Bellying Up to the Bar (X)

“Bellying Up to the Bar (X)”
AHRMA National Trials Series
Rounds 16, 17 & 18
September 4-6, 2010
Casper, Wyoming
By Ron Pocher
Photos By John Clement & Colleen Straka
Whether you’re traveling at over 100 mph on your road racer or idling through a trap on your
trials bike, being smooth almost always has its benefits. Whoever negotiates the course at hand,
the smoothest, usually comes out on top. I say usually because guys like Bob “Hurricane”
Hannah and Danny “Magoo” Chandler come to mind and, more often than not, they were just
concerned with that “coming out on top” part.
Fred Martinson was the WMTA’s Treasurer/Secretary for 23 years, beginning in 1986, and he
certainly knows a thing or two about trials and the art of being smooth. I’ve only been in the
sport a couple of years now but Martinson can turn a trials bike as well as anyone I’ve seen.
Don’t watch him negotiate a tricky off-camber and then expect to duplicate the feat with the
same ease because you’ll find yourself wishing you had given said turn a bit more attention. Fred
isn’t holding three AHRMA National Championship awards by accident.
Fred Martinson
Martinson always exhibits fine form while in a section, but he’s pretty good at setting them as
well. Having the more-than-qualified assistance that Dan Straka and Bob Strohman always
provide, probably doesn’t hurt his cause much either. These three gents possess an uncanny
knack for designing traps that provide plenty of challenge while omitting obstacles that might
prove demoralizing. In other words, their sections are always fun. Straka also has an AHRMA
National Championship under his belt, and the entire trio has won regional championships at one
time or another. All three of these WMTA legends sport a fine stable of vintage plonkers, and
though I can’t provide an exact bike count, every model that I’ve seen has been exquisite.
Dan Straka
While the above maestros are certainly worthy of any praise nudged their way, they would be
the first to admit that they have a “fairly” good canvas to work with. The Mosteller’s Bar-X
Ranch pretty much has it all. Any trials enthusiast in the Rocky Mountain region would be hard
pressed to find a venue that sports anywhere near the amount of water that occupies the sections
on this heavenly site. When you come to the Bar-X for a bit of “feet up fun”, you better be ready
to get your socks wet. Fred and the boys aren’t real concerned with keeping you mud-free either
and after three days of log jumping, you might actually start to enjoy it.
In the Premier Lightweight Expert division Mike Buchholz seemed to be dealing with
whatever was thrown his way, rather nicely, as he scampered off with first place points on all
three days. Another Colorado gent, Hugh Campbell, was exhibiting his usual (fine) form and
finished just adrift of “Uncle Buck” in the three enjoyable rounds. Campbell looks set to snatch
his first national championship.
John Knapp was the class of the Premier Lightweight Novice ranks as he also posted three
wins, to make his trip from New York certainly worthwhile. New Mexico’s John Bergener
claimed second in each round and gave Knapp a scare on Sunday when he finished just one dab
down. Colorado’s Rick Woodward drove back south with three third place finishes in his points
pouch.
Tony Down and Eugene Waggoner had their usual scuffle in the Classic Expert group, with
Tony posting three first place scores. Waggoner punched second place cards on two of the three
days and opted for “worker points” on the other.
Tony Down
Zach Woodward topped Mike Becker in each round of the Classic Intermediate class, but
each day was more than a bit competitive. Becker finished just four points arrears in Saturday’s
contest.
Danny Messmore hauled his stunning Hodaka trials mount down from South Dakota and
certainly put it to good use by winning all three rounds in Classic Novice. Wyoming’s Roy
Haines, who also knows his way around a dirt track, was nipping at Danny’s heels during each
outing.
Danny Messmore
California’s Rick Daniel wasn’t just taking names in the Modern Classic Expert ranks; he was
doing that other part as well. Daniel headed back to the west coast with maximum points and will
probably be holding the “Mick Andrews Trophy” at year’s end. John Clement rolled home ahead
of Ron Pocher on the first two days but Pocher was finally able to hop up a notch to second on
Labor Day’s final round. Chuck Moline steered his way to fourth on both Saturday and Sunday.
Rick Daniel
The always-pleasant John Dowson, a New Mexico “Brit”, is quite promptly establishing his
name in the AHRMA trials world. Dowson, who clenched the national championship in last
year’s Modern Classic Novice, is continuing his winning ways in the ultra-competitive Modern
Classic Intermediate division. Dowson didn’t bother to put a foot down on his way to a day one
“clean” ride and had the best score for Monday’s meet as well. Fred Martinson won the day two
outing, with Dowson second and Tom Maddux third. Fred finished runner-up for both of John’s
victories. Bob Strohman rounded out the podium in Saturday’s round while Mr. Ed Peacock held
that spot after Monday’s ride.
Bob Strohman
In the Modern Classic Novice class, which sported ten contestants on each of the first two
days, 70-year old Robert Richter from North Dakota was the “man to beat”. Richter only needed
three dabs in Saturday’s round and upgraded that total to “none” on day two. Richter cooled off a
bit on Monday and fell all the way to fifth with his second three-point ride. Pretty tight battle
when three dabs knocks you off the podium. California’s Gene Mendonca joined Richter on the
winner’s list when he topped the class on Monday. Colorado’s Ray Arndt steered his way to
second on both Saturday and Monday but had to settle for fourth on day two. Another North
Dakotan, Tim Schmitz, nabbed the runner-up spot in that round. There were different third place
finishers for each day. Shane Arndt, Mendonca and Rick Hill nabbed those spots on day’s one,
two and three, respectively.
Wyoming’s Shawn Hardman and Colorado’s Kellie Arndt continued their fierce battle in the
Beginner class, but Hardman was wielding the magic wand on this weekend. Hardman headed
home with maximum points as he came out on top on day’s one and two and pocketed “worker
points” in lieu of riding on Monday. Arndt failed to take advantage of this opportunity and
bowed to newcomer, Ben Garcia, of New Mexico.
As is often the case in this region, the Twin Shock – Line 1 class was loaded with talent. On
Saturday, Miles Morgan and Sarah Duke were going at it to the bitter end, with a mere two dabs
separating the final score. Morgan and his TL 250 just nipped “Sissy” and her sassy little TY
175, “Penelope”. Kenny Mosteller threw himself and his immaculate ’74 RL 250 into the ring
come Sunday and promptly took the honors on the strength of his 52 years. He and Morgan both
finished with but a dab, but Miles had only been around for 27 “pin-the-tail-on-the-donkeys”.
Morgan turned the tables on Mosteller come Monday, when he turned in his second one-point
ride. Miss Duke was just off pace, in third, in each of the last two outings.
Sarah Duke
Fred Martinson seems to be a man of modest needs. He’s probably happiest when aboard one
of his vintage trials bikes; setting trials sections; solving a problem at work or just spending time
with family. I doubt you’ll ever find Fred at some dinner theatre dining on filet mignon and
lobster tail. It’s doubtful that he’d accept free opera tickets regardless of how respected the
singer, but he’d gladly accompany you to a Neil Diamond concert. Now if you want to watch
NASCAR or maybe a Steve McQueen movie, then he might be interested. If you can broil a
mean hamburger (no cheese) and bake an apple pie that any mom would happily claim, then you
and Fred would probably get along just fine. On the other hand, if you have poor taste in film
and music; can’t cook a lick and are especially inept at turning a trials bike – make a trip to
Casper. I’m pretty sure there’s a guy there that can help you.
Jimmy Allison (in a “spot of bother”)
For “Official Results” go to: http://www.ahrma.org/results/2010/Trials/10_tr_motts_results.htm