RENO (Jan. 28) — The desert racers that compete in the MRANN series assembled for their yearly banquet and awards ceremony this weekend. For many it was a time to reflect on the season past, maybe get a trophy, a new number and mentally start preparing for the 2023 season that begins in February.
This would be the final time that Ricky Dahlberg was acting as MRANN’s president. After this night the new board takes over.
“This last season went really well, we had very stron numbers in ’21 and we actually exceeded that in’22 to the numbers went up,” he said. “We had a lot of new involvement from people coming over from the motocross community.”
He added that some veterans that haven’t raced in years have returned, which is he feels is really cool.
“So we’re seeing great health, great health in the Pee Wee and Mini classes, which is always nice to see because they’ll be racing on the big bikes in a couple of years. Over all it was a really good year,” he said. “Next is looking really good already, memberships have opened up and I think we’re north of 200 and probably closer to 300 right now and it just opened up in early January.”
With a few weeks before the season opener on President’s Day week things look strong for the coming season.
Then Dahlberg recognized the outgoing board and introduced the incoming board, which has some from the current one. They are Greg Pheasant – President, Kyle Marsh – Vice President, Lisa Shultz – Secretary, Janeen Silva – Treasurer, Sarah Marsh – Referee Big Bikes, Bob Burns – Referee Mini Bikes and the Land Use Representative Michael Schultz.
The awards began with the Saturday racers and Ducati Fayet was the 6 & Under champion while Duke Arbogast won the 7 & Over title and Brighton Stern earned the 4-Stroke crown. Moving up to the 65cc ranks Kade Christensen topped that group and Jesse Miller was the 100cc champion.
In the Saturday Women class Cassie Searle was the champion while former motocross racer Scott Stillmock is the Bomber champion. Stillmock remarked how much fun he’s been having and intends to race with MRANN this season.
Then the Saturday Referee named Emily Hall and Brendan Peart as the two most improved Saturday riders.
There were several special awards and presentations during the evening.
Over the past years the Corey Herring family and MC has awarded scholarships to a MRANN member. This helps them continue their education and this time Ashley Delaney received it.
The Herring family also has a fund so they can continue giving these scholarships. This year the Gold Diggers MC had a fundraiser and, along with an anonymous donation contribution, were able to donate $10,000 to the scholarship fund.
The Marsh family received the Family of the Year award and Jack Reader, who wasn’t able to attend the banquet was named the Sportsman of the Year.
There was also a Sunday Most Improved rider and that went to Maden Kirsch. This time the Trail Blazers MC won the Race of the Year award.
Then it was time for the Big Bikes. These riders race on Sunday, on a long course and a rider has to complete one full lap to be classed as a finisher.
In the 200 Class Andy Jenny was the Amateur and Class champion while Benamin Malone topped the Novice group. Moving up to the 250s Kai Kapahee was the Class and Expert champion while Austin Key earned the Amateur crown and Colt Hagler topped the Novice group.
In the Open Class Madden Kirsch won the expert and class crown while Tharon Lindekugel topped the Amateur group and Charlie Albert Charlie was the Novice champ. In the 4-Stroke group Preston Pleasant was the Expert and overall champ while Nate Hohlt took the Amateur title.
The Women’s Sunday class is growing and in 2022 Novice Rachel Roen was the class champion. Christian Cortney earned the Amateur title.
Moving up the age ladder Irving Powers won the 30+ Overall and Expert title. The Amateur title went to James Baffrey while Richard Main topped the Novice group.
In the 40+ Class the Expert and Overall winner was Nathan Delaney while Will Allen was the Amateur winner and Eric Walker topped the Novice group. Veteran Sam Key won the 50+ Overall and Expert crown while Ryan Tanner was the Amateur champ and Tim Holt topped the Novice group.
Finally at the top of the age ladder are the 60+ riders. Many of who started riding and maybe racing while in elementary school. Earning the Championship this time was veteran Joel Ellis.
Every year MRANN honors the top 20 big bike racers. They are issued a number, white on a blue background, to use during the coming season. Almost all of them were present and in the photo gallery at the end of this article there are three photos showing from #1 to #20.
This past season Russel Tonjum, the outgoing Vice President, earned the #1 plate he’ll carry for 2023. This past season was a challenging time but in the end he prevailed.
“I had a pretty excellent season, a lot of struggles here and there,” he said. “The backing behind me was great, everyone helping me, friends from years past championships stepped up to help me and the support was incredible.
“I broke my collarbone the second from the last race so I wasn’t able to finish. Everything worked out for me and I very grateful for the support I had this year.”
Then he thanked BVH, RMS and TTC with special appreciation for Dennis, Paul and Gil Grieves and Nate at DDC.
Now everyone is getting ready for the season’s first race on the weekend of February 18 and 19. Many families just camp out there for the weekend and since Monday is a holiday, leave head back home then
For further information please check their website at www.racemrann.com.
There is a photo gallery at the end of this article. Due to time constraints this article is a bit late.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Friday night the Livestock Events Center will echo with the sounds of motorcycle racing. The AMA Arenacross series pays Reno a three-day visit.
Friday is when the Pros, and a support class or two, will race. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the first gate drop is scheduled for 7:30.
Then Friday and Saturday, on a slightly altered track is for open Amateurs. Practice should begin around 9 a.m. with racing to follow. It’s a time when the amateurs take center stage.
• Anyone racing in the 2023 Frigid 7 series, online registration is open for the next round.
• Wednesday at 6 p.m. is when one can see Daveys Racing America. He covers the national series and other tracks out of our area. The show is on Face Book.
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PHOTO GALLERY:
