So goes a traditional offer from a Dothan innkeeper. The catch is that the sauna is outside in the parking lot, and in the park down the block and…really anywhere outside the hotel.

The first running of the ABA Wiregrass Nationals saw attendance from as far West as California, as far North as Minnesota, and even Florida, where the NBL State Championships were happening, in a parallel BMX universe.

It was not at all uncommon to hear “12, 14, 16 hours” as the answer to the “How long it take you?” question.

The southern hospitality was cranked up to “high” by the track crew, led by Track Operator, Mr. Wellington Cannon, as well as by unoffical Grand Marshals and ambassadors of goodwill to the festivities, Stuart Harrison and Richard Bunt.

Action stepped off on cue, at 11:30, with 92 motos in-and-through the chutes.

The A Pro Class had two racks, with 13 riders total. Dennison “Black Daddy” Smith and Logan Collins had a firm hold on the class all day, with Brandon “Butterman” Hopkins and Jason LaRev (fresh back from Copenhagen). And, wouldn’t you know…it finished just that way in the main.

A spectacular loop-out digger in the first round brought 7x contenda, Andres Papajohn to the canvas (see photo of the moment before the loopout…would have been a great shot, had he landed it). Props go to his mom for being a well-trained ABA BMX parent and, though she was standing only a dozen feet away, did not run on to the track as the ABA officials were tending to him (until called over).

DK’s Spencer “Coletrain” Cole trucked on home to win the 8x main, after a battle with Trey Maeker turned ugly (for Trey) going in the first turn.

Fortunes turned in 14x, as Cody Dziak ceded control of the main to Brandon Ceslok, a win that helped the Snap Factory Team score their first teamsheet win by two points over Sun Brü

Always good to see Shan Hatfield up top of the pack (in the 20th or 21st century). First in 36-40x.

Bummer for Jon Jon Rapp, who went down hard on the first lap of JDP during the Pre-Race, and bought himself the attention of some pretty nurses at the local patchup parlor…looks like a few weeks off, minimum. while the kid’s kidneys kick it.

BMXNEWS is going to be producing a special Web Zine PDF from the Wiregrass nationals, which will be available mid-next week. Inside, we’ll have more from the Wiregrass, as well as some interviews and a couple “head to toe” features. Be sure to check it out.

Meanwhile, check out the Photo Gallery From Saturday’s Race

Results, on ABABMX.COM