AX BACK IN THE DAY

Kidd
Posts
62
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Jacksboro, TX US

Not many people understand how AX worked back when Hawthorne, Antunez, Stephenson, Bradshaw, Bogard, Demuth, Buehl, Gaddis and on were winning mulitple races and championships. These guys raced over 60 main events (2 classes fri and sat night) from Nov-Feb plus Dash For Cash...plus several guys would do the Jump Off Contest for extra cash.  We spread the money around pretty good including a $100,000.00 points fund through 2006.  Before SX we were the first to fly in our own medical staff, only using ambulances for transportation if needed. It was easy to see with so many riders and races, we needed to keep our guys tapped up and going each and every week. It wasn't uncommon to have some of our top guys going through semis or LCQ to main the main.  I'm glad to see the AX tracks becoming a little more demanding, I think this will attract more top riders next year. AX has had it's place in the record books, I am hoping there is more to come.  budmandd.jpg?VersionId=

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Rupert X
Posts
10873
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Newark, OH US
2/14/2025 4:33pm

Mike, I attended many back in the day, a fascinating time it was. Also, not only was the money good, didn’t you sometimes add in ski vacations for the top dogs, too (?) Still friends to the day with a lot of the players, thanks for what you did and sparking these memories. Cheers and best of health, sir. 

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Kidd
Posts
62
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Jacksboro, TX US
2/14/2025 6:32pm
Rupert X wrote:
Mike, I attended many back in the day, a fascinating time it was. Also, not only was the money good, didn’t you sometimes add in ski...

Mike, I attended many back in the day, a fascinating time it was. Also, not only was the money good, didn’t you sometimes add in ski vacations for the top dogs, too (?) Still friends to the day with a lot of the players, thanks for what you did and sparking these memories. Cheers and best of health, sir. 

Yes we always had a year end banquet, most of the time with an expense paid ski trip.  We paid room, riders paid lift tickets.  Not sure why we paid for so many rooms, I think nearly everyone ended up in only a couple rooms!!

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2/14/2025 8:43pm Edited Date/Time 2/17/2025 9:33am

Ft. Worth AX 1995  Always a sell out crowd.  Yeah, that's me elevating.  The rider is Brook Fluker, I know him too.

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RyanD797
Posts
371
Joined
7/17/2012
Location
Shoreline, WA US
Fantasy
2/14/2025 10:12pm

Pam gave the most awesome riders meetings. "You are the show!" 

We were at a regional in K.C., Jeff or Jon Hedden were in the first practice with us. "Those whoops look awesome, I'm going to click to 3rd and let 'er eat". Half of us sat back and watched him. Yeah, he did. AX whoops were big fun. 

Thank you, both M. Kidd and Mike L. Good times!

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The Shop

Crutcher
Posts
238
Joined
1/12/2023
Location
Lawrence, KS US
2/14/2025 10:12pm

Me, Topeka 95. 

IMG 1863 3

Me, Topeka 25 (a few hours ago)

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Thanks for starting the sport Mike. It’s made me feel like someone. 

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jnickell
Posts
436
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
CA US
2/15/2025 6:58am

Thanks for popping in here Mike. My son and I got to enjoy some really good racing at Arco Arena in the Demuth championship days. 

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Nairb#70
Posts
3618
Joined
2/25/2020
Location
Ivoryton, CT US
2/15/2025 7:59am Edited Date/Time 2/15/2025 8:00am

New Haven, CT Coliseum Mike Kidd AX back in winter of 1996. Raced and qualified for main. It was a rut mudfest. Finished 13th in the main. I think Gaddis won. Might have been Mike Jones.

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BobPA
Posts
8323
Joined
10/31/2013
Location
PA US
2/15/2025 8:15am

Having the amateurs race the same night as the pros was awesome. Racing in front of a packed arena with friends and family present was so cool as a 17 year old kid. Having the Ams run on a separate day really killed the vibes.

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Zoom
Posts
1358
Joined
10/21/2012
Location
Cypress, TX US
2/15/2025 8:51am Edited Date/Time 2/15/2025 11:07am

You put on an amazing show. Thanks for allowing me to announce the final 4 rounds of the Series in the mid 90's. You modeled how a promoter should put on an event. I used some of your practices when I started the biggest night series in Texas from 07-18, The AMA Main Event Series. 

 

Larry Hughes

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web mx
Posts
956
Joined
3/3/2010
Location
USA, MI US
2/15/2025 9:21am Edited Date/Time 2/15/2025 9:24am

The trophies 🏆 on the floor are all from.mike kidd/clear channel arenacross races back then.I have some plaques too that must be packed away in a box.IMG 20250215 120320173IMG 20250215 120508386IMG 20250215 120421201.jpg?VersionId=MqeasudTqO Xzj48ThsikPTRXv

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2/15/2025 9:41am

We used to hop across the border from Niagara Falls Canada to watch it at the Convention Centre in NY. Great times and memories!

2/15/2025 10:37am

Late 90's early 2000's arenacross was the shit. I loved the Antunez/Stephenson duo.

My first race ever was SLC arenacross amateur day in '99, 2nd in 125 Beginner 😆

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Piston Slap
Posts
1971
Joined
7/2/2013
Location
Stillwater, OK US
2/16/2025 8:31pm Edited Date/Time 2/16/2025 8:32pm

I raced Mike Kidds arenacross at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis,  Tn..   (big concert venue) I wanna say 1987-88?

Raced 125 pro class and was smoked by all the greats...  

Good memories 

Trickamoto
Posts
636
Joined
2/6/2018
Location
Beverly Hills, CA US
2/16/2025 11:50pm

It was great when 15 year-old  Darcy Lange came down from Canada and slapped around Antunez  and Stephenson. Then was one point away from winning a Supercross title.

WhipMeister
Posts
5238
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Big D, TX US
2/17/2025 12:52am Edited Date/Time 2/17/2025 12:54am

Mike! Welcome to the dri...Oops...vital! AX only is in the conversation due to your's and Lynn's tireless effort! #iykyk 

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