RENO, NV (Jan. 14) – MRANN Points Champion has a special meaning as many want that title but only a few actually achieve it. In 2018 Stephen Tichenor not only earned it but he joined an elite group as it’s his second points championship.
Stephen Tichenor with his MRANN overall points championship trophy and his bike.
In MRANN (Motorcycle Racing Association of Northern Nevada.) the coveted overall big bike title means a white number “1” with a blue back ground on the champion’s bike for the next season.
“This is my second one, I won it in 2018 and in 2013,” he said. “When I won in 2013 I was in my late 30’s, I thought there is no way I’ll ever win another one of these again and I really cherished it.”
Ever since then he’s not only raced in MRANN but has expanded into the Baja series riding for a team with Dennis Belingheri and other racers.
Reflecting on last season he said, “This season went really well, I’m having so much fun so I’ve got it the second time in my 40’s, I’m 43 and got my second overall championship.”
Tichenor heading for his first overall victory in the season opening race at Nightingale.
Last year Tichenor started on a high note when he beat Dennis Belingheri in the season’s first race by only 45 seconds. That started his road to becoming the MRANN Points Champion.
“My first time overall in a Nightingale race, it was really special. Dennis and I had quite a battle I didn’t realize he was that close, I saw something behind me but through I had a little bit more breathing room. I came in the finish and barely had enough time to get my goggles off and there was Dennis,” he said. “That was a really special race, he’s a good friend of mine, I’ve never been able to beat the guy, he’s so fast so it’s really cool to race against such a good competitor and good friend.”
After that there were eight more races left in the season but only six of them counted for Tichenor. Every rider gives up one race when their club stages an event
“After the first race it really put some fire to me to think about this season and to go for the championship. I was looking at the results and the top six were a stacked competition,” he said. “And I thought, ‘God this is going to be a long season,’ and it was, every single race we were just battling it out but I was having so much fun I knew I wanted to go for it because I had a shot.”
He also mentioned that before a race the group were giving each other high fives and congratulating everyone after the race.
“The competition made it so much fun,” he said. “They were very technical races, some of them I’d go out on my last lap and I was already exhausted before even starting it. So it really forced me to keep in shape, ride hard, ride smart to minimize that fatigue and had a great season.”
After the spring series Tichenor was having a stiff challenge from Drew Chattin, something that wasn’t resolved until late in the season.
“Going into the fall series I knew it was going to be so tough as Drew was riding so fast. I rode my butt off in some of those races and I just couldn’t keep up with him. Second half of the season I just really dug deep, kept training hard and riding hard,” he said.
What happened in those final races is what determined who earned the Number 1 plate that goes with being the MRANN Points Champion.
Tichenor ended up second in the season’s final race, clinching his championship.
“In the fall races, the next two races I took the overall win so I was making a little more of a pad in my series. Felt I had a shot going into the second to last race. Drew unfortunately DNF’d and that pretty much capped my championship,” he said. “It worked out really well but it wasn’t until the last couple of races that I knew I had it.”
Looking back over his two titles he was asked if one was more special than the other.
“The first one was special because it was the first time,” he said. “The second one is special because I’m a little older now, I wasn’t expecting to win it and the season was fun, the competition was so much fun, camaraderie and sportsmanship, I love that part of it. There was really a core group of us that stayed the whole season so it was really fun.”
Having his bike well set up was another key to the title, which also included winning the Open Class.
“My bike worked amazing this year, I just felt so comfortable on it and that made it really fun to go out and race,” he said.
Stephen Tichenor with his family rooting section, wife Jennifer as well as son Devan and daughter Kyra. All were celebrating his championship at the MRANN banquet.
While a racer might be by themselves on the track their success is due to the support people and sponsors give them. Not to mention those in the pits that jump into action when a lap is completed.
Topping the list is his family, wife Jennifer as well as son and daughter Devan and Kyra, who both race on Saturday.
In addition to his wife and children Stephen Tichenor was joined by his in-laws Rochelle and Robin Mazzone at the MRANN banquet.
He also expressed his appreciation for sponsors RMS (Reno Motorsports), Thomas Sangster from Chick-fil-A in Sparks, Nate Delaney from DDC sprockets, C&J Equipment (The Baja racing team), Bret Leef for suspension tuning, Nick Alosi from NAK Performance, Dennis (The Desert Fox) and Susan Howe Belingheri, Paul Ziegler, Kevin Brittner, Mike Furlong and Ronnie Scorsonelli.
Tichenor is very grateful for their support as they all helped him win the championship.
Asked about his plans for the upcoming season he said, “I’m going to be the mini bike referee for 2019 so I got some big shoes to fill taking over Beth Legenbauer’s position. I’m excited because I get to spend a little more time with my kids on Saturday. “We always are there for them on Saturday but even more so now so it will be really special.”
He also intends to race at some events.
“I’m going to continue to do some of the races for MRANN, also got a race team for the BAJA series as I’m wanting to do those as well,” he said.
Right now Tichenor and family are enjoying a bit of rest until racing begins the weekend of February 16/17 as that’s when MRANN begins it next season.
Those wishing further information on the upcoming season should check out, www.racemrann.com.
OTHER RACING NEWS;
• This weekend Best In The Desert started its 2019 season with a Motorcycle, UTV and Quad event, the Parker 250.
Finishing third over all was the team of Reece Honea and Carl Maassberg, they also won the Over 30 Class. Other Northern Nevada racers were Wyatt Brittner, who finished 4th overall, in 23rd it was Anthony Monachelli and 40th place Ian Prince.
• On Tuesday, from 2 until 3 p.m. do try and listen to Teresa’s Garage Radio Show as we cover all things automotive. One can either listen, stream or see us live on Facebook .
Teresa’s Garage Radio Show poster.
I have a preview segment around 2:15 where I try and let everyone know about what’s coming up. This week we have another special guest lady racer Taylor Jones, who will tell us about what she races and her experiences.
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