JASON THOMAS BEGINS 2014 RACE SEASON WITH A TRIUMPHANT VICTORY

Maxxis/KLiM/DirtWise KTM team racer Jason Thomas rode to a magnificent Overall victory at the highly regarded Tri-sanction Shootout (Setra, SeraMid South series), held in perfect conditions at Maplesville, AL on Sunday, January 12.

Jason Thomas was very pleased with this opening race result of 2014 and went on to say, “I had such a fun time out there today and was stoked to finally get the season started. I got an average start but then worked my way into the lead with ease, and was just riding at a pretty steady pace with former Pro motocross racer turned Offroad Pro Ryan Sipes. I stopped a lap earlier for fuel which gave Sipes at least a 30 gap so I decided it was time to open up the big bad 4-fiddy and let it fly. I caught him about half way around the next lap and made the pass later that lap, then on the last lap I kept it pinned and finished up with a two minute margin of victory. Not bad for a guy who was flying solo and conducted a DirtWise school the day before in Florida, and then slept in his small van the night before this race with his dog in his sleeping bag for warmth to fend of the cold night air while the rest of the pits consisted of big dollar motorhomes.”

“I was so stoked with not only how awesome the bike was in its performance but I was also very pleased with the way I rode it. I’ve been building my strength and endurance during the winter getting ready to hit it hard in this year’s XC1 class in GNCC. I’m building up to be a bonafide contender at the GNCCs so today’s result reinforces that I’m definitely on track to make that happen. I was ready at the end to go for another 3 hours, and these next two months will allow me to fine tune my speed. I’m excited to build upon this with another strong result at the next regional race I’ll do (Rd. 1 Louisiana Cross Country series – Feb 3) after doing a few DirtWise schools in Louisiana and Houston in the next few weeks, and then I’ll go for the victory at the GNCCs when they start in early March. I’m excited!!!”

1st – Jason Thomas
2nd – Ryan Sipes
3rd – Shane Obanion
4th – Dustin Gibson
5th – Cliff Ousley

Jason Thomas is supported by DirtWise Riding schools and Instructional DVDs, Maxxis tires, KLiM Technical Riding gear, FunMart Cycles, Bell Helmets, Stuk Graphics, DirtTricks sprockets and brake rotors, Flexx Handlebars, G2 handguards and throttle tubes, Leatt protection, IMS fuel tanks and footpegs, FMF exhausts, TCX boots, SRT chains and radiator guards, Asterisk knee braces, DP brake pads and clutch plates, DT1 airfilters, Smith goggles, TM Designworks chain guides, P3 pipe guards and skid plates, and KTMTalk.com