Considering all of the obstacles such as rain, freezing temperatures, a failing economy and the long hauls east that many had to tackle in order to make this first round, we'd say that Round 1 of the CMR series went off like an explosion. We can't even imagine how things will evolve throughout the rest of this year. It's on now!
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Visit www.championship-mudracing.com for more information. And be sure to check out Connected for the next rounds of the CMR's 2009 race schedule!
ATVR's test pilot Maverick...
ATVR's test pilot Maverick Martin makes his very first attempt at Championship Mud Racing
My First Mud Race
By Maverick Martin
ATVR Test Rider
When ATVR Editor Thad Josey asked if I wanted to race his brand-new Arctic Cat MudPro 700 at the first round of the CMR series, I was pretty stoked about the idea. Although I've ridden in quite a few mud holes over the years, I've never actually competed in an official race on a machine built for mud bogging, so you can imagine what a huge difference from my normal type of riding and racing sport quads this would be for me. You could almost say that this was an opportunity of a lifetime, but the reality is that this can be experienced 10 times this year by anyone willing to give it a shot.
Although Martin did not take...
Although Martin did not take home a victory on his first run, he's up for giving victory another chance someday down the road.
I was amazed at the variety of quads at this event and even more so by the huge group of people who follow it and race it. Before I headed off to my starting position, I was able to get a little advice from one of the top riders in this sport, Dewayne Crowder. It's not often that a top rider would be willing to share their race-winning secrets in most other sports. Unfortunately, I just didn't get off the line fast enough, and my competition was able to grab a phenomenal start and hold me off for the entire three laps of this qualifying round, despite my being on his chops. I was unable to advance into the main event, but I'll admit, it was a total adrenaline rush. Mud racing did not require the physical endurance the type of racing I normally do demands, but it was still every bit of fun trying to grab that win.
To me, the best part about racing in the CMR series had a lot less to do with winning, it was more about meeting some good new friends and spending quality time with family and people who share similar interests as I do. I was blown away at how well the Arctic Cat MudPro did considering it was completely stock modded with only a set of GBC Gator tires and fit perfectly into the single-cylinder class. For me, this was an incredible experience that I can't wait to try again. Only next time, it's on!