SPARKS (Jan. 27) – The awards banquet for theReno chapter OTHG (Over The Hill Gang) was at Pinocchios in Sparks. There the club honored their top 20, handed out special awards and mark a change of the club’s president.
One of the cakes at the OTHG awards banquet.
After a nice buffet dinner the ceremony began hosted by outgoing president Lane Kolbet.
First up were three special awards. The first went to Fred Enos for this tireless work driving the water truck during the races at Fernley. Keeping some moisture in the sand is critical to having a good track to race on.
Fred Enos received a special award for helping and driving the water truck on race days.
Next up was the Sportsman of the Year award given to a club member that goes way beyond the call of duty during race weekends and at other times. This year the award went to Bob Woebbeking.
Bob Woebbeking is this year’s Sportsman of the Year.
Next up was an award named after the much respected and missed Harry Trainor. The award was started only a couple of years ago to remember Trainor. This year that award went to Aaron Bissell.
Aaron Bissell won this year’s Harry Trainor award.
After that the top 20 were honored. Places from 11 to 20 get a special trophy and a nice sweatshirt. From 10 to the overall champion a bike stand is added to the award.
Four women were in the top 20, Denise Schwarts was 18th while Deanna Sorhouet was 15th and Sedanna Losey wound up 5th. Due to her son racing in the KTM Challenge event Shami Potratz was unable to attend but she finished seventh in points.
Kolbet explained that the top two were in a very close points race until a minor injury, that needed stitches, decided the finish. Woebbeking ended up second while Kevin Hargett was this year’s overall points champion and he not only got his trophy, sweatshirt and bike stand but a nice gear bag as well.
During the event there were raffle prizes that were supplied by Big Valley Honda and Kolbet.
In the end of the ceremony incoming club president Sedanna Losey presented Kolbet with an appreciation award for all the effort he has put in over the past seven years.
Incoming OTHG president Sedanna Losey presented outgoing president Layne Kolbet with a special appreciation award for his efforts over the past seven years.
For his part Kolbet said he’ll be riding and racing for fun but was willing to help when needed.
Later Losey shared her thoughts on the upcoming year.
“I got voted to be the 2018 Over The Hill Gang president, there are elections every year,” she said. “I actually was the race director last year and got a good idea on how the club runs and what’s involved so that was good. I think this year is going to be really fun, the whole board is really excited and really into racing.”
Her children also race and this year, since her bike was sold, she’ill be sharing her daughter’s at the races. While Losey hopes to have another bike right now the goal is to get into a house.
In Northern Nevada the OTHG chapter is one of the few that stages races and she wants that to continue. With the season rapidly approaching there is the matter of the club’s OTHG National round on Memorial Day weekend.
“I’ll be in charge of the national this year and I would like to start what we’ll call a National Committee,” she said. “We’re going to put some people in charge of that so we get more help involved with putting the national on and I think it will really be fun.”
The club also plans to bring back a popular event this spring.
“We already have a race planned for February 24 and 25th, its called the Sand Box GP, it’s a longer track and longer motos. On President’s Day weekend we’re going to have a track prep day and do some changes,” she said.
Looking ahead Losey is optimistic about the racing that will soon begin.
Those wishing further information on the club there are two places to go. The first is www.renoothg.com and the other is www.facebook.com/OTHGReno.
REPORTER’S NOTE: There is a photo gallery at the end of this article.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
- A young motocross rider was chosen to compete in the KTM Junior series. This race highlights the younger racers and is part of any Monster Energy ASA Supercross event.
Not only do these young riders get to race on the same course as their heroes but they even take part in a pre-race autograph session.
Pierson Potratz on the bike he rode in the KTM Challenge race during the last round of the AMA Supercross.
Photo courtest – Potratz family.
Reno’s Pierson Potratz was selected so he and his family were in Glendale, Arizona this weekend. He qualified sixth and finished sixth in the race.
• Once again this reporter will be on Teresa’s Garage Radio Show that airs from 2 until 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. I’m either there for the full show or will be on around 2:15.
It’s a good show that covers all things automotive and is worth a listen.
Teresa’s Garage Radio Show graphic.
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Our newest is Big Valley Honda and is the first dealer we have as a sponsor. They sell everything from motorcycles, UTV’s, ATV’s and about anything else things one could want.
They are located at 2225 Market Street in Reno and their website is www.bigvalleyhonda.com and they have a Face Book page, www.facebook.com/bigvalleyhondareno.
Our first sponsor is a full service motorcycle shop, Reno Motorsports and they too 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.
Sponsor PJ & Co Restaurant and Saloon located at 1590 Wells Avenue in Reno is familiar to most in the riding lifestyle.
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.
The shop has moved to 894 Deming Way in Sparks and their website is, www.nevadakartsport.com.
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PHOTO GALLERY:
