DHaggs Sr & Jr Make Local Newspaper!

RIDING IN THE DIRT
Taken From: The Reporter
Monday, October 6, 2008 3:00 AM EDT
By: Evelyn Short
SKIPPACK - More than 80 dirt bike riders spent an hour and a half driving on a snaked course through wooded areas, over telephone pole obstacles and zig zagging up a hill as they raced laps in one event of the Hare Scramble Sunday afternoon."This is our fourth year doing the Hare Scramble here," said Joe Zummo, chairman of the board of the Blue Comet Motorcycle Club. "This track is 3 to 4 miles long and goes in and out of the woods many times."
The club, which is based on Mensch Road in Skippack, is a member of the American Motorcycle Association. "We own 20 acres up here," Zummo said. "Our organization is a family oriented organization. It's basically to understand the sport of the event. "Numerous events were held throughout the day geared toward different age groups, from children through senior adults. "We had kids as young as 3 years old racing their minis," Zummo said. "The kids event was about a half hour event and it was on an abbreviated track. "Different classes, or skill levels, raced together at the same time with the highest class starting first. Dennis Haggerty Sr. of Horsham raced in the Senior B class along with his son Dennis Jr. of Horsham, who was in the 250A class. "He takes off before me so the whole race I know he's coming; he sets his sights on passing me," Haggerty Sr. said. "I'm not tired. I could go another 20 laps out there. "The father and son team have been racing Hare Scrambles at different venues for about six years. "He does some Nationals that I don't do because they're about three hours long," Haggerty Sr. said. They drove overnight from Ohio to participate in Sunday's Hare Scramble because Haggerty Jr. had raced in a Enduro Cross event on Saturday. "I thought this track was awesome," Haggerty Jr. said. "It's tight so it's challenging. That's why we come back because every year we have an awesome time."

ECEA DER Harescramble Race INFO!

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AGP Eagleswood October 19th Race Recap!!!

Round #7 of the Atlantic Grand Prix Series (AGP) was held this past Sunday in Eagleswood, New Jersey at the Sahara Sands Plant. With the season slowly coming to an end and the weather starting to put a chill in the air, you could still sense the excitement in the riders who were all lined up waiting for the flag to drop. Needless to say that this piece of property is one of the best that I have ever raced on, and if the series promoter got their act together and were able to put on a top notch event then I would have no problem saying that it is one of the best places to race in the north east. The AGP is known for its wide trails and fast hour and a half race pace. This location is that same spot where a national harescramble was held just years prior so you know that there has to be some prime riding terrain for racers with top notch abilities. I’m glad that they went back to the old track loop which was about 10 miles of grass track, motocross track, tight woods, sand, pebble hills, and nice open fast trail through the woods. Although this set-up can sound fun it was just a little too fast out there. I saw riders crashing a lot and I know that there were some serious injuries that took place. I think that the tracks can be fast and open in safe spots but when you get going that fast in the woods all’s it takes is one little mistake and you’ve got yourself a lot of hurt. The track is really the only reason why we keep going back there, it’s just that awesome. The promoters year after year can’t seem to figure out how to put on a quality event. I spent more time sitting around due to time differences than I did actually riding. Nevertheless, it was a great day of racing.
The big bummer on the day was that DHaggs Sr. had to miss out on the trip due to some bogus meeting that was mandatory for him to attend. So with an extra spot in the Factory Van none other than Noah D. from D’Antonio Racing threw his KTM in the back and we made the trip over to Jersey.
The weather was supposed to warm up by mid-day but it never seemed too, so sitting on the line was a bit on the chilly side. Like every year we sit there longer than we should have too and then finally the pro line took off. I was the line behind them and then Noah D. was 2 lines behind me. I got a great jump but then got pushed wide and then pinched before the next turn. The dust was a big factor right off the start since we were in an open field. It wasn’t 5 turns into the race and my front end washed out - I haven’t rode in the sand since spring to I was riding the front end a little heavy. I gave a good ground shot to my hip and elbow, it looked like sand but it was hard as concrete. Fired up about my early mishap I got back on the bike and started my long charge from dead last. The first lap I was working on staying off the front end and keeping it light, I learned the lay out of the track and kept trying to pick some people off. By the second lap I had things figured out and was starting to pick up the pace. Since it was nice and cool outside and we were only shooting for and hour and a half race; I felt really comfortable about pushing it a little harder than I usually do. The first couple of laps when I came around the scanner they had it so close that I couldn’t even see it, regardless of what it said I made sure to keep pushing and try to pick up some spots. The track was getting really worn in and I was actually settling in to a good flow, I mean a really good flow. I made very little mistakes and I was actually surprising myself with how hard I have been charging and for how long. What surprised me even more was that I haven’t been on my normal workout schedule because I have been working night and day on the new house getting it suitable to move in. I felt like I was just riding yesterday, I didn’t feel out of place at all on the bike, in-fact I feel so comfortable it’s crazy. Like everything that Rich taught me in the beginning of the season that I have been working on all year is just coming natural. It’s an awesome confidence builder and I really felt like I was riding at the level I want to be at. I finally came through the scanner on the second to last lap and saw that I was 4th! I was super pumped because I could taste third place so I twisted the throttle even more on the next lap, which worked out because when I hit the scanner for the white flag lap I made the pass and was in third and no way was I giving that spot up! One lap to go, 2 places to gain and not one to loose, I made sure that whoever came up behind me was not going to get by without a fight. Again I stayed on the charge and pushed through the 10 mile loop and when I came around the corner and spotted the checkered I was scanned and I held onto 3rd Place! Just 2 weeks ago I earned my first money winning for racing a dirt bike and in my very next race I seemed to pull it off again. Lucky for me this AGP race was one of the biggest payouts for Pro and expert classes of the year for local series. Regardless it’s not about the money, I ran another good race and I am really happy with my efforts and results.
Noah D. also put in a good ride and had some good results. He ended up getting 6th Place in the 250 Open-B class. This was his first trip to this track and he was happy that he made the trip. I was kind happy too because it would have been a long lonely ride for me and my bike. Our Pro buddy Wally Palmer who we just saw out in Ohio for Endurocross was there. It’s safe to say that he is pretty fast and I’m happy to say that this is the first race that he didn’t lap me at. He took home first place overall which got him $500 bucks for his hour and a half of work.
Net race is this weekend in Delaware for the second to last round of the East Coast Series. I am pumped to ride this track because they are saying that it’s about 12 and a half mile loop which I like, that means less laps, and that’s how it should be!
I would like to Thank my Sponsors: DHAGGS Harescramble Racing, MSR Racing, Scott Powersports, Kenda USA, DP Brakes, Scott USA, TAG Metals, Decal Works, Twin Air, IMS, Devol Eng., FMF, TM Designworks, Cycra Racing

AGP Round #7 Pics!

# 925 In the Grass Track
Action Figure Style...

Jersey = Sand

Naoh D. in the Dust Berm

Our Pro Buddy Wally Palmer - Yeah He's Fast

Photos By: Event Photo Now

AGP Round #7 Race INFO!

WHAT: 6th Annual Sahara Sand Grand Prix Hare Scramble

WHEN: Sunday October 19 2008 - Race Starts at 11:45am

WHERE: Sahara Sand Eagleswood, New Jersey
DETAILS: This is round 7 of the Atlantic Grand Prix series. The location of the event is at Sahara Sand & Gravel in Eagleswood Township, NJ. The course is in a gravel pit and also on wide wooded trails. The gravel pit is made up of natural style Motocross course. 100 % of the gate fee benefits the Eagleswood Fire Company and the community .
Food and prizes will be available on Sunday.
The location of this event is at the Sahara Sand Sand and Gravel pit just off of Rt. 9 in Eagleswood Township New
Food and prizes will be available on Sunday.Cash to top finishers in Pro and A classes. Trophies/plaques will be awarded to all B, C, Woman, Vet, Senior, Industry and Youth classes.

Entry Fees: Adult Riders $40.00, Youth Riders $30.00, PeeWee Riders $25.00,Pro $60.00 with 100%+ going to the Cash Purse! Atlantic Grand Prix Barcode Fee: $10.00 per participant and is good for one year usage.

Gate Fee: $10.00 per person, for the weekend and Children 7 and under are FREE! Note: 100% of the gate fee goes to a not-for-profit charity that puts their lives at risk everyday fighting and protecting families from fires. Just remember to say thank you to the Eagleswood Fire Company at the gate!Overnight Camping: $5.00 per vehicle.

Address: Sahara Sand of Eagleswood 942 Main Street (Route 9)Eagleswood, New Jersey 08092

Skippack PICS!

ENDUROCROSS/SKIPPACK RACE WEEKEND RECAP!

WOW! This weekend was one of the most memorable of my life and I don’t even know where to start. I know that it would be impossible to share every little detail with you but I’ll try my best to help you understand what it is we went through this weekend. Yes I said “we” because this weekend wasn’t just all about me, 6 of us made the trip to Ohio and Skippack. Besides myself, DHaggs Sr. went to tackle any mechanical issues on Saturday and raced Sunday, Bub Haggs handled all video taping assignments on Saturday, Aaron “Pitman” Mohar took care of the pictures on Saturday and Pitman responsibilities on Sunday, Mike Werner showed us around a school that we are starting to doubt he even went to, and Noah D’Antonio switched between the Christini team and DHaggs racing team on Saturday and also raced on Sunday. It truly was a team effort and I want to thank everyone who decided to go on this trip and make it one of the best weekends in my riding career.
FRIDAY
We left Friday morning for Ohio State and after about 8 hours we arrived pretty much on time. We checked into our hotel and then took the van over to the parking area at the arena so we would get a good spot. We were settling in and getting set up when Noah received a call from his brother who is the Mechanic for the Christini team. Christini is a company that makes 2 wheel drive dirt bikes and they are based out of Philadelphia. Their bikes are all the rave in the off road world right now and they had two pro riders who were riding their bikes this weekend at the Endurocross race. NJ based pro, Wally Palmer is one rider who was in route to Ohio with Noah’s brother and the other is 10 time National Trials Champion Geoff Aaron. We passed Noah’s brother and Wally somewhere in PA by Pittsburg and because they had a trailer we just passed and left them behind. So back to the call, Noah’s brother said that they just witnessed a huge accident and they we stuck on the highway and we were going to have to pick up Geoff Aaron from the airport. It’s not every day that you get to pick up one of the most famous off road riders in the sport. The airport was only about 20 minutes away so we left Bub and Mohar at our spot and took off to pick up Geoff Aaron. He is one of the coolest and laid back guys you will meet. I asked him for some pointers for a first time Endurocross rider and I made sure not to forget what he said. We got back to the arena and he hung out with all of us for a bit. Then we went back to the hotel and put his stuff in out room and went out to get something to eat. After 2 hours of being stuck on the highway the rest of the Christini team joined us for dinner. It was a once in a lifetime experience to have dinner with Geoff and Wally, they are two really cool guys.
After dinner Noah and I headed back to the room, while DHaggs Sr. slept in the van to keep an eye on the equipment, and the rest of the team went off the see what Ohio St. was like.
SATURDAY
Despite what time everyone went to bed we all got up the same time in the morning, showered, got something to eat, check out and walked across the street to the arena.
Finally at 9:00 the building opened and we were able to walk the track. The track was amazing, technical, almost unridable, crazy, and unforgiving. I really didn’t know how I was going to ride a bike over and through that stuff. It looks hard on TV and the obstacles were twice as big as they look on TV. After the track walk there was a riders meeting and then at 10:10 was my first practice. HOLY CRAP! It was so hard, there was log after log after log and then the rock sections were impossible and it was all so quick with no where to take a breath or rest. I couldn’t believe how tight the track was. Before you were even settle from hitting one obstacle there was another one right in front of your tire that you had to get ready for. Practice took only 5 minutes so there wasn’t much time to figure out what was going on. At 11:10 were my hot laps, which meant that they were going to take my fastest lap and whoever had the fastest lap got first gate pick for the qualifier race. That was also for 5 minutes and I only decided to do 2 laps to save energy. The first one was my best and then on the second I got hung up on the rock pile so I knew that wasn’t going to be such a good time. After the hot laps was going to be the qualifier race at 12:10 to see if I would make it into the main event which was at night in front of the packed arena before the pros had their races. The top three went right to the main event. I got a great start but again I got hung up on the monster mountain and ended up getting 9th place, which sent me to the last chance qualifier race. For the LCQ I got a great gate pick and again got an awesome start. I was feeling the best I felt all day, I was finally settling in and had a better idea of how to attack the obstacles. I needed to make the top 3 again to be qualified for the “big show.” After a couple of laps I was running in forth and I was a little behind the top 3 on the track. Luckily, the top 3 guys all got stuck on top of the Monster Mountain boulder section. The top two were on their way off of it and I approached the mountain, made it up on the boulders, made the turn in the boulders and was just about to hit the final log and my front wheel went down in between two boulders and I was stuck. I had third position and while I was stuck the other rider got his bike out before mine and I went back to fourth place. There were only a couple turns left and I missed the night show main event by: 8 seconds. Bummer! I had an awesome time and I can honestly say that this was one of the hardest things that I have ever done in my life. I was really happy that both my bike and I were in one piece. Now that I was done racing there was some down time before the night race so I was finally able to go up in the stands and watch some of the pro guys practice. It made me feel good that I wasn’t the only one having my troubles out there; the pro’s looked just as inexperience as I did. The course was just so tough and even though I wasn’t watching it on the TV and even though I was there in the stands watching, it doesn’t even come close to actually racing that track. I thought that it looked a lot easier from the stands but when you are down there on the floor and hitting those obstacles and trying to control and muscle that bike through that stuff while doing it with other racers on the track is something that you can not experience unless you actually do it.
The night race was awesome and the building filled up fast with spectators. They had opening ceremonies and then the support classes rode their main events (the race I should have been in) and then the pros did their qualifying for the main even. The main event was so exciting; Taddy fell on the first turn and worked his way back up to the front of the pack. There were 2 laps to go and Geoff Aaron was giving him a run for his money trying to put the pressure on him. Taddy passed Geoff and Geoff didn’t just let him go; he pushed his way to the end but just couldn’t figure out how to pass Taddy back. Geoff took second place and Dietrick took third for the pros.
Right after the main event was over we hoped in the van and drove back to PA to try and get back for the Skippack Harescramble. We left Ohio St. at about midnight and we ended up getting home at about 7ish which was good because it was smooth sailing all night.
SUNDAY
We stopped for some breakfast, stopped at the shop to pick up DHaggs Sr. bike, did some fine tuning on my bike and then headed to Skippack which was only about 20 minutes away. When we arrived at Skippack we learned that they had lost half of their land that they used to hold their race on. At first sight it didn’t seem to be like much of a harescramble with two woods sections and a little field section. Whatever the case we were there and it was our home track and people showed up to support us and we were going to make a good time of it. I was sad to hear that this was going to be their last harescramble but I was happy to hear that they are going to make a permanent Endurocross track and they were going to try and have 3 races there next year.
DHaggs Sr. and I got suited up and Noah’s Dad met him at the race with his bike so he was racing too. I convinced him to ride in the A class for fun so that way both he and his brother Luke and myself would be racing again like old times. We were all on the front line and the horn blew and we were off. I got a great start and was just behind Sipe who took the holeshot. The track was extremely tight, mainly single trail. From the start we went into the woods then we went into a field and then back into the woods before making a lap. The field section was pretty cool because they incorporated some Endurocross obstacles and even some motocross jumps. I don’t know how I was feeling so well because I ended up driving home from Ohio through the night and I had been up for about 30 hours. I felt great on the bike and I was really giving a good push for the whole race. The track had a certain flow to it and I don’t know how to explain it but I was just on for some reason. I really liked the track and I think that they did an outstanding job for the amount of land they had. They said that it was going to be an hour and a half race so I decided to pick up the pace a bit since it was going to be a bit shorter. I maintained that pace for the whole race until the second to last lap where I started to feel a little worn out but I picked up some speed and realized that I just took a breather for a couple of minutes. Finally they showed the white flag and it was the last lap. I saw DHaggs Sr. on the last lap back in the woods. He let me go by but he took the smooth line and left me to turn on the rooty section. I made the pass and took off. Then I heard a 4 stroke behind me and all I could think about was the 8 seconds from Saturdays LCQ. There was no way that I was giving up this spot on the last lap, so I continued to push as hard as I could and kept the rider behind. I managed to stay in front of him for the whole last lap and when I came through the scoring barrels I took 4th Place for the day. This was my best finish for the year and I really don’t know what got into me or how I ran the best race of the year after riding Endurocrss the day before and being up for 30 some hours but it happened and it felt good. This is the first time in a long time that I made no mistakes at all. I had a little bobble here or there but I made no big mistakes and I pushed for the whole race. It feels really good and it’s a nice finish to such a great weekend. DHaggs Sr. put in a good race as well pulling out a 6th Place for the day. He too liked the track and enjoyed racing in front of our home town fans. Not only did we have a good race both DHaggs Sr. and I were interviewed by a local news paper reporter which was pretty cool. To top off this amazing weekend we both got awards at the trophy ceremony. DHaggs Sr. got his trophy and for the first time in my racing career I got paid! Now what’s better than getting paid for having fun and racing one of the best races of your career after driving all night from racing Endurocross the day before and enjoying it with some of your best friends. If it were a commercial – PRICELESS!
I would like to Thank my Sponsors: DHAGGS Harescramble Racing, MSR Racing, Scott Powersports, Kenda USA, DP Brakes, Scott USA, TAG Metals, Decal Works, Twin Air, IMS, Devol Eng., FMF, TM Designworks, Cycra Racing

OHIO STATE University Hosts ENDUROCROSS!

This is How We Roll...
...This is How the KTM Factory Team Rolls!
After we Picked Up Geoff Aaron from the Airport we meet Up with the rest of the Christini Crew and had Dinner with Them!

Some of Us had to Get a Good Night Sleep - Some of Us Didn't

View of Campus from Out Our Window

Checked Out and Walked Across the Street to the Arena Abby Road Style

Pictures By: DHaggs Jr.

ENDUROCROSS TRACK!

Value City Arena at Ohio State University - Home of ENDUROCROSS!
Riders Entrance

The Track!

Motocross Style Starting Gate

Flat Rock Section

Wall of Tires

Water Hole "With 2 Log Crossings in It" -For the Night Race they Put In a Foot of Water

Monster Mountain! This is where all the Action was all Day and Night!

Now that's High Def!

Pictures By: DHaggs Jr.

ENDUROCROSS DAY RACE PICS! (Part 1)

Staging for First Practice
My First Attempt to Get Through the Mountain of Boulders
Qualifier Race Open 2 Stroke
(925 In the Middle)

Flat Rock Section was Tough because the Rocks were so Loose

Over the Tires

Flat Rock Section

Up and Around Monster Mountain

LCQ Start "3rd Bike In from Right"

Racing in the Sand Section

Into the Water Pit

Out of the Water Pit

Sometimes You Just Had to Take Your Feet Off the Pegs

Finish Line Jump

Pictures By: Aaron "Pitman" Mohar

ENDUROCROSS DAY RACE PICS! (Part 2)

Calm Before the Storm
Unleash the Hounds!
First Turn into a Log Section!
Monster Mountain? More like Boulder Beatdown! The Logs were HUGE!
The Tires were Tricky
Outta the Rock Garden

Finding a "Line" Through the Boulders on the Mountain

Sand Turn

Over the Log and Out of the Water Section

Finish Line

Pictures By: Noah D'Antonio

ENDUROCROSS NIGHT PRO RACE and SKIPPACK PICS!

Rodney Interviewing Geoff Aaron Before the Start of Openning Ceremonies
Noah Wrenching for Wally Palmer
Gate Drop Aftermath
Even Pros Have a Hard Time with Rocks
Local PA Pro Eric Rodgers
Local PA Pro Ryan Rodgers
Local NJ Pro Wally "Showtime" Palmer

Taddy WINS!

....and He's Got Some Serieous Skills!

On the Way Home from Ohio and Heading to Skippack Someone Tried to get a Free Ride - Poor Little Bird

AHH - We Made It! 8 Hours Later we Arrived Bright and Early in Skippack for the Harescramble

DHaggs Sr. Dissappearing into the Woods DHaggs Jr. setting up for the Turn
DHaggs Jr - Noah D. - Luke D. Just like Old Times!
DHaggs Jr. - Take Off!
DHaggs Sr. -Smooth

Pictures By: Aaron "Pitman" Mohar - DHaggs Jr. -Mr. D'Antonio