Thanksgiving weekend I traveled up to Bancroft, Ontario for my very first Rally of the Tall Pines. What an experience. I was enroute to the rally and I didn't really know what to expect. I arrived at the airport in Ottawa, Ontario around 2pm, where Lance Smith (the man behind Vermont Sports Cars) picked me up and we headed to Bancroft which was like three hours away. Shakedown (practice in rally terms) started at 6pm so we went straight to rally headquarters to sign in and go drive.

The point of shakedown is to make sure everything is working properly on the car. So, we're all checked in and I meet my co-driver Alan Ockwell (He is one of the best in Canada). I had a little trouble in shakedown so I decided that night, I really needed to pull back just a little bit. I needed to finish this rally for experience and driving only a few stages won't show me a full rally.

Ken and I had to be up at 6am to get over to service where the rally kicks off. Start time for Ken was at 9am for me it was 9:45am .

I started off great and made it through the first 9 stages out of 15 with no serious problems. It was cool I got to pull Ken out of a ditch on stage 3 and that is what rally is all about. The point is to help other drivers and they will help you if you have any mess ups. So here's where it gets pretty crazy.

On the transit to stage 10 we get a front flat tire, so we pull into a gas station, change the flat and move on because there is a time limit you have to check in. We make it and enter stage 10 and half way through the stage I get another front flat so I finish the stage with three tires basically. So we finish and since I only had one spare I had to put the first flat back (it had like 10 lbs in it) on for stage 11. I was getting to see why they call it a rally.

So, I start stage 11 with a flat and I was fully committed to finish. I think I drove my best that stage because I figured, if we weren't going to make it, I may as well drive as fast as I can. It was pretty exciting to say the least and we made it, but remember we still had to transit back to service which was like 30km. We get to about 10km away and we lose the entire tire from the rim. Pretty funny. We pull in to service with 3 tires and a rim. The service crew was laughing and was like; "What happened?'. They are used to this kind of stuff.

We start our transit to the final four stages with two spare tires this time. So, stage 12 went great and 13 was going great until about 1km from the finish I get lazy and slide into a ditch. I couldn't believe it. I was in pretty deep. 3 drivers try to pull us out but no luck. One more try, Nigel Mathews got us out at the last minute before sweep comes through and if sweep has to pull you out you're DNF'ED. That means you don't finish. We got out but the front end and the rack of lights were ripped off. So, Alan and I throw the lights in the back of the car and I cable tie the front end on so we can finish stage 13.

The final two stages went great and I finished my first rally. I was so amazed we made it considering the luck we had and not to mention all the ice and snow . This was one of the coolest things I have ever done and I couldn't have done this alone. Many thanks to Vermont Sports Cars, Lance Smith, Ken Block for all the encouragement, the entire service crew (Chris, Wee-Gee, Dan, and David), Alan Ockwell, and the sport of rally.

Thanks,

Dm

Hey everyone. We here at Dan's are helping with the fund for Jimmy by accepting donations and for the next two weeks...every dollar donated will automatically enter you to win an Autographed 20.5" Shitluck Magnolia frame signed by Leland Thurman himself. We will also have a Jim Bauer designed T-shirt for sale early next week and all proceeds will be going to the fund. Thanks for your help and spread the word.

www.thecom-unity.org

 its Mark Rainha's new website dedicated to all kinds of dope bmx stuff.  Photos, stories, blogs, art, its all there.  Anyway check it out and let us know what you think.

Neo Garcia.

Neo is the big winner for our video "pre-roll" commercial contest.  His 15 second video is going to be used on VITAL BMX.COM as a pre roll before viewing videos on their website.  You can also go to our myspace at

 WWW.MYSPACE.COM/SNAFUBMX where we are going to ad each one in the video section.  Thanks to everyone for submitting all the videos!

Anyway check it out, if this is not dedication we don't know what is.

BOOYAH!

1st place

NEO Garcia

<a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2019707259">SNAFU Commercial Contest Winner</a><br><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" flashvars="m=2019707259&type=video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="430" height="346"></embed><br><a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=2019707259&title=SNAFU Commercial Contest Winner">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home">  More Videos</a>

2nd Place

Alex Yant

<a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2019707965">SNAFU Second Place Commercial</a><br><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" flashvars="m=2019707965&type=video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="430" height="346"></embed><br><a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=2019707965&title=SNAFU Second Place Commercial">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home">  More Videos</a>

3rd Place

Luke Sonday

<a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2019708402">SNAFU 3rd Place Commercial</a><br><embed src="http://lads.myspace.com/videos/vplayer.swf" flashvars="m=2019708402&type=video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="430" height="346"></embed><br><a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.addToProfileConfirm&videoid=2019708402&title=SNAFU 3rd Place Commercial">Add to My Profile</a> | <a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.home">  More Videos</a>

<img src="http://www.gg2w.org.uk/images/Ladywithcamera_000.jpg">

So here is the deal.  We are taking submissions for a 15 second SNAFU BMX bike commercial.  The winning commercials will be used on <a href="http://www.myspace.com/snafubmx">SNAFU MYSPACE</a>, <a href="http://www.vitalbmx.com">VITAL BMX</a> , and <a href="http://www.snafubmx.com">SNAFU BMX.COM</a>.

Basically anything goes with these commercials, bmx stunts, hot chicks, funny bloopers, cartoons, or anything else your wild heart can come up with.  Just no profanity or nudity.

Commercial Details:

* no longer than 15 seconds

* no profanity or nudity

* must have snafu logo somewhere in the film

* link here for a page of SNAFU logos: <a href="http://www.snafubmx.com/preroll.html">FREE SNAFU LOGOS</a>

* If we use your commercial you win free SNAFU product (shirts, seats, grips, ect)

* submit all video's to:  snafubmx@gmail.com or mail to

SNAFU BMX

Attention Video Contest

27570 Commerce Center Dr.  #129

Temecula, CA  92590

* contest ends March 15th, 2007

TOP 3 SUBMITTED VIDEOS WILL WIN:

1) CRANKS, FORK, SHIRT

2) SISSY BAR, GRIPS, SHIRT

3) SEAT POST, CLAMP, SHIRT

Good Luck and Happy filiming!

-SNAFU

Formby Jay 

What's up guys! I've been super busy and kind of caught up in all those little projects I have going on.
 
I just want to touch base and let you know what I've been up to. this past summer I was travelling non-stop. I was never home for more than a few days straight. I did the lg tour and went to the masters and the rebel jam. I toured with etnies across germany (maybe you saw the feature on the trip in the last issue of dig) and went to Greece with eastpak.
 
I also got hooked up with german the german cellphone company o2 and have my own website now. Check out www.markuswilke.de <www.markuswilke.de> . It's all in german, though. Of course there's a snafu link, too.
 
I saw paddy for a minute and he seems to be recovering nicely from his crash earlier this year and is shredding as usual.
 
I also teamed up with thomas fritscher for circle bmx videomagazine. It's a new European video mag that'll come with freedombmx. We're currently working on the first issue.
 
Other than that I'm trying to finish school, hanging out with my girl and riding as much as possible.
 
Well, that's about it. I hope everything's cool over there. 
Laters,
Markus

11.25.06Any amount of time off your bike is difficult whenyou're used to being on it everday for hours on end.And when you add injuries that keep you from suchbasic things as walking, it make things even moreintolerable. I knew when my Dr. told me I had brokenmy ankle, tibia, fibula as well as tearing a ligamentup my leg, I knew I was in for a rough recovery. Thishas been probably the longest 12 weeks of my life,despite sleeping 15 hours a day the first month aftersurgery.At 8 weeks I could walk again, though barely and onlywith a cane. Now at 11 weeks I can ride a bike forexercise, though if I do any actual riding I riskbreaking the screws in my leg and thus more problems.I still can't help myself from doing some flatlandbasics while out on a leisurely ride through the park.The screws will come out soon- maybe as soon as nextweek. Then I can have my life back, or at least makesome steps in that direction...

Bart over at fatbmx.com sent us this link.  He did an interview with Tom Haugen. Check it out yo!http://www.fatbmx.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2113

10.17.06The Dew Tour finals just ended, with 4 of the Snafuteam riders battling it out for prize money, year endpoints, and time on network tv.Mike Cleveland and Morgan Wade were in both park anddirt, two disciplines that have become reallycompetitive in the last year. Mike just missed thefinals for dirt by a couple spots and Morgan was soclose to making the cut for park. Both guys rode sowell, doing original lines all over the course. Dave Mirra, still not over his liver injury fromX-games, rode like he wasn't the least bit hurt, doinga flip whip 7 feet over the spine. After his run Davecome out and did the first no-handed 360 back flipever on a bike. The footage is all over the internet,make sure to track it down.As for myself, i'm still recovering from ankle surgeryand was unable to ride. Since this was my hometown andI was there, I pushed around the flatbottom for bothpark and vert to get my points. - Tom Haugen

JUST KIDDING BUT MORGAN WADE KICKS ASS!VitalBMX Poll Results: Morgan Wade Of SNAFU BMX Wins Again   “Which rider has the ability to get up from the hardest slams you’ve ever seen?” That was the question we asked in our VitalBMX poll, and Morgan Wade came out on top. No one wants to see riders go down hard, but a whopping 52.9% of you think that Morgan can take a slam better than the rest. The final results looked like this.    Morgan Wade: 52.9% Brian Kachinsky: 24.8%  Van Homan: 17.1%  Kevin Robinson: 5.2%  

Well Well Well the waiting is nearly over… The etnies Backyard Jam qualifying events are all finished and our 60 Expert riders have been selected and are now lined up to ride in the etnies Backyard Jam 2006, which is only three weeks away!This year’s etnies Backyard Jam is going to be held at ICE Sheffield on 27th – 29th of October 2006. If you’ve seen Props 59 or attended last years Jam in Brighton you’ll know what to expect. If not, imagine a line up of some of the worlds best riders on a course designed by one of the best ramp designers and builders available, all situated in a state of the art arena.Tickets are on sale and are priced as follows:Advanced/At doorFriday - £8/£10Saturday - £10/£12Sunday - £12/£14Weekend - £26/N/ATo get your hands on some tickets just call 0845 310 3670 or go to www.backyardjam.com. credit:  Press ReleaseMORE PRO RIDERS STEP UP TO THE ETNIES BACKYARD JAMMorgan Wade (US), Ruben Alacantara (Spain/US), Taj Mihelich (US), Matt Beringer (US), Gary Young (US), Danny Hickerson (US), Corey Martinez (US), Bas Keep (UK), Ali Whitton (UK), Aaron Ross (US),Chase Dehart (US), Chase Hawk (US), Dustin Guenther (CAN), John Heaton (US), Kye Forte (UK), Max Vincent (CAN), Niky Croft (UK), Dan Lacey (UK), Brandon Harris (US) and Ben Wallace (UK) to name just a few, have all now CONFIRMED they are going to be competing in this years etnies Backyard Jam and we can not wait to see what surprises they have in store.With the Expert category already filled with the 60 riders from the four qualifying rounds, you’d better be quick if you are thinking about taking part as the Pro places are filling fast. GET YOUR ENTRIES IN. Pro registration is priced at £50. Call 0845 310 3670 or go to www.backyardjam.com..EXTRA CONTESTSThis year we will be continuing the extra contests including the Snickers Bunny Hop (Friday), etnies Highest Air (Saturday) and Snickers Best Trick (Sunday). But, as if that wasn’t enough, we are also throwing in a brand new extra contest for this year’s event, the Primo Long Jump (Sunday). If you think you can give the Pros a run for their cash prize money then you can enter these contests too, all you have to do is sign up for £20. (Please note that your rider pass will only gain you entry to Jam on the day of the contest you are riding not the whole weekend.)STUDENTSStudents can come along all weekend and get tickets on the door for the discounted advance price, upon presentation of a valid NUS card.Riders, riders, riders – Just make sure that you keep checking out www.backyardjam.com. for the most up to date listings of all riders competing in this year’s event and all event information.

The boys over in Waikii are putting together the first annual "PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY JAM"  to kick off this upcoming labor day weekend.  If its anything like the past Jams that "Big Island" has had I can promise you lots of bike riding, bbq & drinks, and plenty of goodies to be given away.  Anyway blah blah blah someone buy me a ticket so I can go.-Shoots!Mike C. 

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to compete in the X Games this year. I spent it in the hospital instead, feeling like I had been hit with a baseball bat 50 times over. I got a grade 2 liver laceration during Park practice right before the X Games started. It’s a huge bummer since I’ve been in the competition for the past 11 years. It was the first hour of park practice. I was just starting to warm up. I jumped a big step up. I was doing that 5 or 6 times, just feeling it out—getting used to the course. One of the times I did a hang-up. I was sitting on my tire because I was leaning back so far. That stopped my bike. I was straight over the bars, and then I hit the ground. It’s like diving in a 16-foot pool without any water in it. It was definitely the gnarliest crash I’ve had on my bike. I was pretty sore from my neck to my waist. It felt like I broke all my ribs. I thought for sure I collapsed a lung. I couldn’t breath, couldn’t get any air. I was thinking, man, my chest must’ve caved in. I know my injuries and how much I can take, but this time I couldn’t even stand up. I told them there’s no way around it, you’ve got to get me to the hospital. They rushed me in and I found out it was a level 2 laceration across my liver. All of my abdominal walls are bruised. I spent the first day in ICU to make sure it wasn’t a grade 3. If it had been a grade 3 they would’ve had to go in there and burn it closed. I got moved to a regular room the next day. The day after I got on a plane and went to the doctor when I got home. He said he’d give me a cat scan on September 28, and told me that every level of laceration takes about a month to heal. In my case that means two months. I feel lucky. A liver is pretty delicate. It’s not like a spleen where you can hurt it again and again, then have it taken out. You only have one liver. I can see where it’s such a big deal waiting in line for one. I feel great right now, which is crazy since I was pretty sore from my neck down. I’m pretty much feeling back to normal on the outside anyway, but I can’t slam. I can’t do anything that’s a contact sport. I haven’t been up to a whole lot these days. I did watch a little bit of the X Games. I watched Skateboard Vert and saw Travis’ highlights. Travis pretty much owns the X Games this year. It’s awesome. He’s like the new Hawk. I think Travis is a great icon for all the sports, which is pretty rad. Other than that, I’ve mostly been chillin’ out and spending a lot of time hanging out with my puppies. That’s about all I can do. I’m not riding my BMX bike at all. It’s not worth taking the risk. I’ll be leaving Thursday morning for the Dew Tour in Portland. Although I won’t be riding in it I’ll still be a part of it. They’ve asked me to commentate Street and Vert for the other riders, which is the next best thing. I’ll also be hanging out with the fans. I’ll be at the OXY booth and the Slim Jim booth. The benefit of an injury, if you’re going to make it positive, is that I’ll have more time to hang out with the fans and not worry so much about the contest schedule. It’s going to be a lot of fun. I don’t ride for Haro anymore, so I also get to spend more time with my bike company, MirraCo. I have more time now to make sure everything’s going the way it should be creatively. It’s cool to be able to channel a little bit of energy on that too. This year’s been tough for me. I’ve been getting hurt a lot. I’m not sure why. Maybe I’ve put too much pressure on myself to ride at a certain level. It’s been a weird year – whether it’s getting hurt at the contest or getting hurt at home. In fact, right before the X Games, I got stung by three yellow jackets while weed eating my yard. I haven’t been stung in years. Feeling healthy is huge for confidence. I’m going to play the Orlando tour by ear. If I can come back feeling like my body has taken a two-month rest, then I’m going to feel great. Better, hopefully, than I have in a long time. Riding everyday puts wear and tear on your body, even if you’re not crashing. It plays a huge part in your mind. I plan on coming back healthy to finish off the season and prepare for next year.