The 2010 Grand National Championships are in the books!

Pocatello, ID – Saturday night, April 17, the stars were out and the gloves came off in the final event for Checkered Flag Productions’ 2010 Grand National Championship.  With 5 drivers contending for the tour championship the stakes were high as was the excitement level.  A sold out crowd of 11,800 saw one of the most electric shows in Checkered Flag Productions history, and one of the greatest motorsporting events ever in the state of Idaho.

To go along with the championship event itself, Checkered Flag Productions teamed up with the local Make A Wish Foundation to put together 2 Wish Events in 2 days as well.  Mitchell Taylor, 4 years old, from Pocatello, had a pizza party at his home with family, friends and the Bigfoot Bad Boy monster truck and driver Larry Swim on Thursday, April 15.  Jackson Koger, 5, also from Pocatello came to the ISU Holt Arena on Friday, April 16, for a meet and greet with the Bounty Hunter monster truck and driver Darren Migues.  Jackson was also treated to the ride of a lifetime when he got to ride around the parking lot with Darren in the Bounty Hunter.

On Saturday however, the pre-event festivities were done and a strictly business atmosphere fell on the ISU Holt Arena and all of the drivers in attendance.  The track was worked and prepared for 2 long and grueling days and was looking great and ready for action.  Following a very well attended, 2-hour Pit Party featuring an autograph session with all of the drivers and stuntman The Crusher, 2 monster ride trucks, and our own Miss Monster Truck Girls: Amber Ale and Luana Lynn – the floor was cleared to prepare for the opening ceremony and the National Anthem which was sung by 4 man quartet Sound Scape – who gave a rousing performance.

The first event on tap for the evening was the Wheelie Contest which also served as qualifying for the racing match up.  Each truck took to the floor one at a time, for 1 wheelie attempt which was scored by 6 judges on a 1-10 scale.  Several trucks came out and had great wheelies and slap wheelies, including Idaho’s own BJ Johnson who had a terrific slap wheelie in Jurassic Attack for a score of 48 which tied for 2nd with Bigfoot Bad Boy.  Donald Epidendio the driver of California Kid managed to “walk” his truck across the floor on the back tires for a 44 and 4th place finish, but none of these wheelies were enough to get the win.  In what might be referenced as a backflip attempt, Bill Payne in Rock Star came out and took on the van stack sideways and launched the truck upwards and sideways coming down on the truck’s side and eventually rolling over.  The judges scored it a 58 out of 60 and no other effort could match that performance.

Final Wheelie Standings:

Rock Star – 58
Bigfoot Bad Boy – 48 (won tiebreaker)
Jurassic Attack – 48
California Kid – 44
Equalizer – 40
Bounty Hunter 38
Maniac – 30
Hot Tamale – 24
Barbarian – 20

Up next for the night’s event was Monster Truck racing.  8 trucks went to battle on a “Chicago Style” oval racing course that spanned the entire floor and allowed the trucks to use their big power.  Larry Swim and the Bigfoot Bad Boy had a surprising loss in round 1 against Devin Jones Barbarian, but came through the double elimination style event to end up in the final round against Darren Migues and Bounty Hunter.  The trucks lined up on opposite sides of the arena and mashed the gas when the light turned green.  The two trucks ran neck and neck for the entire race, but Swim managed to edge out Migues and Bigfoot took home the racing title.  Migues took 2nd in racing, Jones’ Barbarian took 3rd and Isaiah Morales’ Hot Tamale took 4th in racing. Coming in 5th was Mike Hawkins Equalizer, with Jurassic Attack in 6th, Rock Star in 7th, and California Kid in 8th.

Following some quick track prep it was time for the crowd favorite Freestyle event.  Don Frankish in Maniac and Isaiah Morales in Hot Tamale were the first two trucks on the floor.  Frankish filled 90 seconds with a fast paced run and some nice air, and Morales got some big air over the school bus double, much to the crowds delight.  Bounty Hunter came out in the 3rd spot, and ran for over 3 minutes with some monster air over the school bus double, as well as some nice donuts and big air off the car and van stacks.  Migues was rewarded by the judges with a score of 58, one that would be tough to beat.

After performances from California Kid, Equalizer and Barbarian the spot light fell on Bill Payne and Rock Star.  While Payne had a short run, he had the most electric moments of the night including a huge jump which caused the truck to roll over and land on all 4 wheels, which was then followed by yet another backflip attempt in between the school buses.  The crowd went absolutely crazy and Payne was rewarded with a perfect 60 by the judges.  That put him in first and left only 2 trucks to run.

The next truck on the floor was Larry Swim and the Bigfoot Bad Boy, Swim came out with strong momentum and big air including a huge jump over the school buses, but as he was flooring it over one of the racing lanes the truck shut down.  The problem was diagnosed as a blown engine and Swim’s run was over early resulting in a low score.  Last onto the floor was local hot shoe BJ Johnson who piloted Jurassic Attack to a strong 90 second run that included some nice air and another well executed slap wheelie.  The run was not enough to knock Payne out of the top spot however, and Bill Payne was declared the freestyle winner.

Final Freestyle Standings:

Rock Star – 60
Bounty Hunter – 57
Barbarian – 56
Hot Tamale – 54
Equalizer – 50
California Kid – 41
Jurassic Attack – 39
Maniac – 36
Bigfoot Bad Boy – 29

After some points calculating and tallying, the Tour Championship ceremony was ready.  Bringing home 5th place, was Darren Migues in Bounty Hunter.  In 4th was Hot Tamale driven by Isaiah Morales.  3rd place was taken by Devin Jones and Barbarian.  Then it came down to the final 2.  Despite his strong showing in wheelie and freestyle, Bill Payne did not score enough points to jump over Larry Swim and Bigfoot.  For the 2nd year in a row Rock Star was the runner-up to Grand National Champion “Leadfoot” Larry Swim and the Bigfoot Bad Boy.  Larry’s strong lead going into Pocatello, and his win in racing clinched his 2nd straight title.

Congratulations to Team Bigfoot and to Larry Swim on another outstanding season. Swim managed to win nearly 50% of the events he entered, and his strong domination of racing allowed him to lock up another championship. With an unprecedented back-to-back championship effort, we can only imagine what Swim and Bigfoot will have cooked up for the next Winter Nationals tour!

Some video highlights from the event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GQh_kLLisc

Results – Pocatello, ID – 04/17/10

Event: Monster Truck Grand Nationals
Venue: ISU Holt Arena
Location: Pocatello, ID

Monster Truck Lineup:
Barbarian (Devin Jones), Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim), Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues), California Kid (Donald Epidendio),  Equalizer (Mike Hawkins), Hot Tamale (Isaiah Morales), Jurassic Attack (BJ Johnson), Maniac (Don Frankish), Rock Star (Bill Payne)

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Date: Saturday, April 17th
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Wheelie Contest:
Winner: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 100 points
2nd: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 50 points
3rd: Jurassic Attack (BJ Johnson) – 25 points
4th: California Kid (Donald Epidendio) – 10 points
5th: Equalizer (Mike Hawkins) – 5 points

Racing Competition:
Winner: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 200 points
2nd: Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues) – 100 points
3rd: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 75 points
4th: Hot Tamale (Isaiah Morales) – 50 points
5th: Equalizer (Mike Hawkins) – 40 points
6th: Jurassic Attack (BJ Johnson) – 30 points
7th: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 20 points
8th: California Kid (Donald Epidendio) – 10 points

Freestyle Competition:
Winner: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 200 points
2nd: Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues) – 100 points
3rd: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 50 points
4th: Hot Tamale (Isaiah Morales) – 25 points
5th: Equalizer (Mike Hawkins) – 10 points

Results – Wenatchee, WA – 03/26-27/10

Event: Monster Truck Winter Nationals
Venue: Town Toyota Center
Location: Wenatchee, WA

Monster Truck Lineup:
Barbarian (Devin Jones), Bigfoot #10 (Rodney Tweedy), California Kid (Donald Epidendio), Captain USA (Jeff Bainter), Rock Star (Bill Payne)

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Date: Friday, March 26th
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Wheelie Contest:
Winner: Captain USA (Jeff Bainter) – 50 points
Second: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 25 points
Third: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 10 points

Racing Competition:
Winner: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 100 points
Second: Bigfoot #10 (Rodney Tweedy) – 50 points
Semi-Finalist: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 25 points
Semi-Finalist: California Kid (Donald Epidendio) – 25 points
First Round: Captain USA (Jeff Bainter) – 10 points

Freestyle Competition:
Winner: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 100 points
Second: California Kid (Donald Epidendio) – 50 points
Third: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 25 points

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Date: Saturday, March 27th – 2:00PM
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Wheelie Contest:
Winner: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 50 points
Second: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 25 points
Third: Captain USA (Jeff Bainter) – 10 points

Racing Competition:
Winner: Bigfoot #10 (Rodney Tweedy) – 100 points
Second: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 50 points
Semi-Finalist: Captain USA (Jeff Bainter) – 25 points
Semi-Finalist: California Kid (Donald Epidendio) – 25 points
First Round: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 10 points

Freestyle Competition:
Winner: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 100 points
Second: California Kid (Donald Epidendio) – 50 points
Third: Captain USA (Jeff Bainter) – 25 points

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Date: Saturday, March 27th – 7:30PM
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Wheelie Contest:
Winner: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 50 points
Second: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 25 points
Third: Captain USA (Jeff Bainter) – 10 points

Racing Competition:
Winner: Captain USA (Jeff Bainter) – 100 points
Second: Bigfoot #10 (Rodney Tweedy) – 50 points
Semi-Finalist: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 25 points
Semi-Finalist: California Kid (Donald Epidendio) – 25 points
First Round: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 10 points

Freestyle Competition:
Winner: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 100 points
Second: California Kid (Donald Epidendio) – 50 points
Third: Captain USA (Jeff Bainter) – 25 points

Results – Enid, OK – 03/27/2010

Event: Monster Truck Winter Nationals
Venue: Chisholm County Expo Center
Location: Enid, OK

Monster Truck Lineup:
Bounty Hunter (Jay McPherson), Raminator (Mark Hall), Rammunition (Geremie Dishman), Razin Kane (Chris Lagana), Summit Bigfoot (Dan Runte)

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Date: Saturday, March 20th
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Wheelie Contest:
Winner: Razin Kane (Chris Lagana) – 50 points
Second: Summit Bigfoot (Dan Runte) – 25 points
Third: Bounty Hunter (Jay McPherson) – 10 points

Racing Competition:
Winner: Summit Bigfoot (Dan Runte) – 100 points
Second: Rammunition (Geremie Dishman) – 50 points
Semi-Finalist: Bounty Hunter (Jay McPherson) – 25 points
Semi-Finalist: Razin Kane (Chris Lagana) – 25 points
First Round: Raminator (Mark Hall) – 10 points

Freestyle Competition:
Winner: Razin Kane (Chris Lagana) – 100 points
Second: Bounty Hunter (Jay McPherson) – 50 points
Third: Summit Bigfoot (Dan Runte) – 25 points

Results – Billings, MT – 03/20/10

Event: Monster Truck Winter Nationals
Venue: Rim Rock Auto Arena
Location: Billings, MT

Monster Truck Lineup:
Barbarian (Devin Jones), Bigfoot #10 (Rodney Tweedy), Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues), California Kid (Donald Epidendio), Rock Star (Bill Payne)

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Date: Saturday, March 20th
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Wheelie Contest:
Winner: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 50 points
Second: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 25 points
Third: Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues) – 10 points

Racing Competition:
Winner: Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues) – 100 points
Second: Bigfoot #10 (Rodney Tweedy) – 50 points
Semi-Finalist: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 25 points
Semi-Finalist: California Kid (Donald Epidendio) – 25 points
First Round: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 10 points

Freestyle Competition:
Winner: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 100 points
Tie – Second: Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues) – 38 points
Tie – Second: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 38 points

Results – Pasco, WA – 03/12-13/2010

Event: Monster Truck Winter Nationals
Venue: TRAC Arena
Location: Pasco, WA

Monster Truck Lineup:
Barbarian (Devin Jones), Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues), California Kid (Donald Epidendio), Fired Up (Justin Cluster), Rock Star (Bill Payne), Time Flys (Kelvin Ramer)

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Date: Friday, March 12th
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Wheelie Contest:
Winner: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 50 points
Second: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 25 points
Third: California Kid (Donald Epidendio) – 10 points

Racing Competition:
Winner: Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues) – 100 points
Second: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 50 points
Semi-Finalist: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 25 points
Semi-Finalist: Time Flys (Kelvin Ramer) – 25 points
First Round: California Kid (Donald Epidendio) – 10 points
First Round: Fired Up (Justin Cluster) – 10 points

Freestyle Competition:
Winner: California Kid (Donald Epidendio) – 100 points
Second: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 50 points
Third: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 25 points

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Date: Saturday, March 13th – 2:00PM
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Wheelie Contest:
Winner: Time Flys (Kelvin Ramer) – 50 points
Second: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 25 points
Third: California Kid (Donald Epidendio) – 10 points

Racing Competition:
Winner: Time Flys (Kelvin Ramer) – 100 points
Second: Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues) – 50 points
Semi-Finalist: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 25 points
Semi-Finalist: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 25 points
First Round: California Kid (Donald Epidendio) – 10 points
First Round: Fired Up (Justin Cluster) – 10 points

Freestyle Competition:
Winner: Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues) – 100 points
Tie – Second: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 38 points
Tie – Second: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 38 points

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Date: Saturday, March 13th – 7:30PM
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Wheelie Contest:
Winner: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 50 points
Second: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 25 points
Third: Fired Up (Justin Cluster) – 10 points

Racing Competition:
Winner: Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues) – 100 points
Second: Time Flys (Kelvin Ramer) – 50 points
Semi-Finalist: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 25 points
Semi-Finalist: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 25 points
First Round: California Kid (Donald Epidendio) – 10 points
First Round: Fired Up (Justin Cluster) – 10 points

Freestyle Competition:
Winner: Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues) – 100 points
Second: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 50 points
Third: Time Flys (Kelvin Ramer) – 25 points

Results – Charlottesville, VA – 03/12-13/2010

Event: Monster Truck Winter Nationals
Venue: John Paul Jones Arena
Location: Charlottesville, VA

Monster Truck Lineup:
Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim), Crushstation (Greg Winchenbach), Equalizer (Mike Hawkins), Hot Tamale (Isaiah Morales), War Eagle (Mike Barnes), War Wizard (Randy Moore)

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Date: Friday, March 12th
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Wheelie Contest:
Winner: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 50 points
Second: Hot Tamale (Isaiah Morales) – 25 points
Third: Equalizer (Mike Hawkins) – 10 points

Racing Competition:
Winner: Hot Tamale (Isaiah Morales) – 100 points
Second: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 50 points
Semi-Finalist: War Wizard (Randy Moore) – 25 points
Semi-Finalist: War Eagle (Mike Barnes) – 25 points
First Round: Equalizer (Mike Hawkins) – 10 points

Freestyle Competition:
Winner: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 100 points
Second: Hot Tamale (Isaiah Morales) – 50 points
Third: War Wizard (Randy Moore) – 25 points

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Date: Saturday, March 13th
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Wheelie Contest:
Winner: Hot Tamale (Isaiah Morales) – 50 points
Second: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 25 points
Third: War Wizard (Randy Moore) – 10 points

Racing Competition:
Winner: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 100 points
Second: War Wizard (Randy Moore) – 50 points
Semi-Finalist: Hot Tamale (Isaiah Morales) – 25 points
Semi-Finalist: War Eagle (Mike Barnes) – 25 points
First Round: Equalizer (Mike Hawkins) – 10 points
First Round: Crushstation (Greg Winchenbach) – 10 points

Freestyle Competition:
Winner: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 100 points
Second: Hot Tamale (Isaiah Morales) – 50 points
Third: Equalizer (Mike Hawkins) – 25 points

Results – Hobbs, NM – 03/06/10

Event: Monster Truck Winter Nationals
Venue: Lea County Events Center
Location: Hobbs, NM

Monster Truck Lineup:
Barbarian (Devin Jones), Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim), Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues), California Kid (Donald Epidendio), Razin Kane (Chris Lagana), Rock Star (Bill Payne)

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Date: Saturday, March 6th
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Wheelie Contest:
Winner: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 50 points
Second: Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues) – 25 points
Third: California Kid (Donald Epidendio) – 10 points

Racing Competition:
Winner: California Kid (Donald Epidendio) – 100 points
Second: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 50 points
Semi-Finalist: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 25 points
Semi-Finalist: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 25 points
First Round: Razin Kane (Chris Lagana) – 10 points
First Round: Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues) – 10 points

Freestyle Competition:
Winner: Rock Star (Bill Payne) – 100 points
Tie – Second: Bounty Hunter (Darren Migues) – 38 points
Tie – Second: Barbarian (Devin Jones) – 38 points

Results – Monroe, LA – 02/26-27/10

Event: Monster Truck Winter Nationals
Venue: Monroe Civic Center
Location: Monroe, LA

Monster Truck Lineup:
Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim), Jurassic Attack (Gary Schott Jr.), Maniac (Don Frankish), Razin Kane (Chris Lagana), War Eagle (Mike Barnes)

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Date: Friday, February 26th
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Wheelie Contest:
Winner: Razin Kane (Chris Lagana) – 50 points
Second: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 25 points
Third: War Eagle (Mike Barnes) – 10 points

Racing Competition:
Winner: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 100 points
Second: War Eagle (Mike Barnes) – 50 points
Semi-Finalist: Maniac (Don Frankish) – 25 points
Semi-Finalist: Razin Kane (Chris Lagana) – 25 points
First Round: Jurassic Attack (Gary Schott Jr.) – 10 points

Freestyle Competition:
Winner: War Eagle (Mike Barnes) – 100 points
Second: Razin Kane (Chris Lagana) – 50 points
Third: Maniac (Don Frankish) – 25 points

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Date: Saturday, February 27th
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Wheelie Contest:
Winner: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 50 points
Second: Razin Kane (Chris Lagana) – 25 points
Third: Maniac (Don Frankish) – 10 points

Racing Competition:
Winner: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 100 points
Second: Razin Kane (Chris Lagana) – 50 points
Semi-Finalist: Jurassic Attack (Gary Schott Jr.) – 25 points
Semi-Finalist: Maniac (Don Frankish) – 25 points
First Round: War Eagle (Mike Barnes) – 10 points

Freestyle Competition:
Winner: Razin Kane (Chris Lagana) – 100 points
Second: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 50 points
Third: Jurassic Attack (Gary Schott Jr.) – 25 points

Results – Cape Girardeau, MO – 02/19-20/10

Event: Monster Truck Winter Nationals
Venue: Show Me Center
Location: Cape Girardeau, MO

Monster Truck Lineup:
Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim), Incinerator (Ryan Rice), Killer Bee (Tim Bee), Razin Kane (Chris Lagana), Storm Damage (Tim Mente)

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Date: Friday, February 19th
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Wheelie Contest:
Winner: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 50 points
Second: Razin Kane (Chris Lagana) – 25 points
Third: Incinerator (Ryan Rice) – 10 points

Racing Competition:
Winner: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 100 points
Second: Storm Damage (Tim Mente) – 50 points
Semi-Finalist: Killer Bee (Tim Bee) – 25 points
Semi-Finalist: Razin Kane (Chris Lagana) – 25 points
First Round: Incinerator (Ryan Rice) – 10 points

Freestyle Competition:
Winner: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 100 points
Second: Storm Damage (Tim Mente) – 50 points
Third: Incinerator (Ryan Rice) – 25 points

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Date: Saturday, February 20th
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Wheelie Contest:
Winner: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 50 points
Second: Razin Kane (Chris Lagana) – 25 points
Third: Incinerator (Ryan Rice) – 10 points

Racing Competition:
Winner: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 100 points
Second: Razin Kane (Chris Lagana) – 50 points
Semi-Finalist: Killer Bee (Tim Bee) – 25 points
Semi-Finalist: Storm Damage (Tim Mente) – 25 points
First Round: Incinerator (Ryan Rice) – 10 points

Freestyle Competition:
Winner: Bigfoot Bad Boy (Larry Swim) – 100 points
Second: Razin Kane (Chris Lagana) – 50 points
Third: Incinerator (Ryan Rice) – 25 points

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