Dissell Conquers Fox Valley HS Wedron, Illinois - August 19 Photos by Don McDonald, Dan Siener, and Free Motopix
A
Twenty-one +30C riders were on the line for their start. Their course went directly to the scoring barrels as running it clock wise one week and counter clock wise the next time dictates. What this meant is all these C class guys heading for the double logs in a bunch, all at one time. Not to mention Big C and Little C were mixed in right ahead of them. Jack Hansen led the field into the barrels with John Ceasar and Lee Orme hot on his heels. Daren Buffo was giving chase. Ceasar had mechanical issues and fell out of the hunt and finally the race while Casey Rick was coming from a distant nineteenth place, picking of riders every lap. The carnage at the logs was amazing as these guys will do what it takes to get over those logs til they are so tired they simply take the “sally” trail. Orme and Rick battled the last couple laps before Rick took the win. Jack Hansen took third yet again. Micah Austin beat out Darren Buffo who rode a consistent race with to fifth. Little C class has seen some major numbers increase in the last year or so as the new crop of riders transition over to the big bikes. Mason Schuhler did what he always does, goes over the big logs, runs down his competition, and simply takes care of business. This twelve year old is going to be a rider to reckon with as the years progress. Again this race he came from a few lines back to pass everyone in the group, 50A, all the C riders... were seeing his dust this day. He just got off the 85cc bike for the first hour, and then rode this event at 1.5 hours. Braden Housenga, and Logan Housenga came to check out this race for the first time. They ran excellent laps and kept Mason honest for a majority of the race. Luke Kelly fought hard with Brett Bolek and edged him out for the fourth. The 50cc classes have been running the
fter weeks of hoping for rain, the riding park got just enough. Riders were greeted with a much longer course than normal, including a little more mx track which helped in connecting the trails to get the distance. All year long the beginner and kids course has been excellent. They have had many races with new trails cut the week before the event, and not all chewed up by big bikes. The AA and A classes were small, and started together today. Alec Perry (124) edged out Travis Ward (131) in the first turn and the two were motoring in the early laps. Veteran riders like Steve Willis (33), Ryan Moss (24), and Matt Dissell (90) held good lap times early, and know it’s a long race, and a lot can happen. Early into lap two Perry had some trouble in rock creek and went down. Unfortunately he fell at least two more times this day. Ward put a minute or so lead on the AA riders Dissell and Moss and looked be on his way to an easy day, that was until he got into traffic. This race had much more single track, and riders not moving over can make things difficult. Ward may not have Matt Dissel took the day’s overall win. managed that part of the race well, area had these guys slipping around for a few and Dissell seized the opportunity and passed laps til they burned in a line. Phelps domifor the lead on a knarly off camber, passing nated again but not as strong as the last time. Ward and two lappers in one clean move. Mabus, Pelka and Bland raced hard. In a Now the race was on. For another lap or so great come from behind ride Mabus crossed Ward and Dissell, went back and forth until a in third with Bland second. Pelka missed the rattled Ward hit the ground on the mx portion podium by one spot. of the course. Later the race crud got into the main jet and for three laps Ward limped the bike around. Moss took second overall and Steve Willis retired early with a flat tire. Pretty intense times with the afternoon race as it was the first time in a long time that a couple kids in the A class had something for the AA guys. Chris Hoffman was fourth overall as ole man Travis Held (30A) was fifth. 65 Beginner has become a very competitive class with riders chasing points and attending many events this year. Blake Phelps (121) has been the dominate rider lately, and today was no exception. Riders at this age get their speed in spurts, and Blake has taken well to his KX65, and is a force to reckon with. Robert Bland (134) and Conner Mabus (109), along with Jay Pelka (150) have been duking it out all summer with results that have kept Mason French leads Tanner Whipple (129), Garrett Ward them close. (153) and Autumn Torres of the 65cc class off the start. A little too much watering on the start 24 CYCLE USA, September 2012