Vance Cruises at Fox Valley Wedron, Illinois - June 24 By trackman Photos by Tanya
M
other nature can be a evil, with weeks on end and not a drop of rain in site, she chooses to tease us with large clouds and spectacular radar offerings, only to not give it up. Five events have happened in the last six months or so at Fox Valley, all with rain during or before the event, even though the rest of weeks have gone without rain. This event went the other way. The big non-event was dark clouds and not a drop. Dust was the result and anyone who rides off-road knows that it can get very sketchy fast if you can't see. As the day wore on, well there wasn't a clean truck in the parking lot. Starting off the day was the 65 Beginner and the SuperMini, 85's and 65cc classes. The 65 Beginner class headed off on to a special course, much of it newly cut virgin trail that has
been cut by a enthusiastic sixteen year old and his brother. Nice pine trees, with a few apple trees to dodge were 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 ended in second ahead of Phelps. SuperMini 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 by many. Flawlessly they skirted the 30'' something inch log with ease. In fact not to be out done, 85cc class rider Mason Schuhler (301) was making that log look pretty easy. McDonald kept on the gas and slowly pulled away at the end of this hour dash. 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.
John Conley struggles with the log crossing as Nick Blacklaw takes it all in, maybe with a little teasing at the same time...
65cc saw the Thor Rick rocket out into the lead with Garrett Ward and Tanner Whipple both hot on his heels. Ward passed Rick and led many laps til a tree didn't move and planted him on the ground. "WFO's" own Tanner Whipple had gained a lot of time on Ward, taking advantage of his crash and went on for the win. Ward finished second 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 Sr Wally Mika isn't ready just yet to allow some "new kid" to run up front. On the start of the second lap Mertes hiccupped and Mika rocketed by. Duane Martin, Dave Moose, and Joe Pearson 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 second in +50B. The question of the day was how many 50 something year olds could bench press thier
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BMW MO OT TORC CYCLES OF COUNTRYSIDE Open A winner Travis Ward ahead of Cody Bollinger, hits the log crossing the fast way.
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CYCLE USA, July 2012
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