FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.....

      Oregon Raceway Park... Just sounds good doesn't it ? Let me tell you it IS !
     Drove out from the home base this morning ( about 2hrs.) so we did miss the first heat, however we were there in time for the 2nd. one. The competition was fierce, there was plenty of action, and let me tell you these guys are amazing ! Pulling speeds well over 100 mph at the end of the straight, 2 inches off the ground !!!  These guys, and ladies, are great drivers also, from drafting on the front straight to dodging slower classes in the corners, there were very few incidents and no injuries. Great job to the whole group ! Truly entertaining action.
     Now more about the track. Located in Grass Valley, Oregon, The racetrack is an approximate 2.3 mile (full length) road course, with lefts and rights and several elevation changes. The course is set in the hills of the Central Oregon high desert, and you couldn't ask for a more beautiful setting. Oregon Raceway Park could use some Grandstands and better viewing area for the fans, although I think with road race motorcycles or
Racecars you would get a better view (as the laydown karts are only a total of less than a foot high) but could use some grandstands or ability to get to the infield for better viewing. The track is well maintained and for the most part very smooth, even for the karts.
     All in all my first experience at Oregon Raceway Park was great. I attended the races with my dad (see history @ www.maddogmorrellmotorsports.com/history.php ) and older brother, Both of them veterans of many, many racing forms and tracks, and we all agree on Oregon Raceway Park... 1 1/2 thumbs up ! Add some grandstands and the ability for a fan to get to the infield and it would be a winner for sure !
     Many thanks for the hospitality and facility tour to Paul Clifton, 2004 I.K.F. regional road course champion.
   

GIVING THEM THE BOOT ......

     Today was supposed to be the day I review my new ALPINESTARS TECH-2 boots. Unfortunately the supplier sent the wrong size.
          I can tell you that I have owned several different brands of boots from ALPINESTARS, FLY, THOR, the list goes on. I have used different brands for Off road, motocross, road racing, drag racing, and ATV riding (primarily now i ride ATV's).
     Boots are a tough one to review because everyone has different feet. If your feet are not comfortable, though, you wont be a happy rider.
     To the meat, I remember my FLY boots because they were horrible, the buckles were cheesy and hard to get to stay snapped and the inner boot was like wrapping your feet in hard plastic, with ridges. The ALPINESTARS TECH-6, I had were great boots, however, did require alot of break-in.
     After several foot surgeries, the ALPINESTARS didn't fit my new foot shape. I tried on several pairs and brands and ended up with the THOR QUADRANT. Truly a fantastic boot ! Very little break-in required, the inner was padded just right, the buckles had some issues with staying locked, but with a slight adjustment they were fine.
     Now after a knee surgery and the addition of of the need to wear a brace, sadly my THOR QUADRANT 's would not fit with the brace in place. I decided to go to a half boot, after trying on the various options, I found the FLY to feel kinda cheesy, I figured the THOR would be a great fit but I was wrong. The inner was thin and the sewed seams were huge inside, the buckles were Questionable whether they would stand the test of time. The ALPINESTARS were by far the best fit and most comfortable inners, and had the nicest buckle system. I ordered the ALPINESTARS TECH-2 in black, based on, comfort, fit, buckle system, and style.

     I will be posting a full ride review on the TECH-2 when they arrive, but for now, hopefully my past experience will help lead you in a good decision direction.

LIVE FROM SEATTLE !!!

Kevin Windham takes 450 heat 2, followed by Villapoto and Dungy. The track is really rutting out and getting tough. Reporting by N2MotoPrises, Patrick Hemperley.

LIVE FROM SEATTLE !!!

     James Stewart grabs lead and finishes first by over 15 seconds in the 450 heat1 at Seattle. Chad Reed crashes and comes back for 7th.  Reporting by N2MotoPrises Patrick Hemperly.

LIVE FROM SEATTLE !!!

     Josh Hansen wins lites heat 2 on the MONSTER ENERGY KAWASAKI. Reporting by N2MotoPrises, Patrick Hemperley.

LIVE FROM SEATTLE !!!

N2MotoPrises Patrick Hemperely , chillin' in the factory HONDA GEICO pits, and checking out Josh Grant's ride for tonight.

LIVE FROM SEATTLE !!!

N2MotoPrises , Patrick Hemperly, Reporting live from the Seattle Supercross. This is the first 450 practice.

     This is a first for MAddOG Morrell Motorsports and we are very excited to be brining updates as we get them. Many, Many thanks to Pat !

TOERAIL OR TOE TAG ???

     As I think about a recent news story in our area of a child that was killed in an ATV accident, my heart was heavy, WHY? I thought , as I heard the parents publicly denounce ATVs and the industry.( of course, the anti ATV / UTV lobbyists were right behind them on "such a travesty").
      I began to research what had happened. When I learned the facts, my heart sank. This could have been prevented.
      Get to the point ? OK,  It turned out the pre-teen was operating the ATV (much too large for their size, and skill level)  in their own yard, and it had flipped over backwards on them. The child was not wearing a helmet, chest protector, boots, or any safety gear for that matter.
      Parents I feel for your loss, however, it is not the ATV industry's responsibility to stand sentinel over the parents to make sure they protect their children. I am a huge advocate of open riding anywhere, of kids riding ATVs , of fathers (or mothers)  and sons or daughters sharing the special times and places visited during a ride. I am also an advocate of proper safety equipment and training. not every death can be prevented by safety gear and common sense, but the unnecessary ones can be, without a doubt.
     Here are a few basic rules to follow ; We call it TOERAIL:
          1) TEACH your child proper operation of, and respect for,  the ATV they are riding.
          2) OUTFIT your child in proper safety gear, Helmet (not a cheapo piece of tupperware), chest protector (recommend a full jacket style), shoulder, elbow, and knee pads, boots, gloves, and eye protection.
          3) EDUCATE your child on the importance of proper gear and vehicle operation.
          4) HELP your child get into, and out of, their gear. Have them get ready at the same time as you so you can help them, make it a game who can get their gear on properly first.
          5) RULES, make it a rule, no gear NO ride. Set guidelines to follow when riding together, and make sure they are riding an ATV they are capable of handling. Supervise them and their capabilities, so you know what their limits are.
          6) ACCEPT responsibility for you and your child, from taking time to get properly ready to being a respectful rider. (we have all seen the kids doing donuts 3 feet from our hauler in the staging areas).
          7) INSPECT your gear every time before you even leave the house, and before every ride, and teach your child to do the same. Show them how to clean and care for their gear after the ride.
          8) LEAD by example, DON'T ride without your gear. Treat your gear with respect. Be a respectful rider.
     By following these basic suggestions, and using common sense, your family rides will be safer, less stressful, and much more fun.
     Lets face it folks, nothing dampens a ride like a trip to the E.R.. Especially if it's your child.
     The decision is yours TOERAIL OR TOE TAG.

GET A GRIP !!!

When was the last time you thought about your gloves, I mean really thought about all they do ? Gloves are the infantry of your gear, the first line of defense, there to protect and serve.

     Like any other saftey gear, you should evaluate their condition and the way they serve you on an ongoing   basis. Some things to consider; are they torn, do the wrist straps still fit tight, are the pads beat down flat, are the exo pads loose or worn ?     

     Sure the exo-skeletal padding keeps the impacts from branches, rocks, and roost from doing severe damage, and the palm and finger padding keeps the blisters from growing to the size of a softball, but the most important and least realized job they do is ... GET A GRIP !!! Like assist with the never ending task of holding on to the bars; wet, dry, rocks, dirt or mud they are there to help you stay "in the saddle".
     I have had many pairs and brands of gloves; IMPACT, FLY, FOX and most recently TROY LEE DESIGNS GP.
     The GP series have been the best gloves I have had, although the palm and finger pads tend to loose cushion after 6 months or so of riding, they have lasted longer than any other brand I have worn. I have had no sewing or seam failures, and no exopadding delamination or failure. The quality has been superb and the pricing is in order for what you get. The comfort is exceptional, and I have found that comfort = confidence.
      So I suggest you sit down and take a good look at what is on your hands. Then go try on a pair of the TROY LEE DESIGNS GP gloves. I think your hands will be impressed and so will you.

To See or not to See ..........

AFTER LOOSING MY FAVORITE EYE WEAR TO AN OVERZEALOUS PUPPY, the goggle search began.

     How tough could it be ? I mean in the 90's, When I  foundmy OAKLEYs, I tried them on and they fit perfect to my 

unusual nose and in my helmet. Sure they were 90's blue withwhite tiger stripes, but they had taken a beating for me, Rocks, Mud, Snow,and Sand, without a scratch, on them or my eyes.

     So the quest began. After trying on several different models of FOX, OAKLEY, SCOTT, SMITH, SPY and THOR. I went with the THOR ENEMY, due to their comfort and good fit on

my nose and in my helmet. 

     After a required helmet replacement (that's another story), I found the THORs just didn't fit right in the new helmet. A lesson learned, I took my new helmet with me this time to go through the process again.

     This time, since we were going into winter, I chose the SCOTT 89xi with rose amp dual turboflow lens. The fit was excellent, both on my face and on my helmet, and the clip-in snow/nose guard fit great and almost completely cut out fogging as well as kept the snow out of the nose/chin guard area. The only problem I have had is the dual pane rose amp lens scratches very easily on the inside. And I burned the foam trying to dry them out on the exhaust! I was so impressed that I bought another pair and a pair for Kendal.

     Another new helmet (this one by choice) and through the fit process again I purchased a pair of SMITH V2s. However, after a couple of rides the foam wouldn't mold to my nose and I couldn't get them comfortable in my helmet.  So back to the Motoshop and another fit process, ended up with a perfect fit in the SCOTT 89OTG. I started with light sensitive lenses and quickly realized in the blowing sand dunes they were worthless and dangerous as I couldn't make out any contours.  A quick switch to the rose amp lens and problem solved.  Since then, I have added my new favorite lens (shown top left) black chrome and also have blue amp with tear off posts and rose amp turboflow lenses.

     In my book the SCOTT 89 series goggles take the win in fit, comfort, helmet fit and lens choices, for the overall championship its the SCOTT 89 series for me and my team.

       

WELCOME to MAddOG's Blogs.

In the late 20’s, out in the great sand dunes of Colorado, my grandfather, R.B., spent his weekends and some evenings tearing it up and “teachin’ them boys some things” with his WILLYS Coupe first, and then a big speed up-grade (to 37 MPH) with his star coupe.
In 1936 my father was born, E.S. (Gene). He quickly inherited the genetic need for speed. He started out building hot rods in Southern California with some now very famous drag racers. Then he moved on to crew chief of a western grand national stock car team. An usual change of venue followed with a move to Alaska, where he built and raced flathead coupes on the local dirt tracks. My father stepped away from racing to become a missionary, working with the Alaskan Eskimo population, however, he never lost his need for speed and moved his interests to snowmobiles. After a move to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada in 1969, Gene continued his interest in snowmobiles and began racing his skidoo in a novice class. After a successful season, was chosen by Bombardier/Skidoo to be their factory sponsored racer. Having a few wins and very successful couple of seasons, he stepped out of racing to spend more time in his ministry. Also, while in Whitehorse, during the summers, he began to crew for a local dirt track racer, running in a few mechanics races as a driver and placing very well.
In 1965 I was born and also quickly inherited the family need for speed, proving that with driving my dad’s skidoo solo at 3 years old. Spending time in the pits at the snowmobile races and stock car races, my interest in all things motorsport led me to start riding and then racing dirt bikes at the age of eight. Having two older brothers that raced their friends all over the gravel roads of Yukon brought me to the realization that I was a very competitive person. As I continued to hone riding skills, another move to Southern British Columbia offered the opportunity to ride on the streets and race on road courses, moving my way up to the heavy-weight - at the time- the Kawasaki KZ-1,000-elsr; still one of my favorite rides of all time.
I moved to Puyallup, Washington in 1988 and almost instantly hooked up with a local speedway short track team. The team owner, Mike “Fast” Lane, taught me much about engine building, chassis and suspension dynamics and setup, roll cage design and manufacture, and competition.  Leaving the team after ten years and 15 car builds, several top tens in points, a rookie-of-the-year award, a crew chief of the year award, and putting Mike, his wife, daughter and niece all on the podium also, was very difficult, however, exciting, as I was moving to a regional traveling go-kart team as the crew chief and 50 % owner.
The first year with Karting we won nine of 16 races at our home track, (we were traveling and missed a few). We secured an overall second in the local points and rookie-of-the-year. We also had several wins at tracks in Region 5 and took the Gold Cup overall Championship for Region 5. We also placed very well (top 6) in three enduro time races on long road courses. We developed/used experimental parts and set-ups that no one else was using at the time with great success.
After two great seasons, we decided to move back into stock car racing as the traveling was keeping me from my new daughter. Building a new car in a brand new class was very challenging, but very rewarding, as we had several top tens and finished in the top ten in points the first year out. Celebrating the arrival of triplet daughters, I retired from racing.
Over the years of raising the family I have continued to do a few street bike builds, some chassis set-ups, some V-8 engine builds and most recently have started to build ATV/UTV engines and do some chassis conversions and set-ups on ATVs and UTVs. I have also taught one of my triplet daughters to appreciate riding ATVs (she is oddly competitive). I have done product testing for an ATV/UTV performance product manufacturing company. Presently, I have been testing and reviewing products and doing select engine builds.
I am not afraid to share my brutally honest opinions on products, suppliers and all things related to the industry. I support many venues and manufacturers, but always have a soft spot for my Kawasaki. If you want the truth about a product, either one you are thinking of purchasing or one you are building/supplying, just ask me to check it out. I will let you know what I honestly think.




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