So here we go! Ready to cut the best from the rest!

Next weekend OMA kicks off in Nashville, Tenn. Easter Weekend! OMA is proudly co-sanctioning with the Kentucky Off-Road Hare Scrambles Series a.k.a. K.O.R.H.S.

Maxxis tires will be presenting the opening round, “HangMan XC” and be present with the Maxxis Semi truck and Maxxis Girl, Heather Avery!

There will be a National Easter Egg Hunt for the kids... Click Image for more info

So let’s brush up on the top contenders in ’08 and breeze through some grapevine gossip on who will be making appearances in ’09.

Our ATVs…

In ’06, ’05, and ’04 Rob Zimmerman dominated the OMA Nationals walking away with the OMA Nationals Championships. In ’07 we welcomed Andy Lagzdins, Andy would breeze through 2007 and it was all Lagzdins, breathing life into the ATV Series. For 2008, the ATV Series would once again be renewed with a new Series Champion, Bryan Hulsey. Coming off a 2007 Missouri Hare Scramble Series Championship, he stepped up into the National light and dominated the OMA National ATV Series with consistency. Former OMA Champ, Zimmerman didn’t go down without out a fight, ‘Z’ would once again take consistency podium finishes himself and take second Overall in the Series, just 3 points shy.

Rookie Shane Gaunt… Who’s this kid??? He’s a young, hungry kid out of Illinois giving his all, with great talent, that’s who Shane Gaunt is! Gaunt also ran a consistent year taking a Third Overall in 2008. Let’s see if Gaunt can take it up a notch in ’09.

Onto the motorcycles…

At Round 9 in 2008 it was official; Paul Whibley was crowned the “New” OMA Nationals Champion! Former 4 Time Champion, Jimmy Jarrett would present Whibley with the Number 1 plate on the podium. It was bitter; it was sweet, for it was an end to Jarrett’s OMA domination, but there was a new “King” of the OMA’s, Paul Whibley. Whibley showed great domination, winning 7 out 10 rounds, podium 10 out 10. Close to perfection… Not bad for a fuzzy little foreigner! All enjoyed the presence of Whibley, not only is Paul a presence out on the track, but he’s a hit in the pits!

Former 4-Time Champ, Jimmy always the professional, would take the final Moose Run win! For Jarrett, if he couldn’t take the Championship, he “Must” take the Moose Run Championship. Jarrett has dominated the Moose Run for the past 3 years, an event Jarrett has dialed in with his stalking methods. Watching Jarrett at the Moose Run is like watching a National Geographic episode… just when you thought Whibley had the win in the bag, there was Jarrett through the final section, swiping it out from under Whibley. As far as OMA is concerned, Jarrett is family at this point.

In 2008, it was Team Suzuki, Team Suzuki, Team Suzuki… With #1, Whibley, and #2, Jarrett, again teammates in 2009 on Team Geico Kawasaki’s, Whibley and Jarrett, along with Geico teammate and OMA newcomer, Scott Watkins; look to put the Geico Kawasaki’s on the podium for 10 rounds and take another OMA Championship. Geico will be representing the Team at the OMA events with the Geico Team truck, be sure to meet the team at the track!

So what’s OMA’s Third Overall doing in 2009? We’re currently waiting on Garrahan’s official reply. It just wouldn’t be OMA without colorful Brian Garrahan… Naaaaaa, but he sure would be missed.

Another local, young Rookie would take Fourth Overall in the Series. Talent off-road racer, Adam Bonneur, literally an OMA neighbor has been family for years. Bonneur raised eyebrows, confidence, and results in '08.

Sooo… who can we look forward to watching new in 2009???
We got news there will be some names from the past, and names yet to print in the results.

GoFasters.com will be presenting a Gas Gas Team for 2009!
Justin Williamson, once an OMA regular, who had taken his first National win at an OMA as a pup, will be returning. Justin is a strong contender in OMA style tracks… tight, technical; use your head, not your throttle, kind of tracks.

Welcome to the USA! Finlander, Tomi Peltola, will be present at the opening OMA round. Peltola is racing out of a new shop in Kentucky, Central Kentucky Competition with owner David Brown, on a Gas Gas EC 300. 

What I like about Press Releases… Copy, Paste, Done!
Here is some exciting news…

 Team Smage Tackles 5 Series in 2009

(Chicago, IL.) 2 time AMA National trials champion Patrick Smage and his older brother Phillip Smage will attempt to compete in a total of 5 off-road disciplines in 2009, including the most famous indoor, off-road series, AMA EnduroCross.

Patrick will first and foremost try to defend his 2007-08 AMA/NATC Trials title. The littlest Smage, who is 18, will compete in the FIM World Trials Championships for the 3rd year in row. This time in the Junior class, after two years riding in the the Youth division. The series starts in Ireland, April 4th and 5th. Patrick will also ride  2009 OMA off-road championships, and the AMA EnduroCross series, where he finished 14th in 2008, making both main events in the last two rounds he entered. Scoring a 8th (Ohio) and 7th place (Las Vegas), respectfully. 

Phillip will compete in the AMA mini-moto championships, where he was the 2007 Champion. Phillip's also competing in the 2009 OMA off-road championships, along with the AMA EnduroCross series, where he finished 10th in 2008, just ahead of the off-road legend, Mike Brown, - and just behind off-road legend, #9, Ty Davis. Ironically, Phillip finished the 2007 AMA EnduroCross series in 14th place. The same place his brother scored in 2008. Both are looking to better their season ending number in 2009.

Patrick is sponsored by Ryan Young Product/Sherco USA, Uncle Circe Racing, father Noel and Go Fast energy drink. Phillip's sponsors include KTMWorld.com, Five-5-1 Films, KBC helmets and Uncle Circe Racing. Phillip is also the holder of 3 Guinness Book of World Records, and just recently won another X-Games gold medal in Snow-skating. If you'd like to be a sponsor to this highly visible, world globe-trotting team, contact Craig Gernhardt @ 773-988-8997.

Some well known names running in 2009…

Good Guy… ISDE KING… Jeff Fredette will be present throughout the Series.

Our 2008 30-39 A Champion, Steve Leivan and Lite A Champion, Daniel Janus will be back making a run for a second consecutive Championship.

Along with Bill Gusse’s long lost brother… Jerry Bernardo… always a pleasant fellow… ??? Naaa… we love old Jer. Bernardo will be representing the West Coast at the opening round, KTM mounted, new graphics, and new training regime.

Cycle TrakX will be covering 2009 with a few issues… due to these… what do they call it???? OOO yea… “Economic Hard Times”… Cycle TrakX will be limited to three to four issues for 2009. CT focuses more on the amateurs giving them their own publication. First issue for ’09 to be announced.

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So we kick off the 6th season of the OMA's and we would like to Thank our sponsors, supporters, and racers for another year!

Parts Unlimited, Moose Racing, Maxxis Tires, Sidi Boots, DP Brakes, Motion Pro, Johnny Signs Graphics, Rekluse Clutches, Yamaha, Kawasaki, KTM, Kal-Gard Lubricants, Wiseco Pistons, Fun Mart Cycle Center, Scott Goggles, ProMoto Billet/Fastway Racing Products, MotoComm. One contingency supporter missing from the list, Suzuki, we hope to see them back into the sport in 2010!

Along with Cycle News, Dirt Bike Magazine, Dust Magazine, Parts Magazine, ATV Action, Trail Rider, Off Road Champions, and Wasting time Films for all their support and coverage of the Series!

Time to shut it… and get ready to see you in Nashville, April 11 & 12!