"To the quad, it makes the 37-inch tires feel like they're 27 inches," Walker explained. It was a mixed weekend for T-Rex, driving home with three wins, a second and two third-place finishes. Not bad for a guy who works for a company that does product development on peanut sweeteners.
Like any full-fledged national event, the 2006 High Lifter ATV Mud Nationals was blessed with a dozen or so vendors on hand to offer any and all kinds of mud accessories for an ATV. Winches, tires and lift kits were among the most popular, but representatives from stereo makers, trailer companies and photographers were also among those hawking wares and services. High Lifter even brought a certified ATV mechanic to provide labor and fix small problems-like valve adjustments, tire changes and CV replacements-for free!
There was one thing that stood out more than anything when wandering the grounds of Mud Creek. The event was a place where families and friends came to spend time together doing what they enjoy the most: getting muddy on their ATVs. Fortunately, the 2500-acre Mud Creek Park offers plenty of room for camping, whether you were in a tent or an RV. And with at least six wash stations on hand for quads that needed a bath, lines moved steadily. At almost any time of day lines of 10-20 people were patiently waiting to wash off their quads, and in the evening hours the smell of barbecue filled the air. Once night fell, headlights could be seen in the trees as they bounced along the many trails.
Others who enjoyed the sloppy event were ATV clubs like the Southern Oklahoma Mud Slingers and the Git-R-Done crew from Louisiana, who make it a point to attend this event along with many like it. Both groups are made up of tight friends who ride as often as they can, wherever they can (mostly in mud). If you'd like more information on what to expect for 2007, visit www.highlifter.com or call High Lifter at 318/524-2270.
Ava Rice
Maxxis Mud-A-Cross
Open Class
1. John Cannon/Bombardier Outlander 800
2. Matt Olsen/Yamaha Grizzly 660
3. Mike Walker/Kawasaki Brute Force 650
500cc and Over Class
1. John Cannon/Bombardier Outlander 800
2. Charles Cunningham
3. Blake Mann/Kawasaki Brute Force 750