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Corey Arbogast

Reno, OH - For the second round of the AMA District 5 HS Series, racers made a jaunt over to Southern Ohio on April 1st. Reno Raceway in Reno, OH was the site for the joint AMA D5/D11 Shootout. The track was built and run by AMA D5 promoter Paul Koontz, but was scored by the D11 promoter Henry Swartz. Being billed as a “Shootout” between D5 & D11 racers, a great turnout of not only racers, but also fans, withstood the wet conditions. Everyone was interested to see how many top D5 riders would make the drive to Ohio to challenge the D11 riders. The water levels were up due to heavy rain in the early hours of Sunday morning. As the race times neared, the rain turned to scattered showers, but they were not scattered too far apart. By race time the ground was completely saturated and produced about a couple of inches of slimy mud, under that lay the slick clay of Southern Ohio.

The rain held up long enough for the Big Bike start. There were a total of 73 riders for the bike race.  Open A rider Randy Riggs grabbed the holeshot into the first turn and was battling for the lead heading into the woods. Riggs finished 3rd overall/Open A in 2006 and is known for always racing and always being consistent.  At the local level he runs with the young pups. In the Can Am GNCC’s the Cumberland, MD rider is currently 3rd in Senior A!
By the end of the first lap, Open A ace Gary Fridley took the lead and never looked back. The Yamaha pilot is one of the fastest woods riders in the area. The Lost Creek, WV native is another example of local racers who travel and race on the national level. Fridley rides in the XC1 Pro class in the Can-Am GNCC’s.  After the race, he was surprised with how his practice bike handled the mud. “Yea, the bike worked great, I have been using my race bike at the nationals and my practice bike at the local races and I think it’s working better!”
According to Fridley the first lap was so muddy he couldn’t tell who was who or how many bikes were ahead of him. By the end of the first lap the cards had fallen and Fridley was in line to take the lead. “Real close to the end of the first lap I passed Brennon Loftin and took the lead.” After that, no one could catch him all day and he picked up his first overall of the year in the series. Fridley received no pressure from any D11 riders, and if he did, he couldn’t tell who they were. “Right off the start I think I got into around 2nd, but it was so muddy I couldn’t tell who was who. The only number I could see all day was Brennon’s on the first lap.” Fridley credits his equipment and support for the win. “I thank PBX Motorsports, DGS Suspension, Outlaw Motorsports and my parents.” By the end of the race 7 mile track had been cut down as the back end and some of the front section were impassable. This led for a quick last two laps and they actually shortened the race by about 15 minutes.

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Overall Winner
Gary Fridley

District 11 rider Jason Jarvis rode his KTM to 2nd overall/Open A. After hitting and missing D11 races in 2006, Jarvis finished 7th in the D11 250 class. He is starting this year out better as he has handled the muddy spring very well. 
Last round winner Corey Arbogast took the last spot on the podium on the muddy afternoon. He finished third overall/Open A. With out Ryan Echols and Ron Johnson present, the door was open for Corey to battle with Fridley and any other D11 riders that wanted in on the action. As the track worsened through out the race, Corey could never make up any time and settled for third.
Bruce Snyder pulled off the biggest win of the day he was the top Senior rider and led 2nd place Jeff Dillon by two laps!
Gary Fridley has put his name in the hat for battling for the overall. To date, Corey Arbogast still has the overall lead. Shawn Lawson is in second and has been consistent in showing up every week and placing in the top five. Some say Ryan Echols is arguably the fastest in the series, but has missed an event and had bike trouble in the event he did make it to. As the weather turns, the racing is sure to pick up, and who knows who else might show up to take a stab at an overall.