Jim Brown turning AA

[Nick Goertzen]

I know there was already one thread on this subject but it got absolutely no love so I decided to make my own.

Earlier this month at the ABA Disney Cup Jimmy had a strong enough weekend to put him over that magic $3000 mark to make the official jump to AA.

Now you living legends out there correct me if i'm wrong but besides Ken Cools I think Jim is the only other rider to oficially earn his AA card. I can not stress enough how hard this is to do. This does not compare to turning 19 and ticking the elite box at a CCA western cup. Regardless he is one of two riders in Canada to do this in recent years.

I urge you all to congratulate Jim the next time you see him!

At the moment Jim is the only rider in Canada to hold an ABA AA card.

Incredible accomplishment buddy!

I hope you are getting the respect you deserve

Nick

[Jason Wesson]

Nick,

I'm pretty sure your right as there have been very few Canadian riders to get to "AA" pro.

It takes alot of dedication, desire ,time, training, traveling ,money, support to get to "AA" & very few of the Canadian riders who had/have the raw talent have had the combination (or access to) of all I mentioned above.

" Jim congrats on making "AA" & thanks for showing all the rest of Canada it's possible."

Maybe if you get the chance you can share with everyone the sacrifices/choice's you have had to make to get this far in your BMX racing career.

Again , Awesome work

Jason Wesson (old school but not dead yet)

[Ingee]

Bob Rowley, Jack Hutton, and Pete Zablotny.

Pete actually won the U.S ABA National title in 1985 and forced them to create a U.S Citizen only rule.

Either way. Props to Jimmy.

Now if BMX could just get some good purses, it wouldn't take so many races to qualify.
_________________
Jeff Ingram

[BMXbc]

Nicks too young to remember lol
Pete was at the top of the top and at a time when BMX numbers were huge (if i remember correctly)
Here are some of Pete's accomplishments:
-Won ABA Gold Cup and ABA Grand Nationals in 1984
-First Canadian to land a full factory US ride with team GT in 1984
-Responsible for ABA rule change in 1985: a rider had to be a US citizen to compete for national number 1 (Pete won the title and couldn't accept with the rule change)
-Turned pro in fall of 1985
-1st pro race, ABA Pro Spectacular, Reno Nevada, 1st place
-Turned AA Pro in 1986
-Retire from BMX in 1987

Pete went to mountain bike where he did well
-Provincial DH Champion
-National Dual Slalom Champion '94, '95, '96
-Top ten pro '94-98
-National Vet Champion '99
-2nd place, Master's World Championships in '99


Its very cool to see both Pete and Jack back racing in their 40's.

[Mark Krahn]

Way to go Jimmy-we'll be cheering for you in '09.

[Nick Goertzen]

hey now!

I haven't heard of the one guy at all.....ever. Believe me i'm sorry to say that. I had no idea Jack ran AA! Thats awesome.

Did Rowley actually earn his AA card? That guy can race a bike.

Glad to know There has been a few guys that did some damage in the US.

[Mechielsen's]

surely you jest, Nick....even I have heard of Pete Zablotny!

Sandy

[jbsx]

Hey guys,

Thanks alot for all the shout outs!
Im pretty excited about being one of the only Canadians to make it to AA.

Its taken alot of support from my sponsors and coaches but most of all my parents who have always supported me and believed in me.

I hope that myself making it to AA will show that it is possible for a Canadian to make it. I know that i will not be the only Canuck in there for long with so many young guns coming up like Tory Nyhaug, Connor McCormack, or Steve Creighton. Also some pros who are almost there like Nick Goertzen and our Olympian Scott Erwood. Its going to be exciting to see who can do it next.

Im gonna be keeping up with training up to the Grands and will be out in Abby to ride indoor and hope to see all of you there.

Again thanks everyone for the Love.
Especially you Nick! haha

Jim

[Nick Goertzen]

you earned it kid

see you soon

Nick