Broc Hepler Extends Points Lead at Jake-Tom Enduro

Jeff Anderson Takes Overall A,
Kevin Basel Wins Overall B

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BrocHeplerHVMCThe weather and trail conditions could not have been more perfect for the Jake-Tom Enduro in Logan, OH, on August 2. Although turnout for the enduro was on the lighter side with a little more than 110 racers, those who competed seemed to enjoy what the course offered.

Five Star Cycle’s Broc Hepler was able to extend his points lead, taking his fourth win of the season. Hepler dropped 24 points to beat out Wheelsports rider Robbie Jenks by a point. Johnny Barber, the 2012 series champion, made a return to the podium spot, rounding out third with 26 points.

“I enjoyed the trail very much,” Hepler said. “I liked the brand new sections, but I also liked the sections around the club that were worn in. It felt like motocross to me with some lines to bank off of, so it flowed really well.”

While he liked the brand new trail, Hepler said there were a few sections that were so new it was hard to see all of the arrows.

“I knew I needed to pay attention, since the trail was fresh,” he said.

You’d think with winning all these races that Hepler has been working out diligently, but he said that up until two weeks ago, he hadn’t trained off the bike since he retired from motocross in 2009.

“I am just starting to road bicycle again,” Hepler said. “It has already gave me some confidence knowing I will show some improvement as the weeks go on. The Rattlesnake National Enduro gave me a wake up call that to compete with the best I need to train like them.”

He would like to thank his wife, Dawn, for making it to a lot of the checks, since he doesn’t like to ride with a Camelback. He also thanked Five Star Cycle KTM, PR2, 6D Helmets, Dunlop, Scott, Shift and FMF.

Overall A

Jeff Anderson of New Straitsville, OH, (pictured as main photo) is no newcomer to enduros. His first was at the same location of this enduro – Hocking Valley Motorcycle Club – in 1989.

He says he’s ridden off and on throughout that time and suffered lots of broken bones and knees. In fact, at the Lumberjack 100 Enduro, he managed to cut his arm on a fence post. But he only had one section to go, so he got it wrapped up (he thanks Pink and Bill from the Appalachian Dirt Riders for that) and finished the race before going to get 18 stitches. That didn’t slow him down, as he was back at it for the Jake-Tom Enduro following week.

“Hocking Valley Motorcycle Club did a great job,” Anderson said. “It was very challenging, yet ridable. However, I struggled the most in section five with catching a guy in bad spots and I had to push once.”

The Senior A class rider dropped 29 points and finished fifth overall. Jeff Melik in the Vet A class followed with 31 points and finished eighth overall.

He says he will be sitting out the Three Springs Enduro, but is looking forward to the Little Burr Enduro on August 30.

“I’d like to thank Little Debbie, Doritos, Mt. Dew and Lisa’s Sweet Shop in Beverly, OH – their chocolate cookies are awesome,” Anderson joked. “Also Wheelsports, Outdoor Adventures, my awesome girlfriend – Samantha, Robbie Jenks, Steve, and my dad.”

Overall B

KevinBasel_webFirst-year ACES competitor and 250 B class rider Kevin Basel of Butler, PA, captured the Overall B spot aboard his 2013 KTM 250SX.

He said his dad and a few friends got him started in enduros.

“The trail was awesome,” Basel said. “It had a great flow to it and was very fun to ride.”

“Test five was tough for me,” he added. “It was super tight and had a mud hole right in a ditch. You went straight down into it, then straight back up. But in the middle, there was a log that caught your tire and made you get stuck. If you got stuck, you wasted energy trying to get out. By then you were super tired but had to keep going.”

He dropped 37 points, while Terry Hartman of the Senior B class ended the day with 38 points.

He said he just wants to keep an open mind and push his self a little better for future races.

“I’d like to thank PR2 suspension, Crossroads, Decal MX, and my father,” Basel said.

View detailed results at aces-races.com/2015-results

Six rounds remain this season. The next round of ACES, the Three Springs Enduro, will be held on August 9 in Three Springs, PA. The event is hosted by the Green Marble Enduro Riders.

About the Author

heatherwilsonHeather Wilson is a motorcycle enthusiast that rides both dirt and street bikes whenever she gets the chance. She grew up riding dirtbikes, attending local motorcycle races and helping out in her parents’ motorcycle dealership. She’s an Ohio University Scripps School of Journalism Alum and now does public relations and marketing in the motorcycle industry.  HeatherNWilson.com