KINCAID, IL

"Thank you" were the first words that Leroy Harris spoke to the group gathered to break bread with one another, visit with friends, bench-race, and celebrate the 2009 South Fork Dirt Riders racing season.

Last year was a good one for South Fork: The track championships featured some great battles; the hare scrambles and the FCA Midwest Best Series, backed by Kawasaki, Suzuki and Husqvarna, were successful; and a local TV show spotlighted South Fork's riders. The FCA camp had a great week here this year, with a special guest, Factory Honda rider Andrew Short. Also, National Arenacross Champion Jeff Gibson raced some of South Fork's events.

And next year is shaping up to be even better, according to Harris: "2010 should be great. We are working hard to make improvements on the track, adding more wood chips and giving the riders the best possible track at every event. The FCA Midwest Best Series will be back, with support from Suzuki and Husky. With the economy the way it is, we were not able to have Kawasaki back for next year, but we understand and want to tell them 'thank you' for all the support they have given our track and the Midwest Best Series. We will also have an FCA weeklong camp for the riders. I hope we have a great year."

The South Fork crew gave out awards to the best racers in the track championship. The last given out were the big trophies for the champions of the Midwest Best Series. Great job, guys and gals!

Track Champions

50 (4-8): Edgar Lewis.

50 JR: Spencer Whitney.

50 SR: Larry Smith.

65 JR: Carter Gordon.

65 SR: Allison Walton.

85 JR: Carter Gordon.

85 SR: Paxton Kerber.

MINI 1: Noah Watts.

S/MINI: Brett Bratsch.

125: Ryan Lash.

OPEN A: Justin Freund.

OPEN B: Aaron Davis.

OPEN C: David Scott.

250 A: Justin Freund.

250 B: Trevor Lawrence.

250 C: Hank Greenwalt.

250 D: Ryan McClain.

4-STRK: Justin Freund.

GIRLS: Taylor Neys.

WMN: Kristy Adams.

SCHBY: Ryan Lash.

14-24: Aaron Davis.

25+: Aric Walton.

30+ A: Aric Walton.

30+ B: Donnie Henson.

35+: Terry Winterbauer.

40+: Todd Huston.

45+: Rod Burger.

50+: Rod Burger.

55+: Gary Shewhart.

VINT: Eric Freres.

Midwest Best Series

65 JR: Noah Watts.

65 SR: Allison Walton.

85 JR: Dalton Hancher.

85 SR: Paxton Kerber.

S/MINI: Brett Bratsch.

250 A: Justin Freund.

250 B: Trevor Lawrence.

250 C: Blake Copeland.

OPEN A: Justin Freund.

OPEN B: Trevor Lawrence.

OPEN C: Richard Cox.

4-STRK: Justin Freund.

SCHBY: Ryan Lash.

25+: David Espinoza.

30+ A: David Espinoza.

30+ B: Donnie Henson.

40+: Todd Huston.

50+: Rod Burger.