Upper Midwest Trials Association

Show #6 (Special Guatemala World Round Edition, April 2007) of the podcast, On the Pegs, Motorcycle Trials World Radio is now available. It includes:

• 0-1:30: Opening remarks with show host, yours truly
• 1:30-15:10: News with OTP managing editor Dan Brown
• 15:10-39:45: Dan’s Guatemala World Round interviews including Pat and Noel Smage, Allajandro and Diego Ordonez, Alexz Wigg, Michael Brown, Bill Matheson, Martin Lampkin, and miscellaneous spectators, observers, and scorers.
• 39:45-41:37: Closing comments

If you’re interested at all in TRIALS come on out to one of our events and check it out! A few people did at our first 2007 UMTA event and here is what one had to say:

I just want to say that the UMTA group is an extremely friendly group and are very helpful. I went to watch my first Trials event Sunday at Theilman and I want to thank the many people that explained Trials to me and let me ride their bikes. Thank you very much. — Jason Fox

Thank you Jason for coming out and we hope to see you again soon!

Any other Jason’s out there?

The 2007 season started off with almost 50 riders showing up to ride. We had good weather, great sections, and a few new riders who seemed to really enjoy the day. One of the highlights on Saturday was of course Griff Wigley coming out of semi-retirement and showing he still has the stuff by finishing 2nd in the Expert Class to Randy Kimmick; our 2006 Expert class champion and Sherco/Scorpa dealer. This class grew significantly in 2007 with the addition of Jay Drycz, Scott Booth, and of course BEAR.

In the Champ class the B Brothers (Brad Villand and Ben Winterer) showed even with a long layoff they can still impress with their skills and take a wild guess who won :=) A smaller Supersport class of 4 riders included Trialsmasters Brian Dotterwick and Mike Hendrickson, who both finished behind the signmaster… Marc Dittman on his new Montesa 4 stroke and the SS class winner Matt Wittlief.

One of the larger Advanced classes in UMTA history (13) launched the new season with perhaps the longest 1st loop time ever and everyone was glad we have no time penalties :=) Brian Drycz came out on top and perhaps the lowlight of the day (at least from this writers perspective) was Paul Redman on his 4RT taking 2nd and beating his Dad for the first time.

The intermediate class featured another father/son battle and Nate Hirt fresh off his Trials Training Center visit, started the new season with a win. (I feel your pain Pat Honorable mention for longtime UMTA-er Dad, Milt Thomas for riding his first event and finishing the day with a smile… and a cigar of course!

Kevin Driscoll launched 2007 in the Novice class with first place honors and young Jason Hirt also put his recent Trials Training Center experience to work with a win in the Youth class. (A Sunday report and official results will be forthcoming)

Last but certainly not least, Rod Villand and Greg Huggenvik kicked off the Vintage class season without 2006 Vintage class champion Steve Kirschner and they said to be sure to communicate it was the funnest day of riding they ever had

Special thanks once again to Vickie Boggie for her great work on the registration table and to all those who helped set-up for the event. We need all UMTA-ers to step up and help for the season to be a success and I encourage everyone to not only enjoy the riding, but find a way to help in whatever way possible.

Podium photos from the 4/21 event at Theilman. Results/names coming soon. Click photos to enlarge.

Misc photos from the 4/21 trial at Theilman. Click to enlarge. Attach comments!

2006 Class champs received their plaques at the first event of the 2007 season in Theilman. Click photos to enlage and see the complete 2006 results/standings (PDF),

Left, Champ class: Ben Winterer, 2nd; Brad Villand, 1st
Left center, Expert class: Gordy Boggie, 2nd; Randy Kimmick 1st; Wynne Earlewine 3rd
Right center, Super Sport class: Jay Drycx, 1st; Bear, 2nd; Jim Winterer, 3rd
Right, Advanced Class; Brian Drycz, 2nd; Scott Booth, 1st; Jack Chermak, 3rd

Left, Intermediate class: Marc Redman, 1st; Reed Anderson; 3rd; Kurt Thomas, 2nd
Left center, Novice class: Nathan Hirt; 2nd; Paul Redman, 1st; Patrick Hirt, 3rd
Right center, Beginner class: Jason Hirt, 2nd; Will Thomas, 1st (not pictured); Derek Lange, 3rd
Right, Vintage class: Rod Villand, 2nd; Greg Huggenvik, 3rd; Steve Kirschner, 1st (not pictured)

Get ready… the 2007 season of the UMTA is almost here! Preparations are almost complete at Theilman for this weekends 1st event of the season. I was there on Saturday and due to the hard work of many UMTA-ers under the leadership of Brian Dotterwick, 2 days of fun TRIALS Competition awaits. I will be giving out all the 2006 D23 jackets/plaques at the riders meeting at 11:00, and we will kick off the new season at 11:30. So get your bike ready, invite a friend, and don’t forget your helmet!

Looking forward to seeing everyone and any/all newcomers to TRIALS/UMTA… welcome. Consider yourself personally invited to come out and check out the world of TRIALS at any event. Look me up and I (along with all the UMTA-ers) will do everything we can to answer your questions, let you experience a TRIALS bike, and make your day a great one!

Marc Redman

Show #5 (April 2007) of the podcast, On the Pegs, Motorcycle Trials World Radio is now available. It includes:

• 0-2:30: Opening remarks with show host, yours truly
• 2:30-11:45: News with OTP managing editor Dan Brown
• 11:45-20:45: Dale Malasek, GasGas USA
• 20:45-36:00: Ryan Young, Ryan Young Products
• 36:00-42:00: Mike Harker, Scorpa USA
• 42:00-49:00: Five riders at the Trials Training Days: Tom Farr, Don Reedy, Harry Vanderlinden, Karen Garrett, and Dave Aldo
• 49:00-54:30: Pro rider interview: Pat Smage
• 54:30-59:00: Pro rider interview: Phil Smage
• 59:00-61:00: Closing comments with our show theme song: Music, Motorcycles and Money by Gary Dean Jennings, courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network.