|
|
|
NANAIMO, B.C.
Thrills and spills
If you want motocross action—Vancouver Island is the place to go
by ED MASTERS
 |
 |
THE RACE IS ON: Chase King (Top) of Campbell River and Courtenay rider Colten McLean (Bottom) were among the top riders at round three of the Vancouver Island Spring Series.
—photos by Brian King |
It was a cool and misty day for round three of the Vancouver Island Spring Series. The motocross race was held at the Wastelands track in Nanaimo, B.C., on May 6, 2007.
With the fog rolling in and out it was, at times, a little hard to tell who was leading in each of the 16 motos held. It was a great turnout and riders came from all over the island. Some even made the trek over from the mainland.
Campbell River and Courtenay riders did very well at the Wastelands this weekend. Pro rider Andrew Belin put on quite the show for the spectators. He came from dead last in the Pro Am class in the morning moto to finishing first. This was no easy task as there were a lot of great riders out there on the track. He flew high over tabletops and pounded through the rhythm section of the newly designed track—he reeled them all in one and two at a time. It was always a surprise to see what position he would come out of the fog in. With half a lap remaining, Belin finished first place ahead of Courtenay rider Milo Christie, who had been leading right from the hole-shot. Abbotsford rider Tyler Falk made the trek over and finished the moto in third place.
The fog lifted somewhat in the afternoon and people could see all the action on the track. Belin rode to first place once again and Christie took second place, while Falk returned home with third place.
Belin, Falk and Christie battled it out in the youth class but it was Belin that went away with first place while Christie took home second place overall.
In the 125 intermediate class, Courtenay rider Coleton McLean went home with first place overall. McLean was up against some good competition since there were riders from as far away as Kamloops. McLean finished his first moto in first place but had a little trouble in the upper section of the track in his second moto and had to settle for a fourth-place finish. He took first overall in the points for the day.
Second place overall went to Cory Forrest who rode two good motos. Third place overall for the day was taken by Squamish rider Justin Paljas. He was also the rider that took first overall in the second moto.
It was great to see Lake Cowichan rider Rocky Wise back out on the track after taking a few years off from the sport. It looks as if he picked right up where he left off. He was up there in the mix for the top place in the Vet Junior class. Wise battled for top place in the morning moto but had to settle for third place as first was taken by Port Alberni rider Jim Young. Second place for the moto went to Courtenay rider David Mouat.
Wise rode hard on the throttle right from the drop of the gate for the afternoon moto and he was unchallenged from start to finish. Mouat and Young battled it out for second place but Mouat took second for the moto and Young had to settle for third place. Wise returned home with first place overall while Young had enough points for the day to finish in second place overall. Mouat settled with third overall.
Curtis Gaudreau had a good weekend of racing at the Wastelands. He came home to Campbell River with third place overall. First place was taken by track rider Lloyd Hills of Nanaimo and second place went across the island with Port Alberni rider Dylan Hansen.
It was a tough day for Courtenay rider Chris Charko. Charko was injured while riding in the afternoon moto in the Plus 40 class. Hope you are doing well, Chris, and are able to be up and riding again real soon. Best of luck to you.
|
|
|
|
