Stuntoberfest! - Signal 2 Noise
Team Xtreem Steps it up
New track, new facilities and new energy: Team Xtreem, the organizers of the largest stunt competitions in America, have at last relocated their popular events from the beat-down Lakeland Dragstrip to the decidedly more upscale USA Speedway just a few minutes away, and competitors and fans alike couldn't be happier with the change. To introduce the new facility and also work out any bugs before the world-famous 2007 Stuntwars coming up in January, Team Xtreem hosted the recent Stuntoberfest 2006 (held concurrent with the Biketoberfest celebration in nearby Daytona Beach) as a dry run.
The three-day event, sponsored by Buell Motorcycles and Avon Tyres, attracted riders from as far away as Minnesota, Ohio, Kansas and across the Northeast. Riders competed for a share of the $7500 payout in Longest Endo (300-foot approach), Individual Freestyle, Tandem and Team events. In addition to the stunt program, fans also enjoyed a Custom Sportbike Concepts-sponsored custom sportbike show, while Orlando-based Underground Sound supplied a soundtrack to the weekend's festivities.
Chris "Teach" McNeil, who traveled all the way from New Hampshire, was the favorite to win, following a series of first-place finishes in several high-profile stunt events held across the country over the past summer. With his signature high-energy (and highly technical) riding style, McNeil prolonged his winning streak and took home another first place in Individual Freestyle at USA Speedway. In addition to the competition prize money, McNeil also received a bonus check from SMF Cycle, distributors of Craft Helmets and Barracuda Exhaust, as part of their contingency program for competing stunt riders. Jason Miskiewicz from Atlanta, Georgia, was able to stop the stoppie king Bill Dixon's winning streak to capture first in Longest Endo, while Steve Spong and his riding partner, Valeska, took home the Tandem Event crown, and Team Warped Toys finished first in Team Event.
In order to reclaim the title as the best stunt competition in the world, Team Xtreem took care to solicit riders' opinions on the new venue and took note of the feedback given from both riders and spectators with an eye toward making any necessary changes in advance of Stuntwars. "We are working hard with USA Speedway to address any concerns we heard over the weekend and plan on having them all corrected by Stuntwars," said Team Xtreem founder/president Todd Colbert.
"I was really impressed with everything this weekend, from the vendor areas to the track and the staff," said H.A.I. team rider Chris Theis afterward. "It was also nice not to have to drive back to Orlando to use a decent bathroom."
Stuntoberfest 2006 Results!!!
Individual Freestyle
1: Chris McNeil
2: Jesse Toler
3: Mark Martinek
4: Aaron Colton
Longest Endo
1: Jason Miskiewicz (493 feet)
2: Bill Dixon (473 feet)
3: Mitch Adams (430 feet)
Team Warped Toys
Mark Martinek, Bill Dixon, Joshua Clem,Dan Farris, Claressa Termini, Destiny Peace
Tandem
1: Steve Spong and Valeska
2: Bill Dixon and Destiny Peace
3: Aaron Colton and Graci Morgan