Hospital Births

web1_AP18004811281982.jpg

Two members of rock’s Doors joined in signage on Los Angeles street

<p>WILKES-BARRE TWP. &#8212; Arenacross rider Jared Lesher started riding a dirt bike at age 3 &#8212; and in his world of speed and obstacles and motors, that&#8217;s not so very young.</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve honestly talked to a lot of people who started at 3, 4 or 5,&#8221; Lesher said, recalling how, on his small PW50 automatic dirt bike, just as with his pedal bike, the learning process became much easier once the training wheels came off.</p><p>&#8220;I did better without them,&#8221; he said, looking back with a chuckle.</p><p>Lesher, 22, who turned pro in 2015, will be racing at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Jan. 20, when AMSOIL Arenacross comes to the local venue.</p><p>The riders are part of a 12-stop tour &#8212; organizers describe it as &#8220;a 12-round battle for the coveted Ricky Carmichael Cup&#8221; &#8212; that begins in Dayton, Ohio, this weekend and makes its way around the country, before it culminates in Las Vegas on May 4.</p><p>The local show is the only Pennsylvania stop, and Lesher happens to be a Pennsylvania native who grew up in the western half of the state.</p><p>In a telephone interview Lesher started to describe his hometown of Elderton in relation to Indiana University of Pennsylvania, which prompted a clueless reporter to ask, &#8220;Oh, is that why James Stewart is listed as one of your role models on your biography? Because he was from Indiana, Pa., too?</p><p>No, the racer patiently explained. While the late Jimmy Stewart was an actor from Indiana, Pa., James Stewart is a champion Supercross racer from Florida, similar to Chad Reed, from Australia, who is another champion racer Lesher admires.</p><p>When he has spare time, Lesher enjoys hunting in Pennsylvania&#8217;s woods and has even made his own jerky from venison he harvested. But the racer, who lives and trains in Georgia, doesn&#8217;t get much spare time.</p><p>He&#8217;s devoted to his sport &#8212; he gave up football long ago so he&#8217;d be able to concentrate on motorcycles &#8212; and he said each Arenacross event is exciting.</p><p>&#8220;Lining up every weekend just before the race starts, in front of the fans, is an awesome feeling,&#8221; he said.</p><p>When the racers look at the stands, Lesher said, &#8220;you see people of all ages. I see just as many grandparents and parents as I do kids.&#8221;</p><p>If any of those youngsters are getting started on dirt bikes themselves, he has this advice: &#8220;Always wear your helmet. Always wear your necessary gear.&#8221;</p><p>The Arenacross races at Mohegan Sun Arena begin at 7 p.m. on Jan. 20, but Lesher urged fans to come to the track party that begins at 5 p.m.</p><p>&#8220;Come down and get your autographs,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Come find me and I&#8217;ll be glad to talk to everybody.&#8221;</p><p>A news release explained the party will give fans the chance to &#8220;compete in a Thor gear change contest, win swag and get the night started in the most exciting way possible. Get an up-close look at the riders, motorcycles and obstacles used to soar through the air at unimaginable heights and speeds.&#8221;</p><p>Admission to the party is $10 at the gate, or you can get free access by recycling an empty can of Monster Energy drink.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_arenacross.withcrowd.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">An Arenacross rider goes airborne as the crowd watches. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_arenacross.withcrowd.jpg</photo0><caption0>An Arenacross rider goes airborne as the crowd watches. </caption0><photoCredit0>Submitted photo </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_arena.cross_.start_.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Pennsylvania native Jared Lesher, who is among the professional riders scheduled to race in Wilkes-Barre Township on Jan. 20, counts lining up at the start of a race as one of the most exciting parts of an Arenacross event. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_arena.cross_.start_.jpg</photo1><caption1>Pennsylvania native Jared Lesher, who is among the professional riders scheduled to race in Wilkes-Barre Township on Jan. 20, counts lining up at the start of a race as one of the most exciting parts of an Arenacross event. </caption1><photoCredit1>Submitted photo </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_arenacross.tarutis.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Arenacross riders take part in a heat during a previous event at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_arenacross.tarutis.jpg</photo2><caption2>Arenacross riders take part in a heat during a previous event at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township. </caption2><photoCredit2>Times Leader file photo </photoCredit2></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Riders to compete for Ricky Carmichael Cup during series</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p><strong>By Mary Therese Biebel</strong></p><p>mbiebel@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>IF YOU GO</strong></p><p><strong>What: </strong>AMSOIL Arenacross racing</p><p><strong>When:</strong> Gates/track party open at 5 p.m. Jan. 20; racing starts at 7 p.m.</p><p><strong>Where:</strong> Mohegan Sun Arena, 255 Highland Park Boulevard, Wilkes-Barre Township</p><p><strong>Ticket prices:</strong> Start at $12</p><p><strong>Info:</strong> 800-745-3000</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Mary Therese Biebel at 570-991-6109 or on Twitter @BiebelMT.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

AMSOIL Arenacross heads to Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township