G'day Everyone!
 
And again the time just continues to fly. We've conducted quite a few Dirt Wise schools since our last Newsletter and what a blast it was. Great locations, great students, and great times were had.
 
We are going to try keep this one short because in under 2 hours we need to rush out the door and jump on the dirty bird for a flight back to the Mother land (Australia) for a quick visit with family and friends. Once we get back at the start of December it'll be time to make final preparations for our next major project (hint; it includes cameras and instruction on hard core trail situations!) that you'll see unveiled at the first round of the National Enduro Championship Jan 24, 2009. I can't wait for the finished product!!! Mid December it's off to Dallas, Texas for a school (sorry, it's already sold out, but we'll have another there in Spring of 2009), and straight back home to start the filming of an excellent late Christmas present for you.....
 
Over Christmas I'll be out in the south west scouting out venues for upcoming Dirt Wise schools in that region of the country. Right now we are planning on two schools in Southern California (at locations yet to be confirmed) on Feb 6/7, and 8/9.
 
Other 2-day schools in Jan and Feb will be held in north Atlanta on Jan 3/4 (semi-private), and near Athens, GA on Jan 31/Feb 1. We will possibly be adding further schools during this period in the next few weeks (Arizona!)
 
And the big news is we will also be conducting before the first two National Enduros (South Carolina Jan 25 and Georgia Feb 22) some 5-day Dirt Wise schools, focusing on skills improvement and physical training for the more committed rider. These schools will be limited to seven students and will be conducted from our home base of Hickory, North Carolina. The tuition fee will be $1250 per student and they will be conducted from 8am Monday Jan 19 to 5pm Friday Jan 23, and 8am Monday Feb 16 to 5pm Friday Feb 20, utilizing the awesome training facilities we have available to us. We will also give you the opportunity to ride with us for fun on the day prior to each National Enduro at a venue very close to these races. For those guys located a long way from us we will have the opportunity for you to fly in, stay with us, and rent a bike for the full week, including the race. More specific details when we get back from Oz, or just email us at dirtwise@shanewatts.com if you are seriously interested. Included in these classes will be a period of time set aside to utilize our professional and very well accredited suspension provider and tuner to help set your bike up for free! These 5-day schools are going to be huge and such a beneficial advantage to those wanting to get ready and prepared not only for these two races but also for the full race season ahead. Plus we'll have just such a bonza time shredding our local tracks and trails apart!!!
 
 The months of March and April will see us head back to Colorado, Virginia, Louisiana, western Tennessee , and possibly So. Cal again. From May onwards we will continue our pilgrimage across the nation to Northern California, Oregon, New England, Indiana, and so on..... Dates and locations for all of these schools will be released in the next month or so.
 
Congratulations to some of our previous Dirt Wise Academy of Offroad Riding school students for some stellar recent performances. After a magnificent season of racing Anson Maloney from California has been nominated for the AMA Youth Athlete of the Year, while Cameron Hicks laid the wood down on his good mate Justus Blaylock to narrowly wrap up the Virginia Cross Country Youth Championship at the last round. I'm sure that all of the other over 700 students  who have attended the Dirt Wise school since July 2007 have been killing it either out at the races or just on the trails. Great job guys!!!
 
Now to finish off with a few cool web links to check out. One is for a necessary modification improvement for KTM engines, awhile the other is just an unbelievable piece of awesome footage.
 
KTM Bike Owners Must See Part 
Sweet Video of The Month
 
 
That also reminds me that in mid December we will be unveiling our own revamped website that will finally feature a bunch of free video clips of the local Pro riders out hitting the tracks and trails.
 
Until then have a safe one and Happy Holidays to all of you!