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Tough passes key to winning fairground races
March 19, 2007
On a race track smaller than a football field, it seemed riders might have trouble making passes during last weekend's first Tread & Track Motorsports arenacross at the Klamath County Fairgrounds Indoor Arena.
For the top riders, that clearly was not the case.
The atmosphere and fender-to-fender action was similar to weekend warriors taking their cars to the short track, and the results were basically the same.
Being fastest helps, but it's the one who can see the vehicle through tight spaces who always comes out on top.
Duane Rigel, the workhorse from Grants Pass who rode in three classes Saturday night, made his moves virtually everywhere on the track.
This was especially apparent in the second moto of the supermini race, when he crashed twice in back-to-back laps. He knifed his KTM through the four-bike field, passing all three of his opponents within the final two laps.
Rigel's last advancement was the most impressive. He made up a couple seconds on leader Austin Lee, then took the lead in the final corner and barely beat Lee over the finish-line jump.
The finish-line jump was a key part of the track for Redding's Aaron Carter, who swept the 125 and 250cc beginner classes both nights.
Many riders chose not to risk trying to clear the double jump at the start-finish line. But Carter, just a month removed from a broken collarbone, gained time on his competition by taking his Yamaha over the double and carrying more speed into the following corner.
Mike Horban was the fastest man on the track all weekend, but the Yamaha rider from Grants Pass earned the majority of his $1,000 in prize money on one section of the track.
Horban, who twice pulled the 125 and 250 pro sweep, made the few passes he had to make in a double-double combination that came after the longest corner on the horseshoe-shaped course.
Horban said Saturday night he carried more speed into the sweeping turn so he could make his moves in the combo, and sure enough, that's where he did the most damage.
His routine rivaled that of a professional wrestler preparing to execute a “finishing” move: Start from behind, bide time, make one quick move and take complete control from there.
On the one occasion he was unsuccessful in the combo, Horban executed a perfect block pass in the next corner that gave his opponent the option to stop or go off the track.
Successful first event
Southern Oregon Dirt Riders president and promoter Tim Fettinger was excited about the possibility of an indoor race because it could attract a slew of riders and fans.
The arenacross did just that.
Ninety-nine entries took to the starting gate in 23 classes Friday night, and 131 entries took part in 26 classes Saturday. Between the entry fees and fan admission, Fettinger estimated the indoor race could bring in as many as 10 times more money than each outdoor event at the Klamath Sportsmans Park in Keno.
The pro riders benefited as well. Horban earned $200 for each overall win Friday, then he took home $300 for each Saturday victory.
- Josh Petrie
On a race track smaller than a football field, it seemed riders might have trouble making passes during last weekend's first Tread & Track Motorsports arenacross at the Klamath County Fairgrounds Indoor Arena.
For the top riders, that clearly was not the case.
The atmosphere and fender-to-fender action was similar to weekend warriors taking their cars to the short track, and the results were basically the same.
Being fastest helps, but it's the one who can see the vehicle through tight spaces who always comes out on top.
Duane Rigel, the workhorse from Grants Pass who rode in three classes Saturday night, made his moves virtually everywhere on the track.
This was especially apparent in the second moto of the supermini race, when he crashed twice in back-to-back laps. He knifed his KTM through the four-bike field, passing all three of his opponents within the final two laps.
Rigel's last advancement was the most impressive. He made up a couple seconds on leader Austin Lee, then took the lead in the final corner and barely beat Lee over the finish-line jump.
The finish-line jump was a key part of the track for Redding's Aaron Carter, who swept the 125 and 250cc beginner classes both nights.
Many riders chose not to risk trying to clear the double jump at the start-finish line. But Carter, just a month removed from a broken collarbone, gained time on his competition by taking his Yamaha over the double and carrying more speed into the following corner.
Mike Horban was the fastest man on the track all weekend, but the Yamaha rider from Grants Pass earned the majority of his $1,000 in prize money on one section of the track.
Horban, who twice pulled the 125 and 250 pro sweep, made the few passes he had to make in a double-double combination that came after the longest corner on the horseshoe-shaped course.
Horban said Saturday night he carried more speed into the sweeping turn so he could make his moves in the combo, and sure enough, that's where he did the most damage.
His routine rivaled that of a professional wrestler preparing to execute a “finishing” move: Start from behind, bide time, make one quick move and take complete control from there.
On the one occasion he was unsuccessful in the combo, Horban executed a perfect block pass in the next corner that gave his opponent the option to stop or go off the track.
Successful first event
Southern Oregon Dirt Riders president and promoter Tim Fettinger was excited about the possibility of an indoor race because it could attract a slew of riders and fans.
The arenacross did just that.
Ninety-nine entries took to the starting gate in 23 classes Friday night, and 131 entries took part in 26 classes Saturday. Between the entry fees and fan admission, Fettinger estimated the indoor race could bring in as many as 10 times more money than each outdoor event at the Klamath Sportsmans Park in Keno.
The pro riders benefited as well. Horban earned $200 for each overall win Friday, then he took home $300 for each Saturday victory.
- Josh Petrie
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Bill Hoffman wrote on Apr 10, 2008 10:07 AM:
" Long live Matt Miles! He was the "Billy Kilmer" of Semi Pro Football: tough, gritty, fiery leader, winning mentality. I will never forget this "young gunslinger", he made this league better for being in it.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Hoffman
CO Stampede, #45 "
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Hoffman
CO Stampede, #45 "
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Ken Karnes wrote on Oct 3, 2008 4:23 PM: