Set in the Asbury Park Casino, a hollowed out building along the Jersey seaside, the street course provided ample opportunities for athletes to show off their skills, whether it was going big off the New York City bus, or getting technical on the rail and sub boxes. The setting was accented with real life street elements – graffiti, ledges and a broken down car – along with some uncommon finds – 
like the roof of a shack serving as a wedge and a wall ride off the bus. The unique course brought out street legends and riders who rarely appear in contests, including Edwin De La Rosa, Van Homan, Jimmy Levan and Aaron Ross. The athletes from different teams mixed it up in a jam format where anything goes. Nearly a thousand onlookers packed the Casino to witness the energetic and sometimes chaotic sessions. In one of the wildest heats, veteran rider Brian Foster stylishly boosted huge 360’s over the taxi cab, Lumpy effortlessly backflipped over multiple ramps and Sean Burns got some of the loudest cheers of the day for dropping in off the top of the bus, sprinting across the course and gapping completely out of the Casino onto the boardwalk.
As a member of the winning team as well as winner of Best Trick, Lumpy reflected the communal environment of BMX when asked how he would spend his money. “I’m going to put it towards BMX and give it to Stephen Murray,” referring to the athlete who suffered a severe spinal injury during a contest earlier this year. His riding got the attention of the well-respected street riders, like New Jersey’s Van Homan, “It was a raw course. Definitely Lumpy was putting on a show out there!” 
Event MC Steve Crandall summed up the vibe of the event and the sentiment of the riders. “Absolute pandemonium, total chaos and a super good time!” The event was put on in partnership with Zoo York, Madison Marquette with course design by Animal Bikes and built by Ed Pollio.
Results:
1st – Team Heavy Hitters: Dave Belcher, Pat Laughlin, Augie Simoncini, Darryl Tocco - $4000 2nd - Team Eff-It: Mike Aitken, Chase Dehart, Dakota Roche, Van Homan - $3000
3rd - Team Knuckle Sandwich: Danny Hickerson, Seth Kimbrough, Corey Martinez, Karl Poynter - $1000
4th - Team Electronical: Jim Cielencki, Chase Hawk, Jimmy Levan, Aaron Ross
5th - Team UK: Randy Brown, Bruce Crisman, Robin Fenlon, Dan Lacey6th - Team Animal: Mike Brennan, Nigel Sylvester, Jared Washington, Tom White
7th – Team Deebo: Brian Kachinsky, Ian Schwartz, Brad Simms, Davey Watson
8th – Team Bone Deth: Sean Burns, Garrett Byrnes, Kevin Keller , Brian Wizmerski
9th - Team Zoo York: Edwin De La Rosa, Marlon Europe, Vinnie Sammon, Tyrone Williams Zoo York Best Trick:
1st – Pat “Lumpy” Laughlin – Backwards Derek Duster Inward 180 Out on rail - $1500
2nd – Dakota Roche – Nose Wheelie Gap to Nose Wheelie - $500
Best Attempted – Brad Simms –Backwards Smith Grind to 180 Tailwhip - $500
Pics: Justin Kosman/Red Bull Photofiles
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.