Finally the racing year has begun in our area. One series had its first race while another is getting ready to.
NIGHTINGALE (Feb. 19) – MRANN started its racing season with the Battle Born 100 presented by the Trail Blazers Motorcycle Club. It was the 19th edition of this event.
This was the prize for first overall at the Trail Blazers race this weekend.
With this type of race there is a “Hare,” and this time it was Austin Wilson. Since he didn’t have a rabbit suit his helmet had a set of “Rabbit Ears,” kind of like the TV kind and Wilson got a two-minute head start on the field.
But for one racer none of this mattered because as soon has he took the lead everyone was eating his dust as he scored his third overall victory in this race. And he caught the “Hare,” about three miles into the run after Wilson suffered a flat tire.
“I think I was like fourth into the first corner, then picked some guys off by the wash then by the time I can back by the pits I was in second, “Reece Honea said after taking the checkered flag. My favorite part was the second loop in the tight stuff.”
After the start the course looped back so the riders passed the pits but at the end of the first lap, a 52-mile long loop, Honea had almost a minute and half lead over second place.
Reece Honea holds the trophy after winning the Battle Born 100 race on Sunday.
Then he thanked Mike Berenbak for his help with the bike, his family and his girl friend Tina. After that he thanked sponsors RMS, Pro Taper, DDC Sprockets, Big Valley Honda, MSR Gear and Bell Helmets.
And he allowed that Honea will again race in the Virginia City Grand Prix this April.
Coming in second, several minutes later was young Drew Chattin, who was part of the winning pair that won the team race on Saturday. When the big bikes started he was probably fifth or sixth in line.
“I passed Dan (Capparelli) within the first 25 miles then got stuck behind the Polka Dot guys then Mason Stone and that’s what I really remember,” Chattin said. “I kept seeing Reece on the next ridge over I just saying, ‘come on Drew let’s get him,’ but then I just kept making mistakes that put me back more.”
He did stop for a fallen, who said he was all right so Chattin and another competitor continued on.
After the interview he thanked his parents, friends, his sister, DDC Components and the announcer Bob “Moto Mouth” Cavakis.
Max Parker, from the Polka Dots Club, finished third and he said, “I got some good lines off the start was going up pretty good, caught my brother and another kid, went for a pass in the sage brush , don’t know what I hit but I cart wheeled pretty good then had to sit there and catch my breath.”
Parker was the rider that Chattin stopped to see if he was okay.
Once he got up Parker thought his race was over but once he got cruising then there were riders to be picked off. And somehow he also managed to go over the handlebars again but was able to get back up and continue.
Later he would miss a turn and had to back track just a bit but Parker wasn’t alone in that. Seems it was easy to mistake the course for another dirt road but the riders said that overall the course was marked well.
In a MRANN race ribbons are tied to bushes along the way. A rider knows that they should pass by on their right and there are also hazard warnings as well as arrows, like the one Parker missed.
He also thanked sponsors IRC Tires, MSR, 707 Suspension, Mach 1 Motorsports, FMF, Maxima Oil and Scott Goggles.
Almost on Parker’s rear fender was Mike Berenbak, who finished fourth overall after missing the same turn Parker did.
“The conditions couldn’t have been any better, it was amazing,” Berenbak said. “A little faster than I like but a very, very well laid out course and fun.”
He also thanked sponsors, RMS, Dirt Tricks and Berenbak Plumbing.
The first amateur was Chris Martin, who managed to catch the experts and passed so many that he was soon in the top 20. After this great run he ended up 19th overall, quite an accomplishment since the Amateur line starts after the Experts have started.
“The race was pretty rough and about not having this 450 bog in the sand,” he said. “I caught the experts a little bit through the second lap, about 10-miles, I started seeing some. The second section has a lot of whoops, a lot of rocks and cold up in the mountains.”
Then he thanked his parents, RMS, Fuel, Evolution Nutrition, Dunlop, Norvick Gloves and JT Racing.
Another rider having a good race was Novice Open winner Robert Callahan, who finished 24th. Not bad as he started in the last line that was let go and had to pass a bunch of amateurs to end up in that position.
It wasn’t unexpected as last year Callahan was the Novice winner at the Virginia City Grand Prix, an event he plans on running again this year.
After taking the checkered flag, the 21-year-old that helps build cell phone towers said, “The first of the race was easy, nice smooth sailing all in the washes and everything.”
Then he thanked his pit crew, amazing girl friend, family and everyone that helped him out with his bike. He also added Testa Motorsports as that’s where he gets all his supplies and things from the Minden based shop.
It should be noted that this was his first MRANN race but we should be seeing more of him in the future.
Several of the racers usually spend President’s Day at the site where they have fun rides and clean up the course.
(Reporter’s Note: Made a mistake when this was published. so here is the correction.)
The next race for MRANN will be on March 4 and 5 and it’s “The Battle at Blue Wing Flat,” which is located north of Imlay and west of Winnemucca.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• On Saturday evening the Reno chapter of the Over The Hill Gang held its annual awards banquet. The top 20 riders are honored and a couple of special award were also handed out.
The evening began with a nice dinner supplied by Pinocchio’s in Spanish Springs. Desert was two cakes created by Sedanna Losey.
The club created a new award for this year, Sportsman of the Year. And it was awarded to Sedanna Losey for her help as well as the determination she’s shown racing here and at other tracks.
Sedanna Losey receiving OTHG’s first ever Sportsman award.
The late Harry Trainor was a racer respected and loved by many. After he passed away a couple of years ago the club created an award in his honor and Jeromie Sorhouet is this year’s winner.
Jeromie Sorhouet received this year’s Harry Trainor award for his committment to the sport and club. Here Layne Kolbet presents him with the award.
President Layne Kolbet also gave special thanks to Tina Boden for her help in creating a new website for the chapter. That site is www.renoothg.com.
He added there is a new sanctioning body that will go a long way to helping with rules and making it easier to have people in their correct class during the races. That new body has a website and its, www.bbmx.com.
There was a raffle for many prizes and the top points earners received a stand for their bikes as well as a cap and sweatshirt. Topping the list was points champion Kevn Hargett.
Kevin Hargett is the 2016 OTHG overall points champion.
As the evening wound down Kolbet made some comments about last year and what he expects this coming season.
“I’m looking forward to a good series, a little bit longer series, more participation not only from club members but locally. I’m looking forward to working with some really good people, some good clubs and some excitement back in the sport.”
Asked about the season past he was very upbeat on what transpired over the past 12 months.
“Last year was by far one of our best years racing, in our series the amount of riders stayed consistent, Winnemucca had the biggest race in the fall series they’ve ever had, Exit 28 had some good races,” he said.
Earlier this year Exit 28 announced that the track was closing as the land might be slated for other developments.
“It’s a huge loss for the motocross community as it kind of hurts us to ride out there more than anything. And it was a great spot to ride,” he said. “That’s a big void in the local motocross community, we need a track that’s open all the time and Tim and the people that worked out there did a great job with that.”
Then he looked toward the future Kolbet feels things are positive.
“I think with the economy picking up, bike sales are up, the excitement within this club and other clubs is high, lots of positive feed back. New series coming out, six races to start off with, it’s going to be good,” he said. “I’m looking forward to our national, last year was by far the biggest and I would imagine this year even bigger.”
Then he thanked all those people within the clubs, both racers and especially the girls that man the trailer, keep track of scoring, points and the front gate.
And motocross in this area begins the weekend of March 11/12 in Fernley at the Wadsworth/Fernley Lion’s Club Motocross Track, the one most call the Sandbox.
NOTE: There is a photo gallery at the end of this article.
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We now have four very appreciated sponsors that are helping support this site.
The newest is familiar to anyone in the riding lifestyle. It’s PJ & Co Restaurant and Saloon located at 1590 Wells Avenue in Reno.
Good food, great place and they have Bike Night every Wednesday. For further information please check their website at, www.pjandco.net.
Concours Body Shop, owned by racer and race supporter Gil Grieve, is a business doing quality repair work on cars and trucks.
The business is located at 240 Telegraph Street in Reno and their website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.
If you are into karting or want the most cost effective way to start racing then check out Nevada Kart Sport, our only full service kart shop in this region.
They are located at 1220 E. Greg Street in Sparks and their website is, www.nevadakartsport.com.
Into riding or racing a motorcycle? If so Reno Motorsports is for you as they have a full service shop as well as about anything a rider could want.
They are located at 964 Terminal way, by Mill Street and their website is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.
Have a business targeted toward the motorcycle or motorsport demographic? Well we are looking for more sponsors. You can contact us either through the comment section of the site or our Face Book page.
RESULTS*
MRANN – Battle Born 100
- Sunday, Feb. 19
* – These are unofficial results and subject to change after review. Full results will be posted during the week at www.racemrann.com.
Big Bike Overall:
+ 1. Reece Honea, Open Exp, 2. Drew Chattin, 4-Stroke Exp, 3. Max Parker, 4. Michael Berenbak, 30+ Exp., 5. Wyatt Brittner, 6. Mason Parker, 250, 7. Sean Jones, 8. Donavon Morris, 9. R.J. Tanner, 10. Jack Reader, 40+ Exp, 11. Sean Rhodes, 12. Chris Mass, 200 Exp, 13. John Levie, 14. C.J. Crandall, 15. Michael Jepson, 16, Mark Dowers, 17. Chuck Faul, 18. Mason Stone, 19. Chris Martin, Open Ama., 20. Feep Feepman, 21. Tyler Thompson 22. Tyler Bogan, 23. Paul Ziegler, 24. Robert Cahallan, Open Novice, 25. Devin Walker, 26. Andrew Robinson, 27. Cory Chapman, 28. Ryan Jackson, 29. Matthew McKimmy, 30. Mike Cullen, 50+ Ama, 31. Tim Lambert, 32. Alan Morton, 33. Dan Delgadillo, 34. Loren Hall, 35. Tyler Fowler, 36. Anthony Montoya, 37. Grey Wyman, 38. Keith Alosi, 39. Ryan Abert, 30. Jeff Robinson.
• Saturday, Feb. 18
Pee Wees:
+ 1. Peyton Daughhetee, 65 Nov, 2. Peyton Maas, 6-, 3. Setten Fullenwider, 4-Stk, 4. Ava Delaney, 65 Nov, 5. Jacob Surane, 65 Nov, 6. Charlie Albert, 65 Nov, 7. Remi Johnson, 65 Nov, 8. Tucker Whitworth, 6-, 9. Genevieve Miller, 65 Nov, 10. Max Roby 65 Nov., 11. Henry Young, 7+, 12. Brynn Belingheri, 4 Stk., 13. Mason Baker, 65 Nov, 14. Cole Hough, 6-, 15. Jacie Levie, 65 Nov, 16. Mikele Levie, 7+, 17. Jesse Miller, 7+, 18. Kali Belsher, 65 Nov, 19. Kylie Morton, 4 Stk., 20. Kyra Tichenor, 65 Nov, 21. Trenton Johnson, 4 Stk, 22. Devan Tichenor, 6-, 23. Landen Ruano, 6-, 24. Payeton Segale, 6-, 25. Walker Segale-Vandover 6-, 26. Logan Blaire, 6-.
Mini Bikes/V Women/Bombers:
+ 1. Christina Courtney, Wm Ex, 2. Caleb Bonneville, 100 Am, 3. Jesse White, 100 Ex., 4. Julianne Zotter, Wm Ex., 5. Camie Ingram, 100 Am, 6. Amanda Ross, Wm Am, 7. Carley Legenbauer, 100 Am, 8. Carson Calder, 100 Am, 9. Curtis Calder, Bomber, 10. Shannon Fieste,Wm Nov, 11. Cassie Searle, Wm Am., 12. Tina Bodden, Wm Am, 13. Baylee Rhodes, Wm Am, 14. Hazen Fullenwider, 65 Am, 15. Sheah Ferrara, Wm Am, 16. Jamie Jenks, Wm Nov, 17. Sarah Gley, Wm Nov, 18. Kayla Faul, Wm Am, 19. Michael Furlong, Bomber, 20. Claire Petrie, Wm Ex, 21. Johanna Stone, Wm Nov, 22. Sierra Koch, Wm Nov, 23. Anthony Braun, 100 Nov, 24. Moriah McGraw, Wm Nov, 25. Jordan Maas, 65 Ex, 26. Danielle Horneman, Wm Nov, 27. Nichole Ellsworth Wm Nov, 28. Scott Martin, Bomber, 29. Organ Martin, Wm Nov, 30. Landen Williams, 65 Am, 31. Lukas Dean, 65 Am, 32. Angie Figg, Wm Am, 33. Dalton Legenbauer, 65 Am, 34. Kadyn Maton, 65 Am, 35. Arie Furlong, 100 Ex, 36. Jennifer Tichenor, Wm Nov, 37. Jolene Harsch, Wm Ex, 38. Garrett Dean, 100 Nov, 39. Brittany Hutchings, Wm Am, 40.Lawson Williams, 100 Nov, 41. Samantha Monzo, Wm Nov.
Team Races:
+ 1. Belingheri/Chattin, 2. Bernbak/Honea, 3. Levie/Maas, 4.Rudd Arrate, 5. Morris/Davidson, 6. Faul/Albert, 7. Firzpatrick/Fowler, 8. Smith/Lahrson, 9. Majors/Majors, 10. Rhodes/Rhodes, 11. Ferrara/Smith, 12. Johnson/McNeill, 13. Rosenquist/Walkiewicz, 14. Reiner/Liska, 15. Schwortz/Ross.
DNF: Hansen/Moore
• Over The Hill Gang top finishers and award winners:
+ Sportsman of the Year: Sedanna Losey
+ Harry Trainor Award – Jeromie Sorhouet
+ Top 20 in Points: 1. Kevin Hargett, 2. Matt Sorhouet, 3. Jeromie Sorhouet, 4. Ted Griffin, 5. Duane Quick, 6. Sedanna Losey, 7. Layne Kolbet, 8. Allen Brent, 9. Tony Fagundes, 10. Chris Dyer, 11. Bob Woebbking, 12. Peter Mayforth, 13. Jeff Mitchell, 14. Sedric Robinson, 15. Aaron Bissell, 16. Chris Leone, 17. Scott Stillmock, 18. Bill Webb, 19. Travis Holbish, 20. Joel Ellis.
PHOTO GALLERY
