Matt Burkeen’s A1 onboard with Brandon Ray

RaceFan
Posts
327
Joined
1/9/2014
Location
GB

I’m sure many of you have already watched this but it reminded me of just how gnarly this sport is. Those opening laps gave me heart palpitations. Gnarly sport, gnarlier dudes.

Hard to pass negative judgement on anyone that lines up on these gates.

49
|
Rupert X
Posts
10860
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Newark, OH US
1/15/2026 5:24am

Maintaining momentum in heavy traffic, all the while clearing gnarly doubles ‘n triples ?  Insanity, and we absolutely salute these brave pilots. Love it. Nice work, Brandon, thanks Matt. 

25
truck
Posts
3466
Joined
6/10/2015
Location
Louisville, KY US
Fantasy
1/15/2026 5:34am

Yep. My thought watching it was even if I was talented enough I do not have big enough balls to do that. 

5
1/15/2026 5:39am

truly nuts

1
Mr. Plump
Posts
87
Joined
3/6/2025
Location
Lewistown, PA US
1/15/2026 5:44am

Prioritized wiping the camera at 1:58 over pulling a tear-off...legend! 

26
1

The Shop

1/15/2026 7:02am

1. thought GoPros were outlawed?
2. found it interesting that there just a couple of jumps he was hitting that others weren't that pushed him to the front. He tripled a couple of spots where others were doubling. Goes to show the difference between the guys in the top 10 and the guys not is very, very slim margins. Just a jump or two makes all the difference.

2
-MAVERICK-
Posts
65167
Joined
3/26/2015
Location
Ontario CA
1/15/2026 7:52am
1. thought GoPros were outlawed?2. found it interesting that there just a couple of jumps he was hitting that others weren't that pushed him to the...

1. thought GoPros were outlawed?
2. found it interesting that there just a couple of jumps he was hitting that others weren't that pushed him to the front. He tripled a couple of spots where others were doubling. Goes to show the difference between the guys in the top 10 and the guys not is very, very slim margins. Just a jump or two makes all the difference.

Cameras can't be helmet mounted. 

8
vdrsnk04
Posts
1994
Joined
9/5/2018
Location
IL US
1/15/2026 8:14am

That like little hop over jump at 1:06 where he hops over it and goes double to triple after most the race. It shows how insane it was that distance Kitchen was hopping off the top of that to clear the next landing in 250’s!!

5
JBecker 72
Posts
1800
Joined
3/25/2014
Location
Eastern Panhandle, WV US
1/15/2026 8:41am Edited Date/Time 1/15/2026 8:47am

He has a big moment later in the race coming out of the sand section just before the over under. Somehow it worked perfectly for him, but that was wild. 

Takes a stock 250, throws on his suspension and a few bolt ons, and puts it in the main event right out of the heat. Hitting lots of big lines too. Amazing how good the bikes are now and what a great rider can do with one. 

12
Mavetism
Posts
5659
Joined
4/15/2019
Location
Hannover DE
1/15/2026 9:13am Edited Date/Time 1/15/2026 9:51am
truck wrote:

Yep. My thought watching it was even if I was talented enough I do not have big enough balls to do that. 

One of the most impressive traits that pro riders have in my opinion is to completely shut off or suppress any kind of fear. You gotta be an absolute psycho to do what they do at that kind of speed.

5
Hammer 663s
Posts
3064
Joined
6/2/2016
Location
Forest Grove, OR US
1/15/2026 9:31am

I remember BRay showing up to run the support classes at OTHG events in NorCal. Gary Plaatje (RIP buddy!!!!) and many of the Sierra and Bay chapter leadership made sure the clubs helped him out with (iirc) a bike and gear on occasion. He was smoking me on his 85. Same deal with Enzo Temmerman back in the day at DT1. He didn't need the same support as BRay but even on a 65 you could see how stupid fast he was, and it was clear that barring injury he was going to make it Pro. BRay had a much tougher row to hoe and it's so cool to see him making the mains now.

12
1/15/2026 9:41am

I have been helping B-Ray for a few years now.  He picked up the triumph the week before A1 and had very little time for setup or practice. He made the main and scored points, so he's off to a good start. I'm looking forward to a good result at S.D.  and a bit of help from factory triumph.

14
JazzyJJ
Posts
1759
Joined
12/1/2020
Location
Nunya, WY US
1/15/2026 9:45am
I remember BRay showing up to run the support classes at OTHG events in NorCal. Gary Plaatje (RIP buddy!!!!) and many of the Sierra and Bay...

I remember BRay showing up to run the support classes at OTHG events in NorCal. Gary Plaatje (RIP buddy!!!!) and many of the Sierra and Bay chapter leadership made sure the clubs helped him out with (iirc) a bike and gear on occasion. He was smoking me on his 85. Same deal with Enzo Temmerman back in the day at DT1. He didn't need the same support as BRay but even on a 65 you could see how stupid fast he was, and it was clear that barring injury he was going to make it Pro. BRay had a much tougher row to hoe and it's so cool to see him making the mains now.

I talked to him at the local county fair races last year. Seemed like a super chill dude and was happy to be there. He was absolutely ripping a cr250 which is impressive on an arenacross track

3
bluesmoke
Posts
183
Joined
1/30/2023
Location
Lakeworth, TX US
1/15/2026 10:00am
RaceFan wrote:
I’m sure many of you have already watched this but it reminded me of just how gnarly this sport is. Those opening laps gave me heart...

I’m sure many of you have already watched this but it reminded me of just how gnarly this sport is. Those opening laps gave me heart palpitations. Gnarly sport, gnarlier dudes.

Hard to pass negative judgement on anyone that lines up on these gates.

Thanks for sharing. Gave me the jitters and butterflies!

1
TeamGreen
Posts
36477
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA US
1/15/2026 10:28am

So stoked for B-Ray. I hope this continues at S.D.

See you at the races. 

2
LocalMB
Posts
53
Joined
2/23/2021
Location
Cary, NC US
1/15/2026 10:35am

Thank you all for watching this & an even bigger thanks to B-Ray for doing this, dude is a legend! I also do a privateer revenue split with the riders that run POV for me so if you guys keep watching / sharing maybe I can send B-Ray enough $$ to cover his San Diego sign up! 

37
1/15/2026 10:40am
LocalMB wrote:
Thank you all for watching this & an even bigger thanks to B-Ray for doing this, dude is a legend! I also do a privateer revenue...

Thank you all for watching this & an even bigger thanks to B-Ray for doing this, dude is a legend! I also do a privateer revenue split with the riders that run POV for me so if you guys keep watching / sharing maybe I can send B-Ray enough $$ to cover his San Diego sign up! 

Good Job! Matt.

2
Hammer 663s
Posts
3064
Joined
6/2/2016
Location
Forest Grove, OR US
1/15/2026 11:13am
LocalMB wrote:
Thank you all for watching this & an even bigger thanks to B-Ray for doing this, dude is a legend! I also do a privateer revenue...

Thank you all for watching this & an even bigger thanks to B-Ray for doing this, dude is a legend! I also do a privateer revenue split with the riders that run POV for me so if you guys keep watching / sharing maybe I can send B-Ray enough $$ to cover his San Diego sign up! 

I'll cover it. PM me and we can exchange contact for the $$$ xfer.

30
cwtoyota
Posts
2368
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
Tacoma, WA US
1/15/2026 12:03pm
LocalMB wrote:
Thank you all for watching this & an even bigger thanks to B-Ray for doing this, dude is a legend! I also do a privateer revenue...

Thank you all for watching this & an even bigger thanks to B-Ray for doing this, dude is a legend! I also do a privateer revenue split with the riders that run POV for me so if you guys keep watching / sharing maybe I can send B-Ray enough $$ to cover his San Diego sign up! 

Gets roosted and wipes the camera lens over the finish line on the first lap while waiting until the next section to grab his tear-off!

That's F'kn dedication!
Give B-Ray the contract!

 

3
1/15/2026 12:11pm
LocalMB wrote:
Thank you all for watching this & an even bigger thanks to B-Ray for doing this, dude is a legend! I also do a privateer revenue...

Thank you all for watching this & an even bigger thanks to B-Ray for doing this, dude is a legend! I also do a privateer revenue split with the riders that run POV for me so if you guys keep watching / sharing maybe I can send B-Ray enough $$ to cover his San Diego sign up! 

My buddy is in contact with B-Ray and sounds like he’s trying to get him a new practice bike and pay his entry fees. What’s great ride last weekend and what a great video. Thanks for sharing. 

7
JAC
Posts
68
Joined
11/11/2016
Location
Memphis, TN US
1/15/2026 6:51pm

Burkeen (on the left) long before he started videoing and broadcasting!
 

IMG 6451 2.jpeg?VersionId=dz



Joey

JazzyJJ
Posts
1759
Joined
12/1/2020
Location
Nunya, WY US
1/15/2026 7:06pm
LocalMB wrote:
Thank you all for watching this & an even bigger thanks to B-Ray for doing this, dude is a legend! I also do a privateer revenue...

Thank you all for watching this & an even bigger thanks to B-Ray for doing this, dude is a legend! I also do a privateer revenue split with the riders that run POV for me so if you guys keep watching / sharing maybe I can send B-Ray enough $$ to cover his San Diego sign up! 

I'll cover it. PM me and we can exchange contact for the $$$ xfer.

What a fucking boss. Good on ya

6
LocalMB
Posts
53
Joined
2/23/2021
Location
Cary, NC US
1/15/2026 8:28pm
LocalMB wrote:
Thank you all for watching this & an even bigger thanks to B-Ray for doing this, dude is a legend! I also do a privateer revenue...

Thank you all for watching this & an even bigger thanks to B-Ray for doing this, dude is a legend! I also do a privateer revenue split with the riders that run POV for me so if you guys keep watching / sharing maybe I can send B-Ray enough $$ to cover his San Diego sign up! 

I'll cover it. PM me and we can exchange contact for the $$$ xfer.

B-Ray has the money, he could hardly believe it! Asked me who sent it so he could thank them, shoutout to Hammer for his generosity!! Thanks for doing that, B-Ray is a good dude!

23
1/15/2026 10:05pm

Had to watch it twice. First person POV are my favs. I wish we had more of them. I miss the GoPro on helmet days on top riders. 

4
Vet57
Posts
2465
Joined
12/13/2010
Location
BRO Town, MA US
1/16/2026 1:10am

Might have to buy a Triumph now....lol

2
mx_563
Posts
2174
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
CA US
1/16/2026 3:06am

First Pat Gomm, and now Brandon Ray. My hometown being represented at the professional level! Whoop whoop!!!! 

1
PRM31
Posts
3461
Joined
8/7/2009
Location
Northern, VA US
Fantasy
1/16/2026 3:27am

This was great!


Imagine some of this in the live broadcast! 

5
Mr. Plump
Posts
87
Joined
3/6/2025
Location
Lewistown, PA US
1/16/2026 5:22am
LocalMB wrote:
Thank you all for watching this & an even bigger thanks to B-Ray for doing this, dude is a legend! I also do a privateer revenue...

Thank you all for watching this & an even bigger thanks to B-Ray for doing this, dude is a legend! I also do a privateer revenue split with the riders that run POV for me so if you guys keep watching / sharing maybe I can send B-Ray enough $$ to cover his San Diego sign up! 

I'll cover it. PM me and we can exchange contact for the $$$ xfer.

LocalMB wrote:
B-Ray has the money, he could hardly believe it! Asked me who sent it so he could thank them, shoutout to Hammer for his generosity!! Thanks...

B-Ray has the money, he could hardly believe it! Asked me who sent it so he could thank them, shoutout to Hammer for his generosity!! Thanks for doing that, B-Ray is a good dude!

Man, we need more of this! Shoutout to Hammer and the privateers out here doing it for the love of the sport. I find it ridiculous that the promotion does not pay a guy who made it straight to the main enough to live comfortably and not have to worry about his "sign up" fee as a professional athlete. Sorry, don't want to open that can of worms, but c'mon, it is a bit ridiculous. 

2
shortty761
Posts
678
Joined
4/2/2024
Location
Newport News, VA US
1/16/2026 5:33am

Can you imagine something like this on Kenny or Tomac? I’d pay to see it. What’s stopping them?

3
1/16/2026 6:08am
mx_563 wrote:

First Pat Gomm, and now Brandon Ray. My hometown being represented at the professional level! Whoop whoop!!!! 

Pat owns a plumbing co. in town. He is a good dude.  My girlfriend is full of shit, so l see him often. 

2
flyinb501
Posts
672
Joined
7/25/2011
Location
Lakewood Ranch, FL US
1/16/2026 6:15am
LocalMB wrote:
Thank you all for watching this & an even bigger thanks to B-Ray for doing this, dude is a legend! I also do a privateer revenue...

Thank you all for watching this & an even bigger thanks to B-Ray for doing this, dude is a legend! I also do a privateer revenue split with the riders that run POV for me so if you guys keep watching / sharing maybe I can send B-Ray enough $$ to cover his San Diego sign up! 

Matt, awesome video!  I hope you can do these every week.  Why the heck does the broadcast not use these GoPro videos???  I get that they outlawed the helmet cam, but I didn't realize they are still allowed to use chest mounts.  I think this view is better than the helmet anyway.  It's truly amazing to see this point of view, and we have really been missing out since these went away year ago. 

3

Post a reply to: Matt Burkeen’s A1 onboard with Brandon Ray

The Latest