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High Point Raceway "Almost Heaven"

Mt. Morris, PA - October 15, 2006

by Arlene Lantzer

Following the kayos after Steel City to where the Beaver Valley Race was going to be held left me with some deep depression. The High Point Race which was scheduled for October 15th was going to be sacrificed for whom and where ever the Beaver Valley race needed to be for the last State Championship race. This meant that I had missed my personal departure at High Point at HP's State Championship race (which I put off because I knew that we would be going back for just a good ole race on October 15). I generally go thru this withdrawal that goes off in my heart that I won't be there till next May. It seems that the view of the track, smell from the bikes, sounds and the riders are more significant at the last race than thru out the season. So when leaving Steel City it was hard enough but to think that High Point was not going to happen was a double sadness. Well the powers that be and the pressure that was put on them made the decision to have BVR's race at R&D. Awesome, lets get on with some good racing. So High Point was back on the schedule and believe you me it wasn't a wasted day at the "Point" for all of the riders.

The day started out cool and the mist coming off the whoop section was beautiful. The riders had their warmer sweatshirts on for the first half of the day but soon went to the standard gear. The classes were smaller than usual which had to make it a less stressful ride. Smaller classes but not in the talent that was in them.

The 250A class had Roy Holt and Nick Prendes putting on quite a show and then in the 125A class Roy Holt and Greg Hudak had two spectacular races. In the Women's class Mimi Greiner and Melanie Marra had the best race of the day (in my opinion). The two women didn't let up on each other thru out their full moto. Melanie took the lead where Mimi was right on her back tire. Mimi got around Melanie and took a good lead, but the race isn't over till its over. Melanie came back and got around Mimi to finish in first. What a race these ladies had. (check out the photo's of this race)

In the 85 class Alex Odell and Shane Smallwood kept close together with the pressure on. Dylan Kerr took the overall with Alex taking 2nd and Shane with the 3rd place.

Ray Niebel looks good with a group of riders or even when he is by his self. In the 125B Class Eric Hamilton took 1st with Nathaniel Kronk 2nd, Robert Perri 3rd and Tucker Hartlaub 4th. Good to see Rocky Stoneking at the track and racing, he finished in 7th position. Rocky is a very talented athlete. A well know name in the WPIAL in wrestling out of Canon Mac (Luke Lorson, 125C class is also a well known wrestler). In the 250B Class Cory Kiger took 1st in both moto's with Jason Smalley 2nd. Cory also took first place in College boy.

So good these past few races to see the Onisko brothers back at the track and racing. Steve took to the 125A class with a 3rd/4th with an overall of 4th switching places with Joey Zambotti. The Onisko's have been a name that I remember from my beginnings in this sport. We made a canopy one year and put many of the D5 riders that we enjoyed watching. The #500 was in one of the corners of that canopy. I will have to see if I have a picture of that old canopy. Some great numbers of riders on it.

The season has come to an end with many good memories from April till October. Cool weather starts us out and finishes us up in the fall. Watching the growth of all of the riders thru out this time is one that fills my mind. Broc Streit, Shane Durham, Mitch Lehman, T.J. Phillips, my CJ Coffield when he was there, Tyler McGoff, Dylan Slusser, Rick Weirs, Mark Mills, David Grimes, Reed Chapman, Cory Kiger their style improved tremendously over these months. Something great to think about for next year. The B Class had so many riders with heart that grew over the year as well. Sean Kelley, Zack Coffield, Alex Rick, Jesse Leezer, Tucker Hartlaub, The early B Class soon moved to the A Class were they have improved as well being with some of the best riders around. Anthony Marisa out there every race and improving at each one, Joey Zambotti moving up later in the year but impressive with his presence. Zack Foster had a bad injury that took him out of most of the season but came back to mix it up during the States and was looking great. Then there is Jason Marks, that rider in red that is so awesome to watch ride. Mike Kozma always in there making it tough for any one behind him to get around. Here again I am back at the A riders that I feel are in a class of their own. Stevie Roman makes me smile just to hear that he is at the track and I get to see him ride. Watching Darren Durham just totally explode in his riding has been such a pleasure. He is going to continue and we are going to be there to watch it all. We are so fortunate in a few races to be able to watch our Pro A Class riders like Ashlee Woskob, Kevin Hoge, Chad Boyd, Brian Shuckhart and of course Broc Hepler gracing us with their talent and styles that they have so well groomed and such a pleasure to watch out on their home tracks. Wow what a District we belong to. With all of the ups and downs we are so very fortunate to have the tacks, promoters and riders that we have. Thank you Promoters for your patience, care and always looking out for the riders. Thank you the track crews that so beautifully groom and water the track that our riders so trustfully put in your hands. Thank you Ladies at registration for your care in getting all the riders in their correct classes and the smiles that come with that. Also the print outs that help me so much when getting my photo albums put together. Chris Raymond, thank you for all of your well worn staging papers. Chuck Coulson thank you for your great stories while sitting around the camp fire and especially your wonderful wood that we burn. Roy Holt you are the sweetest and most special young man. Thank you for your smiles even when things are not going as well as you would like. You brighten up my heart. Aaron would really like you. Darren Durham, thank you for your wonderful #98 Loretta Lynn Plate that you so well represented D5 at. It sits close to all that I do which means very close to my Aaron. Of course there is the Good Coffields that have put up with us in their pits all year long. The loss of the Bad Coffields really put a sadness in what we do, we miss them tremendously for they have been with us before and after Aaron left. The good Coffields extended their very long arms and kept us apart of their pit area. Thank you Riley for your palace on wheels (and the great coffee). Kris would not know what to do without you. Zack you have grown so much in your riding and in your very suspicious smiles. Curt, Jerry really does like you and he is waving at you as I write.

I know that I have let things get away from me but good things are with us at our races and I'm proud to be apart of D5. Lets remember the good things and work on ones that need to be improved in a civil manner.

The winter will be upon us soon and we will not be making the trip to Mini O's this year. I would love to be there watching our riders doing what they do best. Good Luck to all of them.

Till next Spring keep an eye on the site where I hope to keep some odds and ends from time to time and of course I still have 3 States races to post and Broom Tioga pictures as well. So something still coming up for awhile. Thank you all again for your wonderful smiles and encouraging words.

Always In Memory of Aaron #98, Arlene

Last Updated: October 31, 2006