Cycle News

Walker On Top At 47th The Race In Illinois I t was a perfect day for motor- cycle racing in Fenton, Illinois, over the October 29-30 weekend for the 47th running of the classic off-road event now simply known as The Race, aka Illinois Cross Country Championship. Approximately 250 riders com- peted over the two days of racing for the race that used to be billed as "America's Tuffest Race." The main race on Sunday was a 35-mile loop throughout the area fields, woods, creeks and logs surrounding The Bike Barn, in Fenton. Since the loop was a bit shorter than previous years, it was decided that the pro group should do three laps instead of the traditional two circuits of this challenging compilation of some of the most difficult trails that Bill Gusse could string together. It just wouldn't be right if the race was not over 100 miles in length. A shotgun blast just after 10:00 a.m. sent the first row out on their adventure. After fly- ing across a giant expanse of freshly-harvested corn fields, the racers dropped into the woods for a challenging combination of everything from tight single track, creek crossings and fields to an obstacle affectionately referred to simply as "the log." This log has been a hang-up for many seasoned veteran racers, and the Pro group would cross it three times. Just after 3:00 p.m., the GasGas 350 ridden by Jhak Walker wrapped up the final loop through the motocross track to collect the overall victory. Walker, from the Springfield, Illinois area, rode his brother's GasGas and beat many sea- soned off-road racers. "It was definitely a nice one to win," the 16-year-old said. "I am super pumped to get it done. It was really good. I just kept it going pretty well. I rode my best and came with it to win. "I got a really good start," he added. "I was probably top three into the woods. Then me, Tan- ner [Whipple], Colt [Zuidema], Easton [Morgan] and TJ [Nees] were all together the first lap. The second lap it was me and Tan- ner. And then I was leading it, I flipped, and Tanner got by me. I followed him, and we rode most of the second lap together. About a quarter way through the third lap, he lost his header [pipe]. Then I brought it home for the win. Walker said he was happy to follow Tanner Whipple for much of the race. "I think it was way better following him," said Walk- er, "because he has way better with line choices. I liked following IN THE WIND P36 Sixteen-year-old Jhak Walker took the overall win at "The Race" in Fenton, Illinois. PHOTOS: JOHN GASSO

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