Updates from Mitchell Hodges

Looking for 2009 Race Support-Thanks to all my 200...

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:15:17 GMT

Looking for 2009 Race Support-Thanks to all my 2008 Sponsors!

November 11, 2007 ActionTown USA

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:47:44 GMT

Man--it was a perfect day for a race, the track was tacky, no mud and no dust----PERFECT! Although I did not win a single moto, I could not have ask for better results, I rode hard, safe, and finished behind two extremely fast competitors. We all raced clean and went home healthy! Thats all that matters in the old man classes. Thanks to everyone out there for your support, my sponsors, my friends, and my family.

Cheers,

Mitchell

Virginia Motorsports Park

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:15:13 GMT

It was another great race weekend at VMP. The track was prepped perfectly for saturday's practice and all district 13 riders shredded up the track and loved the cool weather as the summer heat seems to be coming to an end. Much thanks to David Perin and his crew for a great track and a great facility...

Sunday morning was all business as the sun rose and the dew burned off the track. A slight breeze and cool temperatures made for a great day of racing. When the gates dropped all four motos and the dust cleared, I was able walk away with 3 moto wins and a 2nd place after pushing into a corner and taking a soil sample. Thanks to all for the great competition, the support and the win in the +30A and the 2nd in the +25A.

Cheers

MHMX School Aug 20th @ South Fork Competition Park

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 07:51:08 GMT

I would like to say thanks to all of my students who attended the class at South Fork MX on Monday Aug 20th. I appreciate all of the hard work and effort that you guys put in even after a hard weekend of racing! It is nice to have such a talented group of riders all in one place and all willing to learn in order to grow in our sport---GREAT JOB, You all did a great job!

Also-a special thanks to the Drew and the rest of the South Fork staff for providing us with a great facility, bathhouses, and an incredible track to instruct and ride on....Thanks

Cheers,

Mitchell Hodges #567

South Fork Competition AUG. 19th

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:34:21 GMT

Great weather, a great track, and great equiptment allowed me to have another set of wins in the +25 and +30A classes. I would like to thank all of my sponsors, South Fork Competition Park, and the Henry family for great meals and a nice bed in their motorhome over the weekend. It was hot and fun-can't wait to do it all over again next week---again Thanks! Cheers, Mitchell Hodges #567

Virginia Sports Park AUG 10, 2007

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 18:38:12 GMT

It was a muggy Friday night at VSP in Miller's Tavern Va. After the sun set, the temperature sat about 95 degree's and all of us in love with motocross stuck it out for a great night of racing under the lights. It was a great night of competition as many of my students (MHMX School) battled it out in all of their motos. Charles MacDonald, Chase Henry, Blake Thompson, Frankie Mast, Taylor Melton, Bryce Tignor, Miller Wise, and Josh Street were all on fire lap after lap in the 85cc, Supermini, and Schoolboy classes-great job guy's. The +30 it was also a battle of the bars for myself. A great group of rider's pushed me to do my best as we rubbed elbows and plastic. A big thanks goes out to Bob Futoux, Bill Smith, Pete Payne, and all my other friend's, teammate's and competitors for a great night, great competition, and great fun! See you next week fella's. As always, thanks to all my sponsors---you guy's rock and make my passion a reality! Cheers, Mitchell

Mitchell Hodges MX School

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:23:43 GMT

I just wanted to say thanks to all of those who participated in the MHMX School on Tuesday July 31st at Lake Gaston MX Park. Each and everyone of you did a great job and I really appreciate you giving me your all in the 100 degree weather. Thanks again to Buddy Isles and Buddy Isles Jr. for opening up the track to host the school and for having such a great facility. I had a great day and enjoyed the group of riders who attended. I am looking forward to the upcoming schools and hope that you guys (and girls) can attend again in the future. Take care-ride hard, and practice what you have learned.

Cheers,

Mitchell Hodges 567

www.lakegastonmotocross.com

Back On The Track

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 09:27:53 GMT

Just a quick update to let all of you, both friends and sponsors, know, that I am back. Dr. Smith has released me to my physical therapist and my therapist has released me to ride again. With that news, I rode for the first time Sunday June 24th at Lake Gaston Motosports Park---It was a great day and my shoulder held up great with only a little fatigue and no pain. After a great practice session I rode at Millers Tavern- a night arenacross, and won both motos in the +30A class. I look forward to a great weekend of July 7th-10th of racing at Virginia Motosports Park and following it up by teaching a two day school there at the track. Thanks to everyone for all of your support and help in 2007. Good luck with the rest of the year!

Cheers,

Mitchell Hodges #567

MHMX School July 9th and 10th

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:06:03 GMT

MH Motocross School

COMING TO VMP MONDAY and TUESDAY

JULY 9^th and 10^th

After the Race

AFTER THE RACE ON SUNDAY JULY 8th, RIDERS ARE WELCOME TO CAMP OVER NIGHT AND BE INSTRUCTED ON THE TRACK WITH RACE DAY CONDITIONS. BURMS, RUTS, AND BUMPS WILL BE LEFT UNGROOMED SO THAT THE TECHNIQUES NEEDED TO GO FAST IN RACE CONDITIONS CAN BE TAUGHT.

YOU MUST BE PRE-REGISTERED FOR THE CLASS ON JULY 9^th and 10th AND ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF RIDERS WILL BE ATTENDING

please shoot me a message if interested and don't forget to vote on my profile!

Cheers,

Mitchell

Shoulder Update

Mon, 21 May 2007 20:24:12 GMT

Well-only 3 more weeks before i am back on the track--I can't wait. My doctor entered my room today with great news-no surgerry is needed and my bones are healing faster than ever. My shoulder socket remained in place and no pins are necessary! What a relief. I will begin riding and therapy in three weeks after my next visit. Thanks to everyone for your support and i will see you on the track in a few weeks. Cheers, MLH

Out For 5

Tue, 08 May 2007 21:57:37 GMT

I am sorry to inform everyone that I will be out for 5 weeks due to breaking my shoulder in two places. The good news is the rotator cuff is fine and no surgery is needed. Hopefully this is the end of the streak of injuries for awhile and things will be back on track-meaning me back on the track. In the meantime, I am working out, riding a stationary bike, and still teaching my MX Schools. It will be a minor set back, but I should be ready to go for my Regional---see everyone at the races. Mitchell

ROLLING HILLS SE AREA QUALIFIER

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 13:09:31 GMT

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone-Tim Buffalo at BSY Yamaha for an incredible YZ250F, Nost Suspension and Paul Mundt-for the best set up and handling suspension ever developed, and the MacDonald's for helping me out with a place to rest while at the races. Without you guys as well as all my other sponsors, friends and family, another successful weekend would not have been possible -- thanks again for helping to put #567 in first in the +25Expert class.

Busted Up

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 07:37:18 GMT

Unfortunately on March 2nd I crashed at Elizabeth City MX park. After seeing the doctor, the diagnosis was a back sprain (the muscle between my shoulder blades) and that it would be well w/in a few weeks. Two weeks later, still no relief and it was the NorthEast area qualifier at Budd's Creek MD. I managed to qualify, but not without pain.

The good news is that I was finally able to get in to see a specialist yesterday, March 20th--the new diagnosis is that I broke a rib in my back under my shoulder blade and that I should be over the hump in the next 10-14 days-finally! So, I'll see everyone in the next few weeks at the track....

The Leatt Neck Brace

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 09:36:32 GMT

To: Dr. Leatt, Riders, Parents and Sponsors:

Hello, my name is Mitchell Hodges. I am writing this with a heavy heart. At the urgency of a great friend, Paul Mundt, I watched the David Bailey video. I was virtually in tears. Let me give you a brief history of myself. I grew up living next door to David and the rest of the Bailey family in Axton, VA. I was 10 years old when David was national champion, as well as a riding partner, coach and friend. I was devastated at David’s injury in 1987. I still see the film clip in my head of him in the halo squeezing a tennis ball, giving thumbs up, then his return home and seeing him for the first time in a wheel chair.

Over the next few years I went on to become David’s father, Gary ’s instructor at the Gary Bailey Motocross School in Axton VA, as well as a top pro rider riding for Kawasaki Team Green. Shortly after turning pro, I got injured at an outdoor national at Mt. Morris PA. I walked away from the sport I loved, to heal up, to get an education and to setup myself up for a future. It was a tough pill to swallow, but I had to come to the realization that I was not the next Ricky Carmichael.

Ten years later, Tim Buffaloe at BSY Yamaha gave me an opportunity to ride for them. I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart. My desire never died and now, more than ever, it consumes me. I am again teaching MX schools teaching kids how to ride safely and responsibly. With that being said, I cannot turn my back on all of these spinal injuries, especially after seeing my personal inspiration calling out the heaviest hitters this sport has ever known. Great job David, as if your spot in history is not already carved in stone.

I see in the magazines and on the web pages; Leatt does ride days in California. I respectfully request a ride day on the east coast, the southwest and the northwest. We all need to be a part of this growth and safety for our comrades and their loved ones, not just California. I will contact my local tracks; setup a time to have a ride day in my area. Bud’s Creek, Lake Sugar Tree, the Virginia Motorsports Park would all be receptive to this I am quite sure. I will meet with company representatives or whomever to set this up. We do not need to see anymore-unneeded injuries, cripple or kill anyone else.

As an instructor, I am obligated to teach my students, the proper techniques to make them better riders. As of today, in honor of my hero, David Bailey, I am going to insist to riders and parents that my schools purchase a Leatt brace, and hold off on the latest go fast product until they are properly dressed for the ride. Even if they don’t crash often, at least they will be better prepared when, not if they crash. I encourage other track owners and sponsors to request ride days also. Let’s keep this ball rolling before we lose someone else.

Respectfully,

Mitchell Hodges #567

VitalMX Bailey Link:

http://www.vitalmx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=48&Itemid=32

Leatt Brace Link:

http://www.leatt-brace.com

MHMX Schools

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 10:37:48 GMT

Teaching MX has always been a passion of mine. Though I may not be the fastest guy on the track, I was taught by, in my opinion, the best MX instructor out there-Gary Bailey. Since being back on the mx scene, I was immediately approached by the parents of multiple riders wanting MX instruction. Due to my 10 years of riding with and for the Gary Bailey MX School, my teaching techniques are up to par for all levels of riders and have been embrased by those in the area. Teaching is not what it used to be. Finally, parents and adults alike embrace the idea of having a coach just as every other sport enjoys. The days may be coming to an end where we all wait until we're injured or we have such bad riding habits that we just can't get to the next level, before seeking instruction-that is where I am finding my place back in the sport.

I am currently holding one to two schools per month drawing an average of 12 students per class. I have full intentions of continuing to grow the MX Schools in the Southeast region over the next couple of years. I am also working on a private basis twice a week with a couple of very talented 85cc riders who are aiming their sites at a top 10 Loretta Lynn's finish in 2007. It is my goal to get them in the best shape and share with them the best riding technique that I can in order to help them reach their goals. It is my hopes that I can incorporate my sponsors into my schools as well as on the track at race day through myself and my students. I believe that I can be a great asset to both, my students and my sponsors.

My days as a Professional Motocrosser are over-I will be the first to admit that, but I believe that by showing up to the races, representing my sponsors with professionalism, continually promoting my sponsors, and never quiting gives the kids at the races an role model to aspire to be in all that life tosses their way. That is what racing is about - that is my new vision for racing.

My Plans for MX

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 18:31:11 GMT

I am currently Teaming up with BSY Yamaha out of Cocoa Fla. with plans to ride the +25A and +30A clasess at Loretta Lynn's in 2007. I would really like to extend a huge thanks to Tim Buffalo at BSY for all of the support that he and his team at BSY have offered me for the 2007 season. It is great to see that even after 8 years of being off of a bike, people are still willing to help an old man out-THANK YOU! If anyone reads this and likes Yamaha, needs a Yamaha, needs parts for a Yamaha, or anything motorcycle related, please give BSY an opportunity to earn your business. They can be reached at: 1127 W. King St.Cocoa FL 32922 Phone: 321-631-5571 Fax: 321-636-9283

About Me

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 18:17:13 GMT

My name is Mitchell Hodges and I am originally from Axton VA. - The home of David Bailey's Lake Sugar Tree and the Gary Bailey MX School. I began riding in 1988 after moving next door to David Bailey, from then on, MX became my life. After many hard crashes, much hard work, and countless hours on the track, I developed into one of the top amateur riders on the East Coast. 1995 was a big year in my amateur career- that is when Kawasaki Team Green picked me up. After finishing in the top ten at Loretta's in the 125 and 250 B classes, I began racing the A class for Kawasaki Team Green. In 1996 I finished 7th in the 125A mod at Loretta's behind guys like Ricky Carmichael, Brock Sellards and Robbie Horton. My professional motocross career was short lived after dislocating my shoulder at the 1997 Mt. Morris Outdoor National causing muscle atrophy due to nerve damage. After making the decision to retire myself from racing in 1998, I realized that I had to get an education. In the fall of 1998 I was accepted to Virginia Commonwealth University in which I graduated from in 2003 with a degree in Business Marketing. I'm now 29 years old, living in Richmond VA- and building a professional career as a financial advisor with AXA Advisors. Being out of a sport for which I have so much passion for has been challenging to say the least. I always said that when I turned 29, I would buy a bike and begin to ride in the +25 A, so I did. Four months ago I bought a CR 125 just to get back in the swing of riding and to get back in shape for MX. I haven't stopped riding since. I ride 3 to 4 times a week and have been racing district 13 and 7 since-man I missed it, its great to be back.