Millsaps Training Facility truly is a state-of-the-art facility. Its highlights include three separate motocross tracks – all of which were designed by Mark Barnett – and a full supercross track. A turn track even lets riders practice cornering and advanced turns.

The on-site RV park includes full accommodations that are available to guests, including electricity, sewer, water, and wireless Internet access. On-site bunkhouses can accommodate a maximum of 18 guests, and it includes a full kitchen, two bathrooms, and its own recreation center. A full fitness center is also available to patrons of Millsaps Training Facility. Sponsored by Planet Fitness, the center features advanced stretching techniques, massage, and even Jujitsu training. Additional recreational activities are available by a spacious pond, which offers kayaking, swimming, and leisure games.

No motocross track would be complete without its own pro shop, and Millsaps Training Facility has that covered, too. The pro shop offers spare parts as well as accessories and gear, and a mechanic’s work area can be found here. Secured bike storage is also available via the pro shop.

Finally, every one of the track’s sponsors are listed on an enormous billboard. Located at the entrance of the facility, the billboard pulls double duty as a welcoming sign and a way to show the staff’s appreciation for their sponsors.

Millsaps Training Facility offers a number of services to motocross riders. Apart from hosting races and events, the site also offers full time training programs, overnight stays, camps, and individual classes. Some of today’s top motocross experts lead the instruction of these classes, and everything is done within a safe, professional, and supervised environment.

The franchise also supports a bevy of full-time riders, including Dakota Alix, Matt Beers, Cameron Cannon, Matt Chevrette, Steven Clarke, Luke Clout, Paul Coates, Matt Creasy, Kris Dickinson, Ginner Dickinson, Stone Edler, Gavin Faith, Cohl Franks, Eric Grondahl, Serratia Gonzales, Chase Hahn, Adrian Hill, Brodie Keefe, and Pete Davis. These young riders are all receiving some of the best instruction available within the community, and they are sure to earn their own reputations in the years to come. Many of them would not be able to do it without the help and support from the staff at Millsaps Training Facility, and that is exactly what has made Millsaps Training Facility one of the premiere motocross venues for nearly a decade.

Millsaps Training Facility
867 Bold Springs Road
Cairo, Georgia 39828                                                                                                                                                                                    229-377-8502
mtfmx.com

With a solid reputation to uphold, it should come as no surprise that Leatt pulled out all the stops for their newest neck brace, the Moto GPX Club 2 Brace. They have taken the model of their original brace, one that has prevented countless injuries in the past, and they have made improvements based on years of research and professional rider input. The result is a next-level brace that truly sets the standard for what a professional motocross neck brace should be.

Improvements from their previous designs include a selection of five different chassis colors, a clear harness system, and the elimination of irritating front metal pins. Further upgrades include modified padding that allows for increased airflow, a two-piece padding system that eliminates the need for Velcro, a newly shaped pad that provides greater durability and comfort, and an adjustable wedge that allows for a more customized fit.

Of course, the Leatt Moto GPX Club 2 Brace offers all of the innovations and protection that existed in their neck braces before. The specialized chassis is designed to protect you, the rider, from the five most common types of motocross-related head and neck injury: hyperextension, hyper-translation, flexion, hyper-flexion, and coupled axial loading. The padding on the brace is made of either biofoam or lycra, which not only makes it protective, but comfortable as well. The unit was also designed with no hard plastic edges, so riders will not have to worry about being injured from the brace itself.

A doctor invented the original Leatt neck brace, and the Moto GPX Club 2 draws most of its technology from this original design. Its offers five ways of adjustability, letting you achieve a fit that is supportive but not restrictive. The lightweight chassis is made of injection-molded fiberglass, and it is reinforced with a polyamide resin for maximum durability. Dual side hinges are usable by left or right-handed riders, and their bright red color makes them easily identified by track officials or first responders. In case of extremely severe crashes, the unit’s Kevlar strut is designed to break away and separate from the brace, avoiding further injury to the neck.

The Leatt Moto GPX Club 2 Brace retails for around $395. It is available with a chassis in one of five different colors: white, black, blue, yellow, or red.

The best feature about the EVS Sports F2 Roost Guard is its modular design. The lets you customize the guard in a number of ways, thereby achieving a fit that is perfect for you. Frontal inserts can easily be removed, allowing maximum compatibility with most types of neck braces, and the shoulder and back pieces of the roost guard can be detached to reduce the weight without reducing the amount of protection on the front of the torso.

The unit features several different mounting positions, which truly lets each rider achieve a personalized fit. A biofoam liner contours around the natural curves of your torso, offering maximum cushioning, and it is sublimated to prevent fading and wear. Finally, high quality straps keep the entire roost guard in place at all times, and they are durable enough that you won’t have to worry about them breaking, ripping, or fraying under pressure.

When it comes down to it, the EVS Sports F2 Roost Guard is just downright comfortable to wear. Even riders who do not typically use a chest protector of any sorts take a liking to the fit and feel of this roost guard. There are numerous slits and openings throughout the chest and back plates, allowing for plenty of airflow and ventilation, and the unit is slim enough to fit underneath a large riding jersey.

To offer their protection to as many different riders as possible, EVS Sports has designed their F2 Roost Guard in four different sizes. Their Small size is meant for youth riders up to 75 pounds, their Medium is meant for riders from 75 to 140 pounds, and their Large size is meant for riders from 140 to 190 pounds. For the biggest motocross riders, EVS Sports also offers an Extra Large size, which accommodates riders over 190 pounds.

There are two different variations to the EVS Sports F2 Roost Guard. The black version – their most basic version – features black plates on black padding. Additionally, a white version is available that features white plates with black padding underneath.

The EVS Sports F2 Roost Guard retails for around $129. It can be purchased directly from EVS Sports by visiting their website, www.EVS Sports-sports.com, or via telephone at (888) 873-8423. It can also be found at select motocross retailers, both online and at retail locations near you.

Unlike many pro athletes, Shane Sewell did not even take his motocross career seriously until he was 16 years old. With his older brother Travis serving as mentor, however, it didn’t take long before Shane began to excel in the sport, as well. He won the 2008 Arenacross North Lites Championship, his first year in competition, and finished 8^th in the Daytona Supercross of the same year.

Despite his own success on the track – which includes a 2008 Arenacross Regional Championship in his rookie season – Shane Sewell has been working as a mechanic for his older brother. He explained it in a recent interview, where he was quoted as saying, “Yeah, I won a 2008 Arenacross Regional Championship before switching over to supercross. I felt as if I was getting my supercross results down, but we could only afford to keep one of us racing. I was more than happy to help my brother out, because he deserves all there is out there.”

His recent signing with Violation1.com/Shea Racing/Travisa/National Switchgear powered by SMS Racing will take Shane Sewell out of the pit and back onto the track. Sewell will be riding a brand new KTM 250 SX-F, and he will sport the #68 in the 2012 AMA Supercross East Lites Series. He is joined by teammates Sean Lipanovich and Jeremy Hudleston, both of whom are also relatively new to the sport.

When asked if he would like to thank anyone for his success, Shane had a laundry list of names. He said, “I’d first like to thank my dad – thanks a lot for busting your butt all the time for us! Also, I’d like to thank my mom, my girlfriend, and then just all the sponsors who have been behind me, like MSR, Von Zipper, FMF, Pro-Taper, Dunlop, EVS, GUTS, and Rock River Racing out of Wisconsin. They all help me out so much. These sponsors made it twice as easy for me to be able to race – I appreciate everything! I’d also like to thank my good friend and mechanic, Daniel Castloo, and also Charles Castloo for his support and both of them for believing in me.”

The 2012 AMA Supercross East Lites Series is currently underway, and Shane can be seen in live competition at any one of the series’ remaining events. Moreover, Shane – and the rest of the iolation1.com/Shea Racing/Travisa/National Switchgear powered by SMS Racing team – are available for autograph signings at Shea Racing’s hospitality tent, which can be found at select venues over the course of the remaining 2012 schedule.

The first event, the Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross, is scheduled for Sunday, March 11, and Monday, March 12 – it takes place directly after the Daytona Pro Supercross in Daytona Beach, Florida, which will be held on Saturday, March 10. Because the amateur heats and qualifying races are scheduled to take place throughout the day on Sunday, all of the main events should be wrapped up by 4 pm on Monday afternoon – this leaves fans, and riders, plenty of time to reach the MillCreek Spring Classic.

There are approximately 515 miles of highway separating Daytona International Speedway and MillCreek Motocross Park in Pell City, Alabama – and since qualifiers for the 2012 AMA Thor Spring Classic at MillCreek don’t begin until Tuesday, March 13, participants and spectators should be able to make the trek. In order to accommodate late arrivals, MillCreek Motocross Park has extended its hours until 3:00 am on Tuesday morning specifically for those who are coming from Florida. There will also be a late practice session on Tuesday morning, which gives everyone the chance to race on the track before the real fun begins later on in the evening.

“It is a pleasure to be working with Ricky and MX Sports in a combined effort to host some of the best racing opportunities for amateur riders. We will extend our late arrival hours on Monday, until 3:00 am, for those wishing to make the drive from Daytona. For all RCSX participants, there will be a special Tuesday morning practice before racing starts on Tuesday,” said Allen McWilliams, owner of RPM Sports and MillCreek MX Park.

The AMA Thor Spring Classic is a long-standing tradition for many motocross enthusiasts. Operating for more than 20 years, the storied event has seen some of the best names the motocross community has ever seen – and it will continue to do so in the future. Riders will not have to pre-qualify for the event beforehand, which leaves the race open for some unknown or unfamiliar riders. The race follows a three-moto format, and it utilizes heat races – which are held on Tuesday – to narrow the field down to 40 riders. Each of the event’s main motos will see at least 15 minutes of action packed racing, with a site lap in between each race.

“American Suzuki’s support will be in full affect this year, offering double contingency, totaling $18,900 that will be up for grabs.” said Pat Alexander, Amateur Race Support Manager. “We’ll also have our trackside support on hand to keep our amateur competitors in top racing form.”

Increased financial support is not the only new offering that American Suzuki is bringing to the table for the 2012 event. They will have their professional trackside support team on hand for the event, just in case anything should go wrong during the race. They are also unveiling plans for the Suzuki Camp Carmichael, a specialized instructional camp that will be held in Carmichael’s Florida facilities.

“As a Suzuki racer, we have some exciting news coming soon about the all-new Suzuki Camp Carmichael.” Alexander added. “Suzuki Camp Carmichael is going to be a unique, once in a lifetime experience to train with the GOAT at his personal facility in Florida. So get your bikes prepped, and get ready to race, because 2012 is going to be the year to be on a Suzuki!”

The 3^rd Annual Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross event is scheduled to coincide with Honda’s Daytona Supercross, which takes place on Saturday, March 10. Fans who want to stick around in Daytona after the pros do their thing might want to consider attending Carmichael’s event, where they’ll have the chance to see some of today’s best amateur riders. The 2012 Ricky Carmichael Daytona Amateur Supercross will be held on Sunday, March 11, and Monday, March 12.

This year’s event has also expanded in other ways, as well. They have an extended race schedule for 2012, including longer practice sessions and races. Organizes have also added several new classes to the event, giving multi-class riders even more opportunities to cash in. Their new class structure accommodates racers from youth level all the way to senior riders, so motocross riders of all ages will be able to find a class that suits their exact needs.

Ricky Carmichael’s Daytona Amateur Supercross uses a supercross-style format, which uses a combination of heats and last chance qualifiers to populate the main event of each class. These heats and qualifiers are spread out throughout both days of the event, which provides a fun, exciting, and sometimes suspenseful event. This event differs from Loretta Lynn’s format in the fact that riders are not required to qualify through other races in order to participate, so spectators should expect to see some unfamiliar faces.

As previously mentioned, the gear seen in the O’Neal 2012 Hardwear Mixxer combo pack is some of the highest quality gear available. The jersey is made of moisture wicking materials to prevent the buildup of excess moisture, and a micro-cuff design leaves your wrists and arms feeling totally unrestricted. Padding is integrated into the forearm and elbow panels of the jersey, in case you bite the dirt, and a tagless label will not irritate the back of your neck while you are riding.

The Hardwear Mixxer gear combo also features the lightest Hardwear pant ever made by O’Neal. It is still made of heavy-duty denier, however, so it is just as durable as ever. An extra long heat shield, made of rubber, helps block the heat of your bike’s engine, and protective rubber panels help to absorb any potential impacts. The seat of the pant is padded for extra comfort, and the entire piece features triple stitching in vital areas – a technique that improves the overall durability of the design. Stretchable Spandex moves with your body, and accordion-style knees accommodate most knee braces on the market today.

O’Neal’s Jump glove is also included in the O’Neal 2012 Hardwear Mixxer gear combo pack. Its triple-ply, vented mesh top keeps your hands feeling cool, and Lycra side panels increase the flexibility of the glove. Ergonomic padding and stitching on the palm adds to the comfort factor, and a hook-and-loop closure system keeps the glove in place at all times.

If you like variety, O’Neal has four different variations to the equipment seen in the 2012 Hardwear Mixxer gear combo pack. Available color combinations include blue and yellow, green and blue, orange and blue, or white and black.

Each jersey features the O’Neal logo prominently displayed across the chest, with traces of the logo’s letters incorporated in the design of the jersey. They each include at least three different colors within their design, with the exception of the black and white variant.

The pant featured in the O’Neal 2012 Hardwear Mixxer gear combo pack is equally as impressive as the jersey. It has sublimated graphics – as do the jersey and glove – to ensure that colors and designs won’t fade over time. The O’Neal logo is displayed across the thigh of the pant, and it is also seen on the top portion of the matching Jump glove.

O’Neal’s 2012 Hardwear Mixxer gear combo packs currently retail for around $200, depending on where exactly the purchase is made. Other factors affecting price include the addition of O’Neal’s Jump glove and customization for a rider’s name and number.

Ryan Villopoto was born on August 13, 1988, in Fortuna, California. He has competed in the disciplines of motocross and supercross, and has excelled at both throughout his career. Villopto is currently racing in the 2012 AMA Supercross Series, and he will compete in this year’s outdoor motocross season, as well.

Villopoto has had numerous career highlights in his illustrious tenure in the sport. He was named the 2006 AMA Supercross/Motocross Rookie of the Year – a well-deserved honor considering he won the AMA Motocross Lites Championship that same year. He went on to be selected as a member of Team USA in the 2006 Motocross of Nations, which took place in England. Team USA took first place in the event.

A long list of other championships, titles, and accomplishments belong to Villopoto, as well. In 2007 he won both the AMA West Supercross Lites Championship and the AMA National Motocross Lites Champion, as well as taking on another spot on Team USA’s roster for the 2007 Motocross of Nations. Once again, Team USA won the event, giving Ryan his sixth major title in only two years in professional competition.

2008 was another successful year for Ryan Villopoto, as he helped Team USA to a victory in the Motocross of Nations for the third consecutive year. He scored a podium spot in 11 of 12 races during the 2008 Motocross Lites series, and he went on to become the 2008 AMA National Motocross Lites Champion.

Ryan Villopoto got off to another strong start in 2009, and he won the opening round of the outdoor motocross series. A knee injury cut his season short, but he did make his return in 2010. Unfortunately, a broken right tibia and fibula put an abrupt end to his 2010 season, as well.

The stored rider finally made a successful return in 2011. Villopoto dominated the majority of the races he entered, and went on to win the 2011 AMA National Supercross Championship, 2011 FIM Supercross World Championship, and the 2011 AMA National Motocross Champion. He was also a part of Team USA in the 2011 Motocross of Nations, where he helped bring home another first place victory for the country, and he won all three main events of the inaugural Monster Energy Cup – an event that landed him a prize of $1,000,000.

Villopoto is also excelling in the 2012 AMA Supercross Series. He has finished 1^st in four main events, including both stops at Anaheim and a dramatic battle with Chad Reed in San Diego. He faces some tough competition in the remaining rounds, however, and he hasn’t clinched the win just yet.

The first package gives the highest bidder four VIP Full Access Credentials, which includes all-access pit passes and reserved seating in the press box for the duration of the event. Credentials will also be given to the Parts Unlimited Hospitality Tent, which includes a free catered lunch. The winner of the first Ultimate Fan Experience package will also be given the opportunity to walk the track before the race, and they’ll be given a complete tour of the Rockstar Valli Yamaha team semi, and an exclusive meet and greet with Justin Brayton will also be scheduled. As if all that wasn’t enough, the winner will also be given loads of swag, including a Rockstar signature backpack, an Ogio backpack, 100% goggles, and other goodies from Rockstar Metal Mulisha and 100%.

Package #2 gives the highest bidder four day/night pit passes, which includes rider seating. The winner of this package will also be given a full tour of the Rockstar Valli Yamaha team semi, as well as credentials to the Parts Unlimited Hospitality Tent and a free lunch on race day. The second package also includes a track walk before the race, and a meet and greet with Justin Brayton. Additionally, the second Ultimate Fan Experience package also includes plenty of swag from Rockstar, Ogio, 100%, and the Metal Mulisha.

As usual, proceeds from these two auctions will be used to help provide financial support to riders who have suffered career-ending injuries. Additionally, 50% of all proceeds generated from these two specific auction packages will be used to help Ryan Morais, who sustained an injury in Los Angeles during Round 3 of the 2012 AMA Supercross Series. It is this kind of support that has created a solid reputation for the Road 2 Recovery Foundation, but the organization wouldn’t be around today if it weren’t for donations and financial support from the motocross community.

If the popularity of previous Ultimate Fan Experience packages is any indication, these auctions are sure to garner a lot of buzz throughout the motocross community. These packages aren’t going to go cheap, but they truly do offer that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that any fan would love to enjoy. Bidding is currently open, and it ends on February 17 – so you’ll have to act quickly. Score one of these auction packages and you’ll be the envy of all your friends – and given the multiple passes included in each package, you’ll even be able to bring a few of those envious friends along for the ride.

Jeremy McGrath made the first move at Anaheim 1 in 2001, all but paving his way to the 2001 AMA Supercross Championship. Carmichael wasn’t about to let that happen without a fight, however, and he promptly claimed the first place victory in San Diego the following weekend.

Their return to Anaheim prompted a media firestorm. The pair – two of the best athletes the sport has ever seen – were neck and neck, and they were battling it out for first place in a heated matchup. The stage was set for a 20-lap race at Angel Stadium, and while there were plenty of other racers competing – all eyes were on the battle between McGrath and Carmichael.

McGrath managed to snag the holeshot in Anaheim 2, and the bout was underway. Carmichael stayed close behind, however, and very quickly pulled ahead. He could only stay ahead of the pack for a few short laps, and McGrath soon reclaimed his lead. The two were in such a heated race – and racing so close to each other – that their bikes even connected at one point.

Carmichael managed to pull ahead after their brief collision, but he actually let McGrath catch up on the next turn – a classy move, to say the least. The two battled furiously for the lead over the course of the remaining two laps of the event, and Carmichael was unable to pull ahead. McGrath ended up winning the main event at Anaheim 2, and said in a post-race interview, “If we have to fight for it, then that’s what we’ll do.”

With that victory, McGrath had both events at Anaheim under his belt as well as the lead in points for the 2001 AMA Supercross Series. The battle between McGrath and Carmichael was not over yet, however, and, completely unbeknownst to anybody, the victory at Anaheim 2 would be McGrath’s final supercross win of his career.

Carmichael went on to win the next round of the 2001 AMA Supercross Series, which took place in Phoenix, Arizona, the following weekend. He also surprised everyone in a miraculous come-from-behind win at Anaheim 3, and he ended up finishing the 2001 season with a streak of 13 wins. Carmichael went on to win the 2001 AMA Supercross Championship.

2001 was a remarkable year in the world of motocross. The season-long battle between Ricky Carmichael and Jeremy McGrath was only one of many highlights in an action packed racing season, and we may never again have the pleasure of seeing a battle as exhilarating as the one between these two motocross legends.