Planning on going to the 2010 MX Master Kids
here's some information you should know.Some info. below is based on last years hotel location in Belgium. I have not confirmed where team USA will stay this year.
1. What airport should I fly into?
The closest and most convenient airport is in Luxembourg (LUX).
It is only about 30 miles from the hotel and the bike shop where our
stuff will be shipped. Current price out of Raleigh is $920. I have
a travel agent working on a group rate for 10 and also researching a
more discounted rate but this is the holiday season in Europe so deals
are hard to come by.
2. When do I need to be there?
I would suggest flying out on the evening of July 6th. That
will put you in Luxembourg on Tuesday morning, the 7th. We will rent
cars and travel to our hotel (about 30 miles) and just hang out on Tuesday.
Hotel - The rooms are about 100 Euros per night ($1.47 per
Euro as of 5-28-09). They are kind of small, have two queen sized beds,
and cable TV with MTV in English. I will take care of making the arrangements
at the hotel when everyone is confirmed for the trip. 4 to a room is
comfortable, we don’t spend much time in them anyway. If you would
like to share a room with another rider and father, just let me know
and I will arrange it. The hotel is very nice with a bar and a restaurant.
I am researching a less expensive option, but this place is a known
commodity, has close access to dining, the motorcycle dealer, and the
highway. Team will stay at this hotel http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=92927
Area Information: Local Attractions From the 2009 Hotel in Arlon, Belgium:
0.4 kilometer(s) from Hydrion Outlet, shopping
28 kilometer(s) from Gambling casino France
40 kilometer(s) from Bastogne Historical Cente, open March to December,
nominal fee
65 kilometer(s) from Eurospace Center, open all year from 10:00 a.m.
to 4:00 p.m., July and August open until 5:00 p.m.
75 kilometer(s) from Amneville les Thermes, zoo, casino, two thermal
centers and restaurants
80 kilometer(s) from Marche de Noel de Traves
85 kilometer(s) from Grottes de Han-sur-lesse, open April 1st to November
5th
Recreation:
1 kilometer(s) from swimming
3 kilometer(s) from squash courts
3 kilometer(s) from tennis courts
10 kilometer(s) from fishing
10 kilometer(s) from horseback riding
10 kilometer(s) from golf course
15 kilometer(s) Piste Go Karting
25 kilometer(s) from snow skiing
Nearby Cities:
15 kilometer(s) from Aubange
15 kilometer(s) from Virton
20 kilometer(s) from Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
20 kilometer(s) from Longwy, France
25 kilometer(s) from Gerouville (the 2009 master kids track)
45 kilometer(s) from Trier, Germany
145 kilometer(s) from Maastricht, Netherlands
190 kilometer(s) from Brussels, Belgium
Transportation:
20 kilometer(s) from Luxembourg - Findel Airport
190 kilometer(s) from Bruxelles Airport
120 kilometer(s) from Liege Airport
.5 kilometer(s) from bus terminal
3 kilometer(s) from train station
Rental Car - Avis and Hertz have service at the LUX airport.
You can book your rental car on-line and the pickup is about 50 yards
from the baggage claim. I would book them in advance as that is a very
busy time of year for the LUX airport and it can cost you up to $1000
euro. One thing to be aware of is that gasoline is about $6 to $8 a
gallon You will be responsible for sharing and booking your own rental
car, they will not let me do it for you. I have found a rate of 356.00 euro for the week as of 4-2010
Food – Food is about 1.5 times as expensive as American
food. There is a McDonalds close by for those missing American food.
Bikes – Most of the bikes provided by the promoter are
in very good shape. Most people end up putting on a back tire which
is about $100 US for a big bike. Bring spark plug, gas mix, anything
you can. parts are expensive in Belgium.
5. What is the schedule of events?
Tuesday - Arrive and get acclimated to the time, go site seeing.
Wednesday – The closest track Circuit Bertrix is open only on
Wednesday so this is the best day to test our bikes and make sure everything
is good. Location 30 miles or 48 kilo. from hotel in Arlon. For those
shipping bikes it is important to make sure jetting is ok because the
fuel is slightly different in Europe. We will have a really big group
this year so the testing may have to be done in two sessions, one in
the morning and one in the afternoon. If we need to find a place to
ride on Thursday, it will be arranged. Go site seeing.
See practice track Helmet Cam
Thursday – Team Meeting around noon, testing if necessary,
photo and video shoots with all riders and team personnel. Riders will
where their Team USA shirt and black Dickies shorts. Team dinner at
our favorite Italian place in Arlon with our hosts. Go site seeing.
Friday – Visit track and pits. Meet promoter, more photos
and videos, walk track, make friends with competitors, visit with other
race teams. Go site seeing.
Saturday – Qualifying motos, Team parade around track
after practice, massive party for those who want to hang out.
Sunday – Final Championship motos for Gold divisions
will begin around 11 or 12 and event will end with trophy presentations
about an hour after the last race.
Monday morning – Depart for USA with 1st place team trophy
in our possession.
6. What is the format for the race? Saturday
morning is practice and the first two motos are held for each class.
These two motos are used to determine what 40 kids will go to the Gold
Final and what their gate picks are. On Sunday, there will be two more
motos for each class and they will count for the championship. All riders
enter Sunday with a clean slate. For those not making the 40 man Gold
final, there is a silver final of two motos for them. They will run
first on Sunday morning so typically we do not need to arrive on Sunday
before around 10:00. The team championship is determined by the best
16 motos of each team in Sunday’s Gold finals. We will be taking
that trophy home again this year.
7. What do I need to bring?
The hotel has wireless so a laptop is helpful to keep folks at home
updated. An adapter plug is a necessity to make sure that your laptop
and other electric items are able to be plugged in. They are very inexpensive
(less than $20). If you or your rider is a picky eater at all, I would
pack some food in your bag. Some of the things we take for granted,
like peanut butter, are not available. I would pack some toaster pastries,
peanut butter, and some foods to snack on. Fruits and bread are readily
available as is bottled water etc. at the market which is about a mile
from the hotel. No need to pack chemicals for bikes, all is available
at the shop and with today’s bag restrictions it makes more sense
to just buy them at the shop. We need someone to bring as big an American
flag as possible for our track walk and smaller flags for waving during
motos. A phone that works in Europe is a must for keeping up with home.
If not a cell phone, phone cards are available with very good rates
to call home from the hotel. Arrange for these prior to leaving as it
is much easier to do in the US and less expensive. Make sure to bring
extra jerseys and any old goggles, jerseys and items you don’t
mind giving away. The jerseys are for exchanging with your European
counterparts, the other stuff is to giveaway to the kids who swarm our
pits for autographs and anything American. It is actually very cool
and the promoter loves that we treat the Euro kids and fans so well.
The currency used in all of Europe is the Euro. Go to your local bank
and order some a few weeks before you go. The exchange rate is changing
all the time so you might want to time it when the exchange rate is
most favorable. I will be keeping an eye on it and letting people know
what I am seeing. Most of the businesses accept Visa as does many of
the ATM's, but last year we got caught low on Euros and had to drive
to Luxembourg to get some from a bank there. Last but not least, a passport
is necessary to get in and out of the various countries. Once in Europe,
there are basically no borders, but in and out of the US a passport
is a must. Bring some spark plugs, brake pads, oil for gas mix etc.
Parts are very expensive.
People we need meet and get to know
Michel Costich – He is the promoter
of the event and is an awesome guy. He will bend over backwards making
sure we have an awesome time.
Didier Fourney Valerie Bodelet –
Didier owned the Suzuki dealership, FD Motos. He is an awesome guy and
helps us in so many ways. He basically gives us the run of his shop,
lets us use his cars and transports, makes sure we have gasoline and
is, in general, just an awesome guy. I know it sounds corny, but he
has such a strong emotional attachment to Team USA that he is actually
moved to tears when we leave.
Jerome and Theo Ramos – We met these
two in France the first year we went. The language barrier was huge
for us that first year and Jerome helped us a ton. They have been to
the USA twice and are a big help to the team. Jerome is also a contributor
to the largest amateur moto magazine in Europe, Moto Kids. He is an
awesome photographer and will be shooting photos of the team and riders
all weekend.
Thanks again to everyone going. Plan on having an awesome time and showing
the Euros what American motocross and sportsmanship is all about.
8. Credit card Use: Call the issuing company and ask about
traveling abroad, let them know where you are going so they can put
a note on your account, otherwise they could freeze your card thinking
someone stole it. You only have to have the chip in the card to use
the self serve gas station pumps. Be aware, example Bank of America
charges 3% for Point of Sale POS transactions and 1% for ATM withdrawals.
9. Cell Phones: Make sure you have international calling on
your cell if you plan on calling home.
11. Electronics: Get a 110V to 220V conversion plug for all
your electronic equipment.
10. The plastic thing that is open air and looks
like it might be a sink is actually a 3 person outdoor urinal!
There is NO Air Conditioning, & NO ICE in
most places in this part of the world.
Driving Directions from
Luxembourg airport to track. Link
HERE
Start at: Luxembourg-Findel International Airport, Luxembourg
1. Head north on Rue de Trèves - 0.1 km
2. Slight right to stay on Rue de Trèves - 41 m 3. Turn left
at Rue de Trèves/N1 Continue to follow Rue de Trèves -
1.0 km 4. Continue on Rue de Neudorf/N1a Continue to follow N1a - 0.5
km 5. Continue on N2a - 0.7 km 6. At the traffic circle, take the 4th
exit onto the E44 ramp to Esch-sur-Alzette/Hesperange/Luxembourg-Sud/Bruxelles/Metz
- 0.4 km 7. Merge onto E44 - 7.0 km 8. Continue on E25 Entering Belgium
- 20.1 km 9. Continue on A4 - 22.6 km 10. Take exit 29-Habay for N87
toward Etalle - 0.4 km 11. Turn left at N87 Go through 2 traffic circles
- 6.0 km 12. Turn right at Rue de Virton/N87 Continue to follow N87
- 6.0 km 13. Slight right toward Rue de Launoy - 4.9 km 14. Turn left
at Rue de Launoy - 0.3 km 15. Turn left to stay on Rue de Launoy - 30
m 16. Turn right at Rue de Virton/N88 Continue to follow N88 - 6.3 km
17. Turn right Destination will be on the right - 17 m
Selecting the riders for the MX Masterkids Team
USA is a very difficult process. We are looking for a group of kids
who not only have the opportunity to place well in their class and help
the team with the championship but also kids and families who will represent
the country well at this awesome event. The 2009 version of Team USA
features mix of kids with various credentials. Some are kids with multiple
national titles under their belts, some are returning members of Team
USA and some are just getting their feet wet in the sport. While we
have a North Carolina flavor to the team, we also have riders from New
Mexico, Michigan, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. The common thread
is that they are all great kids with great families who, win or lose,
willrepresent their country with grace and dignity! Here are your 2009
members of MX Masterkids Team USA:
2009 MX Masterkids Team
USA Rider Biographies
Noah Aronson – Noah is riding the
50 Senior class on an Oakley sponsored Cobra. The Tennessee native is
one of the top returning 50cc riders in the USA this year and has had
several national podium finishes including a top 5 at Loretta Lynn’s.
Scoring two top 10 finishes at the Mini Os as a seven year old, Noah
is easily capable of a podium finish at the Masterkids. Noah is also
sponsored by Fox, PR2, Vortex, Pro Taper, RoadandDirt.com and Champion
Cycles, Sloan's Motorcycle and ATV.
Matt Burkeen – Matthew is a three
time MX Masterkids champion and the first rider in the events history
to win the 65cc and 85cc titles in the same year. 2008 saw a second
place finish at Loretta Lynn’s and a championship at the Mini
Olympics for this North Carolina native. This will be Matt’s fourth
year competing for Team USA and he will be riding a Yamaha backed by
Triangle Cycles, Serious MX, Thor, Allegan Motorsports, Smith, Vortex,
Liquid Performance, FMF, JMS Performance and Yamaha Motor Corp.
Justin Coley – Justin is a first
year A rider who will be riding the 250F under 20 class in Belgium.
Justin is backed by PR2, Twin County Powersports, Fly, Liquid Performance,
Amsoil and Serious MX. Justin has several top 10 national finishes including
a 5th overall in Schoolboy at last years Winter National Olympics. Justin
is definitely a threat to land on the podium in his first trip to the
MX Masterkids.
Colton Eigenman – Colton will be
riding the 65cc Junior class on a KTM 65. Coming off 5th and 7th place
finishes Colton has been riding very well in the 65cc winning the latest
area qualifier for Loretta Lynn’s in the 65cc 7-9 stock class.
The Titusville, Florida rides for Spaceport Cycles and is also backed
by WPS, Oakley, Stellar Graphics, RoadandDirt.com and TF Racing Suspension.
Colton will be riding the 65cc junior class at the Masterkids.
Ashton Hayes – Ashton is a two time
Masterkids veteran having scored a podium finish in the 2006 event held
in Pont A Massoun France. Ashton has several top 5 finishes in the US
nationals and is a very accomplished Arenacross rider as well. Ashton
will be riding the 65cc Senior class on a KTM65 and the 85cc Junior
class on a Suzuki RM85 with the support of Dunlop, Peacock Racing, Smith,
Maxima, PR2, EVS, FMF and Parisi Speed School. Ashton is one of the
top returning 65cc riders in the country and is definitely ready to
step back on the podium at the MX Masterkids.
Aaron Leininger – Aaron will be competing
internationally for the first time this year. He has been a fixture
at Loretta Lynn’s for the last few years and has been one of Matt
Burkeen’s toughest competitors since both were five years old
and riding PW50s. The Triangle Cycles, Serious MX backed rider will
be riding the 85cc Senior class on a Suzuki RM85. Aaron hails from Mooresville,
NC and is known as one of the best starters in the Southeast.
Will and Max Markolf – Will is riding
the 85cc Junior class on a Yamaha YZ85 and Max will be piloting a KTM65
in the 65cc Senior class. Max carded a 6th and an 8th at the recently
completed World Mini Grand Prix in Las Vegas capping off a string of
10 straight top 10 finishes including a 2nd at the US Open. Will is
coming off a 4th at the US Open and is ready to run at the front of
the pack. Both boys are top competitors in the Southeast region of the
US and are also nationally acclaimed wakeboarders who have earned sponsorship
with Hyperlite Wakeboards. The Markolf’s are also backed by Alpha
Motorsports, Risk Racing, Rinken Mods, Pro Action of NC, Trick Tank,
TNT, Link Inc and Southtown Riders
Kyle Peters –
Kyle, a native of Greensboro, NC is a factory Honda rider and will be
competing in Schoolboy on a Honda CRF250. Kyle has been a fixture on
the national motocross scene in the US and has many national titles
to his credit. Off to a slow start in 2009 due to a serious finger injury,
the Serious MX, Triangle Cycles, Answer, Von Zipper, Total Control Racing
Suspension, FMF, Liquid Performance, Shoei, EVS, MGX, Pro Taper, ICW,
Petersautomall.com rider should be ready to run at the front of the
pack in Belgium. Kyle will be riding the Under 17 schoolboy class in
Belgium.
Corey Radcliff – A newcomer to MX
racing, Corey has developed into a contender in only two short years
of competition. The Triangle Cycles, JM Engines, ICW, Fellowship of
Christian Athletes rider will be riding a 125 in the schoolboy class
at the Masterkids. Long on heart and desire, Corey could be the surprise
of the team!
Tristan Lewis – Tristan is one of
the top three returning 50cc riders in the US for the 2009 season. Tristan
was second at the Mini Os last year as a seven year old and this year
won his first national title at the Spring National at Lake Whitney.
Tristan will be riding a factory Cobra in the 50cc Senior class and
a Cobra CX65 in the 65cc Junior class. Tristan is backed by Cobra Motorcycles
and Thor, Parts Unlimited. He is a consistent threat to finish at the
top of the podium.
Austin Root – Austin is coming off
a podium finish at the 2008 MX Masterkids and will be riding an Alpha
Motorsports Yamaha YZ125 at this years event in schoolboy. Austin, only
13, is in his first year of riding big bikes as he has grown too tall
to ride an 85. Austin is well known as one of the best starters around
and is capable of a podium finish. Austin had the best quote of the
year at last year’s race. When asked after practice who his biggest
competition would be he looked puzzled and answered, “I don’t
know a single person here!”
Brandon Smith – Brandon has been
a Factory Cobra rider since he was six years old. Brandon has already
won a championship this year as well as seven top 5 finishes at the
Spring Nationals. Brandon’s fifteen career top five national finishes
include national titles at Oak Hill and Ponca City as well as a second
at Loretta Lynn’s. Possessing great speed, Brandon is a threat
to win at all times. He will be riding a Cobra in the 50cc Senior class.
Joshua Strickland – Also a Factory
Cobra rider since the age of six, Joshua has been limited by injuries
in the past two years. The Thor, Serious MX, Triangle Cycles backed
rider is showing the speed that should allow him a podium finish at
this year’s race. Joshua has had several convincing moto wins
in Loretta Lynn’s Area Qualifiers. Also a great baseball player,
Joshua is an all around athlete who has had success in every sport he
has participated in. Joshua will be riding a Cobra in the 50cc Senior
class.
Ricky Winters – Ricky, a member of
the 2007 Team USA squad is ready for a return to Belgium and a podium
finish. Finishing in the top 5 in the 2007 race, Ricky has been training
for the last two years with a goal in mind. To return to Europe and
bring one of the first place cups back to North Carolina. Ricky is sponsored
by Decal MX, Serious MX, Triangle Cycles and Thor. One of the most experienced
riders on the team, Ricky will be like a coach to the younger riders
at the event. Ricky will be riding in the Under 20 schoolboy class
Ryan Zimmer – Ryan Zimmer will be
making his first appearance for Team USA. He will be riding a Honda
250F in the Under 20 year old class. Zimmer is enjoying a 21 moto streak
where he has led every lap of every moto spanning his last 5 events.
The Angier, North Carolina native is sponsored by Triangle Cycles, Serious
MX, Answer and Pro Action. I am confident Ryan can extend his winning
streak in Belgium.
Austin Forkner –
Austin is Cobra’s number one factory 65cc rider. He will be making
his debut for Team USA in the 65cc U12 class. Austin is coming off podium
finishes at the Spring Nationals and should be a championship competitor
for the 2009 Masterkids.
Tommy “TJ” Rios –
TJ is a factory Cobra rider who was born in the USA but lives most of
the year in Mexico. TJ is well known as the fastest 50cc rider in Mexico
and spends his summers searching for competition in the States. TJ is
sponsored by Oakley, Cobra and Barr’s Competition.
TEAM USA WINS
TEAM USA
WINS
