Unique and fascinating ideas are birthed every day all over the world, and these ideas are carefully crafted into useful tools that help us in life and even entertain our fast-moving brains. It might be the latest gadget, such as the Apple iPhone, or a huge sporting event like Nascar. But I want to tell you about the next big idea around the ATV community that I've just recently stumbled upon-it's the Championship Mud Racing (CMR) series which has now snatched my attention, redirected my interests and has left me begging for more. Did you go to round one of the new CMR series? If you did, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. I'll even admit that I'm addicted after only one injection of serious mudslinging race action.
The CMR series idea has been forming and evolving for some time now in the creative minds of those on staff at Gorilla Axle. If you're not familiar with these guys, they've mastered the art of mud riding, mud racing and have even developed a long list of reputable components for your ATV that will allow you to dunk it into large masses of sludge while successfully exiting without worrying about engine failure.
Yes, the side-by-side classes...
Yes, the side-by-side classes are some of the most competitive classes.
While masterfully planning the CMR series, the Gorilla staff made an interesting (actually genius) decision which I believe will be the key to its future success: They've fused all seven CMR races together, with huge mud festivals spanning from Texas to Georgia. These massive mud gatherings are packed full of great Southern folks (and others, for that matter), just looking to ride and make life away from reality fun! This new national championship mud racing series will expose this type of racing to thousands of mud enthusiasts at each and every event. And if round one at Texas Mudfest in Easton, Texas, is any indication of where the CMR series is headed, this thing is going to be off the hook!
Day One: Swampcross
My newfound partner in mud, Rick Sosebee, and I landed in Dallas, Texas, on a dreary Friday morning. We were a little bummed by the rain and lack of sunshine, but we both agreed that we wouldn't let the weather bring us down. We grabbed our rental car, a pair of mud boots and made a mad two-hour dash toward Easton where all the action would be awaiting us. Never letting off the gas and e-braking every sharp corner, we finally arrived at a vibrant green farm nestled deep in the middle of nowhere. We were just in time to catch the SwampCross competition. Thankfully the rain held off and the fierce competitors unleashed a show unlike any I'd ever seen before.
Under the bright lights of the SwampCross course, the racing kicked off just as the sun laid to rest behind the tall pine trees. A huge crowd of excited mud enthusiasts lined the SwampCross pit and proved to be more than lively as Jason Coffel of Gorilla Axle pumped things up on the mic. Surprisingly, the staging area for the competitors held many more riders than I would of expected, and each and every one of them wrestled the massive pit of mud, water and who knows what else to grab a jump on the point lead at round one.
 Fashion statement or just...  Fashion statement or just plain strange-who really knows. |  Hey mom, I'm ready to go ride...  Hey mom, I'm ready to go ride now! |  Texas Mudfest delivered more...  Texas Mudfest delivered more than just mud racing; it was one huge party. |