About Me

I'm Chris Riesenberg, 21 years old, I live in Phoenix, AZ. I make video games for a living, part of the Rainbow Studios team (makers of the MX vs. ATV series). I was born and raised in Iowa, chasing the MX dream. Along the way I qualified for Loretta Lynn's a few times, won a few local titles and turned pro in 2003. I held an AMA Pro License for the 04 and 05 seasons, never really making it big; however, I did qualify for quite a few Arenacross mains in the winter of 04/05 with a best finish of 7th. I still ride and race in my free time, and still go just as fast as I used to for a few laps until not practicing and being out of shape catch up with me. It's fun to have a job where I deal with moto everyday; and definitely a dream of mine.

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Arenacross is coming, Arenacross is coming!

It's the middle of October, the US Open, JMI, and MXdN are overwith and silly season talks are really starting to wind down. Most the riders seem to disappear for a couple of months at their homes and respected test tracks. However, the off season is almost over already for the minor leaguers. The Arenacross season(s) are set to kick off in just a couple of short weeks.

Last year, Mike Kidd, the founder of current day Arenacross turned the whole scene upside down by announcing a competing series. That's right, he decided he could beat his own creation and do even better a second time around. Everyone was concerned that Arenacross would be ruined with two competing series championships, and most figured one series would run the other out of business. However, thankfully this was not the case, both series' shared their points of success in 2005/6; and both are back for 2006/7. This means more racing, more rides, and more chances for riders to make a living racing dirtbikes... Good for anyone involved with motocross if you ask me.

Time to break down the two series.

Last year I was able to spectate live as the AMA Arenacross series closed it's doors in 2006 with the closest points championship finish ever in the history of Arenacross. Brock Sellards lost by one point to Arenacross verteran Chad Johnson. This year Johnson will be back, but Sellards will not. Although his closest nemisis from last season won't be back running his #2 plate, Johnson won't have an easy time of it. Johnson will be aboard a completely different machine for 2007, not only will he be riding a 450 instead of a 250 two stroke, but his color went from blue to Suzuki yellow for the new season. Switching bikes isn't going to be Johnson's only challenge, another Johnson is looking for blood. Kevin Johnson, that is. The Team Faith Yamaha rider was many times the fastest rider last season, but couldn't put it all together for the whole season, ending him 3rd in the title chase. This year KJ is back with the same team and is hoping he hasn't forgotten those few important pieces of luggage he forgot throughout the voyage of last season. Greg Schnell never earned a win in 2006, but he was consistently in the top 5. Greg will return with the experience earned in his rookie AX season last year aboard the #5 Suzuki. Schnell, like his new teammate Chad Johnson, is switching from the 2 stroke to the power of a 450 four stroke for the new season. If Schnell can get some better starts aboard a 450, everyone better watch out. Jim Neese showed the speed to win on various occasions last year, but could never put it all together. Neese and fellow northeastern Suzuki pilot, and good friend Jim Chester put together the Carolina Express team, and they will be looking to improve their 2006 season ending numbers 6 and 12 respectively. Zach Ames has an Arenacross victory and two years of experience under his belt coming into the 2007 season; look for the holeshot artist to throw himself head first into the title mix this season as the dark horse. You never know who will step it up big in Arenacross, maybe the likes of Scott Metz, Roy Horton, 2006 rookie of the year Kevin Markwardt, or rookie of the year runner up Braden Parks will find themselves near the front in 2007. Just the returning cast sounds like a pretty incredible dual, but more riders will be on the gate for the opener in Des Moines. Supercross veterans Danny Smith and Justin Buckelew are also gearing up to dive into the fishbowl of motocross. Both riders will be aboard Tuf Racing Hondas and aiming straight for the top step of the podium in their inaugural Arenacross seasons. Also, TiLube sponsored a rookie team in 2006, and they will be back twice the size for 2007. The team went out, got a bigger rig to haul more bikes, and they are cramming it full of talent for 2007. 2006 BooKoo Arenacross runner up Shane Bess will give up his #2 plate and heat things up across the wall for 2007 aboard a TiLube/StormLakeHonda.com 450. Teddy Maier returns to Arenacross after a year in the big show last season, where he finished up 8th on the east coast. Maier got on the box with a 3rd his first weekend ever racing Arenacross in Des Moines. Look for him to try and improve on that when the season opens just down the road from his home this season aboard his TiLube Hondas. Kurt McCabe found himself on the BooKoo Arenacross series podium once last season, he is a wild card contender for the top five in 2007 pitting out of the TiLube truck as well. The 2001 Arenacross rookie of the year Kody Molitor joined the season late last year when TiLube was formed. He is more prepared than ever this season and is feeling right at home on the CRF450. Look for a more focused Molitor to be a contender in both the Arenacross and Arenacross lites classes this winter. Yet another team is joining the AMA Arenacross series for the new year. Team Eternal Industries/AXO Suzuki will field two brothers from the band the Main Event who also go fast on dirtbikes. Daniel and Vincent Blair are teaming up with BooKoo Arenacross rookie of the year from last season Casey Hinson looking for an AMA Arenacross title for 2007. These are just the guys I know that are returning to the AMA Arenacross series, and as we all know Arenacross is a last minute thing, look for more contenders on the gate in Des Moines. I don’t think there are enough gates in the main event to fit all the guys mentioned above, look for it to be a challenge to even qualify in Des Moines.

To BooKoo we go. Although the BooKoo Arenacross series will be missing both the #1 and #2 plates (Defending champion Demuth is going to race Supercross for the BooKoo Honda team and runnerup Bess is racing the AMA Arenacross series for TiLube), the racing will still be intense. Two time Arenacross champion Darcy Lange is migrating back to the hockey arenas for 2007. Lange is rarely beaten in the tight confines of Arenacross, but a tough crew of challengers awaits him for the upcoming season. Darcy will be teamed up with former teammate and runner up finisher Jeff Northrop. Northrop will be right at home back aboard the Kawasaki, look for NorCal and Lange to be tough to beat on their Babbits green machines. Josh Woods got a last minute call last year to fill in for the Suzuki squad when Brad Hagseth was injured on press day before the opener. Woods drove through the night and found himself right up front when the season opened in Ft. Worth. Woods was on a roll looking like a sure title contender before he went down with an injury. He will be back aboard a Suzuki in 2007 and teamed up with Michael Blose. Last season Blose joined the series late and raced only the lites class, but he netted himself a bunch of wins and confidence for this season. If Blose rides a 450 anything like a 250f, he will be tough to beat. Tommy Hofmaster will be back on his Sano Systems Yamahas for the new year. The former runner up had a tough season last year and is looking for a brighter season come November. Who else will be a contender for the BooKoo crown in 2007? Will most improved rider for 2006 Travis Bannister be back and up front? Will Tiger Lacey and Colt Humphrey be back? Only time will tell in the last minute world of Arenacross racing!

So here are my predictions.

AMA Arenacross Series -- These are the 16 riders I know will be running the series.

Teddy Maier

Kevin Johnson

Justin Buckelew

Chad Johnson

Shane Bess

Zach Ames

Greg Schnell

Kody Molitor

Kurt McCabe

Jim Neese

Kevin Markwardt

Jim Chester

Braden Parks

Danny Smith

Roy Horton

Matt Maier

BooKoo Arenacross Series -- Only the guys I know running it…

Jeff Northrop

Darcy Lange

Tommy Hofmaster

Michael Blose

Josh Woods

JMI
Seems that most don't really care about the JMI, but I sure do.  I think it's awesome that for once someone other than RC, Reedy, or JS will get to take home a win.  I think it is going to bring out some extra hunger for the rest of the field.  Plus, MC is promoting it, I think just supporting our SX king is enough of a reason to pay attention.  Plus, he's trying to elevate the sport some more with new innovative ideas... and it has a great TV package.  Start caring already!
What's a guy to do?!
Something has been irking me the past couple of weeks.  I don't understand how a guy can go out and get 8th place in the SX series in his rookie SX season, get 2nd in the Canadian nationals while running up front every moto (except when a bike would break) and now he can't even get bikes for the upcoming season.  I know of guys with an abundance, more than they can ride in a year, of bikes who are riding the intermediate class... yet a top 10 supercross guy can't even get bikes?!  If I had an extra bit of money laying around I would buy the damn kid some bikes, give him some gas money, and tell him to go race SX; but that isn't in my pocketbook...  Would someone give Teddy Maier a freaking ride already? 
The MXdN is Revived
In only a short bit the MXdN will be underway.  Moto fans from across the world are coming together for one weekend out of the year for an all out motocross that will go down in history.  While only one country can win, we are all winners in this deal.  The MXdN is flourishing.  Only a few years ago many in the United States had all but forgotten about this prestigious event; however, through some hard work the event is regaining its status as a premier event that the riders want to be a part of.  I am happy to see this, and more excited than I have ever been about this olympic sized battle between countries.  Let the best team win, and long live the Des Nations.

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  • Vital MX member Jarid332
    Jarid332 Posted:

    10/26/2007 7:35 AM

    Ya, Teddy had a heck of a season last year, and I think he's going to step up ever more this year. I can't wait for the AX season to start. It's going to be a great series!

  • Vital MX member stormlakehonda.com
    stormlakehonda.com Posted:

    11/14/2006 11:49 PM

    nothing yet

  • Vital MX member Dr.NeoCortex
    Dr.NeoCortex Posted:

    10/22/2006 10:49 PM

    Gotta agree, Teddy needs a ride.