1ST ANNUAL MOTO VROOM VROOM

November 27, 2022
Words: Zach Newberry

Gratification, rad, and competitive. Those are the three words to describe the first annual Moto Vroom Vroom event hosted by Chad Reed (multi-time AMA Supercross and Motocross Champion), MotoPlayground Magazine, and Lake Sugar Tree Motocross Park in beautiful Axton, Virginia! Ex-professional AMA Supercross/Motocross racers, The Veteran Motocross Foundation, and amateurs from across the United States came to this event. Let’s chat about what you missed and what we witnessed firsthand.

The anticipation was real for gate drop at the 1st Annual Moto Vroom Vroom!

The 3-day event started early by opening the gates on Thursday. The schedule allowed some leisure time for most amateur racers and parents traveling to the world-famous Monster Energy Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s, which will start this coming week - and is a perfect time for this event held in Southwest Virginia. Hurricane Mills, TN, where Loretta Lynn’s is located, is just 8 hours down the road from Lake Sugar Tree Motocross Park. It gives these amateurs another race with some great competition before the most prominent amateur national of the year one weekend before. This track has a sizable lake in the middle of the racetrack, which makes the scenery of this track one of the best in the United States. Chad Reed and his wife Elle both took on the “Lake Jump,” where there is a decent size dirt ramp that can be jumped by bicycle into the lake! With the sun settling down and individuals fraternizing, it was time to doze for Friday’s practice.

Friday, practice day, was an excellent way for these riders to learn the track and see the competition in their respected class. Wes Kain (a highly respected commentator in the sport) was on hand with the microphone calling all of the action for the weekend. Zach Osborne (2020 AMA 450 Motocross Champion) and Josh Grant (Ex-professional AMA Supercross/Motocross racer) both made the trip with their entire family to this event to support/be of service to their friends, the Reeds. Also apparent from Friday's practice , Daxton Bennick, Noah Stevens, Lucas Geisler, Leum Oehlhof, and Chace Lawton are currently some of the top amateurs participating in this event. These dudes do not let off the throttle and are ecstatic for the racing days ahead.

Chad Reed and Zach Osborne attended and spoke after their first race of the weekend!

Saturday, for first moto’s, there was no morning practice. The event crew provided one sight lap per class before the gate drops for racing. This setup is similar to Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National, this is another reason this event was suitable for these racers going to “The Ranch.” The plan for competition was five laps for 50cc-85cc classes and 125cc-450cc were given six laps. More time on the track really brings out the fit racers. There was some intense battling at the front of these classes, with some going down to the wire. A real "treat" and more than just withstanding your competitor during the race and laying it all on the line at the checkered flag, the winner gets to chat with Wes Kain right after their moto to receive a gold medal for the moto win. Overall, this event provided more publicity for the riders, sponsors, family members - and that helps these families get to the races each weekend.

When the racing was done, bike washing was complete, and dinner was served, it was time for the highly anticipated World National Pit Bike Race. “We provide the Bikes; You provide the Rider.” From Stacyc youngsters to Mom’s, it doesn’t matter here! You can race for your chance to win an LS2 helmet and be The World National Pit Bike Champion in your respected class. DJ B (Blake Martin) had the whole place set on fire! Not literally, of course. Instead, the music and live commentary from Harold Martin (MotoPlayground) and Wes Kain made the racing more exciting and comical for the entire program. It seemed that every individual on the Lake Sugar Tree property was spectating. The Reed, Osborne, and Grant families were all in attendance and were in some way, shape, or form a part of this racing action. They were all present, conversing or having their youngsters part of the racing action, giving fans more time and opportunities to interact with these legends of the sport. Finishing around 9 pm, providing time to corral with fellow families and start to tone it down for the night in anticipation for Sunday’s final Moto’s.

This setup is similar to Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National, this is another reason this event was suitable for these racers going to “The Ranch.”

“We provide the Bikes; You provide the Rider.”

Sunday! We have made it to the final day of racing for this first annual Moto Vroom Vroom event. Sunday also brought the same format as Saturday’s racing. From the first gate drop to the last gate drop, it was nothing but all out for these amateur racers to be the best they can be with potential at an overall win. After their final moto, the “professional” racers on the podium spoke more about the event and how much fun/rad time they had than the actual racing itself. This was something more to them than a result. It’s more about the racing community and the families within. Spending time away from home with some great friends/families, even if they are your competitors. That’s what this event felt like. Yes, Chad Reed and MotoPlayground Magazine are watching these amateur racers and prospecting for the future. Still, you can’t take away from the memories you have off the track that makes these events that much more meaningful. Champagne-type showers after the podium interviews for each and individual class made riders and their performance along the way seem that much sweeter. To every person - from a flagger, track crew operator, and up to the promoters that made this event possible, we thank you and hope to see you guys next year for an even better and more to offer for the second annual Moto Vroom Vroom!

This was something more to them than a result. It’s more about the racing community and the families within.

Champagne-type showers after the podium interviews for each individual class made riders and their performance along the way seem that much sweeter.