Colorado Supermoto/NASS qualifier
The SMR crew returned to IMI yet again this time it was the start of a supemoto adventure that took JBang, Simpin Samp, and myself to three races taking place in three different states, in total of nine days(more on that later). This was the fourth round of the Colorado Supermoto series, and it also served as a North American Supermoto shoot out (NASS) qualifier. Unlike our previous visit to IMI, this time the track was dry and included dirt sections, which was exciting.
After the poor turnout at the AMA Supermoto round', probably due to the rain scaring those colorado people… I was a little worried to see what the turnout would be for this Colorado Supermoto race/NASS qualifier. We were pleasantly surprised to see a great turnout, and even a couple of racers from Oklahoma showed up. I know there hasn't been a lot of info on what the North American Supermoto Shootout is, but for those familiar with motocross, it's kind of like a Loretta Lynn's Amateur National type of event. It uses existing series or clubs to act as qualifiers for a one-weekend shootout in a central location.
I really like this idea because it supports your local series while also involving you in a national championship. In the past, I have felt bad that I wouldn't be able to support my local series, Colorado Supermoto, because I'm putting all my effort and funds into chasing the AMA Nationals. So, something like this is cool because it's a lot easier for the majority of racers to justify two races a year: one qualifier somewhat local to you, hopefully, and then one big race to travel to. Giving it the vibe of a big Supermoto national.
This race was the third race that was a NASS qualifier, with the first one being a Supermoto East Coast race in New York, and the second one being a Cascadia Supermoto race in Oregon. This idea excites me because I hope it can entice racers that may have been retired for a while, current racers at the national level, and also your local weekend warriors. This shootout can be a weekend that can really bring the whole Supermoto community together.
For more info, check out getnass.com or follow them on NASS Facebook to stay up-to-date. This year, the shootout will be held on October 18 in Norman, Oklahoma, at the Oklahoma Motorsports Complex.
oh and what does it take to qualify? 17th or better in your respective class
Bang: The anticipation is palpable in the air as supermoto enthusiasts from across the continent gear up for a spectacle that promises to be as exhilarating as it is intense—the North American Supermoto Shootout (NASS). For aficionados of this high-octane sport, NASS is more than just a competition; it's a pilgrimage, a chance to witness the merging of skill and speed in a showdown that rivals the excitement of lorettas in the motocross world(JK). As the engines roar and tires slide, competitors and spectators alike come together to celebrate the raw energy of supermoto racing.
Local Roots and Qualifiers
In a stroke of good fortune, this year's NASS qualifing events took place at none other than our local track, a mere eight hours away. For those who live and breathe supermoto, this opportunity was a no-brainer. The prospect of witnessing the spectacle up close, surrounded by familiar faces and the backdrop of a track we know like the back of our hands, was irresistible.
What sets NASS apart is its rigorous qualification process. Riders from all corners of North America must prove their mettle in a series of qualifiers before earning their ticket to the grand showdown. These qualifiers are where legends are born, where the merging of skill, strategy, and unbridled determination becomes the hallmark of a true supermoto champion. As we approached the qualifying races at our local track, the atmosphere was charged with excitement, and competitors were eager to demonstrate their prowess on the demanding track.
Weathering the Elements
Supermoto racing is not for the faint of heart, and neither are the elements that can make or break a race. One aspect that can turn the tide is the weather. Oftentimes, racers and fans find themselves at the mercy of Mother Nature, battling through rain-soaked tracks or blistering heat. However, for once, the weather gods smiled upon us, and the conditions were nothing short of perfect. The sun shone brilliantly, the skies were clear, and the track was primed for action.
Kevin Arnfield took his harley out! best use of a harley ive seen. he also had a honda 450x in sm trim
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
I seem to remember when Mike Eller, affectionately known as Sketchballs, looped out one of these years ago, Sketchball’s has come a long way the past couple of years. He even beat out our own Simpin samp in the 250 pro class this day
Bang: Sketty is always fast, he was even faster this weekend. It might be the two brand new KTMS, or riding at home.
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
sweet battles where had in the motard’d asphalt only classes
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
Donny Torweihe chases Ej Molthen
Bang: Donster the monster is a monster and is always forcing me to keep my pace up.
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
Ricard Harrison, 71 years old, knows how to have a good time. he packed his bike into the trunk of his BMW 750i and traveled from Oklahoma to race. Legend
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
Josh Ryken and Keith Gates
BANG: I absolutely loved airing out back onto the asphalt, my rims not so much.
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
BANG: I’ve been watching Timmy Kick Butters ass here for years…
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
fast flattracker Dustin Paul proving flattrackers can use a front brake and turn right
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
Timmy V is annoying fast at his local track
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
JBang was on the Archie program after the brake reservoir bracket i made failed him. Sorry Johnny but im sure Archie as pround that you used his old 250f to holeshot a grid of 450s, twice… Rip Archie your legend lives on strong in Colorado SM
Bang: Remembering Archie, Archie must’ve been giving me a tow off the line. Honored to get to ride the 251. I want a 250.
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
Open pro first rom dives into turn 1
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
Bang; Timmy Leads like a boss, unfazed. Looks extremely hard to pass. Butters tried and failed during moto 1.
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
winningest supermoto rider in Colorado history? probably definitely Timmy V
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
flat tracker, supermoto stallion, elite mxbikes racer Dawson Schieffer
Bang: Dawson is an incredible talent. Never looks out of control.
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
Julien Cassels
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
consummate shit talker / hot sauce engineer Will Sequino
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
my favorite Oklahoman Kenny Troxell
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
Eric Tavenner and Patrick Gilson
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
young shredder Noah Steith
photo: Xtreme Xposure photo
Butters: I always have an awesome time racing in the Colorado Supermoto series races, and this time was no different. Simpin Samp, Jbang, and I had Johnny's van loaded to the gills. Simpy was on his 250 since he was qualifying for the 250 and open classes for NASS, and he had to deal with being underpowered. JBang also got to experience being underpowered on the late, great Jason Archuleta's Husky 250 after my hastily fabricated brake reservoir mount failed on his bike.
Archies family donated the 250 to the Colorado Supermoto club after his devastating passing last year, so that new riders or old riders can have the chance to come enjoy the sport of supermoto. I think Archie would have been proud of the performance Jbang had on his bike, with 2 holeshots against a grid of 450’s. ;)
As for my races this was the first time I actually was able to beat Timmy V at IMI. Keep in mind, I've been racing at IMI on and off since 2011. We had a brawl in the first Moto, with an epic battle. The whole Moto, I passed him on the final lap, only to have him pass me back in the dirt and take the victory in Moto 1. Moto 2 was shortened due to the high heat, and I made a move on Timmy in lap one. I was able to execute clean laps and win Moto 2 for the overall victory.
JBang:I cant describe how much fun it was to ride the 250, Thanks Archie! Getting holeshots on 250 was a thrill. Bike was softer than what I was used to, but I think it gave me an edge in the dirt.(only edge I usually have) I went 2-2. Trevor Floyd was borrowing Ellers bike and always seemed to chase me down. Strange thing happened to me at the start of the first moto my mouth was dry and I started gagging, the more I thought about it the more I would dry heave. Anyways exiting the dirt section I puked mid moto. Heat was no Joke. I cant wait to see everyone who qualified for NASS in OK. Lets GO!
Simpy: This was a hot one. Since this round was a NASS Qualifier I decided to get qualified for Open Pro and Pro Lites Which means I get very little time between motos. It felt like I barely got off the bike and had to go back out. We were short on space in J Bangs van this trip so I decided to only take the 250. I had high hopes because it felt so good for the last AMA round but I forgot that the last round was rain conditions and I was able to put down power a lot easier than a 450. This round was full dry conditions and I quickly found out that the 250 is a little light on power for this track when its dry. I was able to have a lot of fun on it because we ran both dirt sections but I had a hard time keeping pace on the asphalt. In Pro Lites I won moto 1 but lost out to Mike Eller in moto 2 which lost me the overall. Not that upset though, Sketchballs is a homie and he rips on that track. I had some struggles in Open pro not only cause I was on the 250 but I also had crashes both Motos which made it really difficult to catch back up. Ended up going 6-7 which isn’t great but seems so be my average finish for Open Pro. Wish I would’ve brought the RSR 450 to see how much it would’ve helped. Overall still had an awesome weekend out at Colorado Supermoto and I’m stoked to go race NASS in Oklahoma. Thanks Shaundell for always putting on a fun event and Jeff at Toxic Moto for killing it with the trackside support.
Assphalt A
18 Jimmy Westover 2-1
49 Mark Applegate 1-3
429 Will Seqino 3-4
77 Julien Cassels 6-7
97 Nick Hansen 8-6
11 Nic Glyshaw 5-9
191 Jeff Rydalch 7-8
402 Patrick Gilson 11-5
24 Eric Tavenner 10-10
76 Chase S. 12-11
479 Mike Eller DNF-2
0 Jason Marx 4-DNF
168 Tony Wedemeyer 9-DNF
Assphalt B
404 Donny Torweihe 1-1
479 Trevor Floyd 2-2
31 Keith Gates 3-3
168 Tony Wedemeyer 5-4
124 Josh Ryker 6-5
11 Brendon Gagne 7-7
398 Kevin Arnfeild 4-DNS
Assphalt C
929 Allan Ballard 1-1
32 Steve Babirad 2-2
733 Matthew Cavazos 3-3
Pro Supermoto
109 Sean Butterman 2-1
838 Tim Velasquez 1-2
33 Dawson Schieffer 3-3
50 Keegan Fitzgerald 4-4
479 Mike Eller 5-5
324 Ryan Samp 6-7
55 Koy Baker 9-6
429 Will Sequino 8-8
82 Kenny Troxell 11-9
402 Patrick Gilson 12-10
32 Dustin Paul 7-DNS
24 Eric Tavenner 10-DNS
77 Julien Cassels 13-DNS
Pro Lites (250)
479 Mike Eller
324 Ryan Samp
251(for Archie) Johnny Bang
733 Matthew Cavasos
838 Hunter Williams
Intermediate Supermoto
479 Trevor Floyd 1-1
251(for archie) Johnny Bang 2-2
404 Donny Torweihe 4-4
315 EJ Molthen 5-5
124 Josh Ryker 6-6
31 Keith Gates 7-7
498 Kevin Arnfield 8-8
Vet 40 Supermoto
429 Will Sequino
24 Eric Tavenner
0 Jason Marx
37 Ricard Harrison
Huge thanks to Steve Babirad of Xtreme Xposure for sharing these awesome photos with us add him on facebook to see the full album Steve Babirad fb
