DECEMBER MATT NEWSLINE 2006
Fantastic, incredible, outstanding, really great, the best ever! Those were just a few of the comments heard after the trial on Sunday Nov, 19th. So was it a great trials? Yes it was, but those comments were all about Marilyn Critten’s fabulous carrot cake, chocolate cake and peanut butter coconut balls. If you don’t already know, Marilyn has a Trenton tradition of bringing desserts to the November trials so don’t miss it next year! THANK YOU MARILYN! You’re the best! Deward, you are the luckiest guy on planet earth!
I want to remind everyone of the Christmas party details and since Chris Hopkins doesn’t read the Newsline all the way thru I will put it here at the beginning: Carl and Chris Hopkins have graciously offered to host the MATT party once again! Thank you Carl and Chris! The date is Saturday, December 9th. According to Chris, guests may start arriving any time after 6:00pm. Bring a snack & beverage of your choice. Chris will have hot apple cider and coffee.
Directions to the Hopkins:
From the South:
Get to I-29 & 64th Street (also known as 45 Highway & also Tom Watson Parkway).
Go West on Tom Watson Parkway about 3 miles or so to Blair Road (it's a light just past the Kwik Stop),
Turn right, go to Kerns Drive and turn left (this is to the left just as Blair Road curves to the right). We'll put a loop marker by the light post as a marker. You will go down in a little valley and then back up again. We are about the 4th house on the left once you pass the stone Weatherby Lake sign.
From the North & East:
Take 152 West to Amity Exit. Take the exit and turn left at the stop sign. Go to Barry Road and turn right. Go to West Side Drive and follow it until it turns into Kerns Drive. This is a very winding road just stay on it and don't make any right hand turns onto any other streets and you will be fine. We are about the 4th house on the right once it turns into Kerns. We'll put a loop marker by the street sign as a marker.
Call the Hopkins at 816-741-5436 (correct phone number this time) for directions if these don't work for you.
We have another new member, yeah! Joe Boyce was voted in as a new MATT member after the trials. Joe comes to us from Utah and has been around trials for a long time. He seems to be very impressed with our club and grounds and he rides pretty decent too! Please join me in welcoming Joe to our club. Rumor has it he may be at the Christmas party so if you haven’t already met Joe, please introduce yourself to him then.
End of Season clearance sale!!!
2000 Gas Gas TXT 280 Red $2000 Craig Lisher 785-865-3747
1972 OSSA M.A.R. Needs work $400 Craig Lisher 785-865-3747
2002 Gas Gas 280 Pro Blue Like new, never ridden in competition $2800 or partial trade Scott Pollock 816-668- 4168
2002 Gas Gas 280 Pro Red Well maintained, runs great Steve Morgan 816-796-4477
2005 Gas Gas 280 Pro, $4,200 Contact Jim Jeter 816-941-7955 or jeter14@hotmail.com
2004 Gas Gas 280 Pro, $3,500 Contact Jim Jeter 816-941-7955 or jeter14@hotmail.com
2003 Gas Gas 280 Pro (Blue) Everything must go. Many extras including 2 new rear fenders (one with graphics, one without) carbon fiber pipe protector, bar plugs, new back tire. $3100 obo Hollywood a.k.a. Darren Countie (314) 892-6213 – home (314) 819-3194
2003 txt280 pro blue purchased in 04’ ridden in 1 trials event and maybe 25 hours on the bike. Basically, a new bike with a few scuff marks. No dents or dings with one decal damaged from falling in garage and scratches on handle bars from the tie downs. Listing for 3000.00. but negotiable . Make a reasonable offer. Kansas City, Mo. Area. Call 816-697-8802 or email b_eades@hotmail.com Ask for Bob (have pictures if requested).
November Trials in Review
Fantastic, incredible, outstanding, really great, the best ever! Those were some of the comments about the weather we had for our November Trials. The sections were pretty darn good too. With approximately 100 years of trials experience between them, Trialsmasters Bill Wachendorfer (contributing most of those 100 years himself), Jumping Jim Jeter and Kelly Echterling setup nine challenging sections for all classes. The first three were in the rocks of the East Quarry loop, then we dropped into the woods on the main trail for the next three and finally three more in the southern most Quarry loop which is usually a swamp at the bottom. Several riders commented about the multiple lines in all the sections that made it fun, interesting and challenging.
Scott Carpenter attempted to out do his three point upside down parking stunt from last month in section 4, Stepside. After aborting an attempt to summit the very high ledge at the entrance to the section, Scott opted to sneak below the ledge on a very narrow line that dropped sharply to his left. It looked like he was setting up for a 540 degree flip, leading with his left shoulder, down the rocky cliff when Steve Morgan intervened and grabbed Scott with a mighty right hand to interrupt Scott’s cart wheel. Great job Steve! Side note: Bruce Carver had the best 3 scores in this very difficult and intimidating section!
Not to be out done, Kelly Echterling once again attempted the 3 point upside down parking job in section 7, however a big rock prevented the motorcycle from completing the full 180 degree rotation.
In the Intermediate class, Randy Dennis rode brilliantly to victory. But the big story was Matt Hopkins’ drive to beat his Dad, Carl, for the first time EVER! After two loops it was close, Matt had 14+14=28 and Carl had 15+9=24. Matt started pouring it on in the 3rd loop with 5 points and a final total of 33. But Big Daddy Carl put the hammer down and finished with a HOT 3 point loop, for a total of 29. Will Matt ever have his day? Stay tuned.
In the Amateur class, everybody was wondering who the new guy was. Man, he can really ride. That’s new member Joe Boyce. Joe went low for a total of 7 points on the day. Jim Crabtree had a bad start with 17 points in the first loop but finished with 18 points total to edge out Nathan Dennis by 1 point! Check out Jim “Bionic Leg” Bridges in a close 4th place with 25.
Novice class featured Steve Porter and three new faces. After warming up with two 12 point loops, Zayn Arndt got it all together for a 3 point third loop and the win. In 2nd was Philip Erhaeghe who went 8,5 and then took 14 points in 4 sections that he only had 1 point in the first two loops for a 20 point third loop and 33 points total. Steve Porter took 3rd over Andrew Moreau, 41 to 46. We hope you “new faces” had fun and plan to come back for more!
Side note 1: The very lovely Carly Wren Brown was accompanied by two young men to observe the trials. Something tells me the young men were more interested in Carly than watching the trials riders!
Side note 2: I talked to Marc Carpenter recently. His shoulder started bothering him after the Quarry Cup. After the NEOTT two day he could not raise his arm at all for about a week and decided to see a Doctor. The MD said to give it another week or two, if it feels better then just take it easy for another couple of months, if not…. So it is feeling better and Marc plans to take it easy for now. He may try to ride the Postage Stamp Trials Jan 1st (see more on this event on the next page). Please join me in wishing Marc a complete and speedy recovery.
NOTABLE QUOTABLES:
Scott Carpenter: “Bruce is doing really good. He has hardly used the F word at all today” After Bruce stepped thru the bars at the bottom of the very difficult down hill right turn in number 7.
Bill Sanderson: “I swear, every time I went to take a piss in the woods, here came (name withheld)”
Note: The previous entry was modified and censored for the benefit of the readers.
Steve Morgan: “It’s the first time I got to really ride my new bike. The sections were great and everybody had a good time. I am glad Jason wasn’t here, he would have bumped me down another notch.” Also Steve (age 47) was wondering what Marc Carpenter’s body will be like when he is 47?!
Harley Griffieon: “I had a great time! Now I have to get home and finish harvesting the last 60 acres of grain.” Harley said that’s 6 to 8 hours of work. Ah, the life of a farmer!
Joe Boyce: “I was offered tickets to the Chiefs game today, but who wants to just sit in a stadium watching a game? Look at what a great time I would have missed!” That’s my kind of guy.
Mike Carpenter: “It doesn’t get any better than this. Great weather, great sections and great people to enjoy them with.” Nuff said.
Nate Dennis: “You better take it Dad, you might not get any more chances” after Randy turned down his medal for First Place Intermediate Class.
Randy Dennis: “Aw, you know, I got all kinds of trophies and stuff like that, but it’s just like everybody having fun in section #6 (as many as 5 riders in the Roller Coaster section at the same time) and everybody trying different lines in #9 after the trials and riding together. That’s what it’s all about.” Well said Mr. President.
Dawson Dennis: “Aaaagh, shut up!” After Kelly commented about how cute he and Alexis Williams looked playing together. Dawson has a girlfriend!
Carl Hopkins: “WHO’S YOU’RE DADDY?!” Carl said to Matt after holding off Matt in his attempt to beat his old man for the first time.
Matt Hopkins: “If I can’t beat him, I’ll just go up to the Expert class.” Right after the trials, Matt was seen thrashing the big splatter rock at the mouth of the south quarry pit with the skid pan of his GasGas. I think he is serious about moving up.
Scott Carpenter: “I liked the last three sections the best (he really said that), especially number 7. I got a 1 in that my last loop.”
Bill Wachendorfer: “You’ve got to quit spotting them so many points the first loop” he said to Jim Crabtree when he handed Jim his 2nd place medal.
Marilyn Critten: “Kelly, do want to take home some peanut butter coconut balls?” You ever see me turn down food?
Bill Wachendorfer: “See you all next spring!” as he will be leaving for Florida sun soon.
Late Breaking News from Russ Amos:
You’re invited to the umpteenth annual Postage Stamp Trials, January 1, 2007. All classes of riders are
welcome but if you are Novice, Rookie, or Junior please call me first so I can set up sections for you. The first riders start off on the huge 500 yard loop at 1pm. The event should be over around 4 pm. After the event you can indulge in copious amounts of chili, hot dogs, and all the fixins. BYOB! Spectators, as always, are welcome to encourage the riders up and over the insurmountable obstacles. Entry fee for all riders is twenty (20) first class $0.39 stamps or $10.00 cash. The trials are located on the sprawling estate of Russ Amos and Jane Drury in Shawnee, Ks. The address is 7018 Bell Rd. which is basically two blocks east of I-435 and Midland Drive. If you need directions please call 913-962-0159.
Reminder: Next event will be at Trenton on Sunday December 17th.
November Trials Results
NOVICE L1 L2 L3 Total
1) Zayn Arndt 12 12 3 27
2) Philip Erhaeghe 8 5 20 33
3) Steve Porter 17 14 10 41
4) Andrew Moreau 11 7 28 46
AMATEUR L1 L2 L3 Total
1) Joe Boyce 4 2 1 7
2) Jim Crabtree 17 0 1 18
3) Nathan Dennis 4 8 7 19
4) Jim Bridges 13 8 4 25
5) Kirby Woolston 10 10 9 29
6) Harley Griffieon 23 3 10 36
7) Bob Sanderson 17 14 9 40
8) Tim Kristi 12 15 17 44
9) Dillon Woolston 25 21 16 62
10) Steve Smith 25 22 29 76
INTERMEDIATE
1) Randy Dennis 8 6 6 20
2) Mike Carpenter 12 8 4 24
3) Ken Brown 11 10 5 26
4) Carl Hopkins 15 9 3 27
5) Matt Hopkins 14 14 5 33
6) Chris Williams 13 17 14 44
Kelly Echterling 3 7 3 13 Non Comp
MASTER
1) Scott Carpenter 16 10 6 32
2) Bill Sanderson 18 10 10 38
3) Bruce Carver 17 28 12 57
4) Steve Morgan 23 21 15 59
Kelly Echterling
3811 SW Scherer RD
Lees Summit, MO 64082