Tuesday, June 25

Tex Games Round Three

By George Crosland
EXPN.com

The halfway point in my road mission from home found me in Fresno, CA. I thought about stopping because I got some friends here and tomorrow there are empty pools and skateparks to rip. I mean it's late and it's time to go to bed… But no way, I gotta get to The Tex Games. Upon arrival at the site, thirty miles east of Reno, it was obvious that the effort of driving the distance paid off. Laid out was the perfect setup for the ultimate Redneck Olympics. A big dirt strip with all sorts of jumps for motorized vehicles was the center attraction. In the middle of that strip was some huge Moto X freestyle jumps. There was also a stage, boxing ring and a mud-wrestling pit. Nearby was a mini ramp and BMX dirt jumps. Probably the key fact here is that we were in the middle of the desert in Nevada - no houses, no one to complain and no cops. The smell of two-stroke engines, alcohol, desert brush, burning tires and clutches would be familiar the whole weekend. Some serious Mayhem would go down on this spot.

If you were jumping past this chick you would be spreadin 'em too!

Tex Davenport is a fun loving guy. He uses helicopters to ride big mountains in Alaska. The Tex Games originally happened in his yard in Glacier, WA. Without enough room for the chaos there, it was moved to Omak, WA last year. The people of Fernley Nevada wanted to have some cash flow and donated the site for 2002, so the Tex Games moved south. Other than the ultimate party, the other point of the Tex Games is to raise money for the Scott Stamnes Give to Kids Fun(d). The fund helps less fortunate kids partake in activities like surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding. The ramp that was built for the Tex Games was left for the kids of Fernley to enjoy.

Some people seen hanging out were Tom Burt, Brad Holmes, Andy Hetzel and Noah Salasnek - real live celebs. Drinking beer and Motorcycle dirt jumping kind of kicked things off. Some hot riders from Reno and Nor Cal hit the huge kickers and pulled some crazy sh*t. All the crazy tricks you would see at the X Games, only it was being done by bros not pros. Tex towed Trevor Snowden and his custom wheelchair into a kicker that launched him 40', that's right, wheelchair jumping. The chair was offered to anyone willing to hit the jump, but there were no takers. More drinking. Some local boys brought their trucks in to take some laps through the jumps, including a 50' booter. Of course a truck was rolled over, how would it be party without that? Seth Enslow hit the big truck jump in an old piece VW GTI with three passengers. He pulled 4-5 jumps and actually drove the thing away. More drinking. Things are getting unclear now.

Don't expect to see Kyle Ambrusti dirt jumping a snowmobile unless you go to the Tex Games.

There were some real big bulls to be ridden, by anyone. Two of the bulls said f-it and ran away across the highway and into the hills. The giant beasts were chased. The chasers survived many charges but could not catch them, and the next day the bulls were still free of their metal cages. A heated skate session and sick BMX session went down. Nolan Hensley pleased the wasted crowd by pulling the constantly chanted "backflip, backflip." The day went on.

Two nine-year old girls throwing each other around in the mud kicked off the mud wrestling. Pretty sure that nine-year old girls mud wrestling would be illegal in many states. The grown up girls went next with what everyone wanted to see. Chicks get pretty pissed when thrown in the mud. Two hot looking girls, primped to the hilt, were coerced into the pit by $200. Some bigger ladies threw the primped girls around pretty well in tag team action. Next year they should fill the mud pit with Sobe Energizer so it keeps 'em going all night and tastes great.

I want to be pinned… bad.

Then came boxing, dude, the carnage was serious. Some matches were friendly but most were gnarly. Blood flew and knockouts were numerous. An ultimate fighting champ was there, much to his dismay; he failed to get any challengers. Pro snowboarder, Andy Hetzel seriously knocked someone out. Do not get in Hetzel's way up on the mountain. Bands played as the sun went down. Motorcycle jumping, music, boxing, more mayhem and even topless mud wrestling went on into the night. Things went on rave style until about 5 am. Not once did the man show to wreck the fun. The next day was Fathers day and everyone was hung over, dirty and tired. Most people were in "what the hell happened last night?" mode. Check www@texgames.com to find out more. Do not miss it next year!

Related Photos:
Dirt Jumps Galore - 2002 Tex Games
A Lot More Than Moto - 2002 Tex Games
Boxing, Racing, Skating and More - 2002 Tex Games