Friebel blasts Fox Valley HS Wedron, Illinois - July 22 By trackman, Photos by Kayla & Ashley Mitzelfelt
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ormally we start a racing story by saying how great or crapy a day was. Weather plays a big factor and has all summer with the hot and dry conditions. This not being a secret many chose to stay home and play with the thermostat while thinking, ha ha, those suckers are sweating up a storm on a dusty trail! Well it wasn’t all that hot, it was pretty dusty, but hey this is off-road racing, dust is part of the game. This was the first time that D17’s Fox Valley Off Road had the opportunity to host a dual sanctioned event which welcomed District 16 riders from Wisconsin, and it became a shootout of sorts. This brings up JD Friebel and his hot rod Husqvarna 310. Some of the fast D17 guys didn’t show up, but others were there, Matthew Dissell, Steve Willis, the old guy Ryan Moss, the kids Alec Perry, and home boy Travis Ward. Moss pulled the holeshot and led for a couple laps til he slid out giving the lead to Friebel. As the laps wore on, Friebel pulled a lead, and after a last place start Dissell was reeling in the leaders with Perry and Ward dicing strong and coming up fast as well. Dissell passed Moss on the east side, next Ward passes him on the off camber. Think the comment heard was, “damn kid, have to quit showing him stuff!” Friebel kept consistent lap
Open B class start, #245 Nolan Schuhler sweeps inside to take the early lead.
times with Dissell doing what he always does, getting faster as the race goes on. We all watched to see if Dissell could reel in Friebel, who last year who went to the ISDE 6 day race I was told, so his ability isn’t second guessed. As Friebel fueled late in the race, Dissell was in striking distance, coming over the finish line logs. Anyone that knows Dissell knows he is the “stalker” and makes his play in the last minutes of a race. Today wasn’t his day. Friebel rode smart and won AA and the overall in the afternoon classes, Dissell took second as Ward held down third. Moss finished fourth overall and fifth went to Alec Perry. This was a special race for the Moss family as three generations raced this day. Grampa Greg rode the Thumper class, Alex rode 65cc and of Ryan rode
in AA. It isn’t often that this happens in any sport, and it’s special when it does. Hats off to them, and hope they can race and ride together for a long time! The other big bike classes raced in the morning. The +50 Geritol group was back, but a little thinner as it seems a few are
dinged up and sitting out this race. More had confidence with the finish line log this time and quickly they learned to maneuver this obstacle with ease. The course this race much different than the easier, earlier events. Nine up hills and as many slick down hills, rock creek with a
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Mason Schuhler took the C class overall.