The St. Thomas round of the CMA National Hare Scramble was a much welcomed change from the mud of Oshweeken. While there were multiple water crossings and many small mud holes, it was still a much drier, much tackier track, and most riders were very pleased with the lay out.
The morning classes took off on a modified version of the course that cut out many of the trickier sections, including the large down hill section about after the start and the some of the water crossings.
Still, morning riders encountered tough terrain and some slick spots, especially just after the water crossings, where over anxious riders with wide open throttles chewed deep ruts into the river banks. According to more than one rider, the water wasn’t the problem, it was the muddy banks.
Jesse Grummett took yet another win aboard his TM. Caleb Bauman made it three for three with a third second place finish in as many races. Chris Culbert-Castelo managed to push his Kawasaki onto the podium.
Jeff Orr of Georgetown came out of nowhere aboard his #413 Honda to steal the win away from point’s leader Greg Filler, who took home second for his trouble. Third place belonged to Fabio Vetterollo. Though, by the way #395 Mark Koens and #384 Patrick Plante were battling, you’d think that they were challenging each other for the lead! The two bikes rode together for most of the race, trading places and plastic for the better part of the two hours.
Of the Ladies class, Ainsley Farr took another win, with Rachel Comisky taking second. The two Yamaha girls showed that smaller wheels doesn’t necessarily mean they can’t over come the water.
Keeping the Super record, Elmo Rutnik put in a spectacular run to put that #699 KTM at the top of the podium. Brian Holloway of Parry Sound made his way back to the podium after three rounds off the block. Frank Sutton, of London, made his first appearance on the podium aboard his #692 GasGas.
In Vet action, Wayne Brogan went for an even 100 points, taking his sixth first out of seven races. Steve Tustin, of Gilford, made his first podium finish aboard his Kawasaki, stealing second away from Husquavarna rider Steve Young, who took home the third place trophy.
In the afternoon riders encountered deep ruts, exposed roots and sections where the loamy earth was stripped into a single line.
Vet Expert Randy Zuest took another win aboard his #309 Husquavarna. Keeping with the brand, second place Paul Andratis, of Simcoe, Ontario, took another second, after a #2 finish at the Ant Hill. Dave Nelson managed to keep the #328 KTM on the podium, but just barely, taking home third place.
The Intermediate class saw Michael Jonker take home another first place trophy with his #127 KTM, all but guaranteeing his place in the Expert class for next season. Marcel Filion of St Catherines put his #178 Honda on the podium for the first time since Port Colborne, capturing another second place. Steven Bond finished in third, improving on his previous finishes.
Chad Burford took home another win, collecting another 15 points, earning an even 90 points so far this season. Leigh Boerkamp made another appearance, and improved on his third place finish at the Ant Hill, taking home the second place trophy. Torin Linton took home third, but is still 9 points back from Lee Hill in fourth and only 2 points ahead of Brandon Lawson in sixth.
It was another blue and orange podium in the Pro class, with Stapleton coming back from his sixth place finish in Oshweeken for another first. Brian Wojnarowski managed to put more points between himself and Mike Vandenhoek, securing his #2 plate for another year before heading off to Greece for the ISDE, finishing in a solid second place in front of Chris van Hove and his #1 KTM, who took home third. Aaron Wilkins ran another amazing first half, running in the top three for most of the first hour, before fading back to fourth.
Drama in the Pro ranks happened again, but this time it didn’t involve spectators, scorers or Jake Stapleton. In the first corner a pile up occurred when the #5 KTM belonging to Kevin Cockayne and the #7 Honda of Tyler Linton collided. Linton’s foot peg apparently punctured the KTM rad, ending Cockayne’s race day before it even started.
Will the real Mike Vandenhoek please stand up?
Again, I've made all the photos from St. Thomas available, but please respect me and my work. I walked the entire track to get these photos, walking through mud, crossing the river and up and down some steep hills, so please don't steal my photos.
http://s48.photobucket.com/albums/f218/GrayerGray/St%20Thomas/?start=all"
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