Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Picture This:
Here are a few photos from the early days of racing the ranch -- Thanks to Brian Woods and Brian Spoerl for sending these along.
The first group shots are from Brian Spoerl ... and are likely from the spring of 1982. One thing that's worth noting is that every gate is a full gate ... and every straight along the track is lined with racers, their families and friends two or three people deep. Reminds me of some sort of PGA Golf event.
The next set couple of shots are from Brian Woods and are from the very early days of BMX racing at the Ranch. Some of these date to 1979 or perhaps even earlier. Check out that ridiculous wooden table top which was the fist jump on the first straight.
The entire first straight was downhill and somewhere in the neighborhood of 400' long ... Riders were routinely hitting the first turn at 20+ mph and, with the pitiful caliper brakes that we ran back then ... your best bet for scrubbing off a bit of speed in the turns was to stick a foot out and "dirt track it" ... that is, slide the bike into a Toykyo Drift style slide.

In a day in age where every 9 novice has a full race uniform (including my own son)... it's quaint to look back and see that we used to *gasp* race in jeans and sweatshirts ... some of us with our socks pulled up to our knees (dude!). All the while ... launching ourselves off of telephone pole jumps. Okay, maybe the good old days weren't that good after all.


A rider getting launched out of the "pit" ... I'm pretty sure that they dug the pit and used the dirt for the rest of the jumps around the track. You betcha ... drainage was definitely an issue.


Classic "Berm Shot" -- this rider looks like he pretty seriously overcooked it and is in full slide and hanging on for dear life. Railing berms was virtually impossible ... but, you would probably have dominated if you had that skill mastered back then.
In addition to the photo links previously posted to images of last weekends event -- even more (and a few Tuesday night races) can be found at John Themmes website -- For the Moments Photography

Once again ... thanks to everyone who helped make this last weekend so special. The I Raced the Ranch event was really put together in a couple of weeks ... but, I think the idea had been rattling around somewhere deep inside my head for close to 20 years.
  • The Mittelstadts: (John, Michelle, Dana and Leah) for starting up and sticking with Milwaukee BMX
  • The Bratz family: (Terri and son Chris) for their almost constant effort at making things work this summer
  • the Kohls family: For helping out whenever they are around in just about any way that we may ask
  • Doug Tweedie: Yup, this slippery character gets the kids in the right gates, at the right time, and even gates up himself from time to time.
  • Randy Olson: Rollin' Randy is also the grille master -- he's got Fire Magic !!!
  • The Eckarts: Ray procurred sponsorship, and jumps in wherever his help is needed.
  • Pa Smith: Every race, every class -- Devonte and David's dad is on the gate -- "Rider's Ready"
  • Curt Brezinski: Always a crew in tow, and usually down in a corner helping out.
  • The Weimer Family: Every big race, Linda is in that sign-up booth ... cranking away on the most thankless job in BMX ... registration.
  • Hinzpeters: Keith will always jump in to lend a hand -- Jacob helps with new rider clinics and is absolutely a joy to watch go around the BMX track.
  • Steve Campanelli: John was really up to his armpits in regular track stuff in the run-up to this weekend and had a lot of questions. The best advice I think I gave, maybe this whole year, was to think of somebody like Steve, who might want to help out with the museum portion of things. What a job well done there!
  • Tina Gillis: For always having a camera crew in tow whenever she shows up. Sam's and Guy's photos are just the best.
  • The Raffelnator - Kevin: Every event we do a raffle, he's pretty much 100% of ticket sales.
  • Mark Kluth: Racer, fabricator, volunteer -- if you like our new gate ... you have Mark to thank.

Though I'm afraid I'm missing a few ... I hope that I've solidly identified most ... I'll add as other's come to mind ... it's important that we recognize how much effort goes in to something like last weekend.

Monday, August 24, 2009

MILWAUKEE BMX SWEATSHIRTS
we plan on ordering some sweatshirts soon
so if you want one either come to our race tomorrow and tell us
or contact john mittelstadt 414 429 3485
the sweatshirts will be black with the logo looking like our shirts
and the sweatshirts are pullovers not zip ups
SATURDAY'S RESULTS FROM THE 'I RACED THE RANCH REUNION OLD SCHOOL' RACE
26-30 cruiser
1. Dallas Weimer
2. Brian Roth
3. Travis Witt
41-45 cruiser
1. Richard Kast
2. Ed Morris
3. Brian Woods
4. Brian Schulz
5. William Wilson
6. Karl Ausdembruch
7. Paul Finn
8. Jim Morey
dnq. Kevin O'Donnell
41 & over girl Cruiser
1. Tina Gillis
2. Tamara Schulz
3. Terri Bratz
7 novice
1. Marrisa Shackleton
2. Screamin Ian Tweedie
3. Josiah Sims
4. The Mighty Kasie Brzezinski
5. Corey Williams
6. Nate Henry
dnq. Gabriel Ausdembruch
7 inter
1. Connor Nelson
2. Devonte Smith
3. Seth Shackleton
dnq. Damien Bennett
8 novice
1. John Spoerl
2. Brian Boyer
3. Lexie Kremer
8 inter
1. Nathan Davids
2. Superfly Ty Pijan
3. Mason Mcdaniel
dnq. Cayden Chiappetta
9 novice
1. Jonah Ausdembruch
2. Flamin Brandon Faltersack
3. Dillon Nelson
10 inter
1. Lerenz Jordan
2. David Smith
3. Maxwell Wilson
11 novice
1. Dominic Schumacher
2. Samantha Brzezinski
3. Brittany Brzezinski
11 expert
1. Nick Campanelli
2. Kasen Vanooyen
3. Dylan Schlafer
dnq. RJ Eckert
13 expert
1. Dylan Cates
2. Jaden Vanooyen
3. Anthony Brzezinski
dnq. Cecilia Ausdembruch
14 novice
1. Steven Themmes
2. Sam Laskowski
3. Nick Frey
16 inter
1. Kommanche Jordan
2. Jacob Hinzpeter
3. The Crankin Chris Wipijewski
28 & over inter
1. Jammin Dan Blink
2. Chris Mitchell
3. Jimmie Sims
4. Karl Ausdembruch
5. Dana The Devastator Mittelstadt
dnq. Rich Baker
28 & over expert
1. Chris The Buzz Saw Bratz
2. Cory Frick
3. Chris Gray

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Milwaukee BMX Ranch Reunion was a success!

Thanks to all those who worked so hard to make the track, vintage show and the event run so smooth!

Pictures can be seen at:
http://s637.photobucket.com/albums/uu91/samtina/RanchReunionMilwBMX09/
The Password is: racing009

And :
http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c181/dctrdoom/Ranch%20Re%20Union%20Race%202009/

password: tinagillis


Thank you!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

TONIGHT'S GATE PRACTICE CANCELED
due to the rain that we have received last night and today
but tomorrow there will be some track workers out at the track to get it ready for our big double point race on saturday
if you have any questions you can call john mittelstadt
414 429 3485

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

AUGUST 18TH RACE RESULTS
41-45 cruiser
1. Brian Woods
2. Matther Byrge
3. William Wilson
dnq. Doug The Lube Master Tweedie
6 novice
1. Brayden Mueller
2. The Mighty Kasie Brzezinski
3. Max Siudak
6 inter
1. Connor Nelson
2. Max Schmitt
3. Seth Shackleton
7 novice
1. Adam Rickert
2. Screamin Ian Tweedie
3. Josiah Sims
4. Corey Williams
dnq. Tyler Nash
8 novice
1. John Spoerl
2. Brian Boyer
3. Lexie Kremer
dnq. Charlie Devogel
9 inter
1. Maxwell Wilson
2. Devonte Smith
3. Jared Nyland
4. Evan Rickert
dnq. Cayden Chiappetta
11 novice
1. Samantha Brzezinski
2. Bennett Hoeft
3. Flamin Brandon Faltersack
14 novice
1. Steven Themmes
2. Sam Laskowski
3. Nick Frey
16 inter
1. Leif Byrge-liebig
2. RJ Eckert
3. David Smith
dnq. The Crankin Chris Wipijewski
28 & over expert
1. Chris The Buzz saw Bratz
2. The Big Block Jimmie Sims
3. Jammin Dan Blink
dnq. Dana The Devastator Mittelstadt

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

THEY DID IT !!!
Doug Tweedie, Chris Bratz, Dana Mittelstadt and Dan Blink have pulled it off ... track is raceable and ready for tonight. Racing is a GO
TONIGHT'S RACE IS STILL ON
there will be a few track workers there early to work on the track
we put some extra dirt on the third straight and the starting hill
so we will be out there early raking and rolling the track so we can race tonight

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

AND MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT OUR I RACED THE RANCH OLD SCHOOL REUNION DOUBLE POINT RACE HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED
WE HAVE ADDED A BUNNY HOP CONTEST (must be ABA member to enter)
WE HAVE ALSO ADDED A OLD SCHOOL BIKE SHOW
WITH TROPHIES FOR DIFFERENT CATEGORIES
like
best old school bike unrefurbished
best old school bike refurbished
and best old school freestyle bike
AND WE HAVE ANNOUNCED BEFORE THAT WE ARE HAVING A MONEY OPEN
16 AND OVER OPEN WHEEL RACE
10 DOLLARS PER RIDER AND MUST BE ENTERED IN CLASS OR CRUISER
YOU CAN EITHER ENTER THE RACE WITH YOUR 20 OR CRUISER
AUGUST 11TH RESULTS
36-40 cruiser
1. Chris Meyer
2. Brian Woods
3. William Wilson
4. Paul Finn
dnq. Chad Salter
7 novice
1. Screamin Ian Tweedie
2. Marrisa Shackleton
3. Josiah Sims
4. The Might Kasie Brzezinski
5. Joshua Powers
dnq Max Siudak
7 inter
1. Devonte Smith
2. Max Schmitt
3. Seth Shackleton
8 novice
1. John Spoerl
2. Brian Boyer
3. Charlie Devogel
9 inter
1. Grant The Jet Rice
2. Steven Meyer
3. Maxwell Wilson
dnq Cayden Chiappetta
10 novice
1. Chase Salter
2. Brandon Faltersack
3. Sam Schultz
10 expert
1. Reece Rankins
2. Rj Eckert
3. David Smith
14 novice
1. Steven Themmes
2. Smokin Samantha Brzezinski
3. Hoeft Bennet
16 inter
1. Jacob Hinzpeter
2. Eric Hahn
3. Christopher Wipijewski
28 & over inter
1. The Big Block Jimmie Sims
2. Chris The Buzz saw Bratz
3. Jammin Dan Blink
dnq Dana The Devostater Mittelstadt

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

AND ANOTHER ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN MADE
FOR OUR EARNED DOUBLE POINT I RACED THE RANCH RACE
WE HAVE DECIDED TO HAVE A OPEN WHEEL MONEY OPEN
IT WILL BE AGES FROM 16 AND UP, CRUISER OR 20
IT WILL BE TEN DOLLARS PER ENTRY
WE HOPE TO SEE A BIG CLASS FOR THAT
AND YOU MUST RACE CLASS OR CRUISER TO BE ENTERED IN THE MONEY OPEN
THERE WAS SOME GOOD RACING LAST NIGHT
AND WE ARE REALLY HAPPY WITH ALL THE SPECTATORS THAT SHOWED UP
WE THOUGHT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A TON OF MOTO'S BUT IT WAS MOSTLY PARENTS AND FAMILY
WELL HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET MORE RACERS OUT OF THOSE FAMILIES
HERE ARE THE RESULTS
9-10 open
1. RJ Eckert
2. Grant The Jet Rice
3. Chase Salter
17 & over open
1. Chris The Buzzsaw Bratz
2. Jammin Dan Blink
3. The Big Block Jimmie Sims
36-40 cruiser
1. Chris Meyer
2. Matthew Byrge
3. Karl Ausdembruch
dnq. Christopher Brock
41-45 cruiser
1. Hector Mendez
2. Brian Woods
3. Doug The Lube Master Tweedie
6 novice
1. The Might Kasie
2. Max Siudak
3. Gage Lange
7 novice
1. Screamin Ian Tweedie
2. Corey Williams
3. Josiah Sims
8 novice
1. John Spoerl
2. Brian Boyer
3. Samuel Lyon
dnq. Charlie Devogel
8 inter
1. Max Schmitt
2. Cayden Chiappetta
3. Rachel Rankins
9 expert
1. RJ Eckert
2. Grant The Jet Rice
3. Steven Meyer
10 novice
1. Chase Salter
2. Brittany Brzezinski
3. Sam Schultz
13 novice
1. Sam Spoerl
2. Steven Themmes
3. Samantha Brzezinski
14 expert
1. Jacob HInzpeter
2. Reece Rankins
3. Anthony Brzezinski
28 & over inter
1. Chris The Buzzsaw Bratz
2. The Big Block Jimmie Sims
3. Jammin Dan Blink
dnq. Karl Ausdembruch

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

TONIGHT'S RACE IS GOING TO BE FOR DOG TAGS AGAIN
HOPE TO SEE ALL OF YOU THERE