SPY High Flying 4/20 Ride Day @ Pala Raceway in Concert with Jeremy McGrath, DC Shoes, Deft Gloves, Kawasaki, KTM, Transworld Motocross and Wahoo’s Fish Taco
SPY brought one of the largest crowds on record to Pala Raceway yesterday, as it celebrated the completion of the “SPY Shady Spot” portable lounge at this renowned moto venue with a different kind of ride day.
Hundreds of motocross riders, fans and industry folk showed-up to witness the first “Dethrone the King Holeshot Race” featuring Jeremy McGrath as the reigning king. Dozens of Average Joes (some less average than others) lined-up for a shot at the crown, and two Pros in Joes clothing wound-up toppling the The King from his throne! (Not that that King needs any excuses, but he got stuck good in the middle of some serious chaos off the line, with a sea of speed freaks bumping shoulders and grabbing throttles en route to the holeshot… What happened to “safety first”?!)
It was an all-SPY podium at the awards ceremony. Congrats go to SPY endorser and KTM’s own Mike Sleeter and SPY athlete Grant Langston. Sleeter was presented the Holeshot Winner’s trophy by none other than MC himself and the ever-creepy Matt “Smelly” Chong.
After grabbing some lunch from Wahoo’s Fish Taco it was time to dive into the industry-stacked SPY Mini Bike Relay. Team Deft Gloves took top honors, just nudging out the SPY team who took second, followed by The Easter Bunnies and Team Kawasaki in third and fourth place.
Special thanks to Jeremy McGrath, DC Shoes, Deft Gloves, Kawasaki, KTM, Transworld Motocross and Wing and the crew at Wahoo’s Fish Taco.
3 MC's fly over...Photo by Brett Hillyard
SPY Shady Spot at Pala
SPY's legendary MC, surfers Mike Losness and Parker Coffin
SPY's wakeboarder Melissa Marquardt, Alliance Wakeboard's Bill McCaffray and son
Winners of the mini bike race Logan Darien, SPY's "Smelly" Chong and Brian Foster
The DC crew strategizing the holeshot race
The calm before the storm. Who will dethrone the champ?
Pala seemed to be the place to be this past weekend for the final leg of the AMA National Race at Pala Raceway. The line from the Pala entrance stretched down the 15 freeway and was crammed all day long. On the other side the traffic stretched all the way down the 76 to the sands of Oceanside. They eventuallyhad to shut the road down.
The SPY RV was perched on top of the hill next to the DC Pool Party … with a perfect view of the track. In between cannon balls and squirt gun fights the SPY Street Team was out in full force protecting eyes and shading the masses with umbrellas and tons of free swag!
The track at Pala was one of the roughest and most technical tracks of this year’s series. SPY team rider, Kevin Windham, raced his last outdoor race as a factory Honda rider and finished 7th overall.
There was a great vibe all weekend long with an epic pool party thrown by DC, RV beer pong with SPY, gambling, SPY shades… and of course some epic riding. It was all about having fun and enjoying the sunny hot weather and we can’t wait for next year!
DAY 6: WEDNESDAY Sun burnt, tired and exhausted from having way too much fun the retailers rallied one last day to the Carlsbad Lagoon where we all piled onto the Liquid Force boat for another day of sunshine and shredding. SPY’s Jimmy LaRiche and Melissa Marquardt were putting on a show for us as everyone oooh and ahhhs could be heard around the boat. Thanks to Christopher for sending over Monster Energy truckers to keep the retailers from being completely burnt to a crisp. Another special thanks to TW Wakeboarding and Alliance Wakeboarding bringing out the long lens for helping shoot photos from jetskiis. And yeah, filmer Mauricio hanging on for dear life up top of the boat as he was filming for our yet to be released badass SPY Boot Camp 8/VAS Entertainment video!
After sun burnt lips and melted sunscreen, we dove into bags of In & Out then headed over to the SPY office for a tour of our global headquarters in Carlsbad. To end an absolute insane of a week at the beachfront mansion, SPY held an award ceremony dinner at Fidels, each receiving an engraved SPY Boot Camp 8 I-pod shuffle and a rad pair of Aerial 7 headphones for their flights back home. The final final send off party home was at the SPY night Wet Wednesday at Zenbu in Cardiff-By-The-Sea.
SPY Boot Camp 8 was an epic week…the Second Annual Winter Boot Camp is creeping up–stay tuned for more details!
Aboard the Liquid Force boat.
Alliance Wakeboard’s Bill McCaffray and SPY’s Steve B.
Sean showing off his captain hat wearing the Tron.
SPY’s Melissa Marquardt in the Eliza and Jimmy LaRiche in the Murena.
Melissa and Jimmy about to put a show on for us
Setting up the next maneuver
Boot Campers Sara and Kenneth chillin’ on the Liquid Force boat
VAS filmer Mauricio holding on as he’s getting the money shots up top!
Justin shredding!
Lauren’s not sure how Stevie B got carried away with the Watermans Applied Science sunscreen
Melissa shows Sara how to “sit in a chair” when learning to wakeboard
Online winner Sean crushing it again!!!
Stevie B on melted ice!
Jimmy and SPY’s Wake TM Aaron Grace at the wheel
SPY’s hard working gals Jessie and Arlene take a wild ride
Boot Camp 8 final awards dinner ceremony at Fidels
The SPY Boot Camp crew with Justin, yeah we know he wanted to hang with Hendo and the ladies…
After party at Zenbu for SPY’s Wet Wednesday
Hey yo Sean and Brett
Kenneth show SPY a good bye
A HUGE thanks goes out to our SPY staff, SPY athletes (especially snowboard sensation Stevie B), Mauricio and everyone at VAS, Transworld Surf’s rad crew, Kevin at Wakeboarding, Bill and Rusty at Alliance Wakeboard, sponsors Landshark, Monster Energy, DC Shoes, Liquid Force, Pala Raceway, Matix, Zero Motorcycles, No Fear, Aerial 7, INT Surfboards, Electra Bikes, Watermans Applied Science, Sanuk and Ogio. Also thanks to Harney Sushi for crushin’ it for us with your tasty eats and Nick at Creatures of Leisure for the leashes. STAY tuned for our SPY/VAS Entertainment DVD to be hitting retail shops nationwide…once you see the video for yourself, you’ll be begging to get aboard Boot Camp 9!!!
Check out the links below for more Boot Camp media coverage:
DAY 4: MONDAY rise and shine from the partying from the previous night, the campers grabbed their SPY Klutch moto goggles, personalized jerseys from No Fear and hopped in the van to Pala Raceway. The 80 something degree weather with a slight breeze made the moto ride day a perfect day to learn. SPY’s recent X Games 16 gold medalist Mike Schulz and current AMA fast guys Grant Langston and Tommy Searle were on site to ride, hang out and autograph posters. Special thanks to Brian and crew at DC Shoes for providing 250s and 450s, the retailers were throwin’ full throttle in no time! TJ and crew from Zero Motorcycles brought a slew of Zero bikes and christened the inaugural SPY + Zero Cup race. Speed demons Brett Scheidl from Canada and SPY’s very own snowboarder Stevie Bell made it to the finals and it was a close race, but Stevie took the cup. There are no losers at SPY Boot Camp, as both Stevie and Brett drank a victory ‘cold one’ straight from the Zero Cup trophy to celebrate!
The need for speed wasn’t over after our full day of riding at Pala…back in the van that night we went to K-1 go kart racing for the Grand Prix Championship. Three races to win the K-1 trophy cup, as the SPY marketing team and the retailers battled it out for first, congrats to 1st place Boot Camp Canadian winner Brett taking the gold!
Boot Camper Audrey wears the Clarice while listening to Stevie B’s tunes.
Guys lined up and ready to ride Pala.
SPY, DC Shoes, No Fear and Zero Motorcyles thanks to Pala Raceway had the track private just for Boot Camp.
Stevie B stays hydrated before he hits the dirt.
Preparing strategy for the inaugural SPY + Zero Cup moto race.
Kevin and Brett go head to head.
TJ from Zero prepares Brett as he’s about to battle Stevie Bell for the SPY + Zero Cup Championship.
Whoops
Stevie hugs a corner as Brett is about it throw it into full throttle.
The Zero crew awards the trophy to winner Stevie B.
Stevie B and Boot Camper Brett share the Zero Cup trophy by celebrating…
a taste of the glory…
a taste of the good life at Boot Camp 8!
The need for speed continued…campers Brett, Justin and Sean get ready to race at K-1.
SPY guys ready to go kart…ninja moves and all!
Audrey shows off her K-1 fancy facemask
Lined up
The score
In hot pursuit
Trini’s aka Canadian ’son’ Brett takes 1st, Justin takes 2nd and Kenny grabs 3rd place in the SPY Boot Camp K-1 Grand Prix.
DAY 3: SUNDAY “fun day” entailed kickin’ it poolside at the Boot Camp mansion, shreddin’ on bright colored INT Surfboards, cruisin’ on Electra beach cruisers, thrillin’ and grillin’ chefs Kevin and Trini during the daytime launched off into the official SPY Welcome Luau for SPY athletes, media and sponsors. Delicious grinds from Dakines, grass skirts and plenty of tasty cold ones from Landshark lead to one epic pool party! Be sure to check out more coverage from Transworld Business here.
SPY Boot Camp mansion.
The backyard.
INT Surfboards getting prepped to be shredded on!
SPY tanning lounge.
Trini grillin’ up a storm.
Got chicken?
The setup.
Enjoying the luau atmosphere— complete with leis!
A gorgeous So Cal sunset in Carlsbad.
Trini and Brent chillin’ barside.
Live thru our lens…
Jam packed.
Boot Camper online winner Sean takes a dip in the spa wearing the TRON.
Haney, Boot Camp consumer winner Sean Strickland, Hendo and Transworld Surf’s Checkwood kickin’ it in the glass spa.
The Landshark Margarillas out in full force at the luau!
The vibe.
DaKines Hawaiian grinds…mmmm good.
Kevin takes the lead and
SPY’s Lauren, TJ and Richard from Zero Motorcycles.
SPY’s Keith hangin’ with the ladies of SPY.
SPY’s Surf TM John draws a ‘hang loose’ on the Boot Camp 8 canvas.
We caught SPY’s Torrey Meister, Parker Coffin, John and Ryan diving into the treats.
Beer pong…Stevie B claiming he just made the shot!
Boot Campers Kenneth and Brett think otherwise…
DJ Episode kept the jams crankin’.
Bianca, Davin and Rob from VAS, Val, Boot Camper Audrey and Justin, Trini and Stevie…all smiles.
Kirk from Pala Raceway, Hendo and Josh saying hi.
Boot Campers Colin, Sara and Amanda C. smile for the camera.
Boot Camper Audrey, SPY’s Stevie B and Amanda C. pose with their leis.
These lucky few have won an all expense paid 6-day, 5-night trip to SPY Boot Camp in sunny San Diego. They will surf, moto, wake and party with the SPY Crew and our pros, live in a beach front mansion and get VIP access to X Games 16!
Thank you to everyone who participated… be on the look out for Spy’s Winter Boot Camp coming soon.
Win an all expense paid 6-day, 5-night trip to Spy Boot Camp in sunny San Diego. Surf, moto, wake and party with our pros. Live in a mansion on the beach and get VIP access to X Games 16!
Live it up like the pros do … you won’t want to miss this!
Despite the threat of rain and cooler temperatures, hundreds of die-hard Supercross fans came out to Pala Raceway and had a blast at the first-ever SPY/No Fear/North County House of Motorcycles fan appreciation ride day. All tracks were open and the sporadic rain kept the dirt near-perfect for the entire day. While the fans and industry folks turned laps, chugged No Fear drinks, rocked out to the live bands and chowed on amazing street tacos, some of the top dogs like Tommy Searle, Jason Lawrence, Josh Hansen and the Hostility SX Team came out and showed everyone in attendance what it means to go REALLY FAST. See you all next time!
Spy would like to thank: No Fear, North County’s House of Motorcycles, Toyota of Escondido, ZERO Motorcycles and Tacos el Unico
Looking for your chance to ride with out having to cough up any dough? Join SPY at Pala Raceway on March 8th at 12pm for Fan Rider Appreciation Day! All riders with a bike, helmet and boots are welcome to ride for FREE! There will be free prize giveaways all day and two live bands. You never know which one of your favorite pros might show up!
