CELEBRATION, Fla. — ATVs are roaring into ESPN's Great Outdoor Games VI presented by Dodge at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, July 8-10, with some of the best and brightest motor racing stars.
John Natalie, the 2004 and 2005 Dirt Riot Champion and three-time national event winner, enters this year's Games fresh off three straight wins in the Pro MX series and is one of the sports fastest rising talents.
Natalie got his first taste of ATV racing action at the tender age of four years when his parents gave him a three-wheeler as a gift. From that point on, Natalie, 29, was hooked, and he has been racing competitively for the last 15 years.
"Four wheelers are my life," Natalie said. "I love to compete, and I love to race. My ultimate goal as a professional rider is to see this sport grow and make a living doing what I love.
"The sport has been self-contained for the last 10 years without much support," he added, "but we've all seen a big change in the last few years."
ESPN's Great Outdoor Games VI features two ATV events: Four Wheel Frenzy and Terracross. Natalie will be revving his engine in the Four Wheel Frenzy. The final round of that competition is set for July 9 at 8:30 p.m.
"I think people are starting to realize just how exciting the sport is. Most people don't realize what you can do with a four-wheeler and are amazed to see us take jumps over 80 feet."
Doubling, tripling and sometimes even quadrupling the weight of its rider, the racing ATV averages 350 pounds, while the utility ATV averages 650 pounds. Battling road obstacles, water hazards and tight turns, riders must maintain control of the vehicle at speeds up to 50 mph.
"ATV's are very physically demanding and tough to handle for 20 to 23 minutes at a time," said Natalie. "You've got to stay in good condition to maintain control of the vehicle and keep it on the track."
With three wins under his belt this year alone, Natalie enters the Great Outdoor Games with confidence and excitement.
"I have a good idea of who I'll be competing against," said Natalie. "We're all pretty tight, and it's going to be close, but I think I have an edge mentally since I've been doing well recently."
Natalie's favorite part of the race?
"I definitely love jumping 70 to 80 feet and getting as high as 30 to 40 feet in the air. Getting that much air is an adrenaline rush. It's like being able to fly for a few seconds."
With the attention generated by the Great Outdoor Games, Natalie hopes to increase exposure of the sport, attracting new fans and sending it into the mainstream of motor sport racing.
"Being a part of the Great Outdoor Games really means a lot to this sport," said Natalie. "It is one of the fastest growing motor sports right now, and, with the support of ESPN, it'll help attract sponsors, fans and millions of viewers to really make it explode.
"If anybody misses the show, they're going to be disappointed because it's going to be awesome. I want to put on a good show, and I know it'll be something worth watching!"
