Masters of Mini History

How We Got Here

The Masters of Mini (MoM) first began in 2003. The Pit Bike movement was strong but still very young and unorganized. Pit Bike races were more back yard gatherings than the full blown events of today. They were simple and FUN - the way it should be. We took note...

2003- 2005

The first Masters of Mini events was held at Connecticut River Motocross in Rocky Hill, CT. The first race in 2003 had 16 entries yet there were only 14 bikes on hand - two guys actually signed up at the last minute and borrowed their buddy's bikes to race. One of the great things about this sport is the willingness to lend a hand, wrench, part or at times even a whole bike so that the guy next to you can still race. Where else do you see that level of compassion and camaraderie?

The first MoM race hosted just two classes - 49cc "stock" and the 88cc "modified" class. Back then there were no 12 inch bikes - just Honda based 50s. Each year, we added a class or two as needed until the decision was made to take this annual event to the next level and make it a full blown series in 2006.

2006

The first year of the "series" offered 8 classes - Grom (14-17), College Boy (18-24), Senior (25+), Fat Boy (over 200lbs), Poor Boy (50cc), Modified (88cc), Limited (110cc) and Unlimited (Open). Masters of Mini attracted 844 entries in our maiden season as a full fledge tour, which was only 4 races that year. Transworld Motocross Magazine became the title sponsor which helped launch the popularity and notoriety of The Masters of Mini Series during this 3 year deal. The New England Based Series traveled to the Marshfield Fair in MA, Rocky Hill in CT, up to Cycles 128 in Beverly, MA and ended at the historic indoor track known as Mototown USA in Windsor, CT for the final round in Dec of '06. It became very apparent, we were on to something...

2007

MoM expanded to 10 classes to accommodate the increasing ridership (adding Middle Age which bumped the Senior class to 30+, We also changed the Groms to Yoots, and now offered the 10" and 12" Rockstar classes) in 2007, MoM attracted 1488 entries over a newly expanded 5 race series. We returned to all of the 2006 tracks but added the very popular Crow Hill MX track in MA.

2008

MoM was on a tear and saw continued growth and expansion. The tour now offered 12 classes (bringing back the College Boy and adding for the first time an official Womens class, also the Senior class was bumped up to 35+ because we seemed to attract a bunch of old farts who thought they could hang...) In 2008, MoM attracted 1133 entries in a limited 4 event schedule. Unfortunately, the Mototown round was canceled which was devasting since it had potential to be the biggest event yet.

Transworld Motocross Magazine backed the series during these three years. TWMX contributed greatly to the series success by bringing much needed attention to the tour and the East Coast Pit Bike Scene, for which we thank them.

2009

MoM saw an unprecedented expansion of the series to 7 events, even doubling up on some tracks, with 14 classes now offered (we dropped the 10" rockstar since everyone ran 12" bikes and changed the wheels, added Superstock (up to 75ccs), Kamikaze (up to 135ccs), and Playbike (up to 16" rear and 150ccs), the series drew 1610 entries, another year of continued growth and fun!

2010

MoM experienced some tremndous challenges in 2010. Besides the economy and the overall MX market being down, Marshfield, the season opener was cancelled due to 3 days of historic rain. The track looked like a lake with the jumps sticking out like islands. And with Mototown not available, the tour was a short 3 races. Yet with only 3 races, MoM still attracted 686 entries.

2011

In 2011, MoM pulled out the stops and looked towards the future of our sport. An aggressive 6 round schedule was put in place and for the first time, we ventured outside of the boarders of New England. Round 2 brought us to Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ to battle against our arch enemies at 2up racing (not really, we drink beer with those guys - they are cool). But the gauntlet was thrown and 2up and others answered the call making it the biggest race on the east coast in 2011.

Good weather blessed the series and all 6 rounds were successful and well attended. The Masters of Mini Series attracted 1260 racers in 2011, a nice way to go into 2012.

2012

This is it - our 10th straight year! We are so honored and humbled to have made it this far. 2012 we are again looking to grow the sport and explore new tracks, formats and ideas that will help our sport and our series continue to be strong. Our 10th Year Celebration will be 8 events - a 7 race series for the Championships and an 8th stand alone event for the best of the best. An invitational race at GPNY - the indoor Go Kart Track in Mt Kisco, NY.

We are back at Englishtown for the Throwdown with 2up and our other Northeast friends. We have added 2 new tracks to the circuit this season. We have made some modest changes in the rules to better accommodate the growing needs of the riders including the new Throw Away Policy where you can drop your lowest race score. We are confident you wont find a better race series for Pit Bikes anywhere!

Our 14 classes have proven to offer more diversity than most big bike races, offering at least 2 classes for every rider, however more and more choose 3 and even 4 classes to enjoy and compete in. Our goal is to offer some of the fairest and most fun racing around. We cant wait to see what this season brings.

As with any growth, change is inevitable and MoM is in a constant state of evolution. In order to remain as one of the premier Pit Bike Series in the North America, MoM staff solicits feedback from riders in all classes to address concerns and insure fairness and FUN throughout.

MoM has a simple goal - To provide a fun, professional atmosphere for everyone to come play and enjoy riding/racing Pit Bikes.

Thank you and we look forward to riding with you!

davo
davo@stimilon.com