Campbell River, British Columbia
Kickstarting the season
The CMRC Vancouver Island Spring Series got underway in Campbell River
You could not have asked for a more perfect start to the Canadian Motorsport Racing Club (CMRC) Vancouver Island Spring Series. There was lots of sunshine, riders and spectators, as well as a well-groomed track.
Back On Track: Courtenay rider Darcy Lange came in third place in the morning moto for the GP Pro class; this was Lange’s first race after returning from a medical leave.
Move Aside, Boys: The girls provided some great thrills during the races; shown here are Chelsea Masters (#212) and Emily Wise. —photos by Ed Masters
Round one of the series kicked off in Campbell River, B.C., on April 12th with a practice day for anyone who wanted to take advantage of it. Many of the riders did since they didn’t get much seat time this winter because of the weather; snow on the tracks made it hard to practice.
The race took place on April 13th with some great sunshine, which provided just enough warmth to keep everyone warm for the day. There were only a few minutes of some rain near the end.
There was great racing all day long amongst the riders and great sportsmanship in all classes between old and new riders alike. It was great to see all the new riders and some of the old riders who returned after taking a few years off from the sport.
Putting on great airs
Some high flying action took place in the 125 Intermediate class. Nick Syrotuck from Nanoose Bay went home with first place overall for round one while Campbell River rider Mike Caflisch kept second place here in town. Third place went to Mill Bay with Ryan Bachinski.
Rocky Wise of Lake Cowichan had his hands full as Campbell River rider Ed Allen was on his home track; Allen did his best to take first place in the Vet Junior class but when the checkered flag came out it was Wise who took first overall for the day. Allen had to settle for second place while Ryan Bradley took third place overall to Salt Spring Island.
There was great riding in the Vet Master group between two South Island riders. It was all Paul Gallagher of Victoria could do to hold off the charge of Ron Hyde—also of Victoria. Gallagher returned home with first place overall while Hyde went home with second. Campbell River rider Darcy McKeena had a good ride at the local track this weekend and he placed third overall for the day.
The young and restless
Exciting racing took place in the 50-cc class. These little guys are always great to watch. In the 4-6 class the top three riders were back and forth in both motos. In the morning, it was Victoria rider Damon Balaux that got to the finish line first, followed by Campbell River’s Michael Masters. Third went to Jacob Piccolo of Abbotsford.
In the afternoon moto, it was a race to the hole shot and Piccolo edged out Masters for the lead. Soon afterwards, it was Balaux who took the lead; however, it was short-lived as he had trouble getting through the whoops section. This left the door open for both Masters and Piccolo to battle for it out for first place. Piccolo made it to the checkered flag just ahead of Masters and that gave Piccolo first overall for the day. Masters kept second overall for the day in Campbell River and Balaux took third.
Balaux’s older brother was riding in the 7-8 class and he took the overall win for the day. That left second place to be battled out between two Salt Spring Island riders—Harrison Bradley and Austin Archer. They gave it all they had and it was close but Bradley got over the finish line just ahead of Archer to take second overall.
The need for speed
Racers were going full throttle in the 85-cc 7-11 class. It was a race to the finish line between two South Island riders—Cory Cardinal of Crofton and Lloyd Hills of Nanaimo. They went back and forth as they fought for the lead. Cardinal took first overall while Hills settled for second place and Eli Titus took third place overall to Duncan with him.
Eric Wickman of Courtenay grabbed a fist full of throttle and held on to win the 250 Intermediate class. He edged out Squamish rider Gareth Palmer. Third place overall went to Ladysmith with Dan Smith.
Palmer also rode in the Plus 25 class this weekend. He took first overall in the class. Dwight Dockendorff of Port Alberni was the rider to finish the day in second place and Kurt Nelson of Lake Cowichan came in third.
The guys weren’t the only ones who put on thrills for the crowd. Camille Baker of Nanaimo can fly just as high as most guys on a motocross track. She did that this weekend and took home top place overall. Second overall went to Port Alberni rider Paige Hansen and third place went to Powell River with Taylor Lessor.
Here come the pros
High flying and burm-railing roost throwing is the best way to describe the action in the GP Pro class. It was the professional race debut for Courtenay rider Colton McLean—and what a debut he made. McLean was up against some of the best riders in Canada (when a rider can go bar-to-bar with the likes of Milo Christie and Darcy Lange, both from Courtenay, you know they’re at the top of their game). Also out there with McLean was Campbell River’s own Andrew Belin. When the checkered flag came out for the morning moto it was Christie who took it first, followed by McLean and then Lange.
In the afternoon moto, McLean twisted the throttle hard but it was Christie who took the checkered flag first and McLean had to settle for second place. Bissenden took third place for the moto and Lange opted not to ride the afternoon moto.
Christie went home in top place, McLean in second and Bissenden took home third overall for the day.
It was good to see Lange back up and riding again after being off for some time due to health concerns. He is a real battler and a great sportsman for the sport of motocross.
Big battles
The largest class of the day was the 125 Junior. Riders came from all over B.C. for the opening round. Bryce Adams from Powell River was the rider to catch. He gave it all he had and it sure paid off for him. Adams went home with first place overall for the weekend. There were some good riders chasing him and waiting for an opportunity to pass but it never came.
Dawson Creek rider Davon Simpson and Brayden Olson of Courtenay battled for second place but Simpson managed to squeak past Olson and take second overall.
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