Well, I warned you. I tried to tell you not to miss the ABA New England National this year. New England is the home champions; Patriots, Red Sox, and even WWE’s John Cena. If you want to be a champion too, you should have been here. Some of you didn’t listen though, and you missed out on one hell of a race. Even the rain couldn’t stop us as Friday night looked like a scene from the Wizard of Oz, but the BMX Gods smiled on the Ocean State the same weekend that the Dukes of Hazzard movie came out all weekend long with great weather Saturday and Sunday. This year the New England National was held at Ocean State Route 44 BMX in Chepachet, RI. With 48 motos for Fridays pre-race (run Saturday morning due to weather), 84 motos Saturday, and 78 motos Sunday, this was the largest New England National EVER! The northeast was jamming with nearly 650 riders and about 2000 people total in attendance. Many people complimented the facility, had great home made food from the snack shack (more than just hot dogs, I’m talking homemade meatball subs baby!) and got to hear a new announcer. There was also nearly $2000 dollars given away in 50/50 raffle money, some of which was even donated to the track after fellow track operator Matt Ellis of Cape Cod BMX won the prize. Now I will admit the Hooters girls didn’t make it as I had said they would, but the hot race action did show up. I don’t know what happened to Redman/Yamaha, but Ocean State BMX/Pepsi, Speedy Moose, Bizzarro Racing, Hyper, Peak Performance, BikeBarn/Supercross, Twisted, CMR, Vendetta, and even a few Spinners riders made their presence felt.
Being so soon after the Worlds, many pros were not able to make this trip, but to think the action wasn’t great would be a mistake. Nick St. Lawrence was as fast as a Tom Brady spiral pass and it took a combination of a stomach virus, Lance McGuire, and Joey Albright to stop him from winning it all. Too bad Ken Cools and Bubba Harris couldn’t make the trip to see the fruits of their labor as many of the locals who attended their SuperCamps also did well. Speaking of clinics, one of the best teachers in the business, Stile Industries, was also in the house working the summer tour with the Battle Van.
The next big race is in Colorado if you are following the ABA trail, and if you’re an east coast local looking not to travel to far, Bethel, CT will host the NBL Last Chance National in 2 weeks. I would like to personally thank the ABA for putting on a great show and putting me in the announcer’s tower to call my first ever ABA national. Also huge thanks go out to the staff and volunteers of Ocean State Rt. 44 BMX. You worked your tails off and it was worth it. As for the rest of you who didn’t heed my warning and missed this race, remember this prediction. Next year will be a great race. In fact every year this race will grow and be fun and soon become a stop the Double A’s as well as the local point chasers are going to start circling on the calendar each year when the schedule comes out. With many tracks in the New England area I can’t say where it’s going to be, but I know I will be there. Will you?!?
Cheers! - Frank Fermino / Ocean State BMX Announcer, BMX Marketing & Promotions for ABA Rhode Island
