The Usual Suspects

Port Colborne had the log hop. Barrie had the mud pits. Burnt River had rocks. Lots of rocks.
The third round of the CMA Hare Scrambles was held on June 15 at the Burnt River Off-Road Facility. The track was gruelling, with rocks and mud and elevation changes mapped into the approximately 15 km loop. The track was defined by the tube busting, tire destroying rocks. Points leader Jake Stapleton ended up with two flats, and was saved by the kindness of strangers, who helped his father-in-law change not one, but two, tires.
The morning classes saw the usual suspects out front.
In Youth racing Jesse Grummett took another win, followed by Mitchell Lawson who finished second. Finishing off the podium was Zachary Lewis of Ponty Pool.
Late morning classes saw the #377 KTM of Greg Filer take the win, positioning himself in first place over all. New face Richard Merrifield of Sault Ste. Marie took second place. Third place finisher was the familiar #395 Machine Honda of Mark Koens. After a less than spectacular finish in Barrie, Koens managed to race to a solid third and claim second over all in points.
Filer

Marrifield
Photo unavailable.

Koens

Usual suspect Ainsley Farr took the win at Burnt River in the Ladies’ Class, twisting that YZ85 out something fierce. Kate Knight of Burlington took second place aboard her RM125 and Diane Kim Filon finished off the podium with a solid third place. Now, given that most of the ladies, Knight aside, ride what are considered “Mini Bikes” (85s, 100s, 150Rs, TTR125s) their finishes here and at the mud pit in Barrie are very impressive.
Ainsley Farr

Knight

Filon
Photo unavailable.

The Super Vets saw Elmo Rutnik continue his streak with another win. Second place was claimed by Brian Holloway, and third belong to Steven Hart. These three men are in a tight points race with less than 15 points separating first and third!
Rutnik

Holloway

Hart

Vet action saw an all Orange podium, with Wayne Brogan in first, Keith Billings in second, and Jim Clayton in third, all running about KTMs. Much like the Super Vet class, the Orange boys are in a tight race, but this time with a wider spread of points.
Brogan

Billings

Clayton

After the morning classes dried up a few of the muddier spots, and exposed a few of the nastier rocks and roots, it was time for the big boys to swing their legs over their machines and put tire to rock.

And like the morning, often this tire/rock combo resulted in flats. Pro Jake Stapleton stopped twice to change tires, with a little help from some kind strangers. You learn something new everyday, and Stapleton’s father-in-law learned how to change a tire at Burnt River.
Vet Expert saw a trade off in usual position, with Chris Donald of Thedford take the win aboard his Honda. Second place belonged to Don Given, with Paul LaChance of Waterdown in third aboard his Yamaha. The boys of the Vet Expert class are certainly showing excellent skill. All three of the top three riders have each won a round, showing that on any given Sunday any of the top riders can win.
Donald

Given

LaChance

Intermediates saw Brandon Lawson, on the #752 Yamaha, take the win, with Desmond Magill, #171 KTM, taking home second and Christian Birker, #129 Yamaha, with third.
Lawson

Magill
Birker

There was upheaval in the Expert class, with previous round winner Chad Burford pulling off due to a flat tire early in the race. This left the door open for Kevin Burley to close the points gap on second place Frank Cantin. Burley took the win, with Nick Kardos taking second and Torin Linton in third.
Burley

Kardos
Photo unavailable.
Tor. Linton

The Pro class was the same ol’ same ol’. Stapleton, Wojnarowski and Vandenhoek finished first, second and third. As said before, Stapleton was forced to stop twice for a tire change. Wojo saved himself the trouble by running tire balls, little air filled rubber balls which are placed in the tire instead of a tube. The individual balls might pop, but so long as the majority of them remain inflated, according to a consulted mechanic, handling should not be compromised too much.
Stapleton

Wojnarowski

Vandenhoek

Stapleton and Wojo must have decided that the race wasn’t long enough and pulled around for a victory lap, to the amusement and enjoyment of the crowd. It seems that every week the crowd of people who stay to watch from the morning classes grows larger and larger. Perhaps they’re hoping to see a Wojo victory.
When asked about racing with Jake, Wojo commented: “Jake doesn’t make mistakes. You have to be perfect just to stay on his rear wheel.” Well, Wojo, you might not think you’re perfect, but it’s a known fact under those Yamaha tents that Stapleton his happy to have someone of your calibre to ride with!
To everyone who raced at Burnt River, congratulations! And big thank yous go out to Connie and all the volunteers at BRORF. Everyone was impressed with how well the course was laid out, the way the race was run, and the organization. Thumbs up to everyone involved!

We’re all looking forward to the newly formulated Burt River Provincial Hare Scramble Series!
See you at the races!
Tyler Linton, no, he didn't chip his tooth, it's just dirt. He's happy that he didn't have to stop for a tire change!

Ride to Remember

The results from Burnt River still aren't posted on the CMA website as of this moment, and as such I do not have an update on the series for you, yet. I apologize. I think for the future I will copy the results at the races in order to ensure a quick update for everyone.
In the mean time, I would like to bring to your attention Adam Glaizer's 24 Hour Ride. Now, some of you are aware of the ride and some are not. (EDIT) The ride will take place July 21-22. I sincerely hope that you will check out Adam's ride. It takes place at Motopark. All proceeds from his charity ride will go to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada.
Alzheimer's is a degrenerative disease that generally affects the elderly. It is the most common form of dementia. The disease is characterized by the formation of plaques on the brain which become toxic to the brain at excessive levels. The most common symptoms are a loss of memory, with the loss of body- and motor-functions common in more advanced cases. Research is currently examining the use of stemcells as a way of reversing the disease, as well as other possible treatments.
Please support Adam's ride. Alzheimer's disease affects one in four Canadians, either directly (as a victim of the disease) or indirectly (family member, friend). With research, perhaps one day we will be able to find a cure for this horrible, personality robbing, disease.
More information about Adam's ride can be found on his website:
For more information about Alzheimer's, or about donating to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada, please check out their website:
For information about Motopark, and accomidations in the area, go to Motopark's website:
Many thanks to any and everyone who makes a donation, or comes to watch!
See you at the races!

Round 2

Round 2 of the CMA Hare Scramble National series saw the races come to RJ's Motorsport Park in Barrie. The race was hosted by the Oshawa Competition Motorcycle Club, and many thanks go out to the track marshalls that helped keep everyone safe in the mud. At one point in the afternoon they had to create a bypass around a huge mud pit.

The day was hot and sticky with tempratures reaching into the thirties! It was enough to make the thought of going out into the woods for the morning classes less than desirable, and as such, I apologize: I will not have photos for the top finishers in the morning classes from RJ's. Sorry!
I do, however, have excellent coverage of that mud pit the afternoon classes had to run through. You know the one I'm talking about; if you still don't remember, ask Kevin Burley; the poor boy was there for twenty minutes trying to pull his bike out of his mud. Eventually he did get it out.
So, back to the races. The Youth class ran a modified version of the course that kept them out of most of the tough mud holes and tight pines that the late morning and afternoon classes crawled through. Taking top honours in the Youth was Mitchell Lawson, an OCMC club member. Second place went to Jesse Grummett, who had won the previous race. Chris Cuthbert-Castelo, another OCMC club member, finished on the last spot on the podium.
In the late morning, the ladies class was the largest yet, and saw a record seven women on the line! Ainsley Farr took another victory, with Amanda Hutchinson taking second again. A new addition was Donna Fisher, who took third place. All seven ladies should be proud of themselves.
Novice A was won by OCMC local Brandon Lawson, with Gree Filer and Riley Jones taking second and third place respectively.
The Vet class was won by Richard Grummett. Second place honours went to Keith Billings, and third went to Wayne Brogan. Don't let the over thirty designation trick you into thinking that these guys are slow; they're quick!
Super Vet Lance Matthews took the top honours in the race, with Elmo Rutnik, winner of the Port Colborne race, took second. Brian Holloway took the final spot on the podium with third.
The afternoon saw a modification of the track, and the opening of "the hole": a mud bog that was easily twelve feet long and capable of swallowing rear tires completely by the end of the race. Track marshalls eventually cut a path around the mud.
The mud hole.

The "cleaner" route.

Christian Birker, an OCMC member, was the top finishing Intermediate. Michael Jonker and Ron O'Brien took second and third place.
Birker
Photo unavailable.
Jonker

O'Brien
Photo unavailable.
Dave Nelson was first in Vet Expert action, followed by Don Given in second and Randy Zuest in third.
D.Nelson

Given

R.Zuest

OCMC member John Nelson should be mentioned; he spent most of the race up front. Well ahead of his fellow Vet Experts, Nelson was woking his way past 6th place Expert rider Torin Linton, but suffered from a bad crash and had trouble starting his bike. In the heat, the effort proved just too much for Nelson and he ended up pulling off the track.
J.Nelson

The Expert class saw Chad Burford out in front once again, passing into the Pro class, followed by Frank Cantin, the second finisher. Third belong to Lee Hill.
Burford

Cantin
Photo unavailable.
Hill

Cinderella story of the Expert class belongs to Kevin Burley, who got stuck in the mud on the second lap, while running in first. Burford and company were able to use the by-pass and get around Burley while he struggled to get going once again. Eventually he got out of the mud and got the bike running once again, claiming the fourth position over all.
Burley

Now for the big boys! What you've been waiting for: The Pros!
The same three faces were on top of the podium as the previous race, with a switch up in second and third. Stapleton took the win for the second time, Brian Wojnarowski took second place and Mike Vandenhoek took third.
Stapleton

Wojnarowski

Vandenhoek

Wojo and Vandenhoek certainly didn't make the win easy for Stapleton. Wojo came back from a bad start to push out in front of Stapleton. The show of speed was impressive and proof that the Canadian boys can hang with the fast Austrianian. Stapleton eventually came back to reclaim the lead and the win for the day.
When the day was done the Pros shook hands and congratulated each other on the ride. Between the oppressive heat and the poorly marked course, just finishing without becoming lost was enjoy of a challenge!
Everyone left the race looking forward to next round in Burnt River.

Honourable mention goes to one of the first guys to try the whoops section. He had a horrible crash, but walked away and got back on the bike! I can't read your number, so I don't know who you are, but I'm glad you got up. It was kind of scary. Cool landing though!



See you all at the next round, in Burnt River!

Season Opener

The morning is fresh; the grass is still covered with dew and the smell of two-stroke hangs in the air along with that familiar “brap!” sound and a soft cloud of blue smoke. No, you’re not having a flash back to the good ol’ days; you’re at a hare scramble! Sunday, May 25, saw the season opener of the Canadian National Hare Scramble series in Port Colborne. The gruelling race was hosted by the Niagra Timberline Riders and saw riders from as far away as Parry Sound and Austrailia. Yes, I said Austrailia.

Jake Stapleton, on the #3 Yamaha YZ250F, is a much anticipated addition to this year’s series. Having already proven himself on the world stage, Stapeton has come to race the hare scrambles here in our very own back yard! When asked if he thought he was going to take first place as expected, the humble Stapleton simply smiled shyly and said: “I hope so.” But back to the races…
The first race of the day was the Youth class, who ran a modified version of the full track. Jesse Grummett of Simcoe, Ontario took first place aboard his KTM. Peter Szymanski, of Jordan, Ontario, battled hard but was unable to battle back for first place. Rounding out the top three was Eric Young, the local hero from Port Colborne.
The afternoon saw another round of races and the opening of the intimidating log hop.

Novice A rider Greg Filer of Millgrove took the first win of the year, with Mark Koens, Tottenham, and Eric Landgord, also of Millgrove, coming in second and third respectively.
Filer

Koens

Landgord
No Picture Available.
The Ladies class saw only two bikes lined up at the start, piloted by Ainsley Farr and Amanda Hutchinson. Neither finished as Hutchinson pulled off, not feeling well, and Farr fouled a spark plug and had to have her bike carried back.
For the Veteran class Wayne Brogan of Palgrave took the win on his #922 KTM. He was followed by Jim Clayton of St. Thomas, who finished second, and Brian Zuest of Rockwood, who finished third.
Brogan

Clayton

B.Zuest

Super Vet, open to riders who are over 50, Elmo Rutnik, of Elora, took the first win of the year for his class. Steven Hart, of Bond Head, and Brian Holloway, of Parry sound, took second and third respectively.
Rutnik

Hart

Holloway

The morning classes wrapped up, and after a short break, the afternoon classes saw the Pros, Experts, Intermediate and Vet Experts line up for the first chance at victory.
Don Given of Grimsby, Ontario, took the win for the Vet Expert class, battling hard against Randy Zuest and Dave Nelson who took second and third.
Given

R.Zuest

D.Nelson

The Intermediate class saw Desmond Magill of Fergus take the win. Marcel Filion, from St. Catherines, took second and Jason Griffeth of Bowmanville filled out the podium with a very respectable third place.
Magill

Filion

Griffeth

Chad Burford, known in the pits for his hair and sideburns, put up a wild ride to win top honours in the Expert class, passing a couple of pros at the infamous log hop. Burford snuck in just before the cut off, and was the only member of the Expert class to run that extra lap. Frank Cantin took second and Jeff Pillon third, coming in just on the comfortable side of the two-and-a-half-hour mark.
Burford

Cantin

Pillon

The Pro class saw the above mentioned Stapleton, who calls Parry Sound his Ontario home, take the first win of the season. It wasn’t as bad as many had feared, however. Stapleton had a mere 1.33 minute lead on second place Mike Vandenhoek, not much by hare scramble or enduro standards. Brian Wojnarowski, who finished second, last year, took third place, rounding out the top three. All three riders rode an amazing race and should be proud of their results.
Stapleton

Vandenhoek

Wojnarowski

As a change of pace, and “to make things interesting,” one class in the morning, and one in the afternoon, was given a fifty dollar hole shot prize. The classes were drawn at random from a hat. For the morning, Super Vet Brian Holloway, who finished third, took the prize.


The afternoon saw the money go to Pro rider Aaron Wilkins, who finished just outside the top three in fourth, narrowly beating Tyler Linton, the day’s sixth place finisher, to the corner.

As the race day came to an end, congratulations were given all around. Many riders congratulated Jake Stapleton on his victory and Mike Vandenhoek on his second place. Hands were shaken and the atmosphere is one of relaxation. As the pits empty out, there are few full sized trailers, no factory sponsored semis.
They don’t do it for the money, as there is no purse to be won. They don’t do it for the glory, because there is none, their sport is barely known outside their ranks. They don’t do it to get national television coverage, it’s rare for even local television cameras to turn their eye on the sport.
These riders do it for the sheer joy of riding. The thrill of bringing the family out for a day filled with fun, friends and some good old fashion woods racing.
The season is still young, and extends into October this year, with races held all over southern Ontario. The next race is to be held at RJ’s Motorsports Park in Barrie, Ontario, on June 8, 2008. Put on by the Oshawa Competition MC Club, RJ’s is a fan favourite that always draws a crowd. After that it’s off to Burnt River on June 15. For the complete schedule and results go to the CMA’s website: http://www.canmocycle.ca/.
Thanks for reading, and I'll see you in the woods!!


Also, I appologize to #715, I could not find a picture of you to put up with the first and second. In the same vein, if I have misspelt or misjudged the numbers on the bikes, please forgive me. The magic marker numbers are not the easiest to read.