Trail Rider Magazine

Robbie Jenks (KTM), Rodney Judson (BET), Michael Jolly (HSB) and Ricki McAtee (KAW) were the remaining four competitors in the seven-way tie for second place. Of those competitors, it was Jolly that took the Overall A spot for the second race in a row, dropping four points. He finished seventh overall. Ricki McAtee (KAW), a Vet A rider, finished a point behind Jolly. Aaron Cooney (KTM) secured the Overall B position for the second time this season. He dropped nine points. The secondyear ACES competitor and Open B rider said it is critical to "just have fun" during the race and "not over think it." In a close chase for Overall B were Thomas Wildenauer II (KTM) and Jordan Collins (KTM). Wildenauer and Collins tied dropping only 10 points, but Wildenauer beat Collins when emergency check points were calculated. The next race, the Grass Man Enduro, will take place on May 5 in Norwich, Ohio. It is hosted by the Ohio Woods Riders. In addition to the Race Report, check out the Bench Racing page with interviews and photos. Additional photos are available by visiting HeatherNWilson.com and viewing the blog page for the link to the albums. Johnny Barber (HSB) captured the Overall win. He got his start riding in 2000 by competing in the CRA Hare Scrambles and GNCCs. Then in 2003, Rich Smith talked him into trying an enduro. Barber said, "I've been hooked ever since." He prefers enduros as opposed to other forms of racing. "Enduros have the best trails by far, and you get breaks periodically," said Barber. "I've struggled with arm pump since 2003, so the enduros suit me better I guess." Barber said training for the races isn't a crucial part of his lifestyle. "Honestly, I could count on one hand the number of times I've practiced or trail rode in the last two years," said Barber. "I do go to the gym every now and then." Barber commented that he does have a pre-race ritual though. "I put my knee braces on a specific way every time. Also, I eat a snickers bar right before the start," he said. He said for this race it was especially important to pay close attention to time because of the fast trail. "It was easy to get ahead of your minute and burn a check," said Barber. Barber had a high speed crash in the last section that cost him a point. He said, "I guess I wish I just slowed down a bit in the last section to avoid the crash." "After the first race went south with a burn, and getting stuck in a bottleneck on a hill, I'm happy to get back on top of the Isaac Walton (KAW) rider sweeps through tight trail shortly after check nine. Walton was a first time enduro competitor who rode the 250A class. photo by Heather Wilson of the points lead," said Barber. He said his Smith's Powersports Husaberg TE250 worked perfectly. It's great to have a bike that I can just mount bark busters and a spark arrestor and go out and win races on." He would like to thank Rich Smith from Smith's Powersports, Husaberg Parts and Wear, RidePG and Aires. Overall A: Michael Jolly Michael Jolly (HSB) won the Overall A for the second time this seaso Enduros captured Jolly's interest because he likes the fact that "sometimes you have to think and use Overall A: Michael Jolly your head at the same time as riding fast," said Jolly. "It is different than just racing laps at a hare scramble. I also enjoy the variety of new trail. You never know what to expect next." In order to train for races, he said he tries to run as often as he can and lift during the week. He said there was no room for mistakes, "Because the trails were so fast, the scores were extremely close, which meant no room for mistakes. I was in a seven-way tie for second overall, with seven riders off three points. I ended up on the lower end of the tie, finishing seventh overall, with only 10 seconds separating fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh place," said Jolly. "It was close." Jolly said he enjoyed the whole race and his bike ran flaw- May 2013 23

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