Janssen Wins South of the Border ATV National, Grabs Points Lead
2,175 miles – The round-trip distance from Cody Janssen’s home in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, to South of the Border Mx in Hamer, South Carolina. It takes a substantial amount of blood, sweat, tears – and money – to make trips such as this one a reality. In 2018, Cody and his team were forced to miss this national event and that ultimately played a prominent role in coming up short of his third National Championship. Not willing to make that mistake again, the Janssen crew loaded up their race program and headed for the southeast.
South of the Border is a highway oasis for southbound travelers offering an array of tourist attractions. Having been in existence for over 50 years, the area is known for fun and entertainment. What most don’t know is just beyond the park in the shadow of Pedro’s iconic sombrero, is a technical motocross track built from the region’s red clay – and for one weekend each spring, the park’s main attraction is the world’s fastest ATV racers of the ATV National Championship series.
Cody Janssen has been a long-time staple of the ATV motocross community. With his working-class nature and positive outlook, he has shaped himself into a fan favorite over the last decade. The 27-year-old has been on a tear, winning the first three motos of the 2019 season. But in Moto 2 at Ironman, Cody suffered a mechanical failure with the finish line in sight and was forced to push the #25 across the finish line. Fortunately, the 1-5 score still earning him a podium spot with 3rd overall.
After the disappointment from the previous round and the long trek to South Carolina, one could sense the urgency of Cody and his team as they looked to get back on the winning track. Janssen was fast in Friday practice, which served as a precursor to the weekend of racing. In Moto 1, Cody didn’t grab the holeshot for the first time in 2019 but leaped into the lead on a quadruple jump after being second for just a few corners. Janssen sprinted out to an impressive 12 second lead by the finish. Moto 2 saw Janssen grab one of his patented holeshots and lead wire-to-wire. The perfect 1-1 score earned Cody the overall win and the points lead in the Junior 25+ division!
“I work so hard and sacrifice a great deal for these moments.” Cody Janssen said from atop the podium following his victorious performance. “When that win got stolen from me in Indiana, I knew I had no choice but come [to South Carolina] and make it happen….We traveled halfway across the country to earn my mom a Mother’s Day victory and that’s exactly what we did! Grateful for this moment and I look forward to keeping it rolling!”
36 national event wins and counting, as well as making these memories with his loved ones, wouldn’t be possible without the support of so many great individuals, companies, and families. Cody must thank all the riders and families who support the Cody Janssen Riding School. He wants to thank the Swartfager family of Swartfager Farms and Knox Country Farm Supply for their continued support this season. Huge thank you for the continued support to SSI Decals, Elka Suspension, CST Tires, Valvoline, FMF Racing, and Pivot Works – without the continued support of these long-time believers it wouldn’t be possible. Thank you to his family, girlfriend Taylor, mechanic Dan Binder, and the rest of the crew at Janssen Motorsports. Thank yous continue to Goldspeed Products, Ameriprise and the Hemauer Financial Group, Al Corey Electric, the Kindrick Family and Kindrick Racing, E-Z Up Brand, Klink Equipment and Klink Hydraulics, Jay Gobel and Casey Greek of Impact Solutions, Hinson Clutch Components, Thor MX, The Program Training, D.I.D Chain, Atlas Brace, Bell Helmets, the Stanfield family and Napa (of Peru, Indiana), Cliff Cox and Oshkosh Tattoo & Good Girl Piercing, Precision Powder LLC, Ride 100% Brand, Trimble’s Cycle Center, DT1 Filters, Larry Mills and DP Brakes, Rath Racing, Walsh RaceCraft, Fourwerx Carbon, Sunstar Sprockets, Works Connection, Renthal, Corey Garrison and Parts Unlimited, the Reynolds Family and Reynolds Body Shop, 4arm Strong, Fuel Customs, the Dean and Pauline Janssen family, Energy Release, Pro-Tec Racing, Evans Cooling, Motion Pro, Blenders Eyewear, First Endurance, Pro Moto Billet/Fastway, Nova Racing Transmissions, Mountaineer Brand, Tim “Burr” Decoster, Dallas Janssen, and many others. Without such amazing support, chasing dreams and goals would never be possible. Photos thanks to Logan Tremellen. The hills of East Tennessee play host to the next stop on the 2019 ATV Motocross National Championship tour, as Cody Janssen and the rest of the ATV motocross world head to Muddy Creek Raceway on the weekend of May 25-26. Cody will look to add to his points lead with the famous Smokey Mountains as a backdrop, see you there!
