From Shane Watts and at the DirtWise School:
Offroad motorcycle racing legend Shane Watts has announced the 2010 schedule for his wildly popular “DirtWise with Shane Watts” Academy of Offroad Riding Schools.
Watts will travel all over the US and Canada during 2010, visiting 40 different locations, conducting these very informative two day, World Championship winning Instructional classes that continue to receive rave reviews from attending students. More than 1,000 students have graduated from the Academy since it officially began in July 2007. The complete schedule can be found at www.shanewatts.com.
Watts stated: “The DirtWise with Shane Watts Academy of Offroad Riding is an excellent opportunity to gain experience and improve your skill level with offroad riding situations, whilst in a controlled environment and under expert guidance. The DirtWise Academy of Offroad Riding school is an exceptional learning institution that focuses on offroad specific riding situations and instruction, however the skills we teach apply to both offroad and motocross riding/racing.
“The majority of our students are of the novice and intermediate skill level, however what we teach applies to all skill levels right from the beginner all the way through to the Pro level. We just set up the skills exercises with varying degrees of difficulty according to the skill levels present at each individual school.”
“Our school focuses on increasing bike control which results in a safer, more confident and skilled rider. Ultimately this allows each student, if they desire, to easily ride faster without greatly overstepping their skill limits. Having greater bike control and confidence is the key ingredient!”
Feb 19/20 (Fri/Sat) Hull, GA
Feb 27/28 (Sat/Sun) Ft. Basinger (near Okeechobee), FL
Mar 6/7 (Sat/Sun) Denver, NC
Mar 12/13 (Fri/Sat) Thackerville, OK (near DFW, TX area
Mar 19/20 (Fri/Sat) Greenbank, NJ
Mar 26/27 (Fri/Sat) - Pioneer (Sopiago Springs Resort)
Apr 2/3 (Fri/Sat) Henderson, NC
Apr 10/11 (Sat/Sun) Denver/Colorado Springs, CO
Apr 16/17 (Fri/Sat) Tuscumbia, AL
Apr 22/23 (Thurs/Fri) Dubuque, IA
Apr 24/25 (Sat/Sun) Dubuque, IA
Apr 30/May 1 (Fri/Sat) Coal Center, PA - 40 min south of Pittsburgh
May 8/9 (Sat/Sun) Albany, OR
May 14/15 (Fri/Sat) Crab Orchard (Little Egypt), IL
May 22/23 (Sat/Sun) Wrentham, MA
June 4/5 (Fri/Sat) White City, IL
June 11/12 (Fri/Sat) Warrensburg, MO
June 25/26 (Fri/Sat) Bismarck, ND
July 1/2 (Thur/Fri) Pincher Creek, AB (near Calgary, AB)
July 8/9 (Thur/Fri) Apex Ski resort - Penticton, BC Canada
Aug 7/8 (Sat/Sun) Pitkin, CO
Aug 19/20 (Thur/Fri) Big Sky ski resort Bozeman, MT
Aug 28/29 (Sat/Sun) NW Indiana (Michigan City)
Sep 3/4 (Fri/Sat) Pontypool, Ont. Canada (45 min NE of Toronto)
Sep 5/6 (Sun/Mon) Lansing, NY - near Ithaca
Sep 10 (Fri) One day school - Seattle, WA ($180)
Sep 12 (Sun) One day school - Seattle, WA ($180)
Sep 18/19 (Sat/Sun) Flagstaff, AZ or Santa Fe, NM
Sep 25/26 (Sat/Sun) Romney, WV
Oct 1 (Fri) Lexington, KY - First day of the KY 2-day school (total cost $360)
Oct 3 (Sun) Lexington, KY - Second day of the KY 2-day school (total cost $360)
Oct 8/9 (Fri/Sat) Mansfield, MO
Oct 16/17 (Sat/Sun) Central OH
Oct 22/23 (Fri/Sat) Kellyville, OK - 30 min SW of Tulsa
Oct 29 (Fri) One day EnduroCross School - Denver, CO ($180)
Nov 6/7 (Sat/Sun) Reno, NV
Nov 13/14 (Sat/Sun) Grand Junction, CO
Nov 21/22 (Sun/Mon) Las Vegas, NV or St. George, UT
Dec 4/5 (Sat/Sun) Meridian, MS
Dec 11/12 (Sat/Sun) Houston, TX
Dec 18/19 (Sat/Sun) Victorville, So. Cal
Cost for the two day schools will be $360, with discounts available for previous students and extra family members.
For those of you already signed up for the school and/or our Newsletter, be sure to pass this information on to any of your mates, fellow club members, and riding buddies who might be interested in a valued weekend of riding, instruction, and heaps of fun! We hope to see you there!
A portion of each student’s tuition fee is donated to the Blue Ribbon Coalition and the RiderDown Foundation.
Visit www.shanewatts.com for more info on how to register for this school and to sign up for the periodical “Watts Happening” Newsletter, or to purchase Volume #1 (How to master Mud, Sand, and Rough Ground technique) in the new DirtWise Advanced Instructional Riding DVD series, on sale now. Along with the original DirtWise Instructional DVD which covers over 25 different general Offroad riding skills and trail situations, there is also additional merchandise available to purchase on our website such as DirtBaby “track ready” baby apparel and more!
Shane Watts and his DirtWise Academy of Offroad Riding schools and Instructional DVDs are supported by www.ktmhutt.com, DirtBaby, Dirt Tricks Sprockets and rotors, Fun Mart Cycles, Stillwell Performance Suspension, GPR Stabilizers, Ariete Goggles and Domino Grips from Offroadchampions.com, IMS fuel tanks and footpegs, Fasst Co. Flexx Handlebars, Maxxis, and DeCal Works.
That's right, ladies and gentlemen. Wattsy will be hosting three schools in Canada, with two lining up with the WEC Western rounds, where Watts will also be racing, hoping to test himself against the "sensational trails" Canada has to offer, and one round in Ponty Pool, Ontario, home of Canada's top finishing rider at the ISDE, top finishing Ontario rider at the CEC, CMA Hare Scramble Champion and all around good guy, Machine Racing Yamaha's Brian "Wojo" Wojnarowski.
Check it out. Watts is a highly accomplished rider with a phenominal resume, with plenty to teach. Those who I've spoke to who have attended his schools in the past have felt that the lessons learned were well worth the cost of the school, and would full heartedly do it again.
2/16/2010
2/09/2010
From Shane Watts
As you may or may not know, Dirt Wise school founder and Aussie enduro racer Shane Watts will be attending the first four rounds of the WEC's Royal Distributing Canadian Enduro Championship, presented by Parts Canada. He will also be hosting riding schools prior to both events in Alberta and British Columbia. The fast Austrialian is looking forward to riding in Canada, and getting back onto the "sensational trails" in British Columbia. "If I come in first, great, if I come in fifth, great... I'm really just there for fun, and to ride my bike."
Here's the latest press release from Wassty and the Dirt Wise crew!
For Immediate Release
February 8th
Los Angeles, Ca
Shane Watts Confirmed for AMA/Kenda Tires Round 2!
The National Hare and Hound Association has confirmed that Shane Watts will be in attendance for round two of the 2010 AMA/Kenda Tires National Hare and Hound Series. With an All-star lineup at Round One, things seem to be shaping up for a similar battle at Round Two and the wet conditions of Southern California look to provide a perfect playing field as the second round in a row will be following a California Storm.
“I’m stoked to be coming back to the dez again. I conducted one of my DirtWise Riding schools in the high desert at the end of 2009, which was fully sold out, and it was such a great time! It brought back fond memories of the National Hare and Hound I did as a “pie plater” way back in 2001, out in Lucerne Valley. I just couldn’t resist the urge to come back for more!”
With years of Championship racing experience, Watts is expected to give a good run at a podium spot on February 14th, in the Spangle Hills. Over 430 riders took to the start line just a month ago, and a larger turnout is already expected for this weekend’s event. An abundance of contingencies are available to riders of all skill levels, and the newly revamped Off Road Racing Series is quickly growing in popularity.
“Having Shane on hand is just a testament to all of the hard work we have put into this series. Here we have one of the best Off-Road Racers in the world willing to come out to our Series. He will definitely give most of the local guys a challenge and hopefully with be running upfront with the factory teams.”
-Ryan Sanders/NHHA Secretary
Shane is no stranger to District 37 Racing, and in the last year has taught many of the racers a thing or two about being fast.
“For 2010 we have a new initiative of helping give back to the off road racing community by donating one free spot in one of our DirtWise Academy of Off road Riding schools to many of the race organizations across the US, for them to then raffle off and use the proceeds to help cover their operating expenses for the year, or to donate the money to a worthy cause of their choice. So it will be great to meet the off road enthusiasts of D37 at this race before they raffle off the free DirtWise school at their series banquet on Feb 20. We look forward to meeting the winner when we conduct our next
DirtWise Off road Riding school near Victorville, CA late in 2010, when the desert is in prime condition!!!”
Traveling across the country from his home on the East Coast, NHHA Sponsors KTM and Blais Racing have set Shane up with what is in his opinion the perfect match for a difficult Off Road Event.
“Thanks to my good mate Revelle Harrison at KTM USA and the great guys at Blais Racing, they have lined me up a 150XC to go roosting on. It might not be the fastest bike for the valleys, which I’m fine with, but I know it will excel in the more technical sections of the race course, especially on the third loop. In the few days before the race we will be spending our time shooting desert specific footage for the remaining volumes of our new “How to Master”.... Advanced Instructional DVD series that we will be releasing soon.”
Look for Shane Watts and the big guns of the AMA/Kenda National Hare and Hound series to hit the dirt Sunday February 14th in Southern California.
For more information on the series visit www.nationalhareandhound.com.
For additional information on Shane Watts and the DirtWise Academy of Off Road Riding Schools visit www.shanewatts.com.
Here's the latest press release from Wassty and the Dirt Wise crew!
For Immediate Release
February 8th
Los Angeles, Ca
Shane Watts Confirmed for AMA/Kenda Tires Round 2!
The National Hare and Hound Association has confirmed that Shane Watts will be in attendance for round two of the 2010 AMA/Kenda Tires National Hare and Hound Series. With an All-star lineup at Round One, things seem to be shaping up for a similar battle at Round Two and the wet conditions of Southern California look to provide a perfect playing field as the second round in a row will be following a California Storm.
“I’m stoked to be coming back to the dez again. I conducted one of my DirtWise Riding schools in the high desert at the end of 2009, which was fully sold out, and it was such a great time! It brought back fond memories of the National Hare and Hound I did as a “pie plater” way back in 2001, out in Lucerne Valley. I just couldn’t resist the urge to come back for more!”
With years of Championship racing experience, Watts is expected to give a good run at a podium spot on February 14th, in the Spangle Hills. Over 430 riders took to the start line just a month ago, and a larger turnout is already expected for this weekend’s event. An abundance of contingencies are available to riders of all skill levels, and the newly revamped Off Road Racing Series is quickly growing in popularity.
“Having Shane on hand is just a testament to all of the hard work we have put into this series. Here we have one of the best Off-Road Racers in the world willing to come out to our Series. He will definitely give most of the local guys a challenge and hopefully with be running upfront with the factory teams.”
-Ryan Sanders/NHHA Secretary
Shane is no stranger to District 37 Racing, and in the last year has taught many of the racers a thing or two about being fast.
“For 2010 we have a new initiative of helping give back to the off road racing community by donating one free spot in one of our DirtWise Academy of Off road Riding schools to many of the race organizations across the US, for them to then raffle off and use the proceeds to help cover their operating expenses for the year, or to donate the money to a worthy cause of their choice. So it will be great to meet the off road enthusiasts of D37 at this race before they raffle off the free DirtWise school at their series banquet on Feb 20. We look forward to meeting the winner when we conduct our next
DirtWise Off road Riding school near Victorville, CA late in 2010, when the desert is in prime condition!!!”
Traveling across the country from his home on the East Coast, NHHA Sponsors KTM and Blais Racing have set Shane up with what is in his opinion the perfect match for a difficult Off Road Event.
“Thanks to my good mate Revelle Harrison at KTM USA and the great guys at Blais Racing, they have lined me up a 150XC to go roosting on. It might not be the fastest bike for the valleys, which I’m fine with, but I know it will excel in the more technical sections of the race course, especially on the third loop. In the few days before the race we will be spending our time shooting desert specific footage for the remaining volumes of our new “How to Master”.... Advanced Instructional DVD series that we will be releasing soon.”
Look for Shane Watts and the big guns of the AMA/Kenda National Hare and Hound series to hit the dirt Sunday February 14th in Southern California.
For more information on the series visit www.nationalhareandhound.com.
For additional information on Shane Watts and the DirtWise Academy of Off Road Riding Schools visit www.shanewatts.com.
2/08/2010
Moving Forward
Reposted from IMX Racer's Blog.
Matt McAnanama is a pretty soft spoken guy when it comes to face to face. He doesn’t seem as interested in the politics of enduros in Ontario as he is in helping Ontario racers get to the level of the rest of Canada, where we can then push each other, as a nation, to step up to a world class level of competition.
Building on the success of organizing his first enduro, the final round of the CEC in Parry Sound, Ontario, Matt has realigned himself with the WEC in order to present an “Enduro Sprint” series (ES). The series will run in partnership with the Ontario Cross Country series (XC), with a possibility of four rounds spread over the summer. The ES races will be held the Saturday prior to the XC event. McAnanama has planned it so the four events will take place at more “remote” locations; places where riders usually camp out the night before. So far they have three confirmed venues: Burnt River, Wingham and Orillia.
The ES races will incorporate the three tests found in a WEC style enduro race without the transfer trials. Basically, riders will complete three individually timed tests, come into the pits for a short break, before going out once more and doing the timed tests again; ideally McAnanama suggests that it should take a Pro-level rider approximately 20 to 25 minutes to complete the three test sections, with most of the time allotted to the enduro test. Riders will do this between six and ten times in a day of tough competition. The class structure will be very similar to the WEC, though he admits that the Pro class might be amalgamated into a singular E class, rather than broken down by displacement.
“It’s a lack of development more than a lack of talent,” McAnamara commented when asked about Wiesner’s comment on the WEC website. “The talent is there; we just need to bring it out. We need an environment where riders like Van Hove and Wojo can thrive... Even Jake said when he came here, he was more relaxed; he rode at a slower pace. When he went out west, he was challenged again.” McAnanama hopes that with these extra practice tests, which will be run as races therefore pushing riders to put their fastest times down, can help draw out the latent talent.
But McAnanama hopes to draw more than just the guys who want extra practice time before Parry Sound and Labelle. He and his crew hope to draw riders who would traditionally not run a WEC style enduro, both young and old. He marks that traditional, “old school” enduros tend to draw an older crowd, and with the largest classes at the Terra Nova enduro last October being the veteran classes it’s hard to disagree. Many younger riders, according to McAnanama, are turned off enduros by the expensive and complicated gear that goes along with it. The Enduro sprints won’t be the same as the XC series, where motocross riders are encouraged to throw on a set of bark busters and blast through the woods, but the extra gear required will be minimal. Like the larger series, bikes will be required to meet a maximum sound level.
The series is looking to attract riders from all levels, from C straight through to Pro. Motocrossers aren’t part of the necessary target, but technically speaking anyone interested in running one of the XC events will be welcome to sign up, provided their machine meets the requirement. He’s also looking for rider input, and understands that without the riders there’s really no point in having a series.
“A lot of people “hmmed” and “hawed” about whether or not something like this would work,” McAnanama said about the series. “But really, the only way to know for sure is to go out and do it. You’ll never know if an event will fly unless you try.” Matt’s positive attitude will be as much a benefit for the series as the change itself, it stands in direct contrast to the old guard’s staunch adherence to tradition in the face of rider dissatisfaction and abysmal turn out.
When asked about where the thinks off road riding in Ontario will be in ten years, whether or not our riders will be up on the same level as the rest of the country, McAnanama said: “It all depends. We’re at a cross road right now. Change has to happen. Change had to happen ten years ago, but things are finally happening now. Right now we’re trying to make some events, try some things out and have some fun.”
When all was said and done, and my questions were pretty much answered, I had some fun questions for Matt to answer about his favourite riders and his picks for the 2010 season.
Who will win the #1 plate this year in the CEC: Jason Schrage; I think he really has a great riding style and is an awesome guy. He’s a fantastic rider, and was one of the few who had something to bring to Bobby.
Who’s going to get the first Pro Championship in the XC series: Jake Stapleton; he’s a fast, consistent and technical rider. Not to discount guys like Wojo, Wilkins or Van Hove, but my money’s on Jake.
Who do you think will get the first Pro Championship in the ES series: I really don’t know. Whoever has the fastest times, I guess! *laugh* It’s different than the CEC or the XCs, so it’s hard to say.
Who’s going to take the #1 Supercross plate: Well, now Dungey for sure. Which is great; he’s a very talented rider.
Who is your favourite Canadian rider, enduro or mx: As a person? Jake; he’s Canadian now, right? To watch, I love watching Dusty Klatt, he’s got incredible style.
Who is your favourite Canadian enduro rider: Cory Graffunder, hands down. That boy has skills. I really hope he can get out to some of the CECs. He’s an excellent ambassador for the sport and for Canada.
Who is your favourite International rider: Juha Salmonen; that man can ride! And it really speaks to his character when he stayed with BMW and made it work. He understands that there’s some hard work involved in being part of a team, and that’s really respectable.
Who is your favourite rider of all time: Well, that’s easy. The Greatest of All Time. No one is ever going to beat Ricky, both on and off the track Ricky Carmichael was dedicated.
Matt McAnanama is a pretty soft spoken guy when it comes to face to face. He doesn’t seem as interested in the politics of enduros in Ontario as he is in helping Ontario racers get to the level of the rest of Canada, where we can then push each other, as a nation, to step up to a world class level of competition.
Building on the success of organizing his first enduro, the final round of the CEC in Parry Sound, Ontario, Matt has realigned himself with the WEC in order to present an “Enduro Sprint” series (ES). The series will run in partnership with the Ontario Cross Country series (XC), with a possibility of four rounds spread over the summer. The ES races will be held the Saturday prior to the XC event. McAnanama has planned it so the four events will take place at more “remote” locations; places where riders usually camp out the night before. So far they have three confirmed venues: Burnt River, Wingham and Orillia.
The ES races will incorporate the three tests found in a WEC style enduro race without the transfer trials. Basically, riders will complete three individually timed tests, come into the pits for a short break, before going out once more and doing the timed tests again; ideally McAnanama suggests that it should take a Pro-level rider approximately 20 to 25 minutes to complete the three test sections, with most of the time allotted to the enduro test. Riders will do this between six and ten times in a day of tough competition. The class structure will be very similar to the WEC, though he admits that the Pro class might be amalgamated into a singular E class, rather than broken down by displacement.
“It’s a lack of development more than a lack of talent,” McAnamara commented when asked about Wiesner’s comment on the WEC website. “The talent is there; we just need to bring it out. We need an environment where riders like Van Hove and Wojo can thrive... Even Jake said when he came here, he was more relaxed; he rode at a slower pace. When he went out west, he was challenged again.” McAnanama hopes that with these extra practice tests, which will be run as races therefore pushing riders to put their fastest times down, can help draw out the latent talent.
But McAnanama hopes to draw more than just the guys who want extra practice time before Parry Sound and Labelle. He and his crew hope to draw riders who would traditionally not run a WEC style enduro, both young and old. He marks that traditional, “old school” enduros tend to draw an older crowd, and with the largest classes at the Terra Nova enduro last October being the veteran classes it’s hard to disagree. Many younger riders, according to McAnanama, are turned off enduros by the expensive and complicated gear that goes along with it. The Enduro sprints won’t be the same as the XC series, where motocross riders are encouraged to throw on a set of bark busters and blast through the woods, but the extra gear required will be minimal. Like the larger series, bikes will be required to meet a maximum sound level.
The series is looking to attract riders from all levels, from C straight through to Pro. Motocrossers aren’t part of the necessary target, but technically speaking anyone interested in running one of the XC events will be welcome to sign up, provided their machine meets the requirement. He’s also looking for rider input, and understands that without the riders there’s really no point in having a series.
“A lot of people “hmmed” and “hawed” about whether or not something like this would work,” McAnanama said about the series. “But really, the only way to know for sure is to go out and do it. You’ll never know if an event will fly unless you try.” Matt’s positive attitude will be as much a benefit for the series as the change itself, it stands in direct contrast to the old guard’s staunch adherence to tradition in the face of rider dissatisfaction and abysmal turn out.
When asked about where the thinks off road riding in Ontario will be in ten years, whether or not our riders will be up on the same level as the rest of the country, McAnanama said: “It all depends. We’re at a cross road right now. Change has to happen. Change had to happen ten years ago, but things are finally happening now. Right now we’re trying to make some events, try some things out and have some fun.”
When all was said and done, and my questions were pretty much answered, I had some fun questions for Matt to answer about his favourite riders and his picks for the 2010 season.
Who will win the #1 plate this year in the CEC: Jason Schrage; I think he really has a great riding style and is an awesome guy. He’s a fantastic rider, and was one of the few who had something to bring to Bobby.
Who’s going to get the first Pro Championship in the XC series: Jake Stapleton; he’s a fast, consistent and technical rider. Not to discount guys like Wojo, Wilkins or Van Hove, but my money’s on Jake.
Who do you think will get the first Pro Championship in the ES series: I really don’t know. Whoever has the fastest times, I guess! *laugh* It’s different than the CEC or the XCs, so it’s hard to say.
Who’s going to take the #1 Supercross plate: Well, now Dungey for sure. Which is great; he’s a very talented rider.
Who is your favourite Canadian rider, enduro or mx: As a person? Jake; he’s Canadian now, right? To watch, I love watching Dusty Klatt, he’s got incredible style.
Who is your favourite Canadian enduro rider: Cory Graffunder, hands down. That boy has skills. I really hope he can get out to some of the CECs. He’s an excellent ambassador for the sport and for Canada.
Who is your favourite International rider: Juha Salmonen; that man can ride! And it really speaks to his character when he stayed with BMW and made it work. He understands that there’s some hard work involved in being part of a team, and that’s really respectable.
Who is your favourite rider of all time: Well, that’s easy. The Greatest of All Time. No one is ever going to beat Ricky, both on and off the track Ricky Carmichael was dedicated.
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