Here it is....
The 3rd Annual 36+ Open Wheels Challenge Summer Series, renamed the "Big Ripper Summer Series".
Iv'e had the name change in the planning stages since the beginning of the year, to honor the memory of Bryan Oblad.
I had not yet finalized the logo when Steve suddenly passed away. It really tore me up when Steve passed but he was in on this early on & gave his blessing, including the ladies.
So, as long as I'm involved holding this Series, it will stay the new name from here on out.
Iv'e got to thank a few people before I move on,
Jeff Clawson made the logo happen. He's been a friend now for 20 years & when I reached out to him to finalize the logo, he said sure. I couldn't believe the final proof, absolutely awesome. Thanks Jeff!
T.P. Todd Parry. After I reached out to him about a Grand Prize for this year, he also has made it happen. A new SE P.K. "DJ HD" 26" dirt jumper that is their top of the line bike. This is no Walmart bike, the thing is sweet & will be raffled off in the same way last years Redline bike was. Thanks Todd!
I'm looking into getting T-shirts & hoodies made.
So here is a recap of the Series rules & a few changes -
- The Big Ripper Summer Series will be held most Saturday nights at Legacy Raceway BMX in Farmington.
- *FREE* entry fee, you MUST be signed up in your respective 20" or cruiser class to race the Open.
- Flat pedal rule - I'm giving some love to the flats crowd. If you RUN flats for the night, in your motos & make your main, you will be awarded DOUBLE finishing points. No double rider points.
- Females making the main will be awarded TRIPLE finishing points.
- Every racer will get 1 point per rider (rider points) for the race.
- Points will go along the lines with USA BMX's expert/cruiser points table. 1st place - 100 points, 2nd place - 80 points, 3rd place - 60 points, 4th place - 50 points, 5th place - 40 points, 6th place - 30 points, 7th place - 20 points, 8th place - 10 points.
- 20", 24" & Mt. bikes are allowed.
- You have to be at least 36 yrs of age to enter the Series. The average ages of the racers last season was late 40's - 50's. If your a racer in your 20's or early 30's, sorry. I reserve the right to make a promoters exception (Me!)
- Any female over the age of 21 can enter.
-Lanes will be given out using the Ping-Pong bottle. If you get the "Red X" ball, you can pick any lane you want.
*Top 10 overall finishers in points will be eligible for a $200 gift certificate. 3 - best finishes + finals = eligibility*
*Grand Prize giveaway = race 70% of all races & your eligible to be entered into a raffle. *
* You must show up for your motos & your main if you make it. If I see that people are signing up & not racing just to get a race in for the Grand Prize, your in jeopardy of being DQ'ed for the night. Doing such a thing not only goes against the spirit of honest competition, it's just a dick move.
When does the season start?
We don't know yet, as soon as Legacy gets the green light to race, I'll look at their schedule & go from there. The season will be running a bit longer this year, I'd like to make it so you have to enter 70% of the posted races to be eligible for the raffle. Last year I believe 15 people made the cut. that was a 1-15 chance to win the bike. Pretty good odds.
The Series will again have an overall champion. T.P. won it in 2018, Jared Mitchell won it in 2019. There will be another cool trophy & bragging rights for the champion this year. I think I'm going to tweek the system this year. I took a racers best 5 races last year & that's what you could take with you into the finals with the hope it would come down to a main event that had the title on the line. It worked until Jared made the main. I'd like to see the main have a few more title contenders this year, similar to the Grands. Stay tuned on this one.
*3 - best finishes + the finals = title.*
The winner of the nights race still gets their picture taken with the BIG trophy.
Sooo, in closing, 3 years ago I started this series to give the older crowd a chance to all gate up in one big class, get to race others that you usually don't, get to meet new faces, hopefully get some racers off their butts & on their bikes & have a lot of fun. It's all happened! So if your on the fence about jumping in or it's been awhile since you raced, we are waiting for you. BMX is still cool as hell, trust me.
b.
