The Yukon Cross Country Motorcycle Association (YCCMA) held its final event of the season on Sept. 22 in Whitehorse.
Harescramble II, the third and final race of the season, was the first to be held at the club’s new track on Robert Service Way.
A total of 71 riders in 10 categories took part in the event, which was also the third leg of the YCCMA Enduro Championship.
Mike Beaman, one of the race directors, said the course was a hit with riders.
“Everybody was pretty happy with the new track and I think it was a good mix of disciplines for sure,” said Beaman, noting that the race courses included sections of trail, motocross and enduro-x riding. “I think everybody had a lot of fun. It was something new and interesting.”
Some rain before the event coupled with work from volunteers meant that riders had plenty of traction with minimal dust on race day.
“We’ve lucked out a lot,” said Beaman. “We watered the track the day before and we had some rain as well, so it worked out in our favour.”
On the track, “C” classes raced for 20 minutes on the most basic of the three courses, while “A” and “B” classes raced on the “A” and “B” courses.
“A” and “B” races were one to three hours depending on class and included intermediate and expert obstacles like logs, tires, rocks and hill climbs.
With the new facility now operational, Beaman said the YCCMA will take a look at what type of events will be offered next year at its annual general meeting.
“We’ll get as much feedback from all the people involved, all the people racing, and see what everybody likes to do and kind of go in that direction,” said Beaman. “That’s the main thing – making sure these kids have a sport and they have some fun and they progress. It’s great for their confidence, it’s a great family sport and it’s good exercise for these kids. (They) get out and have a little adventure.”
The winner of the junior “C” race was Max Labelle with Royce Thomas second and Carter Coates third.
In the intermediate “C” race, Hunter Grant finished first, Sam Adams finished second and KJ Raymond finished third.
The winner of the intermediate “C” girls race was Sophie Hadley. Mia Raymond finished second and Shaila Tanner finished third.
David Germain won the junior “B” race, while Memphis Nolan and Daniel Koehl finished second and third respectively.
In the ladies “B” race, Amanda McCarthy won with Antje Beaman in second and Melanie Mihoc in third.
Clayton Hadley won the sportsman “B” race, followed by Murray Arsenault and Brad Wilson in second and third.
The winner of the intermediate “B” race was Brendan Germain, with Cameron Geier second and Colby Hadley third.
In the expert “B” race, Terje Kristensen finished first, Ethan Davy finished second and Jason Adams finished third.
The winner of the intermediate “A” race was Neil Ryckman, Frank Smith finished second and Chris Lane was third.
Sam Schirmer won the expert “A” race with Julien Revel in second and Dewan Houde in third.
The 2019 YCCMA Enduro Championship standings were also finalized with riders earning points based on finishes in all three events this season.
In the junior “C” class, Royce Thomas was first, Max Labelle was second and Carter Coates was third.
In the intermediate “C” class, Hunter Grant was first, KJ Raymond was second and Colton Coates was third.
Sophie Hadley won the intermediate “C” girls class, with Leah Muir finishing second and Quinn Brown finishing third.
Moving up to the “B” classes, Casey Hadley won the junior “B” class with Joel Lafreniere second and Memphis Nolan third.
Melanie Mihoc won the ladies “B” class, Amanda McCarthy was second and Antje Beaman was third.
Clayton Hadley won the sportsman “B” class with Brad Wilson second and Murray Arsenault third.
The winner of the intermediate “B” class was Cameron Geier. Ryder Brulotte finished second and Colby Hadley finished third.
Ethan Davy won the expert “B” class, while Jarrid Davy was second and Jason Adams was third.
In the intermediate “A” class, Cole Beaman was first, Neil Ryckman was second and Frank Smith was third.
Lastly, Sam Schrimer won the expert “A” class with Julien Revel second and Dewan Houde third.
Contact John Hopkins-Hill at john.hopkinshill@yukon-news.com
