This past weekend marked the 65th Annual Piston Run, hosted by the Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club in the coastal mountains just outside of Chilliwack, B.C. The long heritage of this event guaranteed a stellar event to kick off as the first round of World Enduro Canada’s Royal Distributing Canadian Cross Country Championship (CXCC).
The Piston Run story began on Friday for Vernon, B.C.’s Victoria Hett, when she travelled to Sacramento, California to take on Geico EnduroCross. Starting the day off well, Hett and her Valley MotoSports Husaberg TE 250, went to the heat races with the fastest lap times in the ladies class. Despite a great start due to her first gate pick, she crashed heavily in a tire section and was pinned beneath her bike, and out of position to move into the night show. Her speed was dampened in her last chance qualifier and she again missed advancing to the main by a tire width.
A true competitor, Hett packed up and headed north, arriving in the Piston Run pits at 6 a.m. after travelling 1,400 kilometres during the night. It became obvious that the tough luck from Sacramento was a huge motivator as Hett led from the start and never looked back, taking the top step of the Intermediate class podium.
In the Pro class, Kitimat, B.C.’s Ben Rego, Airdrie, Alberta’s Shane Cuthbertson and Ryan Linderman of HillCrest Mines, Alberta, lined up on the first row of the 24 rider start. After a stellar start, first year Pro Ryan Linderman succumbed to pressures of the stacked Pro class and finished in 13th position without any drama or crashes.
“It is an admirable finish for Ryan, as he kept it on two wheels in an environment that he’s never raced before,” said Lee Fryberger, Corner Grass Racing Team (CGRT) manager. “He’ll build on this.”
Rego and Cuthbertson rounded the first lap inside the top five and jockeyed for positions to finally finish 4th and 5th respectively.
CGRT’s next event is this weekend at the Porcupine Hills Hare Scrambles, Round 2 of the CXCC. Follow Victoria Hett, Shane Cuthbertson, Ben Rego and Lee Fryberger on Twitter and follow CGRT on Facebook.