Briarcliff Motocross Park —“ Hanover, Ohio

May 17/18 2014 —“ By Rupert X Pellett

As a big stepping-stone towards the “ Big Dance” in August, in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, one must first get by the hurdle that is —“ the “Area Qualifier” . Amateur motocross racers all dream of competing in one of the thirty-three classes down at Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch, yet only a select few —“ generally seven or eight from each region, get “ The Invitation” . First, you must get to a LL Regional Qualifier and, and after a week’s worth of rain, Briarcliff’s owner and promoter, Jeremy Osborn, had this tremendous  facility more than ready - as his large crew of helpers and assistants- were excited to host this most prestigious and huge- event. With over three-hundred riders and better than seven hundred entries over the two days, riders from Ohio, the surrounding states and many from “parts unknown” , competed on Briarcliff’s twisting and lengthy “National” course, which is a very demanding and scenic circuit through the rolling terrain of East-Central Ohio.

Notable performers included Yamaha teen phenom Aaron Plessinger, of Hamilton, Ohio —“ who was tearing up the A classes, along with KTM rider Daniel Baker of  Crittender, Kentucky, who was always right there in the second spot. In the Amateur racer division, it was all about Gavin Wilkins of Alexandria, Minnesota, as he and his Yamaha peeled off a string of wins in the B classes, allowing only one miscue, as Richie “ POWPOWPOW” Kolcun got him in 250 B Limited.