Trail Rider Magazine

28 Trail Rider www.TrailRider.com Many fast off-road riders have come from the State of Ohio. The en re Penton family, Terry Cunningham, Mark Hyde, Sco Plessinger, and the Lafferty's, along with MX pro Gary Semics, to name a few, all hail from the Buckeye State. Also among this group is a modest fellow from the li le village of Lisbon, named Frank Gallo. Like many youngsters growing up in rural areas back in the 1960s, Frank was a racted to off-road motorcycling and by age 12 had acquired a Honda 90 Dream, aboard which he cut his teeth in the woods and strip mines near his home. The Dream was soon followed by a 175 Honda, then in suc- cession, a pair of Yamahas - a 250 and then a 360. That 360's power convinced this husky youngster that big-bore bikes were what worked best for him, and so at age 14, Frank purchased a 1971 4-speed 400 Husqvarna. Aboard his new bike, Frank's skills advanced drama cally. His home in eastern Ohio, with its deep woods, hills, mud, rocks, and roots, provid- ed every challenge needed to hone those skills, too. Plus, Frank rode in the company of some speedy and capable people. Most notably, fellow Lisbon resident Gary Semics was one of those with whom Frank regularly challenged in off-road play-racing. Having become quite comfortable on the big Husky, and now yearning for some genuine compe on, in 1972 Frank entered his first race – a Hare Scramble, at a well-known local track which hosts not only Hare Scrambles, but Motocross, and Flat track racing as well. While this facility, run by the Western Reserve Flyers Motorcycle Club, does not feature the big hills and deep ravines Frank was accustomed to, it is nonetheless notorious for its extremely tough, muddy condi ons. In his first race, at age 14, against a field of experi- enced and competent riders, Frank managed to finish second in the Open Class. No small accomplishment, considering the condi ons and the intense compe- on. It did not come easy, though. In Frank's own words, "With about two laps to go, both of my ham- strings cramped up, and by the me I finished I was telling myself that I was never going to do this again!" Frank did con nue racing, however, and began achiev- ing considerable success in local and regional Hare Scrambles events. Campaigning out of a Penton/Husq- varna shop near his home, and under the tutelage of owners Dale Burton and John Hochman, Frank soon picked up support sponsorship from Husqvarna, and in turn extended his compe on efforts to na on- al-level events. This led to Frank's first big win – the 1974 Hungry Creek 100. Held near the town of Red Fast Frank Gallo Fast Frank Gallo By Ted Guthrie By Ted Guthrie How This Ohio Native Unofficially Won the Overall at the How This Ohio Native Unofficially Won the Overall at the '78 ISDT '78 ISDT

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