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Leading the pack, #188 Pat Monnahan, Eastern Sierra local. (Photo: Janewicz-Leggette)

By Jonnel Janewicz-Leggette

Round one of the third annual Road to Mammoth (RTM) qualifier series proved to be a successful day of motocross racing last weekend at Competitive Edge Motocross Park in Hesperia, Calif. Bishop and Mammoth locals arrived at the high desert motocross park to join the many motocross families that have followed the Mammoth Motocross spirit throughout the years.

With a new Racer X Illustrated team partnership along with Monster Energy, the six round RTM event series allows racers to get a head start on entries into the 2012 Monster Energy Mammoth Motocross which will be held this year from June 22-July 1.

Round two will continue at Porterville MX in Porterville, Calif. on March 11. For more information on the RTM series visit www.mammothmotocross.com or 2xpromotions.com.

Justin Bogle blew away all comers during his 10-day stint at the 2011 Monster Energy Mammoth Motocross in Mammoth Lakes, June 16-26. Bogle, who piloted an Amsoil/Factory Connection/Thor Honda, won all three regular Pro classes in Open, 250 and 450, where he outdueled Yamaha/GYTR rider Ryan Hughes, who earlier in the week topped even fellow legend and Supercross King Jeremy McGrath for bragging rights in the drama-fueled Vet 30+ Pro class events.

Bogle topped the 250, 450 and Open Pro classes, and won each and every time he got on the bike at Mammoth, which included all of his divisional wins and his Open Pro main event win over Honda of Houston’s Chris Pluffe and 250 Pro main event win over Troy Lee Designs/Lucas Oil/Red Bull Honda’s Jessy Nelson.

Kawasaki’s Justin Hill was another big Mammoth Motocross winner. Hill won the 450 Intermediate-class final, including back-to-back final wins in the Schoolboy and Open Intermediate classes, no easy feat considering Mammoth’s challenging high altitude conditions.

Kawasaki Team Green’s Justin Hill took back-to-back Intermediate-class wins. In the 250 Intermediate main, Thomas Covington took the main-event win over Brady Kiesel. Covington edged out Kiesel by a mere four seconds.

Few competitors fared as well as Hughes did during the event. During the opening weekend’s Veteran class action, on Day 1 the 38-year-old Hughes finished 1-2 in two heats. “And I only finished second in that last moto because I got a flat tire with four laps left,” he noted. On Day 2, he finished first, and was named overall combination winner.

The following weekend, he took third in the 450 Open (after starting in 30th in the gate) against top college-age athletes, and finished second in the 450 Pro, riding in a field packed with the sport’s top professionals, and bested only by Bogle, who was crowned the event’s reigning 450 Pro champion.

Hughes added another win to his Mammoth week when he topped the FMF Two-Stroke class, finishing 17 seconds ahead of Suzuki rider Michael Lapaglia. Moments after the race, however, Hughes and Lapaglia ended up scrapping in the paddock dirt.

Want to see just how high up racers’ tensions can run after coming off the track? A YouTube video of the post-race fight was posted on Saturday, June 25, even before Mammoth Motocross was finished. It has since drawn more than 37,000 views.

In the Junior class main event, Kristoffe Palm captured the win in the 450s, and Antoni Hernandez topped Ryan Surratt in the 250s.

His fracas earlier in the day not withstanding, Hughes remained upbeat about his Mammoth Motocross experience. “The track’s amazing … I love racing here,” Hughes remarked late Sunday. “It’s safe, but at the same time it’s also pretty tricky. You gotta use your smarts … the track can reach out and grab you anytime.”

Brett Snider, Parts and Manufacturing & Product Marketing Manager for Yamaha, praised the event’s production team. “From the locals to the AMA Pro National riders, the whole thing was run like clockwork,” Snider commented. “There must have been 6,000 riders trying to qualify to come here. It’s a race you want to run, you want to make it to Mammoth. It was perfect, just fantastic.”

–Results and additional reports: Mammoth Motocross and Transworld MX

The 2011 Monster Energy Mammoth Motocross Guide includes racer names, race day info and much more! Check it out by clicking the link below.

MotocrossGuide2011

Mammoth Motocross roars into its final weekend. Pick up a copy of the Motocross program around town to find out all the details. (Photo: Henschel)

So you own a chunk of property in Chalfant which borders public land in just about every direction, BUT … it’s in a neighborhood zoned residential. Question: is a personal motocross track on your own property a “permitted use?”

The Mono County Planning Commission met Thursday morning to interpret what constitutes “permitted use,” as defined by the County’s Estate Residential (ER) land use designation. The request was made by the Garcia’s, who have just such a personal track on 18 acres in rural Chalfant. Their track snakes through a 250-foot by 250-foot section in the NW corner of the ER-zoned parcel.

The County discovered the track when Code Enforcement checked into reports of illegal grading on the property. The owners applied for a grading permit, but when it was determined that a track wasn’t an acceptable use, the permit was issued directing the Garcias to restore the site to its original state.

The County’s General Plan doesn’t specifically address motocross use anywhere in Mono, except in some language regarding trails that are part of Resource Management zoning. Staff indicated RM zoning would be an appropriate place for this type of use.

Given its proximity to a residential neighborhood, the track was, however, determined to be a significant noise source, which is what generated the complaints against the Garcias. Staff concluded that the uses permitted in ER zoning (including mobile home parks, golf courses, dog kennels, art galleries and additional or secondary buildings) are not the same as a motocross track, which is considered significantly “more obnoxious to the welfare of the surrounding properties.”

Speaking for the family, Naomi Jensen Garcia said she and her husband use the track in part to train for competing in the Mammoth Motocross, and provide their son, Bodie, with a safe place to ride his motocross bike, which is electric and doesn’t generate noise. (The elder Garcias bikes, however, have standard engines.)

Garcia fired back against the noise issues, and asked the County to come out and take proper noise measurements, which have been previously dismissed by staff as not necessary. “It’s noise-producing, therefore it’s illegal” is too broad a reaction, she said. If a 372-foot buffer between properties is not enough, Garcia wants the County to define how much distance would be enough.

Ann Lyness, whose property abuts the Garcias, said she’s not a “princess and the pea type” and has never complained about noise before. “Neighbors run chainsaws, burros bray, kids play,” she said. “The noise [from the track], however, is more obnoxious. We respect the Garcia’s right to recreate on their land, but that affects us.”

Susan Jensen, one of the property owners along with the Garcias, asked, “What is private use of property? What about a nudist colony? That’s not mentioned in the General Plan, either,” she quipped.

On the Commission dais, Dan Roberts thinks the objections aren’t necessarily stemming from the volume but the type of sound, i.e. motorcycles. Chris Lizza opined that private property in a residential zone means not having to live right next to what is essentially a racetrack. “All private property owners are constricted to some degree or other by the General Plan, and found no exception in this case, Mary Pipersky pointed out.

“If you buy in an equestrian zone, you know there will be horses and it will be smelly. If it you buy in an area zoned for a motocross track, there will be dirt bikes and you’ll hear noise,” Chair Steve Shipley observed. “This is residential, and you can’t subject people to adverse noise. If it were purely electric bikes, this probably wouldn’t be an issue.”

The Commission ruled 4-0 the track “not similar to and more obnoxious than the uses permitted in the ER land use designation,” though the motion was not amended to exclude the Garcia’s from pursuing the track under a Use Permit designation in the future.

Bodie Garcia, 4, playing in a sprinkler on the family’s dirt track in Chalfant.

County stalls plan to build track on private property

It just seemed like the next, logical step.

When Bodie Garcia, 4, of Chalfant outgrew his beginner dirt track located next to his family’s residence (located on the west side of Highway 6 just off Chalfant Rd.), his parents A.J. and Naomi figured, well, let’s build him something bigger.

So over the Thanksgiving holiday, A.J. borrowed some earth-moving equipment and started building a motocross track which encompassed two acres of the Garcia’s 18-acre property.

The property is bordered on two sides by public land owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the United States Bureau of Land Management. The track the Garcia’s constructed, as measured by A.J., is 487 feet from the closest neighbor.

At the outset, the track wasn’t supposed to be quite so big, but once you’ve got the equipment going, “the geometry of the jumps got changed,” said Naomi with a smile and a shrug of the shoulders.

Some neighbors, however, were not amused and made noise complaints to the County. On a noise basis, a dirt bike is rated at about the same level as a chainsaw.

Mono County subsequently cited the Garcias for grading without a use permit. Naomi said the County also sent a letter which stated that a motocross track is not a compatible land use for property zoned estate residential.

She disputes the County’s position regarding land use. According to County code, a motocross track is not an allowable use – but it’s not a prohibited use either.

In response, the Garcias have floated a petition and have gathered approximately 250 signatures of local residents who believe the track is a reasonable use of private property.

Of course, Mono County District 2 Supervisor Hap Hazard notes that many of these same folks “would go nuts if Mize started cutting roads [across the street].”

The Mize parcel is a to-be-developed, 39-acre parcel located on the east side of Highway 6 next to TJ’s Merc.

“To me,” continued Hazard, “this is an issue of procedure. The Garcias went ahead and graded without contacting the County first. The petition represents this as a land-use issue. If you want to develop, you’ve got to go through the process, get your permits, go before the Planning Commission and make your case.

“It’s not an outrageous track,” he observed. “It’s just a bad location.”

Are motocross advocates trying to open a Pandora’s box?

Putting something under a microscope can be a risky business because of the scrutiny that can follow. Such is the case with the Mammoth Motocross Track.

Mammoth Lakes resident Joe Parrino continues to lead the charge to reopen the track outside of the annual motocross event, but at Tuesday night’s Mammoth Lakes Recreation Commission meeting, before a full house of track-opening supporters, the delicacies of the situation were fully revealed.

Parrino first made a presentation explaining the benefits of re-opening the track.

“The track closure is devastating to the Town,” Parrino explained. “If word got out that we re-opened the track, town would be packed. It’s a way to put heads in beds because these people are coming in motor homes and staying in condos. They love to spend money.”

The issue on the table, however, is that by putting out a new proposal and going through another NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) process for the track, those involved could inadvertently lose what they already have.

“The Forest Service is open to looking at an application, even though it is inconsistent with our federal policy, but we can’t guarantee the outcome,” said District Ranger Mike Schlafmann, who attended Tuesday night’s meeting.

According to Forest Service policy, the agency is not allowed to permit races, facilities and race tracks with hill climbs, obstacles and timed events. During the 2002 negotiations when the track’s permit was renewed, the applicants (Town of Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Mountain) were able to get this part of the policy waived for the actual motocross event because of the narrowness of the proposal (the event only opens the track for two consecutive weekends).

So, if you look at opening the track, say for four months as Parrino is suggesting, you open the study up to a more thorough investigation, which could lead to the closure of the track completely.

“We’re asking the Forest Service to do something against national policy,” said Recreation Commission Chair Bill Sauser.

Take the idea of charging an entrance fee in order to cover maintenance costs, Schlafmann told The Sheet. If you are going to charge, you are going to market to get people here. It’s okay to have a loud event in the shoulder season because no one is here, but if you’re doing it every weekend then you can get into user conflicts, which would have to be studied.

The only other national-type motocross track on Forest Service land, according to Schlafmann, is one that the Forest Service inherited from the Bureau of Reclamation near Lake Isabella.

“We’re still trying to figure this one out,” he said. “We didn’t even know it was on Forest Service land until a kid died on it four years ago.”

The Forest Service does authorize open areas for motocross riding, without the hill climbs, obstacles and races, which is why areas such as Poleta Canyon exist, Schlafmann explained.

“We are willing to sit down and work with anybody, but we are nervous about the future of our event,” said Mammoth Mountain Ski Area VP Greg Dallas, who also attended Tuesday’s meeting. “We don’t want the track closed; we fought hard for it.” MMSA currently holds the permit for its special event, while the Town holds the track permit.

Both Dallas and Sauser asked Parrino what his next steps were.

“What do you want us to do?” Sauser asked.

“I’m asking for the Town of Mammoth Lakes to put in for a permit and partner with Mammoth Mountain Ski Area,” Parrino explained. He pointed to the three items that Forest Service District Ranger Jon Regelbrugge said would need to get ironed out for a proposal: financial backing, insurance and maintenance.

Commissioner Teri Stehlik added that the costs of the NEPA process would also need to be laid out.

“It starts with an application,” Schlafmann said, putting the process into concrete terms. “You need to get the right people in the room to get a viable proposal together.” He also pointed out that even if he approved the application it could always be overturned by those above him.

“I’m not the end of the line,” he said.

“It comes down to economics,” Sauser said. “When the track was open before it did not create a huge impact [as Parrino repeatedly claimed it would], it won’t float our boat all on its own. We need to look at real feasibility, not emotion.”

Sauser was not, however, discrediting the idea of reopening the track and felt that meetings should be scheduled with the appropriate parties at the table to scope out the viability.

“I love seeing the passion here tonight,” he said in regard to the large turnout. He warned the audience not to lose that passion in the months to come and to commit to attending the future meetings that would be held.

Sauser also reminded the audience that the track was only one piece of the Eastern Sierra’s OHV system. There are trails everywhere but the mapping of these trails needs to be enhanced.

The track was closed when the original permit lapsed and the Forest Service was forced to review the use, with all of its new policies, in order to issue a new permit. Previously, the track’s gate had simply been left open during the summer months, a case of don’t ask don’t tell.

For the second year in a row The Sheet partnered with Mammoth Mountain to produce the official Motocross Guide for 2010. If you didn’t catch it while it was on the stands, check it out by clicking below!

MammothMotocross_2010

Motocross up and comers, Zach and Chase Bell at home.

Zach Bell could well be a “Monster” to contend with when he goes full throttle in this year’s motocross, which kicked off Thursday. (Photo courtesy Monster Energy)

Moto-phenoms Chase and Zach Bell to debut at Monster Mammoth Motocross

Since 1968, Mammoth Motocross has been revving its engine and once again the legacy continues here in Mammoth Lakes (June 17-27). Mammoth Motocross, now sponsored by Monster Energy, has forged a tradition of hosting the world’s best riders while also showcasing the next generation of motocross legends. So in lieu of the folklore, we caught up with some top up-and-coming throttle jockeys Chase Bell, 13, and brother Zach Bell, 15. Riding for Monster Energy, the two siblings have been tearing up tracks for the past couple of years and will compete in this weekend’s Super Mini. To better grasp what it’s like to be young and mega-fast, we hit ‘em up via telephone at the Bell compound in Tallahassee, Fla.

The Sheet: So I hear you two are pretty good. How did you guys get into moto?

Chase Bell: I guess it started with me watching my brother. I eventually got tired of watching him race so I asked for my first bike when I was 6. I did my first national race and didn’t do very well. Also, my dad used to ride back in the day.

Zach Bell: I was into BMX in the beginning and I would watch Ricky Carmichael race. At first my dad didn’t want me to get a motorcycle but I asked enough times and I eventually got a JR30. I raced a bunch and starting winning. I eventually got sponsored by Cobra and the rest is history.

Sheet: A lot of racers have a BMX background. Do you think that’s an important foundation to have?

ZB: Yeah for sure. You have to learn the same fundamentals like balance, flow and soaking up jumps. It’s definitely different with a suspension but the skills are the same.

Sheet: You two are pretty close in age. Do you race in the same division? Does it get competitive between the two of you?

ZB: Yeah, we race in the super mini 1. It definitely gets competitive and sometimes we battle. But I try to help out Chase when we’re riding at home. He usually finishes in the top 5.

CB: It’s hard. He usually beats me. But also he falls a lot!

Sheet: So speaking of your house. I bet you guys have a pretty sweet backyard?

CB: It’s pretty good, we have a super cross track, a sand track, a turn track and a clay track.

ZB: We also have a couple of ponds, a pool and a half pipe.

Sheet: I bet you’re pretty good at shoveling.

ZB: For sure, it’s like 68 acres and it rains a lot. So every time we leave and then come home we have to do a lot of weed whacking. Plus there’s wild dogs that come out and mess things  up.

Sheet: Stupid wild dogs. So in terms of motocross, who do you guys look up to?

ZB: Um, probably Purcell or Eli Tomac. I used to race with Eli  like two years ago but he’s definitely really good.

CB: Probably Ryan Villopoto and Dungey they’re some of the top pros.

Sheet: What about Travis Pastrano? Are you guys Nitro Circus fans?

CB: Yeah, I watch a lot of Nitro Circus … pretty much anything on Fuel TV.

ZB: And Bubba’s World. I also watch a lot of surfing. But mostly all moto stuff.

Sheet: Okay, if you guys could have any super power what would it be?

CB: Oh, I don’t know. I need to work on my starts.

Sheet: Usually kids your age pick things like x-ray vision or telekinesis powers. How about super strength then maybe you could ride a bigger bike?

CB: Well, okay sure.

ZB: I would probably take something to keep me off the ground. I’m getting over an injury so I guess the ability to fly would be a nice change.

Sheet: What kind of injuries have you guys had?

ZB: I’m getting over a back injury that was pretty bad. That was probably the worst injury I’ve ever had.

CB: I’ve had a punctured lung. I’ve broke my left arm four times, I’ve been knocked out…

Sheet: Does that ever freak you guys out? I mean, do you ever think about the possibility of getting destroyed while you race?

CB: Not really. I just don’t think about it.

ZB: I just focus on winning and having fun.

Sheet: So what do you guys do for fun besides motocross?

ZB: I do a lot of BMX still and skateboarding. I’m going to try to bring my golf clubs up when we come to Mammoth.

CB: I do a lot of scootering.

Sheet: Yeah I saw a YouTube clip of you on a razor scooter. You got those tail whips down. Any future for you as a scooter pro?

CB: I guess, if moto doesn’t work out.

Sheet: Well you should bring your scooter here to Mammoth. We have a pretty sweet skate park. You could do some damage.

CB: Yeah, maybe I will. (Footage of Chase on his scooter can be accessed at the bottom of this site’s homepage).

Sheet: Have you two been to Mammoth before?

CB: No it’s our first time. I’m excited, it looks like a really good track.

ZB: From what I’ve seen it looks pretty rough and rocky. A lot of turns and hills, and it looks hot. But I’m used to the heat here in Florida so it should be fine.

Sheet: Well, I look forward to seeing you guys race here in Mammoth. Any advice to the little guys just starting out?

ZB: I suppose if you’re just starting out don’t take it that serious and just keep it fun. Our dad was always easy on us so we didn’t burn out on the sport. But yeah, [Mammoth] should be fun. I can’t wait to race!

For more information on race times, festivities and more check out the official Mammoth Motocross guide available just about anywhere or online at www.mammothmotocross.com