The Hills are Alive

With the sound of two strokes! Sorry about the late up date, but things have been a little crazy around here!
Round 5 of the CMA National Hare Scramble series was hosted in Moorefield. The Ant Hill Classic is a race many look forward to every year. It starts with the same warning: Do not go off the path! Hidden in the tall grass are hundreds of ant hills, some measuring almost three feet tall! Over the approximately three decades the race has been held, these natural obstacles have caused many an injured rider and many a mangled bike.
This year, the most notable injuries weren’t caused by the ant hills, though. Mike Vandenhoek, on the #4 Gas Gas, was taken to the hospital after pulling off after the first lap. A large throne through his hand, Mike was sent to a specialist, but will most likely be back in time for Oshweeken. The second injury happened in the morning when a Youth rider injured his leg. It seems in a tight turn his leg was caught behind the foot peg. While not broken, track side medics sent the rider to the hospital, just to be on the safe side.
“Thanks you”s should go out to the medics. We hope we never need to you use, but we are so glad to have you around!
The Ant Hill, aside from being littered with dozens of natural troubles, is the longest race of the year. Shortened from last year’s amazing 27 kilometres, the 2008 course was still a gruelling 24 km! Given the length of the track and the time it takes to complete one lap, the Ant Hill is run as a two race, rather than three race, format, with all except the Youth lining up at noon. The Pros leave first, with each class after leaving at the 2 minute mark.
Jesse Grummet continued his amazing winning streak, extending the number of wins to five, with one second place (in Barrie). In his first appearance in the series Caleb Bauman took an impressive second, with Mitchell Lawson in third. Grummet’s points lead over Lawson has grown to 33 points.
In Novice A action, Greg Filer was a no show, and Mark Koens placed just inside the top ten. David Kertsz finished in third, putting himself in third in the over all points chase. Koens and Filer hold on to second and first, respectively. Andrew Powell, of London, Ontario, took the win at the Ant Hill, and Spencer Jones, of Brantford, took second.
Amanda Hutchinson, in her first race since the Barrie round, took the win away from Ainsley Farr, but it wasn’t easy. The two riders rode together the entire way, enjoying the back and forth and camaraderie developed between the two fast females both on and off the course. Brenna Zuest, another fast female from last year, took third.
Elmo took another win in SuperVet action; that #699 KTM seems to be all but unstoppable through the woods. Rick Hone, of Pefferlaw, took second, and Steven Hart took third. These are some fast riding, hard battling riders! They surely prove that if you’ve got the heart for something, age ain’t nothing but a number. Way to go, gentlemen!
Vet rider Wayne Brogan claimed another victory aboard his KTM, proving that the #922 is a fast machine with a determined rider. Steve Young took another second place, climbing up in the points chase, while Keith Billings took third.
Vet Expert Randy Zuest took first place, with Paul Andratis, of Simcoe, taking second in his first round. Don Given took the number three spot, but remains in first in the over-all points chase. With his first at the Ant Hill, Randy Zuest managed to climb into third over all.
Michael Jonker took another victory aboard his KTM, keeping the orange #127 at the lead of the points chase. Christian Birker found himself in second once again, holding tight to that number two place in the points. In his first appearance this year Aaron Wilcox, of Grand Bend, managed to capture third on his #170 Honda.
Expert showings saw another win for Burford, with Brandon Lawson improving on his fourth in Vienna for a second at the Ant Hill. Lee Hill, Burford’s uncle, captured third to round out the podium.
And then there were the Pros.
With van Hove a no-show, and Mike Vandenhoek out with an injury, it was thought that Tyler Linton, who had placed fourth twice, to take the last podium spot behind Stapleton, in first, and Wojo, in second. Luck was not on Linton's side, however, and quick KTM rider Aaron Wilkins took the last podium position.
The next round will be in Oshweeken. Hope to see you there!