Kneedragger Meets Stunters, Stuntwars 2009!

All the videos and event flyers make stunters out to be a bunch of wild young men on the rampage, riding their machines through an urban landscape, hunted by the law with more fervor and zeal than is applied to many criminal organizations. So I didnít know quite what to expect as I backed two race bikes off my trailer at Stunt Wars 2009. Soon the thumping music roared to life with its message of lust and power woven throughout the lyrics and pounding into the heads of the fans which swelled into the Orlando Speedworld under the cool winter sunshine, quickly numbering into the thousands. With bungee cords and CSBRacing banner in hand, I watched as the first streetfighters rolled onto the track, and I began to realize that if ever there were men who would not be afraid to stand in the face of a selfish generation and out of control media that strips away the hope, moral truth and real love from our youth, in exchange for a money making message of ìjust feel good,î I would find those men here. Our team banner said it best, "Life begins at 3:16," and for many of these young men, I hoped this weekend would see the beginnings of a new life for them.

The grassy fields that served as parking began to overflow with sportbikes. And in the pit area, pickups unloaded the beaten and bruised war bikes that would serve the 95 riders who had entered the competition. Their stunt bikes certainly lived up to the Mad Max image portrayed on tv, with front cowls broken and missing, tail sections cut off, with holes ripped through the seats and tanks bashed in for better support while the rider stands on em. They reminded me of zombies, and with all the tats and pierced body parts, their masters matched the machines.

But through the many conversations I had with these bros, I did not find hate wielding show-offs, but instead I found young men with dynamic leadership abilities. Show-offs, yes, just like the rest of us, but underneath the tattoos and spiked hair, there were many scars from embracing the wild life, experiencing betrayal, loss and painful relationships. And this made them hungry for hope, not emotional fluff, but real truth about God.

From talking to young guys with kids to stand up as fathers, to strengthening those who had just enlisted in the military, even reminding some of those who performed, that their words and actions would carry great influence into the hearts and minds of youth, these bros received seeds of faith. I found myself restocking the pile of team posters that were rapidly disappearing off the display table, and then paused to realize, ìI gotta restock the Bibles as well!î I watched as a father took two of the Bibles, and gave them to his son and the young manís girlfriend. He said, ìwhen lifeís storms come upon you, you will find your answers in here.î And I believe I met our biggest fan, Kevin, who now has an autographed bikeÖand body!

These guys made me think of what Davidís, ìMighty men of valor,î in the Bible must have been like, and Davidís words to them are still valid for the stunters and racers of todayÖîHe who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God, and he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun risesÖî I want to thank Joel Hickman and his ìAgainst the Odds,î stunt team for getting us in the show. Seek deeper knowledge of Christ, You will be a sheepdog to these men bro.

Art.