CHANDLERSVILLE, OH

Much like the "Big Muskie" (the largest single-bucket digging machine ever built) that worked the coal fields of Muskingum County, Robbie Jenks (135, above), on his KTM, dug into the surrounding hills of Ohio. Jenks put together a great ride at the Big Muskie Enduro, dropping 10 points over the challenging 60-mile course designed by the Zanesville Trail Riders.

ZTR, in only its third year of promoting enduros, put together a model event. Once again, the local Masonic Lodge served as event headquarters, allowing the lodge to raise approximately $1,500 (their largest yearly fundraiser). This has allowed ZTR access to private property that was unknown to enduro competition just two years ago. After the event, the only smiles wider than those of the lodge members were those of the 103 riders who participated.

In contrast to round four, the weather cooperated and the terrain was in near-perfect condition. This time, the later rows may have had an edge, as the early numbers blazed the trail, forming a nice groove for those who followed. Jenks made the most of this as he railed to an impressive five-point margin of victory over KTM riders Trevor Kline and Josh Gaitten. Husqvarna rider Rodney Judson  was another minute back, as was Jenks' longtime riding mate, Honda jockey Jeff Anderson, who returned after a four-year hiatus and tested the waters in the non-points-paying Sportsman class. Anderson's ride didn't affect anyone's title quest, but one has to think he might be eyeing a return in 2011.

Yamaha rider Anthony Glasso (119, above) carded an 18 to top the A ranks and finish fifth overall. Glasso trailed Bryan Hollingshead and Cary Eberts by two points after the first two checks but overcame that deficit by besting those two KTM pilots by one point at checks four, six and nine. Hollingshead and Eberts had to be having a blast, as both were both on row 22 and found themselves separated by only nine seconds with identical scores of 19 at the end of the day.

In the B division, Matt Kelley (416, above), in the Senior class, schooled the younger riders as he collected top honors. Kelley dropped 24 points, with his fellow KTM riders John Yerkey, Joe Uhrig and Nathan Bidwell all dropping 25. With his second overall, Yerkey still sits comfortably atop the B ranks for the season.

Kenny Hoyle extended his lead in the C class, dropping 45 points and besting his fellow KTM pilot Brent Balika by nine points. Balika finds himself in second to Kenny for the year as well and will be gunning for him at the "Little Burr" in August. Husqvarna rider Scott Clayton, in the C class, was the low-point finisher and was presented a pair of hand guards courtesy of Enduro Engineering.

ACES is a traditional-format enduro series in southern Ohio and would like to thank the following sponsors: Osburn Signs, Kenda, Enduro Engineering, MSR, Rocky Outdoor Gear, Ohio Motorcycle, Beaver Creek Cycle, Sport Cycles, Appalachian Off-Road Motorcycles and Caton's Cycle Center. Check out www.aces-races.com for series information.

Results

AA: 1. Robbie Jenks (KTM); 2. Trevor Kline (KTM); 3. Josh Gaitten (KTM); 4. Rodney Judson (Hus); 5. William Farmer (Yamaha).

200 A: 1. Cary Eberts (KTM); 2. Chuck Foust (KTM); 3. Robert Heinzerling (KTM); 4. Chris Coffman (KTM); 5. Jason Smith (GG).

250 A: 1. Brian Hollingshead (KTM).

OPEN A: 1. John Grimm (Hus); 2. Russ Cherry (Yamaha); 3. Brian Rickard (KTM); 4. Mark Adkins (KTM).

VET A: 1. Anthony Glasso (Yamaha); 2. Kraig George (Suzuki); 3. Mike Van Cise (Yamaha); 4. Matt Hatten (KTM); 5. Shane Sims (KTM).

SR A: 1. Jeff Johnson (Yamaha); 2. Kevin Brown (KTM); 3. Lloyd Shaffer (KTM); 4. Dan Ford (Yamaha); 5. Todd Ghearing (Kawasaki).

S/SR A: 1. Mark Lederle (KTM); 2. Brian Baker (Yamaha); 3. Norm Into (Honda); 4. Jim Kalleker (KTM); 5. Roger Nichols (Honda).

200 B: 1. Nathan Bidwell (KTM); 2. Cody Meeks (KTM); 3. Brad Graves (KTM); 4. Jeff Kitchen (KTM); 5. Dave Moody (KTM).

250 B: 1. Brad Geyer (KTM); 2. Nick Fisher (KTM); 3. Michael Tong (GG); 4. John Wagner; 5. Casey Skinner (KTM).

OPEN B: 1. James Rinaldi (KTM); 2. Pat Patterson (KTM); 3. Daniel Foureman (KTM); 4. Michael Cordova (Yamaha).

VET B: 1. John Yerkey (KTM); 2. Joe Uhrig (KTM); 3. John Hammond (Yamaha); 4. Jim Norris (KTM); 5. Scott Clary (Yamaha).

SR B: 1. Matt Kelley (Yamaha); 2. Brad Meyers (KTM); 3. James McDowell (Honda); 4. Scott Perrie (KTM); 5. Chris Dorsey (KTM).

S/SR B: 1. Ron Valdman (KTM); 2. Ronnie Jarvis (KTM); 3. Marvin Popp (KTM); 4. Mark Best (KTM); 5. John Wagner (KTM).

C: 1. Kenny Hoyle (KTM); 2. Brent Balika (KTM); 3. Paul Minton (KTM); 4. Jade Smith (KTM); 5. Jeff Bowling (KTM).