smagical

Once the last show dropped at Road America, Pat and Papa headed back to the farm to finish set-up on sundays AMA District 16 Trials event.  Phil and Rex decided to stay the night at RA to take in some of the songs from “Oil Can Larry” and check out the EFC ultimate fighting.  The band cranked out some great covers and the fighters threw out some close fighting.  

Just after the sun peered into Wilburs windows, it was back on the road for home.  They arrived just in time for the event.  Being their home turf, both Pat and Phil decided it would be best for them to ride exhibition and leave the battles to the other riders.  In the Champ class it was a battle between Pauly “Philby” Philbrick, from “Philbricks Pharmhouse Phrenzy” fame, and Papa Smage.   Papa getting the nod at the end of the day was not the biggest surprise to Pauly; “He’s the teacher, duuuude, its tough to beat the guy that taught you what trials was all about, ”  he remarked.   Pappa was not the only 551 Films ripper who scored a win, however.  “OSC” himself, Uncle Circe, took top honors in the highly competitive intermediate class.  After the final scores were tallied and the pitbikes, trials bikes, and moto bikes were put to rest it was goooone fishing for 551 Films.

With rounds 1 and 2 of the nationals in the books, the 551 films crew shifted gears into show mode.  Wilbur got dusted off, the demo trailer got hooked up, and the gang headed off to Road America for the AMA Superbike Double header weekend.  

 The drive took its toll on the demo rig, as Wilburs crazy-fast acceleration caused one of the trailers hub caps to hit the road.  But as always, the goat van delivered everyone to the event safely.  

Friday was day one for the shows, and the weather was gorgeous.  Mostly  sunny skies treated the attendees to perfect spectating weather.  Although it was only practice day for the Superbike riders, it was show time for the Smage Bros. 

The few

Rounds 1 and 2 of the AMA/NATC Trials Nationals took place this past weekend.  The Goat Van got to rest its hooves for a bit as Pappa Smage railed  the Sherco rig down to Omaha.  Pat, Pappa, Phil, Rex, and, of course, H’Idalgo, set out to retain Pat’s national championship.  

The crew arrived thursday to shake out Pat’s new GoFast!/ Gnar Bar/ Heal Clothing/ EVS/ 551 Films/ RYP Factory Sherco.  The Nebraska terrain proved to be a worthy setting for the event.  Huge limestone chunks were scattered throughout the picturesque rock quarry. 

As soon as the trailer was unloaded the DVD tent went up and the guys headed out on the bikes. Phil was looking to get some “seat” time in on the trials bikes, as he was only able to ride once before the trip.  Pat got his bike set up to his liking, and Pappa popped some big wheelies.  

Saturday rolled around and the event  got underway.  Phil had planned on competing in the expert class due to his little time on the bike, but that didnt quite happen.  While Phil scrambled to find red duct tape to make a number plate with, Pat came up with the idea of using the MotoPlayground sticker to write “PRO.”  And with that, H’Idalgo set out to work, so much for not crashing alot…

Pat set the tone for the day, cleaning section one with ease while Phil’s rear tire crossed a support line gate and he was given a five.  Things continued to go that way for the remainder of the day, as Pat kept stacking cleans and Phil stacked points.

Pat grabbed the victory over birthday boy Cody Webb by 2 points, followed by Will Ibsen.  Phil tied for 7th, but time penalties pushed him back two places.

Sunday came just as quickly as saturday did, and the riders were treated with 12 new sections to throw their bikes at.  Phil didn’t bring enough money to sign up for both days with the crazy late entry fees, so he was relegated to filming and practicing.  Pat set the pace early with only a single dab in the first 7 sections. 

The riders then hit a standstill with section 8’s mud bog.  They played a waiting game until Webb pulled the trigger and attempted the 10 foot rock wall directly after the 2 foot deep mush. 

He nearly got it, but ended up taking a nasty drop off the wall to his side.  All the rest of the pro’s got 5’s on the section as well, and the loop continued.  By the end of the second loop, Pat had control of the lead, with Cody, Will, and Keith Winleand battling for the rest of the podium positions.  Will and Cody became the only riders to conquer the muck of section 8, but it wasn’t enough to catch Pat. 

After the event Phil and Rex headed back out with the cameras to stack some footage for SA3.  They found a rad tree ride to get some shots on.  Just as the battery died, the rains started to move in. 

The trailer got packed in a hurry and everyone piled into the rig with refreshingly drenched clothes.  Now it’s back to Wisconsin to grab some more shots before next weekends AMA Superbike Trials Shows.  A big thanks to Brad Baumert, Ryan Young, Mike Harker, Steve Storz, and everyone at Sherco for the help over the weekend.  Phil would also like to thank all of those who bought Smagical 2 over the weekend and helped fund his ride on saturday.  Check back soon for some more SA3: Smagical Acres filming teaser pictures.

 551 Films would like to wish Pat and Phil Smage good luck at the AMA/NATC Trials Nationals this weekend in Omaha, Nebraska.  Pat will be going after his 3rd straight National Title.  The cameras will be rolling….

The 2009 OMA National series ventured to Rio Grande, Ohio for round number 3.  Limping not too far behind the traveling cross country circus was the Wilbur-mobile, packed with KTM 200’s, gear bags, food,  near-vomiting riders, and a box of Smagical 2 DVD’s.   Phil was fighting some flu symptoms and Uncle Circe was trying to breathe without the usual Chicago smog he is accustomed to…

Introducing Uncle Circe, Five-5-1-Films/Uncle Circe Racing’s team manager.  Publisher and regular cell phone photo-snagger.  Known around the trials world as “One Shot Circe,”  “OSC” just clicks salamander-mode and crawls around the rocks and cliffs like he has jars of honey for feet.  His uncanny ability to perch has left other photogs in utter disbelief.   “OSC” doesnt just live life behind the lens, however, he grabs it by the handlebars and runs it into trees.  Circe first got his start with Moto Trials in 2000 on his trusty Montesa.  He came onto the scene in an explosion of flames.  He warped minds with his trademarked both-knees-on-one-side-of-the-gas-tank riding style (Photos and Video to come.)  Although he lives in downtown Chicago and only rides on race days, he is one to keep an eye out for in the future.  He is destined to entertain…

  The group arrived early sunday morning after deciding to skip the saturday practice and try to recover in the hotel room.  The bikes were assembled and the pits were constructed. 

Phil started on the far inside.  He only got half a lap into the race and his hand started going numb.  Three tree slams later, it looked like trying to ride through it was a bad idea.  He pulled off and decided it was time to get the nagging wrist looked at.  

  With Phil out it left Circe to fly the 551 Films flag.  And fly it, he did.  While floating down one of the steep hills on the course, he managed to pick up a large chunk of shale in his rear tire.  This added mass spun him sideways and threw him off his bike and into a pile of rocks.  He caught a sharp one to the elbow, snagging a piece of his flesh.  He soldiered 2 more laps after the incident  to top his personal lap record with 3 runs through the barcode scanners.  

   Geico Kawasaki’s Paul Whibley took the win handily, followed by his teammate Jimmy Jarrett, and GNCC start Thad Duvall in 3rd.  Next weekend is the Nebraska Trials Nationals .  First things first, however, Circe is buying some butterfly stitches and Phil is heading to see the Doc.  Anyone know any wrist/bone specialists?  

It was an off weekend at Smagical Acres, which simply means that there is no race.  The crew put the weekend off to good use by stacking a bunch of footage and taking a trip down to Chicago for the Shred Shop’s “King of Pop” skateboard contest.  

 The event was a high ollie contest.  The rules are simple, clear the bar as it raises a few inches each time.  Even though Phil hadn’t been skateboarding much lately, he figured his snowskate ollie skills should transfer over…wrong!  He cleared the first 5 or 6 heights with ease and made it into the top 5.  

Each competitor that made the top 5 now got three attempts at each height.  Phil seemed to hit the wall at 34 inches, missing his first 2 attempts.  On his 3rd he cleared the bar, landed, but as he was riding away his legs gave out from sheer exhaustion and he slowly fell backwards, keeping his feet on the board till the bitter end.  One of the judges yelled, “Count it!”, but the others weren’t so easily swayed, and put an end of Phil’s quest of becoming the “King of Pop”. Phil finished 4th.  Local ripper Pete Grannis then took control of the contest and went on the take the victory.

 After the high ollie contest was over, the Shred Shop guys decided on another competition.  The next comp was the “hippy jump.”  This meant that skaters had to jump off of their boards and over the bar, with their boards rolling under.  Although it was more of a spur of the moment, for-fun contest, the competitors still stepped it up.

 After the event was over, everyone was treated to some free hot dogs, courtesy of Ball Park.  The winner received his prizes, including his copy of “Smagical Adventure 2”, and everyone was welcomed to keep skating as long as they wanted.  With that, the goat van left Chicago and headed back to Wisconsin in search of some dirt to shred.

The goat van rolled into the farm at 4 AM.  We slept for a few hours, unloaded everything, then loaded the race bikes and headed back onto the road.    

About 8 hours later we arrived in Millerstown, KY for round number two of the OMA National races.  The first national went poorly, with Phil getting tangled up in a tree just minutes into the race, leaving a mangled bike and right arm.  So as it turned out, round 2 would actually be Phil’s first time doing a lap on an OMA track.  The day started rough, as H’Idalgo forgot to pack the tearoffs.  That error became fatal in the very first corner, as Phil’s goggles were covered in mud just getting through the first turn.    

The race turned out to be one of survival, as the ruts and bogs swallowed riders and bikes whole.  Phil managed to get lost 3 times, stuck 5 times, and was nearly knocked off his bike via a tree to the head.  After all was said and done, Phil barely finished, Uncle Circe got a lap in, and Max “the Factor” ran out of gas.  Paul Whibley took the win, followed by Jimmy Jarret, and OMA newcomer Kurt Caselli.   

Another sunny day, another tape full of footage logged.  Here are some stills from the day.

Filming for the third Smagical Aventure, “SA3: Smagical Acres”, is in full swing. Pat and Phil pulled out the 110’s and trials bikes for a day of filming.  Keep an eye out for more pictures of the wildness in the near future.  The film is expected to release in time for Christmas 2009.  

Vegas to Wisconsin is not the most exciting drive on the map.  Littered with deserts, cacti, tumbleweed, huge mountains and FLAT ground, the 29+ hour drive is usually chock full of boring.  So we decided to mix it up and do a few stops along the way if something caught our eyes.  Phil has been kind of bummed about not getting on the podium at Mini Moto so he was eager to get on the pitbike again.  It just so happened that we were passing through Colorado and we stumbled upon an outdoor BMX track. 

It was to good to pass up so we whipped out the stocker 110 and went to it.  The track turned out to be a perfect pitbike track with good flow and huge berms.  After getting a few laps in and getting some video shots the stocker went back to the van and the van went back on the road.