SMX, Kirk will still continue to help the series by providing Bridgestone tire sales and Bridgestone contingency program. So help a company that helps Supermoto and buy Bridgestones.
This leads me to where I introduce myself. My name is Sean Arnold and some may know me from Damn Dummy Racing. I’ve been on both sides of SMX in the past as racer and tech inspector. Now my new role will be as Steve’s partner in SMX series. I come from a technical background, so please feel free to contact me via phone/email or at the track if you have any technical questions or issues.
Another big change for 2012 is the venues and tracks we have scheduled. The first race is March 18 on west side of Qualcomm Stadium. This will be the “new “Westside supermoto course. There have been complaints in the past about the big 1 mile west side course, so we made a few changes and came up with a very good compromise. The new configuration will be more supermoto style and less fast road race style. And of course we will still have the jumps. (Download the entry form here)
An exciting addition to the SMX race schedule was the Stateline Supermoto Challenge. This is one of the largest supermoto races in the country. Racers travel from all over to compete at the Buffalo Bill casino in Primm NV. I highly recommend participating in this event. It is well worth the time and money. There are discounted hotel rooms which really help out in this economy.
Now fast forward to September 14-16. Location, OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa Ca. You will be gridded it waiting for the light to go off. That’s right, no flagger, and a light to signal the start. This is just one of the unique aspects of the OCGP. This is an event you need to put in calendar. This is one of the best events around, if not the best. Look at forums, talk to people who raced last year. Everyone who participated last year had a blast. DO NOT MISS IT!
Besides the first half of season, we are working on the last half of the season and hoping to do some unique events. Events/races that other series do not do. Events/races that people will look forward to each year. Steve and I both have numerous ideas that we are working on. And as soon as possible we will let everyone know the schedule for last half of year.
Lastly, SMX wants to thank our sponsors and supporters for everything they do. We were lucky enough to resign almost all of our sponsors. We are also looking for new sponsors to help support our series. If anyone would like a tax deduction or knows someone who needs a tax deduction, please contact Steve or myself. And most importantly, on behalf of Steve and myself, I want to thank each and every one of you who participates in SMX Racing, and participate in the sport of supermoto. This wouldn’t be possible without you. SMX and supermoto needs you! We need the racers, the customers, the individuals and groups alike. We need big companies and small companies. We need everyone who wants the sport of supermoto to continue to existing, to participate. That’s why we plan to have a great series for all to come and enjoy. And that’s also why we are doing our free promo.
Any first time racer who wants to try supermoto can do it FREE! That’s right, free. Any first time racer can come down to any of the events and race the knobby/DOT class free. This offer is for Knobby/DOT class only. Go to www.racesmx.com and look at race class rules and see what qualifies for the knobby/DOT class (I’ll give you a hint…DRZ qualifies). So tell a friend and get them to come down and race at any event in Knobby/DOT class for free.
Now that the first newsletter is done and was serious, the rest will be less serious. I did the first newsletter with the serious business now I’ll go back to being Sean.
MARCH 18 IS COMING SOON! I’m getting excited! Thanks everyone hope to see you all racing SMX.
A reporter asked Marco Simoncelli this question once.
“Aren’t you afraid you might die in an accident?”
Marco’s response: “No. You live more for five minutes going fast on a bike, than other people do in all their life.”
Take care my friends,
Sean Arnold
sean@racesmx.com
