2008 High Lifter Mud Nationals

Day 3: The Sun Came Out, And So Did The Masses
Saturday started out a little later for me than the previous days. I wanted to rest up because, according to the news, we were in for some great weather and I was determined to enjoy the nightlife that I had only heard about. AC and I stopped by our friends at the Yamaha trailer and loaded up our Rhino with all of his camera equipment. Today held the final and most-anticipated event of the weekend.

The SuperTrapp Mud Bog attracted the most spectators out of any competition. People were seated next to the track, standing on their ATVs and even took shelter under the shade of the nearby trees to watch hours of astonishing racing excitement. I never thought I'd be as amped up watching four racers run their machines as fast as they could through what appeared to be a 50-yard mud bog. I also didn't realize how much skill was required to do it so quickly. These riders were definitely masters of the mud pit.

A crowd favorite was the women's race across the pit for a $250 gift certificate from High Lifter. Ten ladies lined up at the start of the pit and gave it their all. Surprisingly, ATVs weren't required or allowed in this race. In fact, the racers had to run, swim or dive their way across the finish line to claim the prize. This race by far produced the loudest cheering from all of the spectators, and really ignited our adrenaline.

The final event was the freestyle show put on by the Akraix Can-Am team. Their freestyle riders launched quads over two 70-foot jumps, all while performing insane acrobatics in front of the huge crowd. By the cheers heard, everyone was impressed. I know that they definitely impressed me because I'd never try launching a quad and dismounting it in the air. As the freestyle show came to an end, I figured that everything was pretty much wrapping up for the day. I couldn't have been more wrong. In fact, things were just starting to heat up.

As the bright orange sun set behind the tree line, the nightlife was just beginning to heat up. Highline turned into a complete party scene once it grew dark, and I've never felt so welcome in a place where I was such a stranger. I got a real taste of what "Southern hospitality" truly is. People were cruising up the road on their quads like they were on Hollywood Boulevard on a Saturday night, with stereos blasting and people hanging out just having a great time.

There were plenty of people consuming their favorite beverages all around us and not a bad attitude nowhere in sight. I think that some of the worse attitudes came from the rent-a-cops who were trying to keep the traffic flowing. Our photographer was a direct victim of this when he took a jab from a flashlight to the ribs. Hey guys, lighten up, everyone was there to have a good time and there were never any problems. I quickly determined that this was one of the best assignments I've ever been on since working at ATV Rider Magazine.

The Overall Experience
My inaugural visit to Texas for the High Lifter Mud Nationals was nothing short of amazing. I was given the chance to see a world that was completely foreign to me, and I absolutely fell in love with it. I want to give a big thanks to all of the great people we met at the Mud Nationals, you made my experience unforgettable and better than any ATV event that I'd visited to date.

At the opening of this story, I asked if you remember your first time. I know that I will remember this experience for the rest of my life. The sights, sounds, people, riding and lifestyle are all permanently embedded in my mind and will put a smile on my face every time I look back on this event. I'm already looking forward to next year's event, I want to do some more muddin', don't you?