Background

We grew up on a wooded acreage near Tama, IA and have been riding ATVs and dirt bikes for as long as we can remember.  Our father, Al (who began racing with us in 2009), has owned and operated a small repair shop (Upah Cycle Repair) since before we were born, and we both grew up working in that shop.  We learned to ride on various machines on the miles of trails which we cut through the rolling timber behind our house.  In 2005, we purchased a 400EX (Adam) and a YFZ450 (Luke).  In August of 2006, we entered our first hare scramble in Waterloo, IA and have been hooked ever since.   We then raced the last round of the 2006 IATVHSS (Iowa ATV Hare Scramble Series).  In 2007, we raced the IATVHSS as well as some OMA National races, with Adam upgrading to a TRX450R late in the season.  In 2008 and 2009, we again raced the IATVHSS.  In 2009, Adam also raced the GNCC series.  We are still learning and constantly improving with each race, and our results are evidence of that.   We also believe it is important to note that Luke began racing in A class and Adam in B.  In 2008, just our second year of racing, Luke and Adam each moved up a class to Pro and A, respectively.  We both typically line up against a field where the majority of quads are newer and more heavily modified than our own, but our results  show that we have still been able to be competitive and successful. 

Adam earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University in May 2008 with a 3.84 GPA.  While in college, he was involved with the Society of Automotive Engineers and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.  He also interned at both Caterpillar and Honda R&D Americas.  In June of 2008, he returned to Honda as an engineer in ATV/Motorcycle Research in Raymond, OH.

Luke graduated from high school in May 2008 with a 4.0 GPA and is currently attending Iowa State University in Ames, IA, also pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  While in high school, Luke was an All-State football player and was also a two-time state place winner in wrestling.

Al Upah has been riding and wrenching on ATVs and dirt bikes for years.   For many years (before the dawn of ATVs) he competed in Trials competitions.  Aside from being a manager at Emerson Process Management in Marshalltown, IA, he also owns and operates a small repair shop from home. 

2010 GOALS

Our primary goals are always to have fun, win races, and promote our sponsors!  In 2009, our goal was to each place in the top three in overall series points in the IATVHSS, and we are very proud to say that we accomplished that—even Al, who hadn’t planned on racing the series until spring.  In 2010 our goals are set on class championships in the IATVHSS.  With Adam moving up to the AA/Pro class there however, we will be racing directly against each other for the first time since we began racing 3 years ago.   Al will again race the +50 class with his sights set on another class championship.   

Adam’s GNCC goal was a top 10 class finish, but he fell just short of that in 13th after a very rocky start to the year when he lost his primary financial support from Team Honda Research (THR).  He still gained valuable experience though and will return to the GNCC series in 2010 with hopes of a top 10 finish at every race in the Junior A class.   Long term, both Adam and Luke’s long term goals are to be racing among the pro ranks in the GNCC series.   Luke will also race at several GNCCs in 2010, but will not be able to attend enough to qualify for series points as he will be focusing on his education and the IATVHSS until more time and budget are available.