Kind Of Like Carlsbad Re-Opening. This is Huge.

4/5/2021 7:09am
HH is in northern Ohio correct ? What town is near ?
10214 Honda Hills Rd
Thornville, OH 43076
4
JBlain619
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Severna Park, MD, USA
4/5/2021 7:37am
Rupert X wrote:
Central Ohio. About 30 miles east of Columbus.
Oh ok, that would be in the Zanesville area, starts to get hilly there. I,m sure the layout is killer. About 12 yrs ago a Vietnam...
Oh ok, that would be in the Zanesville area, starts to get hilly there. I,m sure the layout is killer. About 12 yrs ago a Vietnam vet had a bunch of big cats including Bengal tigers. He set them all free and took his life. The cats where hunted down by every police force. I had to deliver there, everyone was on edge, thinking a cat was going to pounce on them. And watching for a cat attack on some people. Haha
Rupert X wrote:
Odd you’d mention that place. The exotic animals, which were all let loose as the owner, Thompson, committed suicide, was the center of attention for awhile...
Odd you’d mention that place. The exotic animals, which were all let loose as the owner, Thompson, committed suicide, was the center of attention for awhile. The beautiful beasts; bears, tigers, lions, etc, were all shot dead by law enforcement as they roamed about. An awful situation.....Anyway, that property, in Zanesville, is now Grears Motorsports Park, very cool hillside track and other kids circuits.....

Rup,

How is Grears? Are they holding races or just open practice?

Man I'd like to have that HiPoint trailer in the bottom pic! Been looking for one for years!
1
Stevo683
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Westerville, OH, USA
4/5/2021 8:30am
Good news! Tell my son about the place every time we head East on 70 going to Grears..Back in the day me and my friends would load up and go riding there anytime of the week in the summer time. The Friday night series was a blast. People would come out of the woodwork!..Hope they keep it old school/natural terrain. If they do it will help the sport MX times are great in Ohio.
6
Rupert X
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4/5/2021 9:17am
Oh ok, that would be in the Zanesville area, starts to get hilly there. I,m sure the layout is killer. About 12 yrs ago a Vietnam...
Oh ok, that would be in the Zanesville area, starts to get hilly there. I,m sure the layout is killer. About 12 yrs ago a Vietnam vet had a bunch of big cats including Bengal tigers. He set them all free and took his life. The cats where hunted down by every police force. I had to deliver there, everyone was on edge, thinking a cat was going to pounce on them. And watching for a cat attack on some people. Haha
Rupert X wrote:
Odd you’d mention that place. The exotic animals, which were all let loose as the owner, Thompson, committed suicide, was the center of attention for awhile...
Odd you’d mention that place. The exotic animals, which were all let loose as the owner, Thompson, committed suicide, was the center of attention for awhile. The beautiful beasts; bears, tigers, lions, etc, were all shot dead by law enforcement as they roamed about. An awful situation.....Anyway, that property, in Zanesville, is now Grears Motorsports Park, very cool hillside track and other kids circuits.....

JBlain619 wrote:
Rup, How is Grears? Are they holding races or just open practice? Man I'd like to have that HiPoint trailer in the bottom pic! Been looking...
Rup,

How is Grears? Are they holding races or just open practice?

Man I'd like to have that HiPoint trailer in the bottom pic! Been looking for one for years!
Grears is pretty damn good. “Mount Morris Lite”, if you will. Several kids tracks too. Hillside circuit. Just outside Zanesville off I-70. These days, we are spoilt around Central Ohio; Briarcliff, Rt62, Eastfork (Plessinger), Huffman Hills and a reborn Honder Heels coming back....
3
1

The Shop

4/5/2021 9:19am Edited Date/Time 4/5/2021 9:20am
Travel a bit north to OIR. No races but it’s still running. ALOT of history up here! Like the jelly of the month club of moto.
2
Rupert X
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Newark, OH, USA
4/5/2021 9:24am
Travel a bit north to OIR. No races but it’s still running. ALOT of history up here! Like the jelly of the month club of moto.
Georgie. Why, I ought to beat you with a rubber hose. My buddy Chris (0) broke his leg there a couple weeks back, I’ll go back when he’s healed....
2
JBlain619
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Severna Park, MD, USA
4/5/2021 9:50am
Rupert X wrote:
Odd you’d mention that place. The exotic animals, which were all let loose as the owner, Thompson, committed suicide, was the center of attention for awhile...
Odd you’d mention that place. The exotic animals, which were all let loose as the owner, Thompson, committed suicide, was the center of attention for awhile. The beautiful beasts; bears, tigers, lions, etc, were all shot dead by law enforcement as they roamed about. An awful situation.....Anyway, that property, in Zanesville, is now Grears Motorsports Park, very cool hillside track and other kids circuits.....

JBlain619 wrote:
Rup, How is Grears? Are they holding races or just open practice? Man I'd like to have that HiPoint trailer in the bottom pic! Been looking...
Rup,

How is Grears? Are they holding races or just open practice?

Man I'd like to have that HiPoint trailer in the bottom pic! Been looking for one for years!
Rupert X wrote:
Grears is pretty damn good. “Mount Morris Lite”, if you will. Several kids tracks too. Hillside circuit. Just outside Zanesville off I-70. These days, we are...
Grears is pretty damn good. “Mount Morris Lite”, if you will. Several kids tracks too. Hillside circuit. Just outside Zanesville off I-70. These days, we are spoilt around Central Ohio; Briarcliff, Rt62, Eastfork (Plessinger), Huffman Hills and a reborn Honder Heels coming back....
Should be at the "Cliff for the Battle of Ohio race. Coming to visit family in good ol P-A-T-A-S-K-A-L-A that weekend! I was going to run the entire Battler series but my kid is coming up from GA to visit 20-26MAY so I would miss Malvern. I really want to get to Eastfork one of these days. I'm sure I'll run into you! Hopefully some of the fellow Vitals will be there too!
1
TBO
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Powell, OH, USA
4/5/2021 9:52am
Rupert X wrote:
Yeah, I can’t pretend to hide my excitement about this whole deal. Honda Hills had a TransAm back in the 70’s, not only was DeCoster racing...
Yeah, I can’t pretend to hide my excitement about this whole deal. Honda Hills had a TransAm back in the 70’s, not only was DeCoster racing here, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno (true!) were both spectators ! For many thousands of Ohio riders- and other racers that grew up at this landmark, it’s just wonderful news. You can barely see me here, to the right, about 1985, on my ‘82 YZ490.
Matt Kelly to your left. Thought that was me in front of you for a minute but never ran number 62.
1
JBlain619
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4/5/2021 9:53am
Travel a bit north to OIR. No races but it’s still running. ALOT of history up here! Like the jelly of the month club of moto.
Is that the OG OIR??
JBlain619
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4/5/2021 9:54am
Rupert X wrote:
Yeah, I can’t pretend to hide my excitement about this whole deal. Honda Hills had a TransAm back in the 70’s, not only was DeCoster racing...
Yeah, I can’t pretend to hide my excitement about this whole deal. Honda Hills had a TransAm back in the 70’s, not only was DeCoster racing here, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno (true!) were both spectators ! For many thousands of Ohio riders- and other racers that grew up at this landmark, it’s just wonderful news. You can barely see me here, to the right, about 1985, on my ‘82 YZ490.
This pic brings back a lot of memories. My mom is going to go through pics and see if she can find some as well.
DC
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4/5/2021 9:59am
Really good news Rupe! Been stopping by that place for years just to see how long it would be able to hold on, even though it was pretty much abandoned... Dad took me there to see my first pro race there in 1972.




DC
Racer X
17
jeffro667
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Jackson, OH, USA
4/5/2021 10:05am
DC wrote:
Really good news Rupe! Been stopping by that place for years just to see how long it would be able to hold on, even though it...
Really good news Rupe! Been stopping by that place for years just to see how long it would be able to hold on, even though it was pretty much abandoned... Dad took me there to see my first pro race there in 1972.




DC
Racer X
That's where I met your dad Davey, it was an area qualifier in 79, and the regional was at his/your place, Hi Point.
2
Rupert X
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4/5/2021 10:22am
DC wrote:
Really good news Rupe! Been stopping by that place for years just to see how long it would be able to hold on, even though it...
Really good news Rupe! Been stopping by that place for years just to see how long it would be able to hold on, even though it was pretty much abandoned... Dad took me there to see my first pro race there in 1972.




DC
Racer X
We are indeed, giddy, Davey. Over the last couple years, we have, sadly, lost the original founders and developers of Honda Hills, Dick & Bev Klamfoth. Absolutely wonderful humans, both. As many of you know, Dick was a genuine legend; Factory BSA and Norton racer, won Daytona three (3) times - when it used to run up the beach and down the A1A...... Honda Hills was just an amazing facility, Dick owned a Columbus area Honda dealership, then bought a bunch of land in Thornville, built a campsite, a flat-track, woods trails and, a very famous motocross course.....Generations learned to ride and race at this institution of fun.....I was beginning to think we’d never see it alive again. ....Gave us all something to believe in, again, especially after this past, very yucky, year......
11
4/5/2021 11:11am
Rupert X wrote:
Central Ohio. About 30 miles east of Columbus.
Oh ok, that would be in the Zanesville area, starts to get hilly there. I,m sure the layout is killer. About 12 yrs ago a Vietnam...
Oh ok, that would be in the Zanesville area, starts to get hilly there. I,m sure the layout is killer. About 12 yrs ago a Vietnam vet had a bunch of big cats including Bengal tigers. He set them all free and took his life. The cats where hunted down by every police force. I had to deliver there, everyone was on edge, thinking a cat was going to pounce on them. And watching for a cat attack on some people. Haha
Rupert X wrote:
Odd you’d mention that place. The exotic animals, which were all let loose as the owner, Thompson, committed suicide, was the center of attention for awhile...
Odd you’d mention that place. The exotic animals, which were all let loose as the owner, Thompson, committed suicide, was the center of attention for awhile. The beautiful beasts; bears, tigers, lions, etc, were all shot dead by law enforcement as they roamed about. An awful situation.....Anyway, that property, in Zanesville, is now Grears Motorsports Park, very cool hillside track and other kids circuits.....

That was a crazy day, I parked at a TA an old 76 truck stop, with a big U sitting area. A few Vietnam Vets where talking about the cats. They said they tattooed the ear on the bengal tigers in Vietnam. And that was one of there’s. Great to hear the land was put to good use and people enjoy it. hope they make HH into a awesome vet track. The track can be a part of the Racer X vet series then. They added Dutch sport in Mi. This year, trying to pull east coast riders in. HH would get more riders from the east, make it double points. Then the Wi., Ia, Mn. Riders will still go. This tread is getting Great.
1
bierbower105
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Uhrichsville, OH, USA
4/5/2021 11:14am
HH is in northern Ohio correct ? What town is near ?
Rupert X wrote:
Central Ohio. About 30 miles east of Columbus.
Oh ok, that would be in the Zanesville area, starts to get hilly there. I,m sure the layout is killer. About 12 yrs ago a Vietnam...
Oh ok, that would be in the Zanesville area, starts to get hilly there. I,m sure the layout is killer. About 12 yrs ago a Vietnam vet had a bunch of big cats including Bengal tigers. He set them all free and took his life. The cats where hunted down by every police force. I had to deliver there, everyone was on edge, thinking a cat was going to pounce on them. And watching for a cat attack on some people. Haha
There is a track on his former property - badass track.
1
4DAIVIPAI2K5
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4/5/2021 11:30am
Grear's is racing this year. We will be the Wednesday for a mid week ride.

Excited for HH to open up. Give us a bunch if local tracks to ride. 6 or 7 with in 45 mins of my house.
1
bierbower105
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4/5/2021 12:34pm
Grear's is racing this year. We will be the Wednesday for a mid week ride. Excited for HH to open up. Give us a bunch if...
Grear's is racing this year. We will be the Wednesday for a mid week ride.

Excited for HH to open up. Give us a bunch if local tracks to ride. 6 or 7 with in 45 mins of my house.
What did your boy think of beans? Mini bike scene is popping off there lately.
DC
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4/5/2021 1:29pm
In honor of this news, here's the 1974 Trans-AMA start at Honda Hills.



DC
Racer X
23
DC
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4/5/2021 1:32pm Edited Date/Time 4/5/2021 1:33pm
And a couple of The Man at Honda Hills '74, including the famous Dick Miller shot under the homemade banner on the bridge...




You're welcome, Rupe Babe!

DC
Racer X
16
Jake86
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Romeo, MI, USA
4/5/2021 1:46pm
My dad used to talk about Honda Hills, we’re from Michigan . He couldn’t remember exactly where it was at, but would tell me stories about the track, and his Moto days.
1
fins227
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Chillicothe, OH, USA
4/5/2021 2:16pm
Ohio, the greatest state in the union! Prove me wrong!
2
2
4DAIVIPAI2K5
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4/5/2021 2:28pm
Grear's is racing this year. We will be the Wednesday for a mid week ride. Excited for HH to open up. Give us a bunch if...
Grear's is racing this year. We will be the Wednesday for a mid week ride.

Excited for HH to open up. Give us a bunch if local tracks to ride. 6 or 7 with in 45 mins of my house.
What did your boy think of beans? Mini bike scene is popping off there lately.
He likes it, not his favorite, currently that's OIR but he definitely likes going.

From Saturday


1
Rupert X
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4/5/2021 2:34pm
fins227 wrote:
Ohio, the greatest state in the union! Prove me wrong!
Based on the fact that every gas-station sells cold beer, I’d consider your conclusion has merit, sir.




3
4/5/2021 2:46pm
fins227 wrote:
Ohio, the greatest state in the union! Prove me wrong!
I agree, best Lookin women for sure. Usually shorter, but absolute dolls and very cool. Ohio needs a national for these reasons alone. I looked HH up on the atlas, just below I-70 and Buckey Lake, perfect. DC,s pics are dream Mx level, must have been great to be there. My Bulgarian dispatcher finally found me a load, waiting for 7 hrs. Delivery was screwed up this morning. 4-5 anniversary of my 3 cr125,s getting stolen. April 5 sucks every year, so weird. I,m in NC going to Wi. I can stop by the HH track. Ha
1
4/5/2021 3:00pm
I think that grears has the best layout in ohio. It's on two hills so the elevation change is awesome. The track prep has not been good. He does not rip the track he just uses a small tiller which creates a lot of powder and slick spots. It was a dust bowl within an hour yesterday. Loads of potential at grears though. It's great to say ohio motocross is back and better than ever!
1
1
GuyB
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Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
4/5/2021 3:55pm
Motoxdoc wrote:
Next up...Saddleback please!.....DeAnza? Indian Dunes is probably still just sittin there.
De Anza? How much trash are you willing to tunnel under?


1
4DAIVIPAI2K5
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Coshocton, OH, USA
4/5/2021 4:05pm
I think that grears has the best layout in ohio. It's on two hills so the elevation change is awesome. The track prep has not been...
I think that grears has the best layout in ohio. It's on two hills so the elevation change is awesome. The track prep has not been good. He does not rip the track he just uses a small tiller which creates a lot of powder and slick spots. It was a dust bowl within an hour yesterday. Loads of potential at grears though. It's great to say ohio motocross is back and better than ever!
Thought he got a moshio (sp)
bayodome
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Mid-level, Hong Kong Island, HK
4/5/2021 8:41pm
Much of the original track is still visible from space. Exciting to see any track being revived.


1
BAMX
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Fallbrook, CA, USA
4/6/2021 5:15pm
Motoxdoc wrote:
Next up...Saddleback please!.....DeAnza? Indian Dunes is probably still just sittin there.
GuyB wrote:
De Anza? How much trash are you willing to tunnel under? [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2021/04/05/486540/s1200_deanza.jpg[/img]
De Anza? How much trash are you willing to tunnel under?


Scroll in a little closer and you can see that the track and access road are still there. Years ago, we would ride over from Gilman Springs and ride there. I don't know if it is still possible since they have been working on widening the 60.





4/6/2021 9:23pm
JBlain619 wrote:
Rup, How is Grears? Are they holding races or just open practice? Man I'd like to have that HiPoint trailer in the bottom pic! Been looking...
Rup,

How is Grears? Are they holding races or just open practice?

Man I'd like to have that HiPoint trailer in the bottom pic! Been looking for one for years!
LOL,I asked my brother to get the plate number and he laughed because he already knew who owned it, A county sheriffs deputy owns it and uses it for kart racing and does not want to sell it, funny part is I use to race MX with him and got a good laugh about it. I told him I would delete the info on it here so no one try's to "burrow" it Whistling but he said if he ever decides to sell it he would let me know. We tried. Cool
1

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