QUARRY CUP 2007

IMPORTANT: MATT Hot Dog Trials will be at Trenton, Missouri on Sunday October 28, 2007 in order to NOT conflict with the Octobertest in Oklahoma this weekend!

I always tell people that Trials is one of the safest of motorsports. But injuries can happen. Case in point: Scott Williams unfortunately took a serious fall in his first section of the first loop of the first day at the Quarry Cup. Emergency Response Teams were called in and Scott was shipped to the hospital to get checked out. Nothing was broken but he took a good pounding, landed hard on his chest on a rocky hillside, then slid and tumbled to a stop.

I got a message from Scott Williams recently, Scott wrote: “It’s been a tough go, but I can't complain considering the situation.  I appear to be healing steadily.  Even went down to Muenster for moral support.  Then, wonder of wonders, Tommi Ahvala showed up and rode Master Class on Sunday.  Nice surprise! Doing better each day.  Breathing and resting as much as I can.  Surely, hate to cough or sneeze!  Doctor has double checked everything and reassured me I will surely die....someday....but not from this boo-boo.
That's a relief, I guess.” Let’s all keep Scott in our thoughts and prayers as he continues to heal.

I always tell people that Trials is a sport of inches. Case in point: First loop, section number 1, Carl Hopkins goes up a rocky mound in the middle of the section and climbs up over a large rock at the top of the mound with a blind drop on the backside. Carl comes over the rock a little too far left, his front wheel comes down outside the right hand ribbon: 5. Second loop, Carl takes a line a little further to the left over the rock: CLEAN RIDE! Third loop, Carl goes a little too far left, the front wheel drops down but sticks behind an obstruction below the rock and sends Carl through the bars! Carl was okay, got a gouge on his right forearm that has since almost completely healed and was a bit sore in the neck and back for a day or two. Carl still finished 3^rd overall in the Sr. Expert class. What a tough guy!

Another memorable crash and burn at this year Quarry Cup was Bill Sanderson, only it wasn’t during the trials. Bill was playing around on Friday near Dale’s motor home, hopping around, showing off a little, jumping up onto a log in the parking area. The log rolled when Bill landed on it and tossed Bill on his caboose onto the ground! Bill’s bike was fine. Actually his bike was parked. Bill was riding Dale’s Man Size Pogo stick! That thing tossed more than just Bill on their keister, isn’t that right David Pettegrew! Any body else? I saw the Dennis boys riding it. They could hardly get the thing to compress but it still vaulted them around pretty high! Dale had to lock it up so no one else would get hurt! I thought better of trying to ride the darn thing, but hey, I want one!

Dale also provided the entertainment on Saturday night after everyone got filled up on fried chicken with all the fixin’s! Dale has a great big screen TV setup to show trials videos on. Just like at the drive in movies when I was a kid. The show was viewed from between the HUUUUGE bonfire and Dale’s trailer. When the video first started and the bonfire raged, everyone was cozied up near the screen. As the evening grew cooler and the fire grew smaller, everyone kept moving back towards the glow and warmth of the fire. Dale showed a really cool video of this years NATC Champion (youngest ever) Patrick Smage. Even though Patrick rides a Sherco, Dale encouraged everyone to support this young man as he is the USA’s top prospect in Trials and will be contesting as many of the 125cc World Round class events as he can. Patrick won two rounds of this class in Italy and placed third both days to reach the podium in Guatemala this year. The video showed Patrick riding his Sherco, a trials bicycle and a unicycle. Patrick lives on a farm in Wisconsin where he and his Dad and brother have setup sections with rocks, logs, lumber, pallets and other building blocks in a barn so they can practice thru the winter! Is that cool or what! It is an awesome video and Patrick is an awesome young man. Good luck in 2008 Patrick! If you are of a mind to contribute to Patrick’s cause, see http://www.trialsworldfund.com/.

High Society news: On Saturday, October 13^th, the Carver kids threw a surprise party for Eva! Eva’s actual birthday I believe is October 22^nd when she will turn _____ years young! She is still one good looking redhead! Here is Dale’s review of the party:

“Went to Eva's party Sat night, lots of people there.  She was really surprised when she walked into the place, lots of tears were flowing.......anyway, after everyone settled down, the food line materialized, the band started playing and everyone enjoyed the evening. I think I was one of the younger people there.......”

Eva plans to be at the Hot Dog trials so everyone come and congratulate her as we gather round the fire on Saturday night before Sunday’s event ON OCTOBER 28^TH!

Great Event!  Great Weather! Outstanding attendance!  I could go on….  Those are comments from David Black of AVTA about the Quarry Cup 2007. I have to agree! A great big thank you to all who contributed to this events success. Besides the MATT team members that worked so hard and always do such a great job, I want to express special thanks to non-MATT members who helped check our event! I hope I don’t leave anyone out but… Thanks Butch Clark and Jerry with the perennial cigar from MWTA, George Currier and Daron Cox of AVTA, and Les Mizell of Texas. Checkers are so important to the success of our 2 day and yet often difficult to procure. So again, many thanks to each of you who stepped up to help us out when we needed it.

And so the 34^th running of MATT Quarry Cup, the longest contiguously running 2 day in the USA, was a big success. Ninety riders in nine classes contested the event. Jason Carpenter wins yet another coveted QC title as he holds off the young talent like Dustin Land of AVTA and the Mizell twins of Texas. Congratulations Jason! The rest of the results are posted later in this document. Congratulations to all the class winners and podium finishers! Hope to see all of you next year and bring your friends!

FOR SALE: We just about cleared the for sale list in the last month or so. Here is all I got:

6’x10’ enclosed trailer with lift up full width rear door that doubles as a rain/sun shelter. $1500.00. Russ Amos 913.962.0159

2004 GG 280 Pro: Runs great, good shape, usual wear 'n tear. New/fresh Dunlop f & r tires, GasGas sprockets (stock size), DID chain. (These items have three rides on them) Have owner's manual/DVD, some chemicals, and an open face Fulmer helmet (Lg) included. Mid pipe does need repair/replacement, but it is totally ridable - just has a minor leak, and two mounting tabs broken. MATT members - $2,500. 816-909-4074

QUARRY CUP 2007 RESULTS

REMINDER: MATT Hot Dog Trials will be at Trenton, Missouri on Sunday October 28, 2007 in order to NOT conflict with the Octobertest in Oklahoma this weekend!