Hitting The Mud At The 2013 ATV Mud Nationals

Everyone loves a party, and every year the High Lifter ATV Mud Nationals delivers the party to over ten-thousand avid ATV and UTV fans, from literally all over the World. Every year the masses converge on Jacksonville, TX, March 20-24th, along with all their toys, trailers, and RVs, all in search of a good time. This year the Mud Nationals delivered the party to more ATV and UTV fanatics than ever, with an all-inclusive package of great food, music, contests, custom builds, give-ways, demo rides, vendor areas, mud racing, and of course lots and lots of MUD! If you missed the party this year, then you can start planning for next year’s 2014 ATV Mud Nationals, because it is never too early to start planning!

This year the ATV Mud Nationals kicked off on Wednesday, March 20th, but the party started the weekend before, with people coming in to scope out the best camping spots, and staking their claim to a little piece of “heaven” at Mud Creek Off-Road Park. By Tuesday, the vendors had arrived, and set up their various tents of wares, including tires, axles, seats, radio systems, clothing, and of course some outstanding food. By the time the gates opened on Wednesday morning, the party was up and running in full force as people lined up at the gate with ATVs, UTVs, RVs, and even tractor trailers all waiting to join the party. It is eye-candy for all to see, and it never ceases to amaze to see so many people here for a little bit of mud.

Right out of the gate on Wednesday, the Mud Nationals kicked off with two competitions, including the “Bad 2 ’da Bone” and the “Mud Jam” competitions.  The “Bad 2 ’da Bone” is a competition for the most impressive custom ATVs and UTVs on the planet, and if you like custom built machines, then this is the place to be. Some of the ATVs and UTVs are truly amazing to gawk at and dream about! The Mud Jam competition is the for the loudest and most amazing ATV or UTV sound system out there, and it is something to be heard. Both of these competitions didn’t disappoint, and turned out works of art wrapped inside an ATV or UTV. These events are always crowd pleasers, and you never know what is going to turn up.

On Thursday the party was taken up a notch with the Massimo Obstacle Course Competition and the S3 Power Sports Poker Run. The Massimo Obstacle Course required riders to conquer logs, tires, crushed cars, dirt hills, and water pits, all in a timed event. The crowds loved this event, and it turned out to be an outstanding spectator spectacle as participants worked to complete the course in as little time as possible. Imagine being challenged to run over crushed cars with your ATV or UTV. What a blast! Next up on Thursday was the S3 Power Sports Poker Run. Contestants had to race around the park to five stations to have their cards punched, with the lowest and highest hand winning.

Friday turned up even more people as trucks and trailers lined up from the main highway into the park itself. Friday also geared up the mud races to the delight of the crowds, and taking the Mud Nationals back to what started it all; MUD RACING! The Can-Am Mud Bog included classes for all ATVs and UTVs including a Mud Bog for kids.   Racers hit the mud pit at full-throttle anywhere from two to four across, pushing themselves and their machines to the limit to be the first across the line. Some racers made it across first, some made it across, and some didn’t make it and had to be rescued. If you have never seen ATV and UTV mud racing, then you are missing out on a bunch of fun. Watching these racers hit the water at full-throttle with water and mud flying everywhere, could not be more entertaining to watch. Be sure to check out!

The other Friday ATV event was the HMF Endurance Challenge, consisting of two-person teams racing through the deepest and longest mud hole in the park down the high line. Teams must race from one end to the other and back with both members and their ATV or UTV crossing the finish line.  Winners are determined by the fastest time. This event is truly an endurance race, as the racers must face fatigue in order to even complete the course, much less do it in a fast time.

Friday came to a conclusion with nothing less than a concert by Frank Foster on the stage in the Oasis Vendor Area.  Crowds enjoyed some great music, good food, and a way to wind down after a fun-filled day.

Saturday dawned to a new day with several things to keep event attendees busy, but the star of the party was the Polaris Mudda-Cross races in the afternoon. Again, you have to see this racing in action to appreciate how much fun it is. Mud and water sling everywhere, motors roar, and racers work their machines in order to get to the finish line first. The experience of seeing all of this is epic, and a must if you love ATVs and UTVs. Once the Mudda-Cross races concluded, the award ceremony topped off the different competitions at the 2013 Mud Nationals. Saturday ended with yet another concert in the Oasis Vendor Area by Blackberry Smoke with Drake White.

Though the ATV Mud Nationals offers many different events for the attendees to participate in or watch, there also is plenty to see in the two vendor areas. This year the vendors were there in force including ATV and UTV manufacturers, tire and wheel manufactures, and all sorts of aftermarket manufacturers of everything from winches to LED lights. Can-Am, Yamaha, Polaris, Arctic Cat, Massimo, Bad Boy, Bennche, and KYMCO all had a presence at the Mud Nationals. Some offered demo rides and offered free mechanical services, while others displayed their product lineup. ITP and STI showed off their latest wheels and tires, while MTA sold wheels and tires from all different brands in the event attendees showed up with the need for some different tires. There were all sorts of other aftermarket companies including Xtreme LED, Offroad Sound Systems, PRP Seats, S3 Power Sports, KFI Products, WildBoar ATV Parts, Custom Splice, WARN, Gorilla Axle, just to name a few. Of course the High Lifter store was open for business every day, showing off their latest products. The food choices included everything from stuffed jalapeno peppers (which were excellent!) to Cajun cooking. There was no shortage of choices as far as food and refreshments were concerned. People had no lack of items to look through, buy, and eat at the Mud Nationals.

Finally on Sunday, people had a few more remaining hours to enjoy the 2013 Mud Nationals, and the party started to wind down. Trucks, trailers, RVs, and tractor trailers began rolling out of Mud Creek Off-Road Park with their owners in tow, as they set off into to sunset back to where they came. Vendors packed up reeling from several days of lots of activity, conversations, and excitement. It is safe to say fun was had by all as the eleventh year of the ATV Mud Nationals faded off into history. No one has to despair however, because the ATV Mud Nationals will be back in 2014 to Jacksonville, TX, for another year of food, fun, and MUD RACING. WHAT A PARTY!

Results

DynoJet Bad 2 ‘da Bone – The show and shine competition gives ATV and UTV enthusiasts a platform to showcase their hard work in crafting a ride like no other. Winners are chosen by public ballot.

Wet Sounds Mud Jam – This contest features two first place winners with one awarded the “Loudest” based on decibel reading and once awarded the “Outrageous” based on public ballot.

Massimo Obstacle Course – This event was open to any ATV or UTV. Vehicles had to conquer logs, tires, crushed cars, dirt hills, and water pits in this timed event.

S3 Power Sports Poker Run – Entry to this event was complimentary and open to all attendees. Participants raced to five stations around the park to have their poker cards punched. Prizes were awarded to high hand and low hand.

HMF Endurance Challenge – This competition consists of two-person teams willing to tough it out through the deepest and longest mud hole in the park. Teams start at one end of the high line, proceed to the marked end, and return to the starting line. Teams are timed and winners determined by the fastest time. Both teammates and an ATV or UTV must cross the finish line to score.

Can-Am/BRP Mud Bog 600cc and Under – This event was restricted to ATVs with engines 600cc and under. Participants showcased their machine’s durability as they raced through 150 feet of mud and water.

Can-Am/BRP Mud Bog 601cc and Up – This event was restricted to ATVs with engines 601cc and up. Participants showcased their machine’s durability as they raced through 150 feet of mud and water.

Can-Am/BRP Mud Bog RUV – This event was restricted to RUVs. Participants showcased their machine’s durability as they raced through 150 feet of mud and water.

Can-Am/BRP Mud Bog Pee Wee – This event was restricted to youth ATVs with engines from 0-125cc. Participants showcased their machines durability as they raced through 75 feet of mud and water

Can-Am/BRP Mud Bog Junior – This event was restricted to youth ATVs with engines from 126cc-250cc Participants showcased their machines durability as they raced through 75 feet of mud and water

Can-Am/BRP Mud Bog Early Teen – This event was restricted to youth ATVs with engines from 251-450cc. Participants showcased their machines durability as they raced through 75 feet of mud and water

Polaris Mudda Cross Lite – This event was restricted to ATVs with engines 450cc and under. Participants showcased their machine’s durability as they raced around a 150 foot oval filled with mud and water.

Polaris Mudda Cross Bogger – This event was restricted to ATVs with engines between 451-750+cc. Participants showcased their machine’s durability as they raced around a 150 foot oval filled with mud and water.

Polaris Mudda Cross Pro Series “A” – This event was restricted to ATVs with engines between 500-1000+cc with a 53” or less wheelbase. Participants showcased their machine’s durability as they raced around a 150 foot oval filled with mud and water.

Polaris Mudda Cross Pro Series “B” – This event was restricted to ATVs with engines between 500-1000+cc with a wheelbase longer than 53”. Participants showcased their machine’s durability as they raced around a 150 foot oval filled with mud and water.

Polaris Mudda Cross Mud Chic – This event was restricted to ATVs driven by women with engines between 0-1000+cc. Participants showcased their machine’s durability as they raced around a 150 foot oval filled with mud and water.

Polaris Mudda Cross RUV – This event was restricted to RUVs. Participants showcased their machine’s durability as they raced around a 150 foot oval filled with mud and water.

Polaris Mudda Cross Super Modified – This event was restricted to ATVs with engines between 0-1000+cc with additional engine modifications such as alcohol, Nitrous Oxide Systems, superchargers, turbo systems, and big bore kits. ATVs could also have productions or custom suspension lifts, extended A-Arms, extended swing arm, and extended trailing arms. Participants showcased their machine’s durability as they raced around a 150 foot oval filled with mud and water.