Appalachian Championship Enduro Series (ACES)
Round Four: Moonshine Enduro
Gaitten “Shines” Again
By Steve Wheeler
New Straitsville, OH, June 13
The 87 riders who braved the extreme conditions caused by a week’s worth of torrential rains discovered why the hills surrounding New Straitsville were a safe haven for moonshiners and such a challenge for the Federal agents who sought them out. After 58 brutal miles, only 28 riders managed to finish within their hour and hoist a coveted moonshine jug.
New Straitsville native Josh Gaitten, who probably has a bootlegger in his bloodline, bested the field dropping 43 points, 8 points fewer than Carey Eberts who claimed the Overall A jug from the 200 A class. Carey probably benefitted by drawing an early row (203), as did Tyler Jarvis (309) who bested Gaitten by one point through the extremely difficult, 11.2 mile, first section. Jarvis went 7/18 through checks two and three to Gaitten’s 8/18. Mechanical gremlins struck Jarvis causing him to drop off the pace, but he still easily topped the Open A class, finishing 4th overall with a score of 53. Anthony Glasso out of the Vet A class was able to capitalize on Jarvis’ misfortune and card a 52 to claim 3rd overall.
Early numbers proved to be the hot ticket in the B ranks too. Andy Matheny (204) made his ACES debut in the 250 B class and walked away with the Overall jug, topping series regular Chad Ingalls (Vet A/203) by 8 minutes with scores of 126 and 134 respectively. Ingalls had his best ride of the year going, holding a 12 point lead over Matheny through 8 checks only to see it come to an end with trouble in the next to last section. At only 3.2 miles long, Matheny went 8, while Ingalls dropped 22 points, carrying 8 of them into the final 3.2 mile section.
Nathan Bidwell was the last of the B riders to finish, dropping 322 points to earn the 200 B win as well as a set of Enduro Engineering hand guards that were designated for the low point finisher. It has to be a rare occasion when you can drop more points than anyone, win your class and finish fourth overall!
Nathan was on row 28 and had to overcome countless obstacles as he muscled his way to the finish. Overcoming obstacles and proving his endurance is nothing new to Bidwell, a 2010 graduate of the Fire Fighting program at Tolles Technical Center. Nathan won the high school division of the State of Ohio’s Skills USA Fire Fighters Challenge and will compete in the National competition at the end of June. The New Straitsville Enduro Riders added to Nathan’s winnings, giving him $100 for travelling money. Congratulations on your ride and your academic accomplishments and good luck in bringing a National Championship back to Ohio.
The ACES organization thanks Osburn Signs, Kenda, MSR, Enduro Engineering, Sport Cycles Racing, Ohio Motorcycle, Beaver Creek Cycles, Appalachian Offroad Motorcycles, Caton’s Cycle Supply and Rocky Outdoor Gear for supporting the 2010 season.
The ACES season continues July 18th near Zanesville , Ohio. Check www.aces-races.com for details.
Results (Finishers denoted with underline)
AA: 1. Josh Gaitten (KTM) 2. Rodney Judson (Hsq) 3. Trevor Kline (KTM) 4. Mark McGrath (Yam) 5. Brian Sovak (Yam)
200A: 1.Carey Eberts (KTM) 2. Chuck Foust 3. Mike Molnar (KTM) 4. Jason Smith (GG) 5. Robert Heinzerling (KTM)
250A:1.Brian Hollingshead (KTM) 2. Colin Klier (KTM)
Open A: 1.Tyler Jarvis (KTM) 2. Brian Rickard (KTM) 3. Russ Cherry (Yam) 4. John Grimm (Hon) 5. Mark Adkins (KTM)
Vet A: 1.Anthony Glasso (Yam) 2. Mike VanCise (Yam) 3. Jeremy Jarvis (KTM) 4. Kraig George (Suz)
Sr. A: 1.Todd Ghearing (Kaw) 2. Dave Olive 3. Dan Ford (Yam) 4. Jeff Johnson (Yam) 5. Kevin Brown (KTM)
SSr.A: 1.Mark Lederle (Yam) 2. Robert McNeel (Yam)
200B: 1. Nathan Bidwell (KTM) 2. Cody Meeks (KTM) 3. Brad Graves (KTM) 4. Dustin Cottrill (KTM) 5. Morgan Cordier (Hsq)
250B: 1.Andy Matheny (Hon) 2. Brad Geyer (KTM)
Open B: 1. James Rinaldi (KTM) 2. Pat Patterson (KTM)
Vet B: 1. Chad Ingalls (Yam) 2. John Yerkey (KTM) 3. Joe Uhrig (KTM)
Sr.B: 1.Matt Kelley (KTM) 2. Brad Meyers (KTM)
SSr.B: 1. Ron Valdman (KTM) 2. Marvin Popp (KTM)
C: 1.Josh Collins (KTM)
Sportsman: 1. Kevin Claytor (KTM) 2. Ken Szewczyk (Hsq)