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May 23, 2022 11:29 pm

Side by Side Drags brings Harrison, MI Airport to life

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By Steve Landon

Harrison, Michigan – May 15, 2022; — Those old enough to remember may recall a time when the  Airport north of Harrison, Mich.,   saw more than just the arrival of an occasional recreational pilot or flight of National Guard helicopters stopping in for a break. Overall the airport has been pretty quiet, however, it has not always been that way.  Now thanks to dedicated volunteers  the airport is coming back to life.  On Sunday May 22 the first event in years took place on the grounds with exciting Side by Side drag racing before an impressive crowd.

A race official prepares to launch a driver down the strip. In the future the group plans to have a starting tree and timing system to do the job.

A race official prepares to launch a driver down the strip. In the future the group plans to have a starting tree and timing system to do the job.

Back in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s when everyone had a snowmobile  the airport was closed to aircraft in the winter months. For years the

Dillon Sprague of Harrison give local fans something to cheer about as he crosses the finish line to win 1000 NA in his 2021 Yamaha  YXZ 1000R before an impressive crowd

Dillon Sprague of Harrison give local fans something to cheer about as he crosses the finish line to win 1000 NA in his 2021 Yamaha YXZ 1000R before an impressive crowd

airport was  the place to be. Two  nearby restaurants. a  small party store , a bar  ,and  easy access to gas , parts and trails  made it a popular gathering place until it was opened year-round as an active airport in the mid 1970’s.  Over the years the airport held  fly-Ins complete with airplane rides,  small aircraft shows  and activities for visiting pilots and families.  Since those days things have been pretty quiet around the old airfield. Sadly with that quiet caused in part by fewer visiting aircraft and budget cuts, the runway is not as good or as appealing as it used to be. In-fact it needs repairs soon or the site of the Harrison Airport could become just a big empty field as pilots look elsewhere for smoother take offs and landings.   Hosting events especially in recent years is nothing new at smaller airports across the nation in fact the Zettel Memorial Airport in nearby Gladwin, Mich.,  has enjoyed great success for several years  with  “Thunder on the Strip”  a popular drag racing event, many small airports have become home to car, motorcycle shows and other popular events .

One of the driving forces behind this year’s Side by Side races is Air Force Veteran Timm Heinig  who worked to pull the event together in roughly a month.

“I served in the U.S. Air Force, before coming back home a few years ago. I’m a Third generation Harrison resident, my family has been around for a very long time.  I’ve wanted to be involved in the community and always wondered why we weren’t doing any events at the airport so I joined the airport advisory board in the fall of 2021 and asked if I could be their events planner and this is where we’re at now.

Driver create a dust storm as the charge down the 300 foot strip in neck and neck competition

Driver create a dust storm as the charge down the 300 foot strip in neck and neck competition

Several months ago I started meeting with the Airport Advisory Board in regards to bringing events like drag racing to the airport  as well as other events. They were very receptive to the idea. My initial goal was to get an event going later this summer like a car show and swap meet plus have a structured drag race with several classes and possibly a bracket race . The car enthusiast exploded with excitement. I realized then this is something we needed to get after sooner than later “- Heinig said.

Why do a benefit for the Airport?

“The Harrison  airport relies on volunteers and grant money to stay open. It is considered a basic use airport and does not receive FAA funding . The airstrip is in need of some significant repairs along with some of the facilities . My plan is to get some events  like drag racing this summer, snowmobile races in winter as well as other events that might be of interest to the community and visitors  to help with the cost of repairs and future investment  into the airport.

While it didn't compete this little homebuilt Side by Side sure drew a lot of attention

While it didn’t compete this little homebuilt Side by Side sure drew a lot of attention

Having the Side by Side  races was an independent idea of mine. With the help of my mother Wendy as well as strong community support and sponsorship from local businesses it was able to come together. This was our test run to see how an event would go at the airport  so we stuck with the Side by Sides this time. We have several ideas  that include more dirt races and even drag racing on airstrip once its repaired” –   Heinig continued

Concerns that a little rain might dampen attendance quickly evaporated  when the sun came out just  in time to make for a  perfect day. What little rain fell hardly dampened the strip.

Running on a two lane 300ft dirt drag strip, drivers kicked up the dust in some downright exciting races While scoring was done manually this time officials hope to have a timing system and radar in the future.

For a first-time event the program was set up for a smaller number of entries. As the event grows and entries  increase, classes will be adapted.

“Side by Sides have an array of engine sizes and power so we tried to keep this event as simple as we could- non turbo and turbo class. We had a class

Event coordinator / race director Timm Heinig addressed drivers just before action got underway

Event coordinator / race director Timm Heinig addressed drivers just before action got underway

scheduled but we didn’t have entries for it

Overall we’re extremely happy with the turnout and community support. We plan on more events with the dirt track, as well as events with small aircraft in the future. Money raised will go into maintaining the airport and putting on future events” – Heinig explained.

Presently the group hopes to have snowmobile races likely during the Harrison Frostbite Festival.
Their first event now behind them plans are already in the works for others in the future.  One thing is clear the Harrison Airport is back on the right flight path headed for a bright future as long as the people behind this effort are at the controls.

Winners

1000 NA
Dillon Sprague,  Harrison, MI – 2021 Yamaha  YXZ 1000R
Turbo/ Modified
1.  Jeremy Amy, Clio, MI – 2020 CanAm XDS
2. Shawn Lewis, Swartz Creek, MI – 2019 CanAm X3
Class ?
Mark Bajor – 2022 Polaris RZR Pro R 4 LE
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May 5, 2017 7:30 pm

Study: Biking and Skateboarding Support More Than 847,559 Jobs

Wheel sport enthusiasts are packing a punch for the United States economy, with gear consumption adding up to a $97 billion industry. Bicycling reports that athletes now spend about $14 billion every year on bike and skateboarding equipment and $83 billion on skate and bike trips. These industries alone support 847,559 jobs.

This is according to the Outdoor Industry Association’s recent study, which found that the outdoor adventure and recreation industry generates $887 billion in spending each year. It also provides 7.6 million jobs. Statistics like these make this industry one of the top generators of revenue, only outnumbered by financial services and insurance, outpatient health care, and hospital care.

Tim Blumenthal, president of PeopleForBikes, said in a statement to Bicycling that these numbers prove the vital role that bike sports play in the domestic economy. With over one billion bicycles on roads around the world today, they may outnumber cars two to one.

“As the OIA Report attests, bicycling and bike-related businesses are indispensable contributors to the economies of our communities, our states and our nation,” he said. “Continuing investments in better bike infrastructure are essential to keep these financial benefits growing.”

The report emphasized the role that job growth plays in the United States economy, stating that outdoor jobs specifically attract healthy workers and promote healthy communities. Study authors also placed emphasis on the role of outdoor spaces and infrastructure.

“Beyond the industry itself, outdoor recreation infrastructure has proven an invaluable asset for economic development offices and chambers of commerce seeking to attract new employers,” the authors wrote. “Towns and cities that invest in their outdoor assets attract employers and employees who value the work-life balance outdoor access provides.”

National parks and other public lands are some of the largest hubs for outdoor recreation, drawing in $45 billion dollars and creating 396,000 jobs annually, according to the study. Sports like skateboarding and cycling aren’t the only popular activities in the outdoors industry. Every year about 40 million people participate in 515 million camping trips, often in state and national parks.

“Public lands and waters are the outdoor industry’s basic infrastructure, and without them the industry cannot survive,” the study reads. “Preserving access is imperative to enhancing the industry’s economic and social impact. Access ensures every American’s ability to get outside where jobs, health and communities grow.”

Bicycling reports that this call to action could aid in the effort to create more bike-friendly infrastructure, making the roads more accessible for cyclists everywhere. And with more U.S. jobs depending on recreational motorcycling and off-roading than there are lawyers, according to the OIA study, perhaps the wheeled sport industry will gain more decision-making leverage than ever before.

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May 3, 2017 7:39 pm

Motorcycle Washing Machines Offer New Ways to Keep Two-Wheelers Squeaky Clean

Americans tend to love — and take for granted — their household devices. We tend to seek out the latest gadgets that can make our lives even easier. In fact, around 69% of homeowners said they were willing to spend more money for kitchen appliances. For many of us, dishwashers are an absolute must; washing dishes by hand is often looked down upon as an antiquated practice, or as a household chore we hope never to have to do again. That’s why families often fill up their cabinets with plates, dishes, and cups that are 100% dishwasher safe, made of materials like melamine or other plastics.

And of course, we couldn’t possibly go back to washing our clothes in the river and beating them on rocks. Easy access to a well-functioning washer and dryer (preferably, high-efficiency models) is non-negotiable. Clothes need to be cleaned well and often to make a good impression.

But keeping our vehicles clean isn’t quite as easy. Sure, you can take your automobile to the car wash, but when you ride a motorcycle, the process isn’t quite as straightforward. Unfortunately, you can’t just stick your bike in the washing machine — or can you?

Recently, a YouTube video featuring pro-motorcyclist Mike Reefman showed the Aussie washing his bike in a massive glass machine that essentially eliminates the need to cleanse with more pedestrian methods. When Lanesplitter contributor Andrew P. Collins inquired where the machine came from, Reefman explained that his brother-in-law, Paul Adams, came up with the concept. Adams spent nine months and up to $15,000 developing and constructing it.

Since several family members ride motocross competitively, the machine certainly comes in handy. It reportedly holds 40 gallons of water, which is blasted through four different jets. It then gets a detergent soap treatment and a hot water rinse. You can even set a timer for cleaning time, depending on how dirty your bike has become. It also has an air compressor so that the bike can be quick-dried.

But Adams and Reefman aren’t the only ones getting into the bike cleaning game. Inspired by an Israeli enterprise called BikeSpa and by American car washes, Arnav Shah and Siddharth Jain set out to change the process by which Indian motorcycles are cleansed.

In India, cars and bikes were being washed entirely by hand, at unauthorized garages or roadside stores. Not only were the waits long, but immeasurable amounts of water were being wasted, too. And since the pair discovered that 81% of the Indian automobile market consisted of two-wheeled vehicles, they decided to make a big move.

Thus, they started BikeCleanse, a concept which features automated motorbike washing machines to wash these choppers within three to four minutes. It looks like a mini-car wash, except the driver doesn’t go along for the ride. Not only does the chamber remove all the dirt and grime, but it recycles 95% of all the water used. BikeCleanse has reportedly washed more than 100,000 motorcycles and managed to save 5 million liters of water to date.

While these innovators are certainly not the only ones trying to tap into the motorbike washing market, the possibilities they present for competitive and recreational riders certainly are intriguing, to say the least.

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April 17, 2017 1:22 pm

Officials Working to Prevent Copycats After Daredevil Stunt on 60 Freeway

motorbikeA daredevil motorcycle stunt over a Riverside County freeway in early March has prompted officials to make sure it was a one-time event. Heavy machinery, boulders, and tree trunks were all employed to ensure the dirt ramp used for the stunt couldn’t be used again by any copycats.

An expertly edited video of the stunt that went viral on Instagram is what tipped off CalTrans officials. After viewing the video, which was filmed from five different angles, it didn’t take long for officials to pinpoint the location of the stunt. The giant dirt ramp was all the evidence they needed.

“We want to impress upon people that this was a dangerous stunt and somebody could have lost their life on that highway,” said Terri Kasinga, a CalTrans public information officer. With this type of risk, what motivates people to attempt such ill-advised actions? Perhaps it is the desire for fame. Perhaps it is financial. Consumer debt in the U.S. reached $3.4 trillion in May 2015. Many see YouTube exposure as a path out of debt.

While nobody was hurt, Kasinga and other CalTrans officials are stressing that the situation could have been much worse. Any one of the drivers on the road at that time, or the motorcyclist himself, could have lost their lives during that stunt. These risks put stress on our system in many different ways. The most obvious costs are hospital bills. Additionally, traffic stoppages in this part of the country have a very high cost of productivity. Worker’s compensation pays 100% of medical costs for an injured worker if they are on the job, which could also be a factor here.

Kyle Katsandris, a 24-year-old motocross enthusiast from San Clemente, was allegedly the cyclist behind the stunt was probably not concerned with the possible down-sides. Mike French, a friend of his, said Katsandris was part of a small group of free-riding motorcyclists that typically practiced in areas such as the Timoteo Badlands, where the stunt was performed.

French explained that while he was witness to other stunts performed by Katsandris in areas where biking is allowed, he wasn’t involved in the freeway jump. But he doubts whether or not his friend was the one who performed the stunt. Katsandris, although known to participate in free-riding, works as a salesperson for a tool company.

Katsandris is a young man, but performing stunts and being without a will, even if he is under the age of 40 may not be the smartest idea. According to French, however, Katsandris’s IQ is “through the roof.”

“He is a very intelligent man,” French said. “I really have trouble thinking he jumped that jump and posted it online if it is as illegal as it seems.”
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In addition, nobody called 911 to report the stunt after it happened. Officials say even misdemeanor charges may be difficult to dole out, as the driver’s face was obscured by the helmet they were wearing.

“If anybody is caught doing it [again], they will be prosecuted,” said California Highway Patrol Sgt. Randy Costelow.

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