SPARKS, NV (Jan. 5) – Saturday’s Awards Banquet was for the Motorcycle Racing Association of Northern Nevada, or MRANN as its known. IT was a time to honor class and overall champions.
Half way into the awards banquet there were two emotional segments. The first honored a man that helped many adults when they were young racers.
The second honored a young racer lost a decade ago as his family’s club handed out two scholarships to a pair of young riders that want to continue their education.
A large crowd was in attendance at MRANN’s Awards Banquet.
After a great dinner put on by the Sparks Nugget’s staff it was time to begin handing out hardware. The first group receiving trophies were the youngest, women and bombers that only race on Saturday.
Working as MC was the Mini Bike Referee Beth Leganbauer handled the duties. The youngest riders received trophies that many times were taller than they are now.
The top 3 riders in the 6 & Under Class were given trophies taller than they are
Walker Segale-Vannover was the 6 and Under champ while the 7 and up champion was Peyton Maas and taking the 4-Stroke title was Trenten Johnson.
The top three in the 7 & Over Class.
In 65cc, the first bike where the riders need to learn how to shift, the Novice class rides with the Pee Wees.
Jordan Mass was the over all 65cc champion and he also won the expert class while Charlie Albert was the Amateur champ as Jesse Miller topped the Novice group.
Once a novice rider is doing well enough they are bumped into the amateur ranks. Wyatt Rankin is an example starting the season as a novice but ending fifth overall and second in the amateur ranks.
Top three riders in the 100 Expert division.
Moving into the Mini Bikes, 100cc, Walker McGreal was the overall and expert champion while Austin Hough was the runner up but amateur winner. The Novice champion as Dalton Legenbauer.
Saturday Women Expert top three.
Christian Courtney is the Saturday Women’s champion and expert winner while Suzanne Marenco is the amateur champion and Erin Grieve picked up the Novice title.
There were also several special awards handed out.
Sportsman of the year Phil Phell.
The Sportsman of the Year was Phil Phell while Dane Johnson, who is recovering from an early season injury was given the Hard Luck award
Dane Johnson got the Hard Luck award.
Winning the Bomber class was Scott Martin while Michael Furlong was the runner up.
After that there was a break in the Awards Banquet for more special awards.
Genevive Miller was given “The Most Determined,” award while Riley Wood got the “Most Improved Rider,” award.
Then another special award was handed out but it was part of a bigger presentation.
A decade ago young Cory Herring was lost during a race. Since then a club took his name and that group as well as his parents have a scholarship fund set up.
Kyla Faul and Austin Wilson were two of the four riders to receive Corey Herring Scholarship money.
It’s always emotional for the family and those that knew Corey when the winners are announced. Only two were present so Kyla Faul and Austin Wilson got large copies of the check they will receive.
This time the Albert clan was given the Family Of The Year award.
Next came the most emotional part of the Awards Banquet.
Early this fall Bob Cavakis was lost. He was a fixture first at motocross races then at MRANN events as well as announcing every VCGP.
While announcing he got the nick name of “Moto Mouth,” and later it became just “Moto.” While his stepson Ryan Toomey was growing up Moto formed the Moto Mouth Mini Team.
Many of today’s adult riders remember either being on the team or the encouragement they received in their younger days.
To honor him there was a draped table to the right of the lectern with a stand holding one of moto’s microphones. It was put there so his spirit would be in attendance.
Things got pretty emotional as the MRANN president Dan Rakin could hardly get through the introductions. He did however and a slide show followed.
After that Ron Honea and Josh Wilson told some stories about Moto’s influence on them when they were young racers and how special his friendship was to them.
After receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in behalf of her late husband Bob “Moto” Cavakis, his wife Cathy thanked everyone.
Wife Cathy with Toomey and members of the family came up and were presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Then beers were handed out and everyone toasted Moto.
At the end of the presentation everyone gave a final toast and salute to Bob “Moto” Cavakis.
Next year there is a planned special award to honor Moto’s memory.
After that the 2018 board was introduced and given plaques of appreciation then the new board was introduced.
Now it was time for the big bike awards. Starting with the most senior first the ageless Pete Prichard won the 60+ Championship.
The two most senior racers are 60+ champion Pete Prichard and runner up Greg Elkins.
Next came the Sunday Women with a mother-daughter one two as Beth and Carley Legenbauer took the top two spots while Christina Courtney was third overall and second in Novice behind Carley.
After that the 50 and over riders got their trophies with Chris Sunderland earning that championship.
Next up came the “Race of the Year,” and the Rimbenders club won that trophy. Dennis Belingheri accepted the trophy.
Then more awards with Jack Reader earning the 40 plus championship and John Levie being the 30 plus champ.
Then Belingheri got up and explained they were taking resumes for the 2019 Team RMS. One of the qualifications for any young rider interested are good grades.
He added there were several discounts and other things for the team members.
Then it was back to handing out more hardware.
Chris Maas won the 200 title while Austin Wilson is the 250 champion while Nathan Owen topped the 4-stroke class.
Finally the Open class trophies were handed out.
Overall points champion and class winner was Steve Tichenor followed by Drew Chattin and Jacob Dacus. For much of the season Tichenor was chased by Chattin until bad luck, including a final race crash, dropped him to second.
Open Class top 3 including overall points champion Steve Tichenor (left).
For his part Tichenor thanked the board, clubs, his sponsors as well as his wife and family. Also gave special thanks to his Baja teammate and riding buddy Dennis Belingheri.
In MRANN the top 20 in points get to put a special plate on their bikes, which is the number they finished in that group. For Tichenor it will be the Number 1 plate.
The 2018 top 20 in points for MRANN. They wear that number on their bikes this coming season.
It’s something all the fast guys strive for, hard to get but worn with pride in the next season.
Steve Tichenor with his bike and overall points champions trophies.
Now everyone gets a few weeks off before the first MRANN race on the weekend of February 16-17. Then it will be go time on the desert once again.
REPORTER’S NOTE: There is a photo gallery at the end of this article. While I took pictures Amy Fye was also there and you can see her work at www.amyfyephotography.com.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
- Teresa’s Garage Radio Show is back on the air live this Tuesday from 2 until 3 p.m. This week there is a special guest, women racer Chasity Olinde.
Teresa’s Garage Radio Show graphic.
I have a preview segment at 2:15. Hope you’ll give it a listen. You can stream the program, listen over the air or see us live on Face Book.
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We now have five very appreciated sponsors that support his site. Please patronize them as they support your sport and help nvracingnews continue.
Two of them are first class motorcycle shops located in Reno.
Our first sponsor is Reno Motorsports. Not only do they have about anything a rider might want or need and the store also has a full service shop.
Their location is at 964 Terminal Way, by the intersection with Mill Street. Store’s phone number is 775-322-1499 and the site is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.
The next shop, and our newest sponsor is Moto Source located at 3180 Mill Street. Once again the shop has a full service shop plus about any thing a rider might need or want.
Phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is, www.moto-source.com.
The next sponsor is an excellent place if you need collision repair on your car or truck. It’s Concours Body shop, located at 250 Telegraph Street in Reno and has a long history of first class repairs
Brian Saul is the new owner, a car enthusiast himself he’s committed to continuing the shop’s history of quality work. The change comes as Gil Grieve, the previous owner has retired.
Phone number for the shop is 775-329-4557 and the website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.
If you are in to karting or want the most cost effective way to start racing please check out Nevada Kart Sport, the only full service kart shop in this region. Owner Rodney Rivera will maintain, build or store your kart.
The shop is located at 894 Deming Way, off East Glendale, in Sparks, Nevada. The shop’s website is www.nevadakartsport.com, and the phone number is 775-219-4184.
Hungry, want a great place to eat, then try PJ&Company for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and it’s a great place to watch your favorite sports.
If you’re a rider, well Wednesday evening is Bike Night, always a great time to see some great looking bikes and meet like minded people.
The location is 1590 South Wells Avenue, just north of the round about. Phone number is 775-323-6366 and their website is www.pjandco.net.
Have a business targeted toward motorsports or an off road demographic? We are always looking for more sponsors and will expose your business to the racing and off road community in this area.
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PHOTO GALLERY:
