egend has it, back when we were all riding in the sandpits of Vermont, friends challenged us to run a race. We turned down the opportunity—we ran snowboard events and knew nothing about the intricacies of motocross. However, as friends do, they kept on us until we gave in. So, in 1999, the Stimilon Motocross Challenge was born.
Two decades later, 2019 saw the final SMC, hosted at the legendary Wick 338 in Southwick, Massachusetts. The goal from day one was to create a fun event that focused on friendship and why we loved this sport. The racing was awesome that weekend, but you can experience that anywhere. What makes this event unique is the pure imagination and creativity from the good people who attend and the many supporters who make this their own. Our motto: What could be better?
Here are a few examples: Spectro Oils provided a free bike-wash station, complete with pressure washers and their famous bike wash. Pirelli was there mounting tires for free. Twin Air supplied the first 53 riders to pre-register a free air filter. Sunoco had their Road Warrior Award (a $50 Sunoco Gas Card) for the three competitors who traveled the farthest. The New England Brewing Company offered all who entered the Brittle 40+, Decrepit 45+, Geriatric 50+, and Nursing Home 55+ classes a cold one fresh from their brewery. Other classes were supplied with complimentary samples from Ryno Power, and FXR offered contingency for the top five in every class.
Since the SMC weekend fell two weeks before the Southwick National, the most resourceful promotion was national tickets generously donated by The Wick 338, Racer X, and Red Bull—enough to raffle off one ticket in every class with one condition: as a way to introduce someone new to our sport, we asked all to “Bring a Newbie to the National.” Anyone can hand out free stuff—we want to help grow our sport! The young man we brought said he was blown away by how brutal the track was, and also impressed by all the factory rigs.
Over 20 years, the Stimilon Motocross Challenge has had skateboard ramps, professional rally car rides, pit bikes in every possible fashion, bands, beers, babes (bring your own babe), model searches, costumes, support from nine different beer companies and one liquor company, Vikings, gorillas, facial-hair contests, tandem blow-up-doll races, big-wheel races, keg stands, beer pong, big checks, some of the coolest trophies ever, and likely many other spectacles best left forgotten.
It has been an honor and a privilege to ride with each and every one of you who attended. I hope to see you on the track and at a national again soon. Thank you for your support. 
