D-11 Riders - Hillsboro Track-Highland Lakes

Madmax31
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Edited Date/Time 2/21/2019 9:42pm
Anyone familiar with what is going on with the old Highland Lakes track out in Hillsboro.

The last I heard the place was bought at auction by Middletown Honda (I think that's the name). They were going to open it back up for riding but haven't heard a thing.

Whats the latest?
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The Rock
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7/13/2009 9:44am
Are you sure you're not talking about Highland Hills in Hillsboro? HH was the location for the 1974 250/500 National where Jimmy Ellis won the 250 class but I've forgotten who won the 500 class.

It was also day Charles Morey took the famous Tony D/Jimmy Weinert picture that epitomizes MX racing.

I won the Open class the day before the National and we raced there from about 1973 to 79 or 80. Man it was so beautiful to race there in the fall. They also had a fifty rider starting gate and a fifth gear first turn.........keep us posted.

I would make a special trip back to Ohio and would beg, borrow, or steal a bike to ride there again.
Friday
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7/13/2009 10:07am
I raced there as well. Probably in 1979.Is Glen Este Speedway still there? That was a favorite of mine around 1976. Tommy Watts,Billy Abel,Mike Bias,Randy Bryant, and more fast guys used to race the Cinci area.
Highsider
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7/13/2009 10:21am
The Rock wrote:
Are you sure you're not talking about Highland Hills in Hillsboro? HH was the location for the 1974 250/500 National where Jimmy Ellis won the 250...
Are you sure you're not talking about Highland Hills in Hillsboro? HH was the location for the 1974 250/500 National where Jimmy Ellis won the 250 class but I've forgotten who won the 500 class.

It was also day Charles Morey took the famous Tony D/Jimmy Weinert picture that epitomizes MX racing.

I won the Open class the day before the National and we raced there from about 1973 to 79 or 80. Man it was so beautiful to race there in the fall. They also had a fifty rider starting gate and a fifth gear first turn.........keep us posted.

I would make a special trip back to Ohio and would beg, borrow, or steal a bike to ride there again.
"They also had a fifty rider starting gate and a fifth gear first turn."

Wow! In all my years of mx (over 40 years) I have never heard of a 50-rider gate, much less have seen one....crazy!

Jim J
Madmax31
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7/13/2009 11:22am Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 12:53am
Friday wrote:
I raced there as well. Probably in 1979.Is Glen Este Speedway still there? That was a favorite of mine around 1976. Tommy Watts,Billy Abel,Mike Bias,Randy Bryant...
I raced there as well. Probably in 1979.Is Glen Este Speedway still there? That was a favorite of mine around 1976. Tommy Watts,Billy Abel,Mike Bias,Randy Bryant, and more fast guys used to race the Cinci area.
I grew up watching those guiys ride. I watched those guys go at it at Dirt Country back in the day. A lot of talent...it was fun to watch. I remmeber Greg Maddox, Karsner, god so many fast guys at that time!

But I'm talking about the track in Hillsboro, OH. I don't think it was ever a national track. It was fairly new about 2-4 years old and unfortunately went under. It went to Sheriffs Auction last I heard.

The Shop

7/16/2009 1:25pm
I think you guys are talking about Honda Hills, which is in Thornville/Newark, Ohio. They used to run the National back in the day!
Rupert X
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7/16/2009 2:20pm
Friday wrote:
I raced there as well. Probably in 1979.Is Glen Este Speedway still there? That was a favorite of mine around 1976. Tommy Watts,Billy Abel,Mike Bias,Randy Bryant...
I raced there as well. Probably in 1979.Is Glen Este Speedway still there? That was a favorite of mine around 1976. Tommy Watts,Billy Abel,Mike Bias,Randy Bryant, and more fast guys used to race the Cinci area.
Madmax31 wrote:
I grew up watching those guiys ride. I watched those guys go at it at Dirt Country back in the day. A lot of talent...it was...
I grew up watching those guiys ride. I watched those guys go at it at Dirt Country back in the day. A lot of talent...it was fun to watch. I remmeber Greg Maddox, Karsner, god so many fast guys at that time!

But I'm talking about the track in Hillsboro, OH. I don't think it was ever a national track. It was fairly new about 2-4 years old and unfortunately went under. It went to Sheriffs Auction last I heard.
Closed.

Jeff and his lovely wife owned it (I believe). A rider died there. Pretty sure that

ended things.

That's the last I heard.
The Rock
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7/16/2009 2:51pm
I think you guys are talking about Honda Hills, which is in Thornville/Newark, Ohio. They used to run the National back in the day!
Honda Hills hosted several Trans Am events in the early 70s prior to Mid Ohio in Lexington getting the Trans Am. Think it was around 1975 Mid Ohio got the date....they also had an Inter Am at Mid Ohio along with the 125 USGP which was the site of O'Show's stunning 125 win aboard the Mugen.

Highland Hills only had one National race which I believe was Labor Day weekend the fall of 1974.

Last I heard they were still racing at Dirt Country in Blanchester, OH. I left the starting line at 2 AM one morning there....crazy!
1/6/2011 9:58am
guys back in the day they had a honda hills,hidden hills and a highland hills. i started out on al of them on a bad fast xr-75 my dad built that bike was graet plus i made quite a biy of money with it winning protests.......we were always legal whic\h pissed more than a few yamaha riders off......oh yea the good ole days
Overdrive
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1/6/2011 10:19am
I think you guys are talking about Honda Hills, which is in Thornville/Newark, Ohio. They used to run the National back in the day!
The Rock wrote:
Honda Hills hosted several Trans Am events in the early 70s prior to Mid Ohio in Lexington getting the Trans Am. Think it was around 1975...
Honda Hills hosted several Trans Am events in the early 70s prior to Mid Ohio in Lexington getting the Trans Am. Think it was around 1975 Mid Ohio got the date....they also had an Inter Am at Mid Ohio along with the 125 USGP which was the site of O'Show's stunning 125 win aboard the Mugen.

Highland Hills only had one National race which I believe was Labor Day weekend the fall of 1974.

Last I heard they were still racing at Dirt Country in Blanchester, OH. I left the starting line at 2 AM one morning there....crazy!
Both were fun natural terrain tracks and really enjoyable to ride, its funny how Dirt Country a track built on a flat piece of land is now the only track still operating out of the three. I would have gone to Honda Hills or Mid Ohio (the original mid ohio) long before dirt country. Not to say Dirt country wasn't fun, and I do remember some LATE nights at dirt counrty as well.
6/22/2011 3:12pm Edited Date/Time 6/22/2011 6:06pm
The Rock is right . Highland Hills did have a fifty rider starting gate ... which made for some of the wildest starts on a Motocross track anywhere . The track was in an amazing location . It was MX Heaven . The track at Lexington , Ohio is now overshadowed by Mid Ohio Motorsports course . There is a track on the grounds near the road , it is a pasture with some jumps . Rock is right about Honda Hills also . There was just an amazing feeling being at Highland Hills . The Hammersville track just outside of Cincinnati had a couple nationals & one mean ass mud hole , the track was surrounded by a christmas tree farm . But it was nothing like Highland Hills .
The Rock
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6/22/2011 4:29pm Edited Date/Time 6/22/2011 4:32pm
Hey LostWulf!



WFO heading into the left hander after the start.



Tim Rhodes passed me on the last lap of this moto after I had held him off the entire moto.
6/22/2011 6:07pm Edited Date/Time 6/22/2011 6:08pm
Cool brother .... MAhhhICO . Was this maybe 1975 when I was in the USAF out near Hangtown ? Thats the way I remember the best days of Motocross .
The Rock
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6/22/2011 7:56pm
Cool brother .... MAhhhICO . Was this maybe 1975 when I was in the USAF out near Hangtown ? Thats the way I remember the best...
Cool brother .... MAhhhICO . Was this maybe 1975 when I was in the USAF out near Hangtown ? Thats the way I remember the best days of Motocross .
Fall of 1974.....sold that Maico to Jim......can't think of his last name but his dad I believe owned Highland Hills during that period.

I had just got my pro license for the 75 season (Mike D was 105 and I was 107) but combination of head butting with my dad and meeting my future ex wife derailed my pro plans.
6/26/2011 7:41am
Ok , I went into the USAF about the time that your Dad & HJ drove to Pa to pick the Maico's up . It was Oct 1974 that I went into the service .
uk125250
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6/26/2011 8:56am
Any of you guys remember a local from KY named Gene Stephenson that rode for Gentleman Jim's Suzuki? He raced in the early to mid 70s.
The Rock
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6/26/2011 12:35pm
uk125250 wrote:
Any of you guys remember a local from KY named Gene Stephenson that rode for Gentleman Jim's Suzuki? He raced in the early to mid 70s.
I don't but do remember Scott Wilkins who was from KY if memory serves correct.

Ohio fast guys back then were Tim "Crazy' Murphy, Tim Rhodes, Tom Bellamy, Teddy Fischer and his brother......... Tom Sprude and Tim Shepherd.......what's up with all the fast guys having names that start with T?
mivers176
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6/27/2011 5:22am
I actually rode there a couple weeks ago. It was purchased by the owners of Middletown Cycles and they have been working / planning on re-opening it (its Highland Lakes in Hillsboro but I think they are planning on renaming it).

It will be a pay practice track only for now. Thats about all I know but I do know it should be opening for open riding during this summer.
Baird
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6/27/2011 6:05am
mivers176 wrote:
I actually rode there a couple weeks ago. It was purchased by the owners of Middletown Cycles and they have been working / planning on re-opening...
I actually rode there a couple weeks ago. It was purchased by the owners of Middletown Cycles and they have been working / planning on re-opening it (its Highland Lakes in Hillsboro but I think they are planning on renaming it).

It will be a pay practice track only for now. Thats about all I know but I do know it should be opening for open riding during this summer.
Mike how was it? Do they still have that huge down hill? Any idea on a date when they are trying to be open by?
Madmax31
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6/27/2011 8:39am
Last I heard the residents didn't realize how loud it would be so after it went to Sheriffs Auction they rezoned it. I doubt they'll be able to re-open it now. I guess they'll just keep it for friends and family?
Baird
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6/27/2011 8:43am
Where are you riding at now Max?
markmon88
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7/7/2011 6:33am
Man I loved Highland lakes. That downhill jump was so fun. If they open that track back up I will have to get a bike again.
The Rock
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7/9/2011 8:32pm
markmon88 wrote:
Man I loved Highland lakes. That downhill jump was so fun. If they open that track back up I will have to get a bike again.
There are plans afoot as I understand it to turn Highland Lakes into private fishing/riding area. My friend Brad Hause and some of his buds rode there today.
The Rock
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7/9/2011 8:33pm Edited Date/Time 7/9/2011 8:34pm
Overdrive wrote:
Both were fun natural terrain tracks and really enjoyable to ride, its funny how Dirt Country a track built on a flat piece of land is...
Both were fun natural terrain tracks and really enjoyable to ride, its funny how Dirt Country a track built on a flat piece of land is now the only track still operating out of the three. I would have gone to Honda Hills or Mid Ohio (the original mid ohio) long before dirt country. Not to say Dirt country wasn't fun, and I do remember some LATE nights at dirt counrty as well.
I hear you about LATE nights at Dirt Country. Circa 79 after the meatwagon had to make a run my Open A moto didn't leave the line until TWO AM!
Baird
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9/13/2011 1:36pm Edited Date/Time 9/13/2011 1:38pm
Just FYI

Highland Lakes is now opening under a new name, Buckeye Hills MX. They are having an open ride day on Oct. 15-16 2011.

They hope to have more practice days next year.

You can check the details out on their facebook.

I hope some of you can make it out and support an AWESOME track re-opening!!!
Nicknku
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9/13/2011 7:49pm
Awesome!
Nicknku
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9/13/2011 7:58pm
I can't find them on Facebook... Do you mind posting the link?
popwua
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9/16/2012 7:03pm
I love hearing all the old names again. Anybody remember Harry Bridges and his star bungled pants? This is Keith Young and Mr Fischer and I had some battles. I recently took my Service Honda 500 to Haspin Acres to revive a few ghosts. Unfortunately not the same. I miss the whole bunch
popwua
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9/16/2012 7:08pm
uk125250 wrote:
Any of you guys remember a local from KY named Gene Stephenson that rode for Gentleman Jim's Suzuki? He raced in the early to mid 70s.
I remember a Jack Kirk
jasperquick
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7/15/2014 9:15am
First motocross race I ever raced in was there back in 74 or 75! Can't remember the year but I can sure remember the ride, a 1974 Hodaka Wombat, not the orange tank mx Combat Wombat but the 3+ gallon chrome tank looking enduro version. I raced there, Coal Grove, Southern Ohio Speedway (outside Portsmouth). Honda Hills, Jackson Ohio, and too many local track to remember the name that are not there now. Just like the bikes I raced: Wombat 125, TM125, YZ125C, KX125 (6 speed, rotary valve), CR360 Husky.

After taking a break for about 30 years I decided to go back into racing, problem was my knees and shoulders couldn't take being up on the pegs for mx race, so I went GNCC ATV racing. Not as rough on the knee and shoulders but a whole lot harder on the body. Two hours of running through creeks, mud, climbing over downed trees, running through dry creeks with rocks bigger than a bowling ball, climbing up the sides of cliffs and falling back down the cliff , wide open fields (only time you get to go real fast). We give the Post Office a run for their money, neither rain nor snow nor heat will keep us from making our rounds (laps)!!! We race ATV's on Saturday and Bikes on Sunday and we have a class for every one based on age and skill I run the Silver Masters 55+ (C Class) which is a novice class, been racing the C classes since 2008. They race on the east coast (east of the Mississippi River). They even have two races in eastern Ohio one is the mx race course Lost Creek outside of Athens. We run only a part of the mx track the rest is in the woods around the track. 9 - 11 miles long race course and we do 4 or 5 laps in two hours) . The AMA Lucas Pro Motocross Ironman race this August is in Crawfordville Ind. at the place where we have been racing GNCC for years. We got to race on part of the MX track last Oct before they had it all completed. Look forward to racing on it this October when it is completed.

If you still have the racing bug that you needs to be scratched every so often come and join me! Google GNCC and you can go to their website and they list all the races and where they are. Look forward to seeing at one sometime!! Just look for the old man who still thinks he is 21 racing an ATV that will be me!!! If your not sure if you could do it there are plenty of helmet cam videos shot by riders racing the tracks on youtube.com just type in GNCC and enjoy, you will see both bike and ATV's in all ages and skill levels.
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