McDonald, Mika, Vance cruise @ Fox Valley Off Road HS !

by trackman  photos by Tanya and Jen!

Mother nature is an evil person, with weeks on end and not a drop of rain in
site, she chooses to tease us with large clouds and spectactular radar offerings
only to not give it up. Five events have happened in the last 6 months or so at
Fox Valley, all with rain during or before the event even though no rain much
any other time. This event went the other way. The big non-event was dark
clouds and not a drop. Dust was the result and anyone knows who rides off road
that it can be very sketchy fast if you can't see.

Starting off the day is the 65 Beginner and the Super mini, 85's and 65cc
classes. The 65 beginner class heads off onto a special course, much of it
newly cut virgin trail that has been cut by a enthusiastic 16 year old and his
brother. Nice pine trees, with a few apple trees to dodge are the order of
the day. Blake Phelps led the way with Conner Mabus and Jay Pelka in tow.  A few corners and some rubbin looked to be in the favor of Pelka taking the lead and winning.  Mabus 2nd and Phelps 3rd.  

Super mini wasn't a big class but it was hotly contested by Matt McDonald
(245) and Braxton Bill (269).They were the first to attack the new log which
was in place the last event but with all the mud wasn't attempted many
times. Flawlessly they skirted the 30'' something inch log with
ease. In fact not to be out done, Mason Schuhler (301) was making that log
look pretty easy. This was fooling alot of the C class and 50+ and other
dads who were spectating as their race was coming up at 10am. Later we
will explore those expectations.....Matt kept on the gas and slowly
pulled Alec at the end of this hour dash, as Alec had an issue on the log
which he couldn't make up the time.  Schuhler who has a strangle hold on
FVOR race events wasn't challenged this day and raced on to the win in the 85cc
class.. Schuhler, Bill, Jacob Mccarrens also pulled double duty as they rode the morning big bike  classes also.  For those counting, that is 2.5 + hours on the machine this 90+ day.  Some real tough kids out there.

65cc saw the Thor Rick (164) rocket out into the lead with Garrett Ward (153)
and Tanner Whipple (129) both hot on his heels. Ward passed Rick and led many laps til a tree didn't move and well planted him on the ground.  "WFO's" own Tanner Whipple had gained alot of time on Ward, taking advantage of his crash went on for the win in the 65cc class. Ward finished 2nd and Eli Otterbach took home third.

Morning big bike racers lined up for the dusty start and Sam Mertes(649) shook off the morning sluggishness and found himself in the lead.  The almost super Senior Wally Mika(619) isn't ready just yet to allow some "new kid" on the block to run up front.  On the start of the second lap Sam hiccupped and Wally rocketed by. Duane Martin (6040), Dave Moose(605), Joe Pearson (650) all kept the leaders honest and rode an excellent race. DJ Ryan kept the rest of the Geritol group honest and took third overall and 2nd in 50+B.

Thumper class is a bunch of guys that like to race/ play on 150cc or less air cooled machines. Fox Valley Cycles John Conley and RCR's Nick Blacklaw have battled many times. Today was no different, John passing Nick on the log.  Next lap Nick returned the favor with a  little look back.  Bet next month will be fun.

Vince Ternes(825) rocked the big C class.  Not to mention his finish line log stuff which could be darn near a "circus" act over the log.  He managed to save it a few times, and well not all the time.  Vince rode a strong race and did well as the highest finishing C class rider in the morning group. Other very strong notables in the C classes, Mason Schuhler, Jacob McCarrens, rode to top 15 overall.

Afternoon big bikes had a run away with Kyler Vance(14) just railing the first lap to get a lead he would never yeild. Cody Bolinger the hero from the last FVOR event started way back to bang out lap after lap reeling in his competition.  By the end of the first hour he had came from 12th to the top 4.  Vance still holding a commanding lead, left only Travis Ward and Matt Dissell in Cody's way.  Ward does a fairly high speed get off around the top field and Dissell did a little fall over to give up their positions to the charging Bolinger.  Grant Bodmer ran a solid strong race finishing 2nd in the A class and 5th overall.  Up and comer Riley Schuhler along with his brother Nolan hammered out some really strong laps and well Riley was the top B rider in the afternoon group.

Next up at Fox Valley Off Road, District 17 and District 16 co-point race in July.  Hit up the website for information. Today's race went well with a flowing course and a schedule that went smoothly.