CLEVELAND ROCKS!!! You have heard the mantra before and it certainly held true tonight at the Quicken Loans Arena. The fans were loud from start to finish and they certainly had a ton to cheer about. Sean Nielson started us off with a solid run that netted him an 83.1. Sean was happy to end his season on a good note and will be having surgery to repair a torn ACL on Tuesday. We hope for a speedy recovery for “The Outlaw”. Next, Derek Burlew went off, hitting both a switch grip Indy and a BASE jump to net an 88.8. Keith Sayers came to the floor after DB and despite a solid run was only able to manage an 83.5 which was okay with “Say Ya” because he said his return from the early season ankle injury continues on schedule. Nick Dunne came out to a huge applause and didn’t disappoint his many fans, hitting both a Captain Morgan and a Drunken Monkey as well. His 90.8 would turn out to be the top qualifier for the night. Dustin Nowak was fighting the flu as he came to the floor, but still put in a game effort, but was only able to score an 80.0.

During our first break X-Games gold medalist Heath Frisby came out to get his Red Bull Ski-Doo dialed in and ended up a little short on his second jump and got huckle bucked off the front of his sled. He was ok and got right up. He promised to be back after the finals and he kept his word performing a back flip on his snow mobile with Nick Dunne and Keith Sayers flipping right next to him.

Rich Kearns got us going in the second half and he was also fighting a stomach bug but made no excuses. He was only able to manage an 83.2, but the crowd definitely appreciated his effort. Drake McElroy cruised out behind him and smoothly work his way thru a run that included a stylish cliff hanger and his signature whip nac. He had a shot at the finals with his 88.4 but with three riders left he would have wait and see. Julian Dusseau strode out aboard his Yamaha and had a clean run. He put together a nice no footed can to candy bar and managed to get in an extra trick and the judges rewarded his effort with a 90.5 that had him headed to the finals. Greg Hartman rode from the tunnel to the sounds of Johnny Cash and the Man in Black inspired him to an 89.5 which was good enough for the final qualifying spot. Brody Wilson stepped to the plate with the final chance to get to the main event. He showed the crowd a perfectly executed one hand seat grab to rock solid that helped him to the second qualifying spot with a 90.7.

We had all the usual suspects for out crowd judged whip contest with Dunne, Dusseau, Wilson, McElroy and Burlew squaring off. Dusseau and Dunne put up nice whips and “The Wilson Express” turned his bike nearly upside down, but DMC and DB again took things to another level. Drake’s whip nac really revved up the crowd but Burlew stole the win by going to the single ramp and throwing a sweet left handed whip to the Cleveland faithful.

“Superman” Greg Hartman was the first to go in the finals and he started things off with a superflip and ended with a back flip Indy to score a 91.7. Dusseau was rider number two in the finals and used a whip flip and a flip can can to take over the Hot Seat with a 92.3. Julian looked a little nervous in the big red chair knowing Brody Wilson was next to the floor. It turned out to be with good reason because Wilson started his run with a Kiss of Death flip and also showing off a very nice sidewinder and a massive Rock Solid. He nudged Dusseau out of the Hot Seat with his tally of 93.8. The crowd favorite Nicky “Six Guns” Dunne was our last rider and he had it on a rail until his third trick which he dead sailored which pretty much sealed the win for Brody.

It was a fantastic night here on the shores of Lake Erie and the crowd at the Quicken Loans Arena saw one of the best shows of the year. Get to Facebook.com/gravityslashers and let the guys know how much you loved the show. – David Knisley

SacTown came out in force Saturday night to see the aerial assault on display as the Gravity Slashers took to the floor of the Arco Arena. Things jumped off quickly with Shawn Nielson going upside down twice in his run, including a nac flip that helped him score an impressive 85.8. Our second competitor was the tenacious Keith Sayers. “Say Ya” had his best run of the year, 86.8, and it won’t be long before he finds himself back in the finals. Derek Burlew wasn’t able to crack the top 4 Friday and was looking for a little redemption on Saturday. He pulled out all the stops doing an impressive cliff hanger and a perfect double grab Hart attack look back. His 89.9 had him on the bubble with two riders left in the first half. Dustin Nowak broke cover next and had a solid run but came up short of the number for a transfer spot posting an 86.4. Rich Kearns finished things up for us and laid down the top preliminary score with a 92.5.

Heath Frisby brought his Ski-Doo out for the fans to admire during our first break and did a couple of basic tricks. He came to the landing ramp for a quick chat and the crowd seemed to really enjoy hearing from the best trick gold medalist. He promised to come back after the Subway Restaurant finals and get inverted for the fans at Arco Arena. He made good but upped the ante a little by bringing Nick Dunne and Keith Sayers to the floor with him for a triple flip which they pulled off perfectly.

The second half of qualifiers started off with the local kid Nick Dunne. Nicky took his time getting started and I know he was feeling a little added pressure being so close to home but the crowd was fully behind him. He kept it together nicely and made his way to the finals with a 91.5. Drake McElroy rolled next and kept the crowd pumped for a total of 87.0. Julian Dusseau went to the floor hoping to advance from his new starting spot 8th. He is used to going first and the extra time waiting obviously served him well because he locked up the second qualifying spot with a 91.8. Greg Hartman got funky with the crowd dancing on his bike to “Low” to start his run off. He was feelin’ it but again tonight came up one trick short and was only able to post an 86.9. The last rider vying for a spot in the finals was Brody Wilson. The “Wilson Express” started strong but a dead sailor hurt his chances for the finals and he was only able to put up an 84.0.

The crowd was pumped and with all the noise they were making we had them judge for the whip contest. Burlew, Dunne, DMC, Dusseau and Wilson all set up for bragging rights tonight. “Six guns”, Wilson and Dusseau put up good whips but the crowd was feeling DMC and Burlew. The loudest cheer of the season decided our winner and it turned out to be DB.

After his win in the whip contest Burlew had to make a quick turn and be the first guy out for the Subway Restaurants finals. He made a serious bid for the win by throwing in a BASE jump to score a 90.3. The kid from just down the block, Nicky Dunne came out next to a rousing ovation and slammed it from start to finish hitting a super flip and a BASE jump as well. The judges agreed with the crowd and gave “Six Guns” a 93.0. Dusseau ran third and worked in a side show and a no footed can to heel clicker but he came up short with his 92.0. Rich Kearns smoked the tires on his way out of the tunnel and mixed in a cordova flip along with stripper flip on his way to a 92.3, but that wasn’t enough for the win giving Nick Dunne his first win of the year.

The crowd was awesome here in Sacramento and the riders to a man said they had a great time. We are headed to Phoenix, AZ next week and you should get you tickets now! Stop by Gravity Slashers on Facebook and say hello, if you have any questions or comments e-mail me at mxannouncer@hotmail.com . David Kinsley

02/06/10

I hear people say “We’re not in Kansas anymore” all the time and never really understood what it meant until tonight. The people here are amazing and welcome you in like family and that is exactly what they did tonight at the Intrust Bank Arena for the Gravity Slasher FMX riders. Julian Dusseau kicked things off for us looking to make a second straight trip to the finals from the pole position. He put together a solid run that included a flip nac but was only able to muster an 83.9. They next guy out was Nick “Six Guns” Dunne and as always he played to the crowd, drilling an excellent back flip combo and his signature trick the Captain Morgan in his opening run earning himself a spot in the finals with an 88.7. Keith Sayers wound up the folks at the Intrust Bank arena next and added a nac flip to his run as he keeps making progress coming back from an injury sustained early in the season. He scored an 84.5 and thanked the crowd for their rousing ovation. Derek Burlew rolled out smoothly next and made a full lap before heading to the top of the double landing ramp for a little one on one time with the crowd. They gave him a big yell and that was no doubt part of what helped him on his superb run that included a candy bar to saran wrap combo and an 88.3 which was good enough for the last transfer spot to the finals. Shawn Connors looked much more rested tonight and went big on his dead body, showing the folks in Wichita what the east coast rider was capable of. The “Redneck’s” 84.3 wasn’t enough to get him into the finals but he had a huge smile plastered on his face and gave props to his fellow riders for being so talented.
The second set of qualifiers kicked off with the high flying Rich Kearns and he looked comfortable in the saddle ripping off a codova and a one handed back flip. His 85.0 was a little short of the mark for the finals but you can see Rich getting back to form and he will be a force the rest of the way. The very cool and collected Drake McElroy made his way to the floor and showed off his smooth style for all 60 seconds. He didn’t advance to the finals but the crowd didn’t seem to mind as they gave him as big a cheer as anyone for his phenomenal whip nac. Dustin Nowak fired his big throaty four-stroke up next and flipped, whipped and stretched his way to an 88.5 and the third qualifying spot for the Alefs Harley Davidson finals. The Big Man himself Greg Hartman rode out to the Man in Black and unfurled his 6’4” frame for a super flip and a two hand look back Hart attack, but was only able to score an 88.2 which left him on the outside looking in. Brody Wilson was our final qualifier and he breezed into the final with a series of flip tricks and a Rock Solid that was out of this world. His 90.4 was the top number from the prelims and had him in the Cat Bird seat heading into the 80 second set.

Following intermission we brought back the four riders from Friday nights’ show for a rematch in the whip contest to be judged by the crowd. Wilson and Dunne put up some big air, but the contest tonight was between Drake McElroy and Derek Burlew. DMC tossed out his patented whip nac and the crowd ate it up, but Burlew had the last laugh with a near upside down whip. He also went to the left with everyone else going right and I think that tipped the scales in his favor as he regained the Whip title for the week.

Our Alefs Harley Davidson finals were led off by Derek Burlew fresh off his whip win and he carried that energy to an 88 even. McElroy eased out next and even though he threw in the guitar hero lazy boy he was unable to replace DB atop the leader board, because he was only able to garner an 87.7 from the judges. Nick Dunne had his run dialed until his final trip to the tunnel where he had a little trouble making a clean turn and had to short his run by one trick. He did enough to get in front of Burlew by scoring an 88.3, but with Brody Wilson waiting in the wings that didn’t look like it was going to be enough. Turns out he was right to be worried with “Bro D” pilling up the big tricks including a Holy Grab they had him suspended in the air for what seemed like an eternity. Wilson came to the landing ramp for his interview and was smiling ear to ear knowing he put together a great run. The folks deciding on the score agreed and gave him the win with a 91.8.

Before the encore we called X-Games Gold Medalist Heath Frisby to the floor on his Ski-Doo rocket sled to show the fans in Kansas what the top dog on snow looks like. He brought along a couple of friends in the form or Keith Sayers and Nick Dunne and they hit the ramp three times in unison. The first jump was a dead sailor for all three, followed by a triple up of super cans and the last trip was a flip sandwich with two bikes on the outside and Frisby in the middle. It was an awesome sight and the crowd erupted in the loudest screams of the night.

As the bikes took their final laps and soaked up all the good karma in the building it was obvious the Gravity Slashers left their mark on the Intrust Bank Arena and all the great people in Wichita. We look forward to seeing everyone when we get to a town near you. We will be in Little Rock Arkansas next week so pick up you tickets and come see us. Like I always say, check us out on Facebook and make us your friends. Throw down a post and let us know what you are thinking, all the riders and crew read and post regularly.
- David Kinsley

Steve, we got it!

More photos at SCSunltd.com

It’s always good to get out and get in front of the camera but this one ended up being an interesting one. As I was ripping around a tree, a branch got jammed in my sleds throttle, unleashing everything she had into another tree. I ended up fine but did a number on the sled. Needless to say I have been tough on sleds this year and it’s only early Jan! Luckily, I was able to hop on my buddy Tobin’s sled. Thanks bro!

Now It’s back to Bozeman to kick it with the boys at SCS Unlimited and do some final training before X. Crunch time is here.

- Friz