Iceland Racer to spend the summer racing in D6.

Yeap, Motocross is truly universal and the USA is the center of that universe. Icelander MXer Viktor Gudbergsson, a soft-spoken well-educated 15-year-old, chose D6 for his US racing premiere. Son of an International stuntman and multi times Rally car champion Beggie Gudbergsson, Vik was dreaming of becoming a Grand prix racer. But, via a common friend and a hook up from CrossRoad Powersports, he’s got the opportunity to come here and get his feet wet. Imagine yourself traveling from a country (and Island) of 300.000 peoples and 150 mx racers, to the biggest and toughest place to race on the planet! But the size of your country has nothing to do with the amount of talent and passion you have for the sport. I have to admit that I didn’t know much about Iceland before meeting Vik and his father.. I find out that really cool peoples live there and the place look like a blast to ride and race, and it’s not as cold as you’ll think…

So Vik, what do think of America?
It’s great! I love it!

How would you describe the Icelandic MX scene?

Well, we have about 150 racers and around 2500 off road riders. We have 10 outdoor tracks within 20 minutes of Reykjavik (the Capital). We have plenty of space to ride.

Not bad! And you have a championship or a series?

Yes, it’s only 5 races for 5 classes (85, women, 125, MX1 and MX2 witch are A and B, bike size of your choice).But we have a good time and the level is pretty good.

Are you running up front?

Yes, I won 3 out of 4 races and finish 3^rd of the series in the 85 class.

What are the biggest differences between Iceland and the US?

The tracks here have a lot more jumps and are more technical. Our tracks are more natural terrain style, like in Europe. I’ve only saw a few tracks so far so it’s hard to say. And of course the amount of racers!   Also I’m not used to all driving to go racing… takes a long time!

How did you get into riding?

When I was 6, I got a go-kart from my dad. I rode it around for 3 years but I really wanted a motorbike after my dad took me to see a motocross race. So he picked up a used beat up 01 RM 50 and he let me fix it by myself. He just told me what to do and I replaced all the bearings, tires, etc.. I rode it for a year, loved it and then I started racing at 10 years old.

Your father is a rally car champion, how come you’re not into cars yourself?

I guess because he let me chose what I like to do and doesn’t try to push me in a particular direction. Plus he rode bikes too. My 19 years old sister is into car racing, that what she like.. and my mom race mx in the women class.

Cool! How many girls who raced?

About 20 or so, but it represent over 15% of the total racer. The best woman rider is my age and we are in the same school and same class!

What is your program for the summer?

I’m here for three months with Frenchie training, racing and traveling, getting used to the US. It’s great and really intense. Next year I’d like to do the Loretta Lynn, it will be cool.

Anybody you’ll like to thanks?

My dad for giving me such a great opportunity, CrossRoad Powersports in Upper Darby for my bike and RRP to set it up, Frenchie for taking care of me and teaching me the ropes, and to everybody that I meet so far, everybody is very nice to me!

Thanks Viktor and have fun this summer!

GP

OMS-1 Rider TONY ROTH #165

By GP 

Tony Roth is not the typical local rider. At 24 year old, beside been a super nice kid, he’s blessed with more natural talent than you and me together. Smoothness should be is middle name. So why he’s not on TV making a living riding with some other local pro like J. Lawrence, Helper or Mills? I don’t have a clue. But make sure you ask him that question next time you run into him … Anyway, don’t miss watching him ride if you have a chance, you won’t be disappointed….smoooooth !

Hi Tony, tell us, when did you start riding?

I started riding when I was 10 years old on a XR100. I started racing two years later (12 years old) on a 1990 KX125 that we've found for sale in the local paper. I never raced 85’s.

Why did you want to get into racing?

As far I can remember, I always wanted to race. I used to watch Jeremy MCGRATH on TV all the time and just wanted to do the same thing.

So, how did you do on your first race?

I crashed hard and bent my handlebars after the second lap… the day was over! It was at Pagoda in the mud!

Then what?

I raced the C class for 2 years, and then went B for a while, I was 15. Then my 125 got stolen in my garage! So I bought a new RM250, and race 250B.  2 years later, I moved to the A class.

My first A race was at Sleepy!

What's the biggest accomplishment/race you were into?

I guess the minimoto at Vegas...or BOOKOO AX!! I won the Englishtown Trapani Pit Bike series in 2005 that was pretty cool.

When did your dad stop going to the races?

When I got my driving license... It was hard at first to go without him but I got used to it after a while.

What's the part of MX you enjoy the most?

I have to say....well everything! riding, the camaraderie, the feeling you get when you drive back from a good race...

If you could change something about the locals races?

The cost of racing is outrageous comparing to the amount of track time we get, and I'm not a fan of the "minidad fury". I hate when they yell at their little kid!

What are your goals for 2007?

Definitely get in better shape for racing and ride more often!

I'm thinking of maybe following a series, but I'm not sure which one.

I heard you're moving out of your dad’s house, tell us about it

My girl Cara and I are moving in our first house in Wyomissing.

I hope I won't have to sell my bike to pay the mortgage, but I’m pump because there is a two-car garage!

Do you think there will be any cars in it?

No, NO CARS ALLOWED, BIKES ONLY!

How is your girl friend with the racing thing?

Very supportive, she drove with me in my van to Vegas for the Minimoto SX!

But I felt bad because the first race she was at, I knocked myself out cold, and ended up at the hospital, but she likes it except for the danger.

Peoples say you're a really smooth rider, and fast too. Where do your style come from?

I don't know...! I don't feel that way but everybody tell me that. Maybe from riding BMX a lot.

What is your favorite D6 track?

Pagoda, my hometown!

What is, for you, the worst one?

The old Flying Dutchman, I can't wait to see the new track.

Who is you favorite Pro Rider?

None, I don't really have one.

What do you enjoy beside MX?

Hang out with my friends, ride BMX and 50’s, jamming with my band Preload, jet skiing, and hanging out with my sweetheart of course!

Thanks Tony and good luck in 2007!

OFF ROAD MOTORSPORT RIDER OF THE MONTH: Melvin Fioravanti

                                                     By Greg “frenchie “ Pamart

CAN MOTOCROSS CURE CANCER?!

We all know that MX is a dangerous activity.

 Everyone that rides understand that the law of gravity is sometime stronger that we anticipate, and we understand the risk of injury. We actually embrace the fact that it’s “X’trem” and wear the daredevil etiquette proudly throughout our everyday life. Off course a lot of outsider pressure us to quit riding because it’s to dangerous/to expensive/you’re too old/too young/you’re too slow/ you’re too crazy etc, etc. But, what about the positive effect of MX?

So, to prove the “outsiders” that Motocross is good for you, tell them the story of a vet C rider, Melvin Fioravanti.

 Melvin is a 34 years old cancer survivor. He used his passion for motocross to help beat the deadly disease, and this is what he has to say……

“To start off with a brief history about myself. I started riding at the age of 12 when I got a 1982 KX 80 for Christmas. My father was a long time Pagoda member and love Off Road riding.

I found out I had cancer at 28 years old.

 I was having pain in my lower left leg and went to the doc for a look and that’s when I found out I had cancer ( Ewing Sarcoma ), a bone cancer in my fibula.

After 2 years of painful chemo and radiation. They finally cut my Fibula out before cancer move any further.

During my treatment I had time to reflect on life and from that point forward I decided to live life to the fullest and never regret anything. I had always followed MX and wanted to ride again, and especially start racing. The idea of racing was one of a few elements that help me keeping my head up and think positively, wish is the key to beat cancer.

 I won the battle and have been cancer free for 5 years!!

My wife Elaine was by my bedside during the 2 years treatments and she knew my dream was to get a bike.

So one day I came home from the hospital, I opened the garage and there was a new 2001 KX 250 !!

It was such a surprise that I cried like a little schoolgirl…. The happiest day of my life! If you are lucky enough to have your wife buy you a bike you know the feeling! 

So I started riding a lot with Jason Esterly and Guido Sica.

I was ready to race in 2002. My first couple of races went ok I finished mid-pack a few times.

Then my 5^th race ever I drove up to Hurricane hills with GP. We did the privateer deal and slept in the van.

It was leaning on an angle and the bed was small. I slept with my feet above my head. Greg was laying the other way next to me. So I didn’t sleep to good (plus you never know with the French, lol ).

The morning came, practice went ok. I had the first moto of the day. I got a 5^th place start, flew into the back of the guy in front of me and went down. I got run over a few times and wound up with 5 breaks in my upper right arm.

As they where loading me into the ambulance, my Wife Elaine showed up to the track just in time to follow the ambulance to the hospital… She was not happy!!

After that I kinda put racing on hold and got into 50’s, until 2006 when I started racing again and doing really well. I went out and got a 2006 KX 450 F from Cross Road Powersport. The 4 stroke works well for me and I owe a lot to this bike for helping with my results.

 Now I run the Vet- C Class. I had 2 Overall wins this year and held a 4^th place average finish in 2006 and earned enough points to move up to the B Class!

I’m happy to be riding (and to be alive!), and to have the opportunity to do what I love, after what I’ve been through in my life.

My  Crew

Tony Roth, Jimbo Wilke, Doc Jones, GP, Jason Esterly

Riding with these guys makes me faster. They also push me to do things I normally wouldn’t do! Thanks guys!

My Sponsors:

OMS1, ASV, Twin Air, Acerbis, Factory Backing, VPE, Renthal, and Motoworld.com “

So remember, like Mel said, if you keep a positive attitude and keep you head up, you can beat anybody, even cancer…

See ya at the track !!!

With so many peoples at the track racing those days, and each of us busy doing our own stuff, it’s easy to miss on a lot of nice family and interesting individual.

So this is the Thompson’s, a typical passion-driven family with a “risk it all, win it all” attitude in their racing effort, who managed to keep having lots of fun and a good attitude week in and week out….

Daryn races for mom and dad, OMS-1, Fly, MotoGraphX, MRA, RRP, Scott, Rocky Mountain and family friend Nathan Jester.

Like many young kids out there, Daryn life evolved around riding dirt bike, and this is what he has to say….

Hey kid, tell us your name, age and the class you are racing

I’m Daryn Thompson, 11 year old and I race the 85cc 7-11 class

How long have you been riding?

4 ½ years. I start riding just before I turn 7. My first bike was a XR50. It was an early birthday present! I raced it right away and finish 4^th in my first race at Sleepy Hollow. The year after I’ve got a 65cc.

Your going pretty fast out there, how are you doing, results wise?

I’m 1^st   in the 7-11A and second in Junior Mini, for the MDRA Series.

Cool! Who’s your competition in the series?

#31 Steven Good and  #151 Tyler Murphy. They’re a lot of fast riders but not all of them followed the series.

Are you buddying with them?

With Tyler yes, but I don’t know Steven because is from down South. He’s pretty fast! But I get along with everybody…

I’m sure, like all of us, that you hit the dirt sometime, did you had any injury in the past?

Yes, I’ve broke my foot and my wrist

 Did you cry?

Yes, it hurt a lot!

Were you scared to ride again?

A little… but it fade away. I rode around my house with my cast on because I was missing riding so much.

Do you think you’d like to do another sport?

No!

Is there anything you don’t like about racing?

I don’t like when they water the track too much. Too slippery…

 I’ve seen you hitting the Banzai at Sleepy, is it the biggest jump you ever did?

Maybe... But the 3^rd double at Mountaineer is probably bigger, I did it this year.

Yeap, it’s big, I cased it on my 450, didn’t feel good! What about school, do you like it?

No, but I love math

How are your grades?

B- overall. If I don’t have decent grades, I’m not allowed to race.

What do you want become later in your life?

A Pro Motocross racer! Then later a mechanic maybe.. I don’t know yet. I can completely pull apart my BMX and put it back together by myself. I work on all my friends and sisters bikes all the time!

Yes, you do have 2 sisters, Shaina (9) and Shelby (13)… What are they doing when you’re racing?

They help my mom score at Sleepy small track, or flag. Also Shaina is doing some Cheer Leading and Shelby play guitar.

Do you get along with your sister?

Yes, we are find.

How much do you think your family spends a year into racing?

I don’t know… a lot! Too much!

Guess a number

Pfiouu !!?? $900 a year? [Not a misprint]

Dam, you guys do get good deals!! And how did you get into riding in the first place?

My uncle Jeremy, my hunt Angie and my cousin Damien [Thompson] were into it and we just followed their footprints.

Well, thanks for your time Daryn, and good luck for the rest of the seasons!

Thank you

                                                                                       G.P.