TRA BMX 2013 Grindlab Jam and Contest Results |

Bethlehem, PA (August 8, 2013) – TRA’s first event went down Saturday, August 3rd at the Grindlab Indoor/Outdoor Bike & Skatepark in Camp Hill, PA. Featuring an outdoor pump track with a jump line as well a full indoor skatepark, the event was a fun, action-packed day for riders of all ages and skill levels. With great prizes from iON, Shadow, and Subrosa, the jam had something to ride for everyone and attracted over 150 riders and spectators from several surrounding states.

Dave King’s Dirstsculpt-designed course featured two separate pump track areas and a jump line laid out so that riders could share the entire loop even when the contests were running. Add in the indoor/outdoor setup and everyone had plenty of room to ride. TRA founder and event organizer, Mike Gentilcore explained, “We accomplished what we set out to do with this event – there was something for everyone and you could ride all day and have fun with a relaxed vibe. We had hardcore trail riders sessioning the same venue with 40 year old dads and their 8 year old kids and everybody was cheering each other on. And a bunch of young riders who’ve never competed before got a chance to rip it up. It was really cool to see.”

While the morning rain storm may have kept a good number of riders from attending, the sun came out and the weather turned out perfect for riding. The course was untarped and some great action went down.

There were four contests: Beginner Park, Expert Park, Beginner Dirt, and Expert Dirt. The panel of judges included Catty Trails’ / Axelrad’s Matt Trieval, Catty’s Kyle “Abe” Abraham, and Posh trails’ main caretaker and Red Bull Stomping Grounds / Dreamline contest judge, Jay “J Bone” Lonergan. Each rider got 3 runs and highest average score was used to determine the top three in each class. Mike Gentilcore announced the action with 70’s and 80’s metal blasting over the PA while Jami Braafheart, Grindlab owner and all-around good soul, served up the grill and kept everyone full of tasty goodness. iON was on site to demo their HD Sports camera line and iON’s Alaine Gordon presented a brand new HD camera to first place Expert Dirt. TRA VP, Dave King added that “My iON camera works awesome and gives a clearer picture than other cameras I’ve tried. I’ve used mine at Catty for a while now and it rules. We’re psyched to have one as a prize for this contest.”

Beginner Park had the crowd cheering when 4 year old Loukas Slattery took to the course for 2nd place with an ear to ear grin. He used age to his advantage as he inched out his 8 year old older brother Brandan who took third with some nice lines of his own over the box hip. First place went to 13 year old Xavier Dellinger who launched big airs to flat off the edge of the wedge ramp.

Expert Park was a throwdown with 11 riders and 11 distinctly different riding styles. Matt Stampski took third after the judges had to decide a tie-breaker over the solid runs of Dan Depre. Don Pirwitz blasted some big airs out of the quarter for a strong 2nd. 1st place went to Grindlab’s own Evan Smedley who had the park wired with high speed lines and big tire slides over the top of the vert wall. Some big moves went down, including Jeremy Smith’s picnic-bench handplant attempts into the mini that had the crowd on its feet.

In Beginner Dirt it was a refreshing site to see boys and girls from ages 8 to 14 competing in their own dirt comp. 12 year old Nicholas Suhr took the first place spot with clean flowing lines in the table rhythm while Anthony LaCroix (11) and Sawyer Sorrells (11) took the 2nd and 3rd place spots, resulting in a clean sweep for team Dirtlab. Special mentions include 8 year old Rylee Sorrels as TRA’s first female competitor and 14 year old Steven Dates who proved that Autism is no match for his passion for BMX.

At the end of the day,16 riders lined up to compete in Expert Dirt. After a last-minute watering, Ekim King guinea pigged the course for slick spots, the Motorhead was turned up, and the action was on. New York’s Andrew Fable ripped it up with solid runs including a one footed cross up 360 for 3rd. Maryland’s Dan Depre clicked turndowns at height and showed his own style with tricks like his tire grab whips for 2nd. But in the end it was a another win for Eric Smedley who took the iON HD camera first place prize with flowing big airs, tons of moto whips, and effortless tricks like his no footed toboggans. Two wins in one day was not bad for a guy who also shot photos, helped to promote the contest, and also maintained the jumps leading up to the event. Other notable mentions included a last minute entry by 45 year old Mike Gage who ripped it up after camping out in a tent Friday night and Jacob “Clipper” Pudlinger’s all-in riding style with a backflip over the last set that had many thinking he had a shot at the podium. At the end of the day, prizes were awarded and the top three riders received great prizes from iON, Shadow, and Subrosa that were presented by TRA’s Mike Gentilcore and iON’s Alaine Gordon.

The day ended with an all-age jam till sundown. With a great reception from the riders, spectators, and many good times going down, expect to see Grindlab on the TRA contest schedule again for 2014. See you there!

Keep an eye out for future events on http://www.TRABMX.com and http://www.Grindlabskatepark.com and be sure to visit the event sponsors at http://www.ioncamera.com, http://www.sparkysdistribution.com, http://www.theshadowconspiracy.com, and http://www.subrosabrand.com.

TRA Grindlab Jam – August 3rd, 2013 Results:

Expert Dirt:
1. Evan Smedley
2. Dan Depre
3. Andrew Fable
4. Chuck Weir
5. Jacob “Clipper” Pudlinger
6. Dan Pirwitz
7. Matt Maloney
8. Brian Coleman
9. Mike Gage
10. Ekim King
11. Mike Her
12. Brad Hawkins
13. Jon Arrigoni
14. Josh Noll
15. Mike Breinsiger
16. Eric Seifert

Expert Park:
1. Evan Smedley
2. Dan Pirwitz
3. Matt Stampski
4. Dan Depre
5. Jason Schmuck
6. Jon Arrigoni
7. Josh Stair
8. Josh Thomas
9. Jeremy Smith
10. Michael Mahin
11. Jeff Gentry

Beginner Dirt:
1. Nicholas Suhr (12)
2. Anthony LaCroix (11)
3. Sawyer Sorrells (11)
4. Dale Suhr (9)
5. Dominic LaCroix (9)
6. Jamie Gilbert (13)
7. Xavier Dellinger (13)
8. Zayn Dellinger (13)
9. Steven Dates (14)
10. Rylee Sorrells (8)
11. Grant Raum (13)

Beginner Park:
1. Xavier Dellinger (13)
2. Loukas Slattery (4)
3. Brandon Slattery (8)

Evan Smedley dominated TRA’s 2013 Grindlab Jam with a double win in both Expert Park and Expert Dirt.

Andrew Fable – tire grab over the first set.

Dan Depre – tire grab whip.

Jeff Gentry sends a barspin over the hip in Expert Park.

The 2013 TRA Grindlab Jam contest judges: Catty’s Matt Trieval, Posh’s Jason Lonergan, and Catty’s “Abe” Abraham do their jobs while iON’s Alaine Gordon enjoys the view from the tower.

Andrew Fable – cross up one footed 360 over the last set.

Dan Pirwitz aired the back quarter for all it was worth.

The 2013 TRA Grindlab Jam was a good time for riders of all ages.

Dan Depre – wall slap in the back corner. He took home a 2nd in Expert Dirt along with some cool prizes from Shadow and Subrosa.

Clipper backflips the last set.

Ekim King – bicycle motocross.

TRA’s youngest competitor, Loukas Slattery, is all smiles on his way to 2nd in Beginner Park.

The jam felt like a good day at the trails…the way it should be.

Expert Dirt winners Evan Smedley (1st), Dan Depre (2nd), and Andrew Fable (3rd). iON’s Alaine Gordon awarded Evan a brand new iON HD sports camera.

Jeremy Smith had the crowd cheering when he went for this handplant transfer into the mini.

Matt Stampski – rail slide

14 year old Steven Dates proved that Autism is no match for his passion for BMX when he competed in Beginner Dirt – Inspiration!

Jon Arrigoni was wearing the right T-shirt as the Expert Dirt comp rocked on to Motorhead’s “Bomber” blasting over the PA

Brandon Slattery blasted airs over the box hip in Beginner Park.

TRA founder and event organizer Mike Gentilcore announced all 4 contests and kept the crowd psyched on the action.

Josh Thomas – wallride over the rail box

8 year old Rylee Sorrells will go down in history as TRA’s first ever female dirt competitor. The fact that she’s showing off Carley Young’s autograph makes this photo double cool.

Mike Her flying free and brakeless in Expert Dirt.

The King’s brought their newborn son, Emerson, out for his first TRA event.

After taking 2nd in Expert Park, Dan Pirwitz boosted this tuck no hander at height in Expert Dirt.

Dan Depre – fakie out of the corner pocket.

Evan Smedley – Tire slide over the vert wall to 1st place in Expert Park.

Brian Coleman took time out from all his hard work at Posh to rip it up in Expert Dirt.

Jami and Ken Braafhart run Grindlab with a fun family vibe.

Nicholas Suhr (12), Anthony LaCroix (11), and Sawyer Sorrells (11) took the top three spots in Beginner Dirt for Team Dirtlab.

Michael Mahin spins a three over the box hip in Expert Park.

Jason Schmuck was pulling slow manual lines whenever and wherever he pleased.

Xavier Dellinger – launch to flat to 1st place in beginner park.

Brad Hawkins – classic moto style.

Josh Stair blasts the hip as the judges take notice.

At TRA, we take our podium shots very seriously!

At TRA, we take our podium shots very, very seriously!

Henry Copelan (6) brought his Dad to watch the action in Expert Park.

Bethlehem local, Kyle Keck getting rad over the last set

Mike Gentilcore and Dave King – riders, founders, and owners of TRA and Dirtsculpt.

Chuck Weir with a superman seatgrab over the last set in Expert Dirt.

Mike Breinsinger: un-turndown with some rad style.

At 45 years young, Mike Gage was the oldest competitor in the comp. Rad.

Matt Maloney airs it out in Expert Dirt.

Knobbie tires and 4130 Chromoly – Jamie Gilbert (13) gets his BMX on in Beginner Dirt.

Chillin.

State College kiss – TRA CEO Mike Gentilcore started the State College trails circa 1987 along with a few other SC locals including Tom Worrick shown here. Both have been in the sport since the 1970’s. State College trails, a.k.a.”the field” R.I.P.!