After a long season of earning points for these top Suzuki amateurs to win a trip to my farm had finally come. The contest winners had to earn a certain amount of point by racing and getting good results to win the trip to my track where I would host a private mini RCU.
The camp was a total of three days, the first day being for the mini bike riders, and the second day being for the bigger bikes, 250s and 450s. And the third day was a open practice day for all the guys. It was a very select group with only the top 12 riders from each group earning their place in the school. With it being so limited it would make it really easy to give the one on one time with each rider that was needed and make as productive as possible so that everyone could leave being faster and closer to reaching their goals of becoming better riders.
The first day with the mini riders was great; we got to practice a bunch of sections on the track but mainly focusing on corner entry and charging the corners as hard as possible. I believe at that age it is extremely important to learn that because it is something that you can carry with you the whole way through your career. I must say that I am always amazed at the young talent coming p these days, they ride so fast and do things on the bike that are far more advanced than I ever anticipate. That makes it fun for teaching as well because it seems like they can relate to what I’m telling them and it goes a long way. We had a great first day with all the young guys and I was really impressed with how they improved throughout the whole day. The second day was just as good, I saw myself amazed once again with these new up and coming amateurs on the bigger bikes, flicking the bike around like they were 80s and riding with a lot of aggression and speed. I pretty much did the same thing the second day with the older group as I did the first day with the minis and it was a success as well.
The last and third day was a open ride day. This would be a day to put the whole track together with everything they learned during the camp and make it all work together. It was great to see all of the riders putting everything together and executing on what we had practiced. If you had taken a video of them from the first day they rode the track to the last time they rode the track I think most people would have been impressed and most importantly I hope that the riders them selves feel like they learned and got better.
All in all I think the Suzuki Camp Carmichael was a success and it was a cool thing that they put together. I think it’s important to help and grow the future of our sport as much as possible. It what keeps things moving and growing. I’m so lucky to be affiliated with Suzuki and be able to help with great programs like this that help all theses great riders that some day want to be at the premier level of MX racing. I think everything went well and look forward to the opportunity again and hope that all the riders and parents had a great time and found this beneficial for them.
This wraps up the 2012 RCU events and we are finalizing the dates and locations for the 2013 events so stay tuned for details.
For more on the Suzuki Camp Carmichael Contingency program click here.
Check out the Racer X Films video on the Camp Carmichael event.
Check out Racer X’s video of RC riding at his farm during Suzuki’s Camp Carmichael
RC’s Facebook page with photos from Camp Carmichael
Hey Ricky, It’s Michael Rosado; we met at highpoint in 2000, it was my first race ever; I was racing a DS 80 against all the 85 two strokes and I guess you noticed me amoungst all the other riders and pulled me into your motocross trailer where I spoke to your mother, she told me you had noticed me and wanted to get to know me, well I watched you race and it was awesome, Im now 23 with the dreams of becoming pro, however I did turn pro amature in 2004, when I was 16 just like you had said. Life problems set my motocross career on the back burner. I was Honorably Discharged from the military Nov 4th, 2011. I came home to West Virginia in persuit of my motocross dreams, I rebuilt my track with the help of my friends Brandon Smith, Isiaih and started training for about 5 weeks before I blew up my RMZ 250. I just wanted to know if you remember me, Im working hard and getting overtime to rebuild my bike because Morgantown Honda quoted me over 2,000 grand in parts so I decided to try and rebuild my bike with the help of my neighbor. I just wanted to let you know that day at highpoint has never left my memory, It drives me to pursue my motocross talent to the fullest. Just wanted to let you know you helped me fulfill my passion, and even though its hard for me right now I hope one day you will be able to see my name on your T.v. at home and know you helped me complete what I was born to do.
Thank you Ricky, Michael Joel Rosado.
Thank you again.
You’re name stamped in history, the Greatest of All time.
Thanks again for the jersey, Ricky Carmichael #9 from Havanna FL. Thanks Bro, you have no idea how much it means to me. Your Friend, Michael Rosado #5 RMZ250.
I truely hope we meet again one day. Again, Thank you.
From the entire Emory family- Thank you so much for this opportunity! We really appreciate the time and effort that both Suzuki and the Carmichael family put into making this Camp happen. Addison had the time of his life!!
well lets start at dadecity when rc was in my class witch was open am/nov in 1992.i was on a cr500 and he was on his kx 80.i was 28 years old he was ?10 years old,,all i heard was rc on my ass and have it on video the anouncer saying that rc got balls of steel..long story short ive been a fan ever since day 1 and bought a rm250 rc replica bike put it in my bedroom in 06 never started it and i was there when they pulled it out of the box,have the box in that room and the best fan ever.still got plastic on that seat and had roger decosta sign the # plate i had tickets in the pits in orlando for rc for his sig..but they cut it short..i got a cr 500 its like new to but i will lovve to ride with rc again,,a dream come true,really..im a true fan rc followed you forever and spent a lot on that bike,that room has a carboard cut out and all kinds of stuff from you through the years….make my day pick me joe..check out my pics on facebook..thanks rc
I’ve watched you race since before I could ride good.. I just want to ride as fast as you do
I would like more information on getting my son into your camp Hebrides a ktm 50. Thank you
I’m 22 I have been riding since I was 6 and I have a crf450r
RC is straight up awesome!
That’s Awesome! I hope I get a chance to do that one day. I’d really like to learn how to ride better and faster. Stay in control and feel more confident jumping bigger jump. GOOD JOB RICKY!
This would be a great honor and would show with work u could acomplise great things
How do you join?,it would be amazing to learn from the GOAT,n I could use it,I suck
Rickey please please tell us how we can enter to come out to the camp my son Justin Astringer has been riding only 8 month’s he ride’s a KTM 50 and a Yamaha TTR we are very fortunate to have good friends such as the ferry’s we hang out with Tim and his lovely family and my son is friend’s with Evan ferry they ride out at Dade city =-)we even have hung out with Chad and his family as well over at Tim’s house for birthday party’s .I would love the chance for my son to get to ride with the BEST OF the BEST no disrespect to our friends =-) I just want him to be safe and fast Justin has been on the podium a couple of time’s for first place and he has won 2 in a couple overalls He is a great kid and i love him to death i just want him learn how to control the bike then the speed will come Thank you
My son caleb is 10 and rides an 2006 kx 65, we would like info about your camp.
I would love to go to Ricky’s classes how much does it cost and how can I get involved. Thank you
Caleb Hall
We are just finalizing details for the 2013 RCU’s and should be announcing the dates and locations shortly. Stay tuned to RC’s site and facebook for more info. Thanks! – Team RC
hi Ricky Carmichael it was awesome to see you at your last race when you retired at Millville Minnesota Spring Creek I got your autograph on my back and I am getting it tattooed everybody thought it was cool and I just want to say thanks and what have fun watching your whole career in AMA
Check out http://www.rickycarmichaeluniversity.com/ for info on the 2013 RCUs!