Chip's Corner
What About Amateur Nationals?

It's the time of year when I always get asked, "how do I go to amateur nationals"? The answer is: go to national qualifiers. Below is a list of the major nationals that the factory boys are watching you. these are the events that many major sponsors are at. You don't have to be in the top ten to get sponsors. Just be there racing against their guys. After a while you will get to know many of this circuit. Just like at home, you get to know everyone involved in time. But the sponsors want to see you "OUT THERE!"

March: Texas GNC (Grand National Championship) Note: This is a 3 day national event, qualify there on Friday.

April: World Mini Grand Prix (NMA promoted) Las Vegas, Nev. Note: No qualifying there. Sign up and race. This is a 3 day national event.

August: NMA Grand National Championships, Ponca City, OK(see: Chip Donaho for qualifying dates and questions.) This is one of the easier ones to qualify for and is only 11 -12 hrs. away. This is a week long national. Great fun, considered one of the big events of the year.

August: AMA National Championships (qualifying dates are listed in the American Motorcyclist Magazine, also in many magazines and Cycle News) This is the Big Event of the year for amateur nationals. It also lasts all week and is great fun. It is held at Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, TN. Many of the same racers go from Ponca City to Lorreta Lynn's on a 2 week racing vacation. 14 hrs. away from Minn. 6-8 hrs. from Ponca City to Loretta Lynn's. Both of these events be ready for major heat and humidity, and hot competition.

November: Florida Winter Olympics (No qualifying) Lasts the entire week of Thanksgiving. This is one of my favorites.

These are considered to be the top amateur events to be seen at. Minn. riders do real well at these, as we get as many riders on a single race date as many of these Nationals do. You want to get sponsors be at these and send in your resumes to various potential sponsors starting right after Loretta Lynn's is done. Many of the sponsors pick their riders in Oct. , so don't wait. You don't have to win to get sponsors, just be there and get your results ready to send out. There is a wealth of free stuff out there, but you won't get it sitting in Minn. The local racing only tells sponsors that you are racing a lot. But again, they want to see how you do with the big kids. There are National classes for all age groups and experience levels. Both in stock & modified classes. There's classes for women also. Take a tent, team up with people, and save expenses. This works and saves cash for more of these types of events. You won't get slower, you'll get faster!!

Chip Donaho

Questions or Comments: Email Chip

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