Quads, dirtbikes, big air, big tricks, crashes, girls and one big party... what more could you ask for? If you missed the 2nd annual Quad Zombie MX Freestyle show you must be crazy! With over 400+ spectators on hand and close to $1,000 in cash prizes Jimmy Osborne was looking at another huge success. Texas has taken the Quad Freestyle world by storm! New found talent and new tricks were all included in the madness that happened in Ector, Texas May 7.

I arrived at Quad Zombie MX on Thursday, May 5th to get a jump start on all the weekends’ activities. As soon as I arrive I see Dan Guetter and Garret Engelstad from Akraix Entertainment coming stumbling into the barn after a menacing 20 hour drive down from California. Dan made the whole trip without sleeping and had no intention on missing out on all the action. I met up with owner of Quad Zombie MX and Bic Sac Ramps Jimmy Osborn and discussed the amazing show that he had planned for the rest of the weekend. He then showed off his amazing portable enclosed trailer ramp that he was building for the Akraix Entertainment crew.

After getting settled in I went to go hit the ramps and get some practice in for the upcoming show. The course consists of 4 metal ramps set up and 2 dirt landings. The freestyle course is surrounded by a demanding motocross track that will be host to the last round of the TQRA series. I ended up injuring my ankle after missing my foot peg and getting my leg rapped up in the tire. I assure you that I will have heel guards on my machine soon! My accident ended that days activities and was the beginning of that nights party (which there seems to be a party non-stop at Quad Zombie MX).

Friday morning riders started slowly showing up to get some time on the ramps. Josh Normington made the long trip down from Illinois. Caleb Moore and his younger brother Colten Moore from Krum, Texas, showed up with his amazing Die Hard Racing trailer. Caleb and Colten came into this competition with high hopes. This would be there first time to ever hit a metal ramp, and to really concentrate on FQX (Freestyle Quad Cross). None of us could have dreamed of what Caleb ended up accomplishing in the next few hours to come. Crystal Tharp and Chasity Neece were on hand to become the first female ATV riders to ever jump a metal ramp. Chasity ended up taking a nasty spill and came away from the crash with 12 stitches in her knee. In a matter of hours all the riders were busting out on all the ramps pushing each other to go bigger each time! Caleb Moore put himself up to superstar status after just one day of attempting freestyle. This kid is insane! He pulled off all the tricks the big guys of the Quad freestyle world are doing and then some that had never been landed on an ATV! I am up at the house hanging out in the pool with Bart Engelstad (Garrets younger brother who is an amazing photographer and graphics designer) when we see Caleb throw down an insane Holyman Double Seat Grab. We both look at each other and take off running for camera equipment and sprint to the track. My sprint was more of a one legged hope because of my hurt ankle. We were all in awe as we watched Caleb Perform his maneuvers. After watching Caleb make history we all went into party mode and celebrated the new found talent in Texas.

Saturday began with the arrival of the last pro rider that was MIA. Steve Weissinger arrived at the compound at 6 am. Steve made the long trip from Georgia for the show. When you first meet Steve he comes off as the shy Georgia boy that wouldn't be able to hurt a fly. This assumption quickly went away as I watched him throw big tricks right out of the box. All the riders joined Steve to get in more practice time on the ramps before the show began.

The show started around 7 Pm. With 6 Pros and 10 AM riders, crowed of 500+ people were buzzing with excitement. The competition started off with the AM riders showing off there best moves. Colten Moore came out throwing down huge tricks for the crowd. At 15 years old and riding a Honda 300ex this kid was getting the crowd going! He was hitting the big gaps just like the bigger quads and throwing down some sick tricks. Colten came away with a win and some cash for his amazing show he put on.

The pro qualifying was full of big ticks a little carnage. Garret Engelstad came up short and landed on the side of the landing after the ramp he was hitting became off centered. The course had been watered soon before Garrets run. The dirt being soft caused the ramp to shift and threw Garret off the side of the landing. After a quick get-off, Garret quickly jumped up and checked out his machine. This ended Garrets night. After qualifying the final 3 riders were Caleb Moore in first place, Steve Weissinger in second place, and Josh Normington in third place.

Going into the final round I could tell this was going to be crazy. Every rider wanted to come away with the money. First out of the gate was Josh Normington. He came out with some perfectly extended nac-nacs and intense combos. Next was Caleb Moore who threw down his huge tricks. Caleb ended up getting hung of on a lazy boy and was thrown over the handle bars. He amazingly hung onto the quad and rode it out off of the front of his machine. This crash opened up the door for Steve. Steve was last up. Steve kept his cool under the pressure and came out with perfect combos and big tricks. This smooth run gave Steve the overall win. Caleb placed second and Josh in third. After a quick celebration between the riders the "Fire Show" began.

The fire show consisted of all the pro riders and a few selected AM riders. The course was drenched with gasoline and fire erupted into the calm night in Texas. As the riders emerged through the smoke as they flew through the air performing the skilled maneuvers. The crowd was ecstatic as the watched the massive fire balls rise into the night sky. Jimmy Osborne succeeded in putting on another amazing show for everyone! I had a great time and I can’t wait for the next show! The next show is scheduled to go down sometime in July. So keep your calendars clear and make sure you are at this next show!

Austin Wilson