|
The Internet's Official BMX Magazine. |
|
|
|
|
||
|
. . . Go Back to Press Releases CLUB REDLINE "D.I.R.T." (drivel, innuendo, rumors & trash) Issue #4 - Mid-August 2001 To all of the new CLUB REDLINE members, and REDLINE Co-Sponsored riders - WELCOME! We just got back from the Great Northwest Nationals, held in Eugene, OR., and here is what's happening in the Wild and Wacky World of 'Wed-line: 1st, 2nd, 3rd in ProCruiser: ALL-REDLINE PRO PODIUM MAKES NEW RECORD! Eugene, Oregon. For the second weekend in a row, TEAM REDLINE wrote their names in another chapter of the ABA BMX Record Books. This time, it was for being the first Factory Team to completely fill a Pro Podium. Redline pros took 1st, 2nd and 3rd; dominating the Great Northwest Natioanls--held in Eugene, OR. Click the box for the rest of the story... If you recall--in Minnesota, Aussie Import "Kamakazi" set a new ABA record for "Shortest time in America before winning a AA-pro main event." Then--this past weekend, for the GNW nationals, Redline pros MATT HADAN, KAMAKAZI and JASON CARNES set a new benchmark for BMX teams by filling an entire pro podium with the same jerseys. Something that, to the best of our memory, has never-ever been acheived by any BMX team. Sunday's Pro Cruiser main was locked and loaded in the gate. On the inside, in lane 1, was Matt Hadan. On the outside, in lane 8, was Kamakazi. And in the middle--was "The Horny Toad" - Jason Carnes. As soon as the gate slammed, all three Redline pros and their Proline 24's powered straight to the front, throwing elbows to the first turn. The buzz of Redline's AM/FM cassette hubs filled the air! The announcers began to freak out, as out of the first turn it was Redline, Redline and Redline. Hadan had the lead, but Kamakazi was reeling him in quick. Grant White was putting the pressure on Carnes for the third spot, but Jason held off the threat in the rhythm. From there on, "Diesel" had the race won, and a new BMX Record had been inked in to the Books. That was definitely a highlight of the GNW Nationals--one of many good races Team Redline was involved in. BUBBA: Amateur racer BUBBA HARRIS--fresh off of his 16th birthday, was also dominant on his cruiser--whupping up on the 16cru class both days. In 16x, Bubba was without a doubt the fastest, but encountered his fair share of bad luck. In Saturday's semi, Bubba bobbled in the rhythm section just enough to send him sideways, detouring in to the soft stuff in the infield. Disappointedly, he'd be watching the 16x's this time. And while watching the 16x main from the sidelines, I'd say it was a blessing that Bubb'ster wasn't in the main--as the domino theory was proven before the first jump. Not just 3--but SIX riders colloded, crashed and skidded on the paved asphalt starting hill, before the first jump. Obiously--it's a restart. Even after seeing some of his best friends like Mikey Day and Derrick Martin all scrapped-up from the 6-man pileup, Bubba told us; "I wish I was in that crash!" . On Sunday, Bub' was out to redeem himself on his 20 inch, and there was no way he was going to miss out on the 16x main this day. Harris was haulin' buns, in motos, semis and the main. He was goin' so fast in to turn two, he got a two-wheel drift going, enabling Alliant's Aaron Johnson to gain some ground and pull up alongside him. Going thru the thrid straightaway rhythm section, it was Bubba and Johnson side by side. In the last turn, Johnson dove low and got an elbow in front of our Redline hero. This was pure BMX racing; as Bubba tried putting the lean on Johnson, while Johnson tried taking Bubba up high in the berm. Kinda reminded us of the Grands main event last year, with Bubba and Nichols. Just good ol' racing, between two guys, totally going for it. End result was Bubba lost this battle of the 'bows, and crashed in flames. Definitely, one of the best races of the day. DIESEL: Matt Hadan was still hurtin' from his Louisville slugout with the ground. He said his wrist hadn't bothered him too much in Minnesota because the track had small jumps. But this weekend, Eugene's track featured big doubles and a national-caliber rhythm section. But just like Rocky Balboa, Hadan's a tough guy; taped-up his wrist and was ready to come out swingin' at the bell. (insert "Eye of the Tiger" theme right here) With family members in attendance, Matt never let-up on how much pain he was actually in, and deserves the title of "Tough Guy of the Weekend"--for making all of his mains. In the Double-A mains both days, Hadan had some great races. And then, unfortunately, he also had some gnarly spills. In Sunday's first main of Double-A, an already hurting Hadan hit a pothole in the first turn and was run over by half the class. Now add a pizza-arm to his sprained wrist. Pepperoni and sausage all up and down his oozing, pussing forearm. It was enough to make a normal man quit, or drop out for the rest of the day. But Hadan's not a normal guy--and he still had 4 mains to run. Matt bit the bullet and remained in the thick of things for the next 2 double-A mains, wound up winning Pro Cruiser (the story we started off with), and diced it out in ProOpen. If there's ever a Rocky 6, Hadan deserves a role. Just goes to prove--you've got to be a tough guy, to ride a tough bike like a Redline. KAMAKAZI: Coming off of his Minnesota win, Kamkazi was determined to continue the streak. And for two of the three mains on Saturday, he looked as if he might just do it. First main--it was Kamakazi and Hadan, 1 and 2. GOOD! Second main--Hadan and Kamakazi got stuck to the back of the pack. Bad. Third main--Points were pretty much tied across the board, with 4 pros having 7 pts, and 1 pro with 8. It was as if the first two mains canceled eachother out, basically bringing it down to a 1-lap final. Kamakazi had the holeshot and the lead out of turn one, and was going so crazy fast over the next two sets of doubles that he overcleared most of them. Kazi was carrying a little bit too much speed in to the tight second turn and his lil' 1.5 tires couldn't hold traction. BLAMMO! Once again--Kamakazi lived up to his nickname. Gathering himself up and dusting himself off, he finished off the lap in usual fashion--360'ing the last set o' doubles before the finishline. Sunday's Pro Open main was pretty much a encore of Saturday's 3rd main--out front, going fast, going down in a blaze of glory, and finishing off with a X-up 360 at the finishline. For being in America for such a short time, Kamakazi has already built a huge following of fans--between his name, his incredible speed and power, his terrific crashes while leading races, winning races when he isn't crashing, and 360'ing / styling off of jumps during a race... it's no wonder why America already loves the guy. EARTHQUAKE: Since becoming a dad, REDLINE's CLARENCE PERRY has been staying at home enjoying his newfound family life. And we definintely encouraged him to do so -- knowing that it wouldn't be long before he hears the BMX track calling his name. So far this year--Clarence had only hit two nationals (Reno and Phoenix). But he showed up in Eugene to prove to all his competition that he is still alive and kickin' butt. On Saturday, The "Earthquake" looked as if he'd been on his bike all year, and opened up a can on the 36-40 cruiser class. He had a bit of competition from Enigma welder Woody Woodruff, but began to pull away once he cleared the first set of doubles. The win was all his. Sunday was a different story, as one of Clarence's arch rivals from Portland was applying pressure like a chiropractor, coming through turn one. not many people could see it--but there was some heavy clashing going on in the turn, and Clarence missed a coupla cones. Down the jump-infested second straight, Earthquake wasn't as smooth and couldn't make up ground. Chalk him up for a hard-earned 2nd place. ... but wait! There's a whining cruiser guy protesting that Clarence missed the cones. he thinks he should be DQ'ed. After some serious discussion with officials and riders, it was finalized that Clarence was forced off the track and didn't do it on his own. His 2nd place stood. ahhhhhhhh... just wait until next time. Just like the rest of the Redline squad, Clarence HATES losing! Redline Cruisers - 4 Consecutive Wins On Sunday, I noticed a full Redline podium in the hottest of the Girls mains--15 GIRLS. Eugene local and Redline co-spo'd rider NINA BROWN held off the hard charging ASHLEY RECKLAU, who is now riding aboard a new XLR8R. And rounding out the third spot was Washington's very own CASSIE BUSHNELL, sporting the full Redline colors of "Team Earthquake" (Clarence's hand-picked 2-person team). 1 NINA "RACER" BROWN, HERDA'S/REDLINE Way to go! VOICE, VOTE & VIEW results new question: final results: ...to let your "VOICE" be heard -- click on the V,V&V icon on the Redline website. Read the survey question, VOTE and then VIEW the results. Redline Co-Spo'd Coloradian KASEY GREB Eugene, Oregon. Kasey Grebb hails from Colorado, and rides for Cascade Bicycles (one of our Colorado Redline dealers) under Redline's grass-roots program. Kasey and his family made the trek from Colorado to attend the GREAT NORTHWEST NATIONALS, and from Friday night on, he was constantly spotted out front! So much so that he had people doing double-takes, thinking he was Bubba Harris. (It doesn't hurt when you have the same helmet, bike and uniform as The Bubb'ster.) Grebb took home another two national wins and tripled on Friday -- winning 13inter class, 13 Cruiser and 13-14 mixed open. Not bad for a kid from Colorado (or anywhere, for that matter). Kasey currently runs a ROC #1 plate and is planning on going for the title again, before he moves up to Expert. He'll turn 14 in October--and should make one heck'uva fast 14x come November. So keep on an eye on this kid--he's a ripper! Redline congratulates Kasey and Cascade Bicycles on a job well done in Eugene! Rumor has it... UP NEXT:
Copyright 2001. All rights reserved. |
(08.17.01)