Wilberforce, Ontario hosted the second last hare scramble of the year in the CMA series. Special thanks go out to Bruce Moffit and the Holton Off-Road Riders for setting up the 13 kilometre loop through sand, up and over hills, between trees and around a freshly groomed motocross track. The dirt in the woods was soft and loamy, great for traction, bad for durability. By the time the big boys in the afternoon came through the woods most of the dirt had been worn away, exposing rocks and roots, making for one bumpy ride.
Youth action had Jesse Grummett, a rider who has caused much controversy, finish outside the top three. Chris Culbert-Castelo took another victory home, with Mitchell Lawson sitting pretty in second place, both in the race and in the over all points chase. Zach Lewis took home his first set of points since Burnt River, with another third place finish.
A note on Grummett, regarding the controversy about his alleged course cutting: whether or not he is cutting the course, I do not know, and I will not enter into this debate. In an attempt to remain neutral on most controversies I kept my mouth shut on the Oshweeken event where Pro rider Jake Stapleton was put down a lap and had a water bottle thrown at him. I also tend to keep my mouth shut when I hear off colour comments about Pro riders and families taking up spots on gasoline alley. I’ve also refused to make comment on racers roosting and racing through gasoline alley. I draw the line at accusing a young rider of cheating with some very derogatory names. You know who you are; I’ve heard Grummett called words I could not in good conscious repeat.
I don’t know if he’s cheating, or if he’s not, either way, he does not deserve the backlash that he has received.
The many steep elevation changes caused more than one endo, but lessons were learned. Rachel Chomsky, of the Ladies’ Class, learned the hard way what pulling the front brake while going down hill will do when she sent her TTR-125 down one of the steep rock hills. She got up, though, and still managed to finish the race. Rachel finished second behind Amanda Hutchinson, who took her second first place trophy home. Points leader Ainsley Farr had a short race, when she cracked her water pump and had the pleasure of pushing her bike out and through the rough and rocky course.
Rachael keeping 'er on two wheels in another difficult, rocky section.
Novice A saw new faces up on the podium, with Glen Young of Pickering taking the victory on his KTM. Nick Barker of Aurora took second place home in front of many elated friends and family who, after an entire season of racing, were happy to see the #462 KTM up on the podium. Third place belonged to Fabio Vettorello, who has now worked his way into third over all in points, moving past Zac Bauman. In spite of less than stellar performances by points leaders Filer and Koens, they still hold the number one and number two spots, all but insuring that they’ll be moving up into the Intermediate class next year.
Steve Hart, amazing rider he is, showed that with age comes wisdom, skill and a toughness derived from years of riding. He won his first race of the year at WIlberforce, and he did it with cracked ribs! Rick Hone took home second place, inching closer to Brian Holloway, who sits currently in third. Mark Zimny, aboard the # 625 KTM, took home his first podium position, a solid third place.
The Veteran class saw another victory for Wayne Brogan, followed by a solid second place finish by Steve Young. Clinging to the podium after finally arriving in St. Thomas, Steve Tustin took home third place, making for one talented podium. Brogan, much like Rutnik, has had an all but perfect season, having come in first in every race with the exception of Barrie, where he finished third.
Who says you have to be young to go fast?
Steve Hart, cracked ribs and all, won his first race, and did it in awesome style!
In the afternoon, Don Given took home the medal in Vet Expert, squeezing Dave Nelson out of the first position and forcing him to settle for second. Paul Andratis took home third place, rounding out the podium.
The Intermediate class once again belonged to Michael Jonker, who took home his fifth first place trophy in as many races. Congratulations, Michael! We’ll be looking forward to seeing you race in the Expert class next year! Following Jonker was Jason Griffeth of Bowmanville in second place, and Steve Oomen of Palgrave making his series and podium debut in one shot.
For those of you who don’t remember, Oomen was the Novice A champ from last year. Clearly he hasn’t been sitting back this summer and has stepped up his game for the Intermediate class.
The big news comes from the Expert class, however, as points leader Chad Burford did not get on the podium! For what ever reason, he wasn’t “feeling it” and pulled off near the end to have a freezie. Chad, only you could make that sound good! That said, Burford will be moving up next year into the Pro ranks, and rumour has it the man with the wild hair will be running some very original equipment.
The pink thing is a freezie.
James MacPhail of Oakville took home the first place trophy, and the medal that went with it. Not only is this MacPhail’s first win of the season and his first podium, it is the first time he’s received points since Barrie! Congrats, James! Second place went to Brandon Lawson and third belonged to Torin Linton, who scraped by without getting lapped by older brother, Tyler Linton, Pro #7, as they both came through the barrels, third in their classes!
Congrats to the Linton Brothers!
As already stated, Brian Wojnarowski was out this round, so it was up to Mike Vandenhoek, Chris van Hove and Tyler Linton to step it up a notch and battle hard for those valuable 12 points. Mike Vandenhoek and Chris van Hove were off to an awesome start, chasing down leader Jake Stapleton and charging hard, battling for that second place finish, while Tyler Linton, who was last off the start, had to ride his way through the pack, spending the entire first lap riding in the dust and fog of the riders in front of him.
Vandenhoek ran out of luck once more, though, and was forced to pull off when he destroyed something in either his radiator, or his cooling pump. For all he tries, poor Mike just can’t catch a break. 
Tyler Linton moved into third place in the race, and in points standings, with Chris van Hove taking home second.
Jake Stapleton ran a classic race, almost lapping up to the hard battling Linton boys, which would be third place in his own class! That’s a Ricky of a ride there, if I can go so far. Congratulations, Jake. You’ve got the number one plate!
In the current Pro standings, Jake and Wojo are locked in as first and second, no one is a position to challenge either of them. Third place Tyler Linton has 60 points, Mike Vandenhoek has 57 and Chris van Hove has 42, with Kevin Cockayne in fifth with 37 points. It will all come down to Wheatly in the first weekend of October. Linton will want to hold on to that #3 plate, but Vandenhoek and van Hove won’t be willing to settle for #4 and #5 so easily.
If you’re free on Sunday, October 5, come out to Wheatly and watch to see who gets crowned as the #3 rider in the Canadian National Hare Scramble series!
In the mean time there’s the Parry Sound Grand Prix September 13 and 14, and on the 20 and 21 the Corduroy Enduro is being held.
Chris van Hove, showing us how a properly balanced diet can lead to excellent results.
If I don’t see you at the events, I’ll see you in the woods!
Photos; again, please don't steal these from me. I work hard for them, and to make you all look good. It's a labour of love, and if you steal from me, I'll hate you.
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