ATV Motocross Series Heads to Birch Creek MX for Round 6

Defending champion Chad Wienen is hunting for his fourth straight victory as the 2013 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship, sanctioned by AMA, heads to Birch Creek MX in Danville, Va. this weekend the Bob “Smitty” Smith Memorial ATV National.

Smitty was the series amateur referee and involved in the ATV community for over 10 years until he lost his battle to cancer late last year. Round 6 opening ceremonies at Birch Creek MX have been dedicated in memory of the late Bob Smith, who was a Danville local and always had a special place in his heart for the Birch Creek event.

Wienen went 1-3 aboard his Wienen Motorsports SSi Walsh Yamaha presented by Maxxis Tires & Team Vollmer machine two weeks ago for his third straight win. He’ll try to make it four in a row and five out of six this weekend.

Two-time national champion John Natalie grabbed his second podium finish at Round 5, where he seems to have found his rhythm atop his MotoSports.com Motoworks DWT ride. The Ironman had two great starts at Round 5 and will be looking to find the podium again this weekend.

John Natalie (left) and Josh Creamer (right) joined Chad Wienen on the podium two weeks ago.

BCS Can-Am rider Josh Creamer also took his second podium finish in the 2013 season after a 5-1 finish last round. Creamer carries momentum into the weekend after winning moto 2 in Illinois and is expected to contend the overall win at Birch Creek MX.

Wienen Motorsports SSi Walsh Yamaha presented by Maxxis Tires & Team Vollmer rider Thomas Brown missed the podium last round for the first time this season and will head to Round 6 with more determination than ever to find the top spot on the podium.

Joe Byrd Quad Riding School Dasa’s Joe Byrd had his second top five finish of the season at Round 5. Byrd has been improving his overall results as the season progresses and should be a top competitor heading into the second half of the season.

Baldwin Motorsports PEP Upperman Racing’s Josh Upperman will head into Birch Creek MX with the will to win after moving out of the top five in overall championship points last round. Upperman has always been known for his great starts and consistency and is looking uphold that reputation heading to Virginia.

Even though Corrosion Hetrick Racing’s Joel Hetrick had surgery only a few days before Round 5, “Kid Dynamite” was able to secure a top ten finish. As two more weeks have passed since his operation, anticipation is high to see how quickly the young Pennsylvania native will bounce back to the front of the field.

The pro riders will run Saturday as part of a full schedule of amateur racing, including classes for Youth, Women and Veteran riders. Amateurs will practice on Friday and race on Saturday and Sunday, while Pros race on Saturday.