For a few years now Extreme Sport athletes from disciplines other than motocross have been gathering to battle each other on dirt bikes on some of the best tracks in the world. This year at the MX season opener at Hangtown was no different, with a full gate of racers (and also a media wave of Dirt Rider editors and testers) attacking each other and the obstacles of the Hangtown National track.The event took place the day before the National, and we’ve complied a few of the highlights from the athletes now that that round is over, and they look ahead toward doing it again at the end of the summer at on the Pala National track.”This year’s Hangtown track was strait up Vietnam trench warfare. I’ve never seen ruts that could swallow a grown man and dirt bike, let alone ride through them. I was happy to make it out alive and healthy, again. It gives me a whole new appreciation for anyone who rides rails through ruts like that at speed. Nice work boys, see you next year!” Nate Holland, Snowboarder
“The best part of my Crossover race every year is being on the gate just after the 30 second card turns and everyone revs their four strokes and I can’t even hear my 250 two stroke RPMs! I just go by the vibration in the handlebars and hope for the best! I need the lights and a gate that drops the other way like I’m used to on the BMX track!!” Jimmy Garcia, “King of the first turn hi-low.”"Not too many racers can say that they were able to get second in moto 2 behind Shaun Palmer, especially after snapping your ankle the first moto while leading the race.” Todd Thompson, Adaptive Motocross Racer, Summer X Games Silver medalist
“For me, the highlight of the Crossover event is just getting to ride with a bunch of guys who are totally jazzed on riding dirt bikes. The Crossover athletes are not motocrossers, and because of this they are stoked out of their minds to race; it’s like the fun factor is still as fresh as ever. What’s more, everyone has to stay healthy so that they can get back to their ‘other’ careers, so this means that nobody is trying to take you out or snuff you in the first turn. It’s pretty much just a funfest with a great group of riders. Oh, and riding the National track is every rider’s dream!” Chris Denison, Dirt Rider Associate Editor”The Hangtown Crossover/media race goes by so fast I have to look at pictures to see what happened…My favorite part is seeing all the extreme sports guys and Media battle it out on the hangtown course..A great mix of Olympic and X Games Gold metal winners… and all are great people just to sit down and talk to… I even got to experience one of Jimmy Lewis’ barbecue bacon hot dogs off the grill…Biggest problem is it all over too Fast… Like my friend, and fellow Dirt Digger (the club that hosts the National), track builder Duane Scott said one early morning before Hangtown, ‘Its just like Disneyland. A real E ticket.’” Ed Santin DDNMC (and nicest promoter you’ll ever meet)
“My favorite part this year and every year is my bet with Palmer for $1 dollar on which of us will holeshot the crew. Also having my daughter, girlfriend Carolyn and both my parents there. The bonus was winning the mountain bike (in the Crossover raffle).” Bryan Noe #47, snowboarder, holeshot specialist, 2 laps fast, 3 laps slow.”My favorite part was doing the drop off a few turns before the finish line this year. Aaron Cook has been getting the full pro tracks opened up to us, which always sounds great until you actually get out there on the track. Those jumps are huge! I also enjoyed Dirt Rider Super-photog and Editor-At-Large Scott Hoffman trying to offer me cash between motos to attempt the huge uphill double, with various payouts based on where I landed and where I woke up!”
Pete Peterson, Dirt Rider Associate Editor”Unfortunately I was off the bike with an injured hand and forced to spectate. As everyone lined up at the gate, I walked the line and worked on pumping up skiers Alex Schlopy and Steve Mahre then the hometown Truckee boys Nate Holland, Peanut, Sabatella, Roff and Igor. There was tough competition, but the effort of our Pint Sized Nut who trained religiously for 2 months spinning hours on the bike, hammering out daily crossfit sessions and riding multiple motos each week paid off. Peanut’s charge through the pack into 2nd overall made me proud.”
Daron Rahlves, snow skier, I just wanna ride!”My favorite part was the GoPro Hero footage, Skullcandy headphones, my Equalibryum band, Dunlop Tires, giving away a Haro Mountain Bike and Nordica Ski’s, the Dirt Rider poster and of course thank the Dirt Diggers and the Lord for keeping me safe on the 7 laps instead of 5 we were supposed to do…sorry for the podium speech, crutch of the event organizor.” Aaron Cooke, the man behind the Crossover race and also the Athlete Recovery Fund (www.athleterecoveryfund.com and twitter.com/recoveryfund)
