Offroad Motorcycle and ATV Nationals 2007 OMA Racing Series Round #3 - Rio Grande, Ohio SIDI "Coal Miner XC" May 19-20

By: Andy Lagzdins

OMA Round 3- Links ATV Class Results ATV Overall Results

#80 Chris Jenks

Rio Grande, OH - The Coal Miner XC in Rio Grande, Ohio marked the third round of the Parts Unlimited OMA National Series, and took place in the some of the best terrain for off road racing in America. The Southern Ohio area is a hotbed of cross country racing, and the turnout for this race included a stacked Pro class which included defending series champion and Ohio native Rob Zimmerman. The front row also included current top ten GNCC riders Taylor Kiser, Chris Jenks, and Brandon Sommers; and GNCC regulars Johnny Gallagher and Jeff Pickens. I knew that it would be a tough race with so many great riders battling on there home turf.

The weather held out for the race, and the sighting lap revealed the track was in prime condition except for some dusty field sections. The woods were in perfect shape, and the course was laid out through a lot of virgin terrain. The hilly topography of the area made for a lot of challenging off cambers and multi-lined hillclimbs. Stream crossings would make things interesting, especially the ones at the base of the uphills.

Chris Jenks & Brandon Sommers Battling for the Holeshot

Thirteen Pro riders lined up for the start, and at the drop of the flag it was Chris Jenks and Brandon Sommers battling for the lead with Taylor Kiser in third. A slow start had me working up through the pack, and I hooked up with Zimmerman as we fought our way to the front until Rob got tangled in a wire fence and dropped back. I had a tough time getting around Jeff Pickens, who was riding well. Brandon had a get off which allowed me to get around him and into third, but he came back by me shortly after. With Chris Jenks and Taylor Kiser getting away at the front, I was trying everything in the book to get up to Brandon and challenge for the podium. We both pitted on the same lap, and the tension was building as we refueled simultaneously and took off down the long pit straight.

Taylor Kiser	Jeffrey Pickens