Busta's Ramp Jam Benefit

Friday, July 25th, 2003 - Dale Busta and the Busta Family threw a ramp jam benefit for the Lakewood Skatepark. Donations were collected from the riders and an impromptu contest was held on the ramp.

Dale's ramp is very... uhhh.. unique. On one hand, you have a great mix of extensions, coping, tight trannies, vert and steel surfacing. On the other hand, you have the tree. There is a love/hate relationship with that tree. You love the idea, but you grow to hate that tree. It seems like it's doable but skating around it is a challenge. But then you see Dale whip through it as if it doesnt exist and you realize.. you just need to forget it and skate. Just don't forget it all together. You'll end up hanging onto a branch or with a shirt full of bark and pinched at the torso.

But about 35 people showed up and about 20 guys decided to take up the cause on the ramp. After a few lines, everyone got a handle on the ramp and things started to get crazy. Eric Becker, Chuck, and Steve Psarcheck were already tearing it up and busting smiths and 5050s around the tree frontside and backside. Dale has his own ramp wired of course so he regularly blew minds with HUGE frontside liens, backside 360s to fakie up the extension, backside crail slides, and any kind of grind or tailslide around the tree. Matt Studier took a few slams but came out with some crazy transfers up the extension and even a long frontside nosegrind into the tranny of the extension. Brian Burkholder busted backside transfers, handplants, huge frontside ollies, and some long lines. Larry Rezenbek switch 5050 around the tree and switch 5-0s. Drew Dezort busted a transfer up the extension to indy nosegrind! Jeff the Mess threw down some crazy skating with a layback air to fakie up the extension.

After the riders voted, Jeff the Mess came out on top and received the $50 prize. He then handed it right back over as a donation which brought our total $220 for the night! Thanks Jeff! Larry Rezenbek got second and Matt Studier got third. All received trophies designed by Busta neighbor/cousin/DJ/trohy-maker Kevin. Thanks to all who came out and we hope to do it again sometime.

Dale's ramp in all it's glory.

Jerry Malafa, backside disaster up the small extension. Jerry killed it but didn't get a trophy.

Don Billington and son Evan take a break from watching the session to look into a camera.

Jeff the Mess taking a break and sharing some stories with Cathy and Shelly.

Dale presents the winners with their trophies. 1st place went to Jeff the Mess, Second to Larry Rezenbek, 3rd to Matt Studier. Dale was waiting all day to toss that confetti.

The source of all your problems and the reason you made the drive to Litchfield, Ohio.

The man with the plan. Dale floats around like this all the time. Thanks to Dale and the Busta's for throwing this benefit.