Mr

Mr. Johnson dominates Fox Valley Off Road's season finale.

September 30, 2007

Wedron Il.

By Joe Lanute, photos by Mandy

The Micro Second Bite.

We have all experienced The Micro Second Bite.

That one moment in time when things go from normal to bad.

Sometimes it can be a minor inconvenience, other times it can change your life.

Have you ever been driving your car behind a dump truck and a rock flies out and cracks your windshield?

A minor inconvenience. Have you ever stuck your hand out to catch a fly ball that a Chicago Cub outfielder could have caught?

Life changing. Perhaps you decide to stay for one more beer before piloting an Exxon tanker into Prince William Sound.

Or, you make a last minute decision to buy a cruise ticket for the maiden voyage on that new Red Star ocean liner.

At Fox Valley Off Road on Sunday, the Micro Second Bite made it's presents known, but none of them were life changing.

The weather was perfect for a hare scramble, the ground was dry, the tract was fast and the creek was wet.

It was the Quad District 17 State Championship that went off first, 20 participants hit the woods and it was Ryan Crouch who was bit first. His machine experienced the bite in his second lap. Blowing the bead on a front tire is not the way to try to ride a HS event, but knowing were the air compressor is located at the park made for a fast repair. Then a scant 10 minutes later he took the tire out for the rest of the day. Score one for the trees.

Roger Swim (Kaw) put his own bite on the field for an overall first. Danny Burkitt and Shea Dickson (25) filled in two and three on the day. Roger having trouble at the last few HS races was on the gas, getting a bad start and coming through the field. Kevin Johnson was the leading the 35+ class for most of the race but slowed towards the end and took a third for the day.

Two of my friends from Megacross, Stacy Bukowski and Intrepid Reporter Nikki Dixon made the trek to Fox Valley's Woman's class. Rumor has it District 17 will be vying for points for Woman next year and these two could be a force in that class.

Something went wrong with Nikki early on (The Micro Second Bite?) but Stacy held on for a second place finish.

I had an opportunity for a quick interview with her after the race, what I managed to get out of her was, she hates rocks, trees, hills, stumps and logs. Nikki being vertically challenged when it comes to riding a CRF250 makes it hard in places on the trail to get around, rock creek was her first lap demise. They will be back. It may take some convincing, but they will be back! Cindi Siebert aced the class. Again. Stephanie Spizzirri (19)

took a nasty spill on the back down hill and was attended to by the crew along with a short stint in the wagon with red lights. She took a hard hit to the upper leg but reports are she is fine with nothing broken, but will be a little sore.

The riders in 85 and 65 were introduced to a stroll down 'Rock Creek' for the first time. Not much love was heard about the new addition. Alex Perry showed some real speed this day. He commented as he walked through the scoring system, yea! now I have to be there during the race. You see riders all have to check their transponders before the event, this is to ensure a correct score. Alex walked through ahead of Keagan and Scotty, and rode through it the rest of the morning in the same position. Speaking of Keagan Schmidt and Scott Sexton, they battled all morning, (just like all year) changing positions, bar to bar for an hour. These two have had some excellent races this summer. In fact sportsmanship in this dual is second to none. Last weekend at the White City HS Championship race Keagan' s motor was making some noises, so the Scott's dad offered and Keagan' s dad accepted. You got it Keagan' s bike last week ran with Scott's spare motor.

Travis Ward

(131) held off Ian Beller and Jared Hall in 65's extended route. I have been watching Travis since he was on a PW 50 and he has become a tough competitor. I don't know where he gets it from, usually this kind of riding is inherited from a parent. Ian was not going to be out done this day though. Hounding Travis every lap til the last lap, in fact Ward was looking at the rear fender of that KTM for a few laps as he fell and had to play catch up. Ian rode well and didn't give an inch. Travis running one of his last 65cc events actually got lucky, as Ian had a mishap on a hill which gave the lead back, Travis finished out the last lap without much fanfare. Jared Hall from Halls Cycles fame held his own with a hard run third. Riley Schuhler starting to get into his own finished 4th. Josh Siebert finished 5th and Jimmy Lanute finished, and is also coming along.

20!, 65 beginners showed up today to battle on the kids track. The normal hitters are here, Schuhler, Harper, Kinklear, Ternes, which made for an exciting race. Mason Schuhler and Kurt Harper battled to the checkers with Mason passing on the last lap for the win. 9 seconds was the winning margin, Kurt wasn't happy but always smiling because he just likes to race! Ty Kinklear came in about 2 minutes back but was in the hunt early on til a little tip over gave the leaders some room.

Thumper class roared off on the west side of the course for their hour long trip through the woods. Many didn't quite make it to "grandma's house" though as this time the west side was a little more brutal. Going through the big creek, up the silt hill was alot of work. John Conley took the win, with Will Tracy second. The unknown third place rider Ken Loews made his first appearance this season and stole third. Basically the Broll boys were in the hunt chasing the much older Loews but, being the savy rider he is found a way to stay ahead of the youngins. After 30 minutes, with tongues dragging in the front spokes the thumper class was ready for some entertainment. That entertainment would come a little later in the day as the big bikes were racing the same tore up areas.

82 Big Bikes went off in eleven classes. Remember what I said about the creek being wet? It wasn't white water rapids, but for the first couple of laps it might as well have been. And that Micro Second thing?

Jay Hall is one of our favorite riders at Fox Valley. Heck he laid out the first ever HS course at FVOR in 2002, and some of those same trails were used out of rock creek today. One reason, he always gives us something to write about. From knocking himself silly a few races ago, to taking a sharp stick to the face a few years back, it's a wonder he even drives up from never land to race here! I imagine, in his career, he has crossed more water on a motorcycle then most of us have in a boat. He was a victim of the bite early on. For a split second something went wrong in the water and his day was over. What went happened was he found a deep hole which had developed after the quads raced. As they accelerated out of the creek they spun all the rocks out and made a pretty deep hole, Jay found out quickly his Husky was not a submarine.

Another reason he is a favorite, some guys would have tossed their helmets and stalked away, not Jay, he stayed in the water and helped guys get up and over the wet, slick, rutted bank of Buck Creek. Standing there for better part of 15 minutes holding tree branches back so riders would have a better chance to make the bank on the other side. After getting run over a few times the course marshals re-routed the course and Jay was able to drag his anchor out of the creek and started thinking of how to get it fixed for the next event. I guess revving anything wide open underwater isn't a good thing to do. Not a cheap day for sure.

The underlying story of the day, BUBBA!~ Listed on the results of course with his proper name Robert Johnson, this young man made some heads turn. Just not to long ago he was smoking the 85 class and today he came from a third row start to play with the big boys. Jeff Snedacor, Rick Kinklear, and Jay Hall were having a good battle, Jay of course found the creek and Jeff and Rick were the last standing A and AA riders in front of the pack. Here comes this little KTM riding kid from the B class, jumping logs, skipping across rocks, as we heard "moving forward" at every obstacle. Once thing for sure at the end of the race there were some A riders scratching their heads saying damn that kid is fast. Robert had a great day and it's not often a B rider overall's the race, but he did and I will bet he will be well noticed in the future as his results will no doubt improve and be a force to reckon with.

Team Fox Valley / Megacross has found the Micro Second Bite all season.

It started with some fool stepping off a berm opening night. As I decided to step into traffic and found out a foot in a front wheel will break a leg in a nano second. Jessie Keith caught his season ender on Labor Day, with a "soft" landing on a triple which he kerplunked on his head. He needed a screw to put the collar bone in place. Wardy did a knee on this same weekend that seems to be jinxed. Two years ago bikes were being mangled on labor day this time it was body parts.

Cory Keith was tagged when he tried to juggle a chain saw last week. Nine staples later he was walking with a limp.

Jim Schmidt rearranged his collar bone (but he does have a wicked purple bruise he has been showing off), last weeks get off at White City made for a black and blue day. Benny Schmidt is looking forward for the winter so his hand can heal. I can't say the same about his hair. Ben got to ride today but had to be careful not to hit anything hard with the left hand. We may have to rename the team if this keeps up.

Thanks to every body who helped make this season happen, thanks to all the riders. Special thanks to the crew at Fox Valley for their efforts, from the score girls to the course marshals. Team Megacross and Team Fox Valley, with all the families involved. The Keiths, the Schmidts, the Goodins, the Wilkinsons, the Christmans, the Perkins, and the many other individuals I missed, this is definitely a family event!

We will see you on November 11 for Play Day and Awards presentation........................ Don't miss it !