By Mark A. Rolland
ATV Rider Magazine , August 2006
I could already hear Jeff Foxworthy's "You might be a redneck if..." jokes ringing in my ears as I surveyed the crowd at the 2006 High Lifter ATV Mud Nationals at the Mud Creek Off-Road Park near Jacksonville, Texas. I think I may have seen some of the people he was talking about in his comical punch lines after just a few minutes of walking around. From the Dixie flags, beer T-shirts and accents, it became very apparent I was definitely in the South. It was hard to tell who had the most fun out there-the ATV riders who were competing or those watching from the sidelines- at the wild, mud-induced games.
This is the fourth year High Lifter has hosted this event, with 2006 being the biggest yet. The number of contests was expanded, requiring a third day to fit them all in. New competitions included the Mud-A-Cross, Sled Pull, Poker Run, Kiddie Bog and Geocache Treasure Hunt. The Mud-A-Cross (likely to return next year) saw fierce competition as three racers made two laps in the 18 inches to four feet of muddy water in a format similar to a circle track.
Attendees included many repeat competitors. In fact, Ava Rice was back to defend her title in the Women's Solid Rear Axle (SRA) class in the Bulldog Off-Road, All-Terrain Trucks Mud Chic Shootout. We're happy to report she was successful.
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