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!