Weekend Race Report - Tough Like RORR

The weekend leading into July 4th, 2018 could go down as one of the most brutal races in history. The Reading Off Road Riders (RORR) held their annual PA State Championship Extreme Off Road Event labeled "Tough Like RORR" in 95 + degree heat in the Reading Anthracite coal region just south of the town of Tamaqua, Pa.

The deep dark coal from the region gets you off to a labored start.

This would be the fourth year now for this annual event and the RORR club sure does know how to build a "Tough" course. Riders need to complete three heat races over two days on different courses with the top 50 fastest combined times moving on to the 50 man main event on Sunday afternoon. This years temps were brutal and out of the 199 riders who started the event, word has it only 10 finished.

This year Trail Jesters sponsored a separate Women's event within the main event 

offering up a $1000 purse.

Taylor Johnston would race to the first place finish.

There were many sponsors on the weekend with Kenda tires being at the top of the list. 

As you can see above the payouts were phenomenal with the top prize being $5000 to win.

RORR always does a great job and this event would be no different. The final course ended up being a 15.5 mile loop with riders attempting to do 2.5 laps. The club had members situated all over the course and water stops and assistance were available along the way. In the end only ten men would complete the total laps with most pulling off after one with either a machine malfunction or total heat exhaustion.

2016 Tough Like RORR Champ Ben Kelley (530) would take the win again in 2018.

2017 Tough Like RORR winner Josh Toth would finish a close second

with Grant Baylor rounding out the top three.

Click Here to see the final results for the event

Click Here to see more images from Sundays racing

Click Here to see some video clips from the day from American Hard Enduro

Pro Action Suspension in Millville, NJ is the sponsor of today's blog.

An authorized Pro Action Service Center since 1999.

Give Rees Firestone a call to see what he can do for you.  856.204.2195

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GREAT NEWS FOR THE NORTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA ATV INITIATIVE

Great news for ATV and Side by Side riders in the state of Pa. The following language, directing DCNR to complete the Whiskey Springs-Bloody Skillet Connection and the ATV system connecting Clinton County with the NY Border, was inserted in the Fiscal Code and was signed by the Governor:

Riders take a break at a trail head at Whiskey Springs riding area.

From HB 1929, Fiscal Code:

SECTION 17. SECTIONS 1720-E, 1725-E, 1727-E AND 1730-E OF THE ACT ARE AMENDED TO READ:

SECTION 1720-E. DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES [(RESERVED)]. THE FOLLOWING SHALL APPLY TO APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES: 30

(1) IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DEVELOP, OPEN AND MAINTAIN AN ATV TRAIL CONNECTING THE WHISKEY SPRINGS ATV TRAIL TO THE BLOOD SKILLET ATV TRAIL BY UTILIZING EXISTING STATE ROADS AND STATE FOREST ROADS BY APRIL 1, 2020.

The CMATVA has been working with the DCNR and Larson Design Group along with all involved to try and make this connector a reality. Thanks to everyone's hard work and the Governors ability to see the impact that these connectors can make, we are moving forward.

(2) IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IMPLEMENT THE FULL NORTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA ATV INITIATIVE AND CREATE A NETWORK OF ATV TRAILS CONNECTING  CLINTON COUNTY TO THE NEW YORK STATE BORDER BY UTILIZING EXISTING STATE ROADS AND STATE FOREST ROADS BY APRIL 1, 2024.

Click Here to learn more about the North Central Pa Trail Initiative 

This is fantastic news for the off road riding community. From my understanding this will eventually open up a grand total of 1800 miles of legal riding in central and upstate Pa. If we do it the right way this project could link 1000's more miles of available riding in Pa.

Please ride responsibly and support the efforts of all involved because our future can be bright.

Come ride with the CMATVA at their August Poker Run and help support  their efforts to open more trail riding opportunities in PA.

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Weekend Race Report - MDRA at Pleasure Valley

Round # 6 of the MDRA Race Series landed at Jeff Cernics Pleasure Valley Raceway this past weekend. In addition to all the great MDRA sponsors Thor racing was on hand to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The turnout was light due to the threat of rain but the racing was epic.

Aiden Birckbichler (04) takes a School Boy win.

Click in the video below to get more info on the day and some details on a couple of big events coming up later this year at Pleasure Valley. Then scroll to the bottom to link to pics and full results from the day.

Steve Roman (731) wins Open A and a couple of age classes at PVR.

Eddie Byrd (81) races to a win thru the new roller section at PVR.

This weekend check out Doublin Gaps new track design at their rider appreciation day.

Click Here to get all the details.

If your an off road guy or just need something cool do do this weekend then check out

Tough Like RORR

$5000 to win in some of the knarliest terrain known to man

Click Here to get all the details

Barrett Keiffer takes the win in 65 (7-11) B.

Click Here to get all the details on upcoming events at PVR.

Click Here to see all results from the day

Click Here to see pics from all classes.

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Click Here to get more great industry updates

Round # 6 SRT AMA East Regional Hare Scramble - RORR

Story By Kenny Held

AMA East Hare Scrambles Coordinator

Photos: Dan Morton and Brappmag.com

June 16-17 Tamaqua, PA  Rd 6 of the SRT/AMA East HS was to be a triple crown of sorts.  Co sanctioned by both ECEA and the District 6 HS Series.  Large crowds were expected and the 88 degree day did not dissuade attendance. 575 in total.  When I 1st pulled in I could see the heat distorting the landscape in front of me.  I felt like a roofer.  RORR is known for putting on tough events. In fact next month they will be hosting “Tuff Like RORR” an extreme event.  Held in an active coal mine just outside of Tamaqua PA, the club cut out a 9.5 mile course. 

Ryder Lafferty takes the O/A win.

The start of this event is like no other.  Racers are lined up in a literal coal dust field.  If you are not one of the 1st 10 racers into the 1st turn, you will most certainly be sucking coal dust for the next 200 yards.  For the main event 175 brave souls headed into the Coal Laced Mountain with surprisingly few DNF's.  Unlike the Morning C event which saw a 10% attrition rate.  The front line had 8 of the best rock riders on the East Coast.  When the flag dropped it was D6 racer Hunter Bush aboard his Yamaha with a 3 bike lead into the woods.  Behind Hunter was SRT-HUS Wild Wally Palmer and KTM mounted Ryder Lafferty in 3rd.  Fortunately the club provided many passing lines in their traditional single track course allowing racers to pass when the opportunity arose.  At the mid way point it was Lafferty out front with a 1 minute lead over 2nd place Jesse Groemm.  Back just a few was Palmer. This would remain until the white flag lap where Palmer would make a daring pass around Groemm for 2nd.  

Wild Wally Palmer races to a second O/A in the PA coal 

This was Lafferty's day and his 2 minute lead would have allowed him to stop and get a phone number from the Coal Miners Daughter.  Series Points leader Kyle McDonal suffered a 1st lap.  McDonal just couldn't get back in the grove and would have to settle for 5th.  McDonal still retains a comfortable points lead but should not drop his guard.  With no throwaways for the AA's it can change at any time. 

 Jesse Groemm races to a third O/A. 

In the Morning C event the newly formed Schoolboy Classes would not take a back seat.  Saturday's 2nd place Overall Racer Brayden Nolette would bring his "Rock Hound Racing" Husky to the front of the pack by the 3rd lap.  Nolette from the School Boy 1 class was battling indirectly with School Boy 2 racer Hunter Keen.  Behind them was C Vet Racer Tomasz Szczachor.  The Morning event was a bit shorter with only 5.5 miles to contend with but there were many dnf's.  This was a true East Coast Hare Scramble.

Brayden Nolette wins School Boy 1 and takes 2nd O/A in the morning adult race 

and the Saturday Youth division.

Click Here to get a great deal on your next ride

Max Fernandez shows why he carries that #1 plate.

On Saturdays Youth Main, 100 racers lined up for the 4.5 mile event.  Some of the lines had as many as 27 youth bar to bar in the less then opportune starting grid.  Many kids struggled just to keep their bikes up right in the 2 foot deep coal dust.  If you made through the 1st turn you were OK.  Many bottle necks would cause some pretty low speed domino affect tip overs.  After the 6 Rows took off the dust would cover every spectator within 1000 yards.  The 85+ degree temps did not help things.  At the white flag lap it was 14-15 SM Racer Mad Max Fernandez aboard his Mill Hill KTM ripping through the woods with 14-15 SM Rock Hound Racer Brayden Nolette in hot pursuit.  These 2 were pushing each other so hard that we had to wait almost several minutes for the 3rd Overall to come through the gate.  That racer would be HUS mounted Ian Weisman aboard his Hus who also had a commanding lead over 4th. 

Carter Przemelewski grabs his first O/A win racing in the Jr division against the older kids.

In the Jrs it was Overall first timer Carter Przemelewski abaord his KTM from the 7-9 65cc class.  Carter would pass the entire 10-11 65cc class.  This was Carter's break out race.  Watch this kid.

Mason Tsakanikas continues his winning ways.

In the Pee Wee 50's it was no stranger to the top of the podium Mason Tsakanikas aboard his J&R KTM.  Mason is dominating the ECEA and AMA East Series.  He will be hard to stop. 

Click Here to link to adult class results

Click Here to link to all youth class results

Click Here to see more images from all youth classes

Click Here to see our complete digital June Issue

Click Here to see more great industry coverage

8th Annual BMC - CMATVA Cruise for a Cure

Riders Raise Money for Cancer Patients

June 9, 2018

Renovo, Pa

By: Jim Bull – BrappMag.com

Eight years ago, the Relay for Life Team from the Bucktail Medical Center teamed up with the Central Mountains ATV Association (CMATVA) looking for an “out of the box” way to raise money for cancer patients and cancer research.

              Riders Line Up to Start The 2018 Cruise for a Cure

Hence the Renovo ATV Cruise for a Cure was born and over the years has raised close to $60,000 that comes right back to local people who are both fighting and have survived cancer. Matter of fact the 2017 Cruise set a record, raising over $10,000 after all expenses were paid.

I learned in speaking with Tim Reeves, the CEO for Bucktail Medical Center, that their facility that was founded in 1909 is not only the local hospital for the residents of both Renovo and South Renovo but is also a Critical Access Hospital which is a designation given to rural hospitals that meet guidelines to receive certain benefits, such as cost-based reimbursement for Medicare services.

Mr. Reeves explained that their Relay for Life team that was started by local cancer survivors was looking for a different type of fundraiser when they stumbled across the CMATVA who was looking for additional opportunities to ride in the area.

         CMATVA President Henry Sorgen and BMC CEO Tim Reeves 

thank the riders for coming.

The two groups teamed up for what has become the largest fundraiser that the Relay for Life Team sponsors each year. “That first year we had 60 riders,” explained Reeves. Due to the CMATVA’s involvement and the support of the local community the event has grown tremendously. He also wanted to thank the DCNR and the local fire companies and landowners for cooperating and opening the town and sections of trail to ATV traffic that would not otherwise be allowed. He also wanted to thank the Jimmy Dremel family and Hope Enterprises for opening their property for parking and camping for the close to 400 participants that rode in this year’s Cruise.

The Cruise for a Cure is a 46 plus mile controlled guided trail ride that starts in downtown Renovo and South Renovo and travels to the Quiet Oaks Campground in Tamarack, Pa. (Near Cross Fork)  There, Boy Scout Troop 137 offered a catered lunch to help raise money for the cause before riders traveled an alternate route back to Renovo to enjoy a Chicken BBQ dinner at the Renovo Fire Company that was included in their donation for the ride.

Riders enjoy lunch prepared by the local Boy Scout Troop at Quiet Oaks Campground

Click Here to book your stay at Quiet Oaks Campground

What will this year’s numbers look like? It was too soon to tell at the writing of this article. I would guess however with the large participation plus all the extra fund raising going on during the event that 2018 might yet set another record.

                                                        Riders take a break out on the trail.

Thanks go out to everyone involved, especially the riders for turning out. It is a different type of ride that many are not used to but I believe well worth the cause. It just goes to show that the off-road community wants to give back and what better way to do it than helping someone improve their quality of life. 

If you couldn’t make this years Cruise and still want to help you can contact the Bucktail Medical Center directly at: (570) 923-1000 or a member of the Central Mountains ATV Association at: www.cmatva.org

Click Here to learn more about the Central Mountains ATV Association.

We hope you all return in 2019 – I know I’ll be there.

Click Here to see lots more images from the ride

AMA Featured Event - Sponsorship Opportunities

Mark your calendars for Sept. 21-23, 2018 as the 6th Annual Kevin Crine AMA Featured Event is coming back to the world famous Budds Creek Motocross Park.

This event has been well attended over the years and with the AMA coming on board in 2018 and naming this an official AMA Featured event the numbers should be phenomenal.  With a $1332 Dash for Cash and a minimum Pro Payout of $3000 the racers should be there.

Many levels of sponsorship are available to both motorcycle and non motorcycle industry type  businesses. Come join the Mid Atlantic Motocross Association and take advantage of the area's only AMA featured event. If you offer your products and services to Motorcycle and ATV enthusiasts this just may be a great fit for your business

Info is above for you to get involved in this first year AMA Featured event at 

Budds Creek Motocross Park. 

If you prefer a PDF file or would like more information please contact Bonnie Garaway at:  treasurerformama@gmail.com