Dixie Cup Thank You and Highlights From HammerHead

[Marion Karr DHB]

2006 Downhillbillies Dixie Cup



Well, it has been a week now since the end of the Dixie Cup and I think I finally have got what's left of my brain back on track. I have stayed away from the computer and all things skateboarding in order to recover from the lack of sleep (from the Thursday before the Dixie Cup until Sunday night when it was all over I had a total of 5 hours), get refocused on "my real job", and reconnect with my family who are amazingly supportive of my Obsessions but were ready for the aliens to bring me back. (Thank you family for putting up with me).



All week I have thought about what I would write about this year's event. Thousands of images, thoughts, and emotions, have flooded through my brain as I have tried to decompress this week. Last year, I felt as though there was no way to top the first ever Downhillbillies Dixie Cup. So much energy and effort went into it from the DHB crew and everything went so well that I secretly feared that this year would pale in comparison.

Was I ever wrong? This year's weekend was in a word, EPIC. Again, the DHB Core Brothers, our ever faithful Charter Members, our friends, families, the city of Statesville, and the skating community came together to again deliver from all accounts was an awesome experience for everyone in attendance. Seeing the smiles on the competitors' faces, watching the spectators watch in amazement, and experiencing the team work, love, and energy of the DHB family, made all of the countless hours of planning and preparation worth every minute.



Because we had raised the bar high last year with our first big race, the pressure was on, though self-inflicted, to some how take it to another level. I hope that we have done just that with this year's offering. Soon we will be turning our thoughts to 2007 and what lies ahead for the DHB but for now its time to reflect on this year's Dixie Cup.



As I do with all of my events I try to put my thoughts down in some random order in the form of Highlights, and Thank You's. Below you will find just such random thoughts.



THANK YOU'S:



THE DHB CORE LEADERSHIP: When we talk about the CORE we are not talking about "hardcore" even though these guys are just that. The CORE to us means the center, the nucleus, the energy behind the DHB Movement. I am blessed to call these men my brothers: SST, Evan "the Saint", Dholt (Awards Director), Punk Rock Brent (Promotions Director), Big E, Jaybird, Mark Nix (Ramp Man), and Rookie aka Juggy!



The DHB CHARTER MEMBERS: There are many who first found us in the early stages of the DHB that have remained a loyal hard working and supportive bunch: Tucker, Mr. Surly, Gary Saenz (and wife Berkley. our registration duo), Lenny Poage, Ron O, Marty Schaub, Utah Trish, and many more! (Special thanks to Tucker for the use of all of his equipment and vehicle all weekend).



DHB MEMBERS: Will and Jeff Arnette, and Artist Todd- three great guys who jump right in and do everything that's asked!



DHB SUPPORT TEAM: Rosalyn (Miss Promotions and Party Planner), Heidi, Dawn, Lindsay, Dholt's wife Kerri, my wife Donna, Norma (my sister-in-law who ran our sales tent the day of the race), Maria Haughton for her work on local sponsorship, and all of the countless cone heads, set up/tear down people, etc.



CITY OF STATESVILLE: Marin Tomlin of the Downtown Statesville Development Corporation and James Meacham of the Statesville Convention and Visitors Bureau. Without their help the Pumpkin Fest, the hotel rates, the party location, and the support of the city government would not be available to us.





FREAK BROTHERS: Cfav and Cnova who once again managed our Friday event allowing us to get ready for Saturday and Sunday! Thank you so much!



DAN GESMER: Thanks Dan for coming and running our race timing operation. We appreciate how well everything went with you at the helm of such a crucial part of our event.

MC KENNY MOLLICA: Thanks so much for coming down, hanging out and keeping the crowd stoked.

JOHN GILMOUR: Dude, your input and help means a great deal to me! Thank you!

MIKE MCLAREN: Mike called me months ago offering his services to the DHB for the Dixie Cup and am I glad I took him up on it. Mike thanks for marshalling the troops through all of the runs, heats, and brackets all three days.



ALL THE SPONSORS: To all of you who had faith in us and felt us worthy of your support I can not thank you enough. (Watch for updates on the www.downhillbillies.org and www.dixiecup.org website for a complete listing of all of our sponsors).





WOODY'S HALFPIPE: Special thanks goes out to John Karg of Woody's Halfpipe Board Shop for bringing up his mobile shop for race day on Saturday.





MICHAEL BROOKES FROM CONCRETE WAVE: Michael let me twist his arm into to coming and I think he got his money's worth! The dude was totally into the whole thing and was incredibly filled with the Stoke! Michael thank you for coming and for all of your help!



ALL THE PARTICIPANTS: No matter how much we prepare and plan, without you the racers this event would just be, in the words of Punk Rock Brent, "Just 8 guys standing around a guy in a Jug suit, and in the South, who knows what would happen."

Without your awesome participation there would not be a Dixie Cup. The slalom community Rocks!!!!



HIGHLIGHTS:

"JUGGY THE HUMAN MOONSHINE JUG": Seeing (Rookie) Juggy coming up the hill in the back of Dholt's pick up truck with the Juggettes tossing Mini Moonpies to the crowd was priceless!



WOMENS FIELD: With a legend like Judi Oyama here, along with our DHB Sister Utah Trish (Thank you for the Polygamy Porter shirt!), Stephanie St. Clair, Mississippi Laura, the lovely young lady Tess, the stylish Terra Massia, and Georgia Ann, we had an awesome group.



THE BROTHER OF THE CORE AWARD: Given to Chris Barker (Cbark) in appreciation of the friendship, support, and knowledge, he so willingly shares with the Core DHB. Cbark you are our Brother for Life!



RACER'S INTERFACE TIMING TABLE: This was an idea that has been floated at many races and attempted in various forms with duplicate monitors but I think our new twist, once we got a bug or two worked out, worked excellent. Instead of having a direct connection to the Official Timer's computer, our local computer shop owner Jason of The Computer Shop, inc., set up a wireless network and a shared file folder at the race site.

Racers could view a copy of Dan's spread sheet on a 42" monitor 30 feet from the timing tent. The Timing Liaison manning this table could scroll around freely on the spread sheet unimpeded by what Dan was doing currently on the official computer. This made our qualifying and bracket racing go much more smoothly, kept racers informed of where they were in the standings, and kept the Official timing tent on track and uninterrupted for the most part. (Jason has documented the process so if you are interested drop me an email and I will forward it to you).





OUR PRE-MEAL SONG AT THE PARTY: I saw many a people in the crowd at the party on Saturday night with tears in their eyes as Heidi, Heather, and Lindsay, sang "When I Went Down To The River To Pray" before our meal. (Texas Eddie providing an awesome baritone accompaniment).



JOE I As RACER JUGGY: Racing Joe in the Juggy Costume down Court Street was absolutely hilarious.



CBARK: Overall champion for the weekend! The Dude simply brought it all weekend with two 1st places and a 2nd!



RICHIE: Hobby Park is still reeling from his attack. No one could touch him!



JASON AND TERRI: Not only is he the World Champ but just a champion of a man too, and Terri, well, she is simply awesome.



THE YOUNG GUNS: Joe Mclaren (Open Overall Champion), Kyle Mclaren, Adam Schwippert, Ethan White, Nate Roe, Tess Herman, and all of the local skaters that came out were simply amazing….the best quote of the weekend coming from Cfav after watching Joe blaze down Hobby Park on Sunday, "Marion, just two words for a suggestion for next year, "Masters Division".



EVAN'S PRO DEBUT: Evan St. Clair, one of the Core DHB's has in a year become a force to be reckoned with in the slalom world and I am proud to see his progress. Watch out for other DHB crew members to be blowing some minds in 2007…Dholt and SST are going to be bringing it as well along with the rest of our bunch!



All THE CREWS REPRESENTED: COSS NJ, Canada, Roadkill, Kill City, Freak Brothers, Axe Army, GASS, Gang of Germany, Roe, Subsonic, and many more.

We had riders/attendees from I think 20 states and 4 countries and we sold 80 of 88 rooms at the Best Western!



HANGING WITH THE GERMANS: Heiko and Dominik, you guys rock! Glad you made it across the pond. Next time tell Donald that US Customs require "Made in Germany" labels!



In closing, I must say I am sure I am missing thanking someone or missing a particular highlight. Just know that I appreciate everyone that attended, participated, worked, and supported this year's Dixie Cup. For now its time to chill out a bit and relax and get back to normal whatever that is but I am looking forward to 2007 and what lies ahead for the DHB!

[Gary in VA]

My wife and I had a fantastic time working the race again this year. We're both proud to be part of this great race and plan on working it until I can no walk out onto a course and replace a cone as a conehead.

[Eddy Martinez]

Hammer Head your event was awesome. I was not in the best racing shape but I had to be there. My slalom family was going to be there. Joe I, Rob Sid and myself explained to Mike Brooke about how we are a band of brothers and nothing can ever break that bond. I am still STOKED about the race. I know going in cold and not praticing I did not expect much. But I was there supporting what I love, yea my knees are pretty torn up. I still had to be there. Call it a fix, a blood transfussion, it was a great way to finish of the year. Thanks HammerHead I really needed to be amongst my slalom family. It was AWESOME. Your Amigo Eddy Texas Outlaws.

[sk8r_betty]

The highlight of my year. It really was, I can't say thank you enough. What an awesome event- seeing my family- my Texans and ST. Louis brothers, my separated at birth soul-mate, Heidi, all the lady racers, all the pretty young things and arm candy GALORE! It was epicness. I'm pretty effin proud to be racing with Richy Carrasco, Judi O, Effin Kenny Mollica, Jason effin Mitchell, those guys... and ladies, wow. So fast. Marty Schaub. Wes Tucker- thanks so so much!!! I love seeing Joe I- I'm just glad he didn't pee on us. Sorely missed were my mentors, Ricky Byrd and Clifton Jennings. I'm packing them in my suitcase next year. I couldn't have raced if it hadn't been for them.

[cfav]

Marion,thanks for letting the Freak Bros play a small role for the second time. have to thank everyone there,dont want to leave anybody out,but,for the second year in a row,the DHB brought it!I remember when you guys started the DHB and it is amazing what you have acomplished in such a short time.anytime,anywhere with the DHB as far as we are concerned.cfav

[tyler87]

For sure, Thanks to Marion and all the DHB. It was a killer weekend.
It was awesome to meet Texas Eddy and chill with CNova and CFav. Im glad I can consider them bros.
Im so pumped for the 2007 season.

[Directive0]

Marion, it was more then a pleasure (both this year and last year) to attend, it was a stellar experience equaled by none of the races I went to this year. The field of talent was immense, but the friends were in larger numbers. Everyone else is just playing catchup to what you pulled off.

I got to see people I met last year at the start of my obsession.... the whole thing has come full circle with old and new friends to hang and party with when the skating is done. I'm sad the season is over, but now I have a winter to train, to hone, to.......beat civ? (a man can dream can't he?) The Canadians now fall silent, but we don't hibernate...we only lie in wait, and next year we're taking more kills.

K, enough #### talk. Funny story.

The other night Civ and Rob were at our local park ripping it up, both wearing DHB socks... I felt left out. The devil really is in the details and the proof really in the pounding, and your race has left little tidbits (the wrist bands, the bag, the socks, etc) that I will keep with me for awhile. You rule Marion, best of luck with your future projects!