December 4, 2009 (Orangeville, ON) – This year’s indoor got off to a great start. The facility managers allowed the track construction to begin a week before hand this year, making for a decent track with good dirt and lots of it. Although we could always use more dirt, we are all very lucky some unnamed sponsors stepped up to help us get dirt. You know who you are and we all thank you. Rather than huge berms, emphasis was more on some decent jumps, allowing for some air and good style in practice, fun stuff! The slightly banked first sweeper corner was still pretty wet, soft and slick. Yours truly face planted turn one in practice, finding out the hard way that the park tire up front on my 26″ was not gonna cut it for racin the stacked pro class.

The softness will definitely dry up by next weekend, which will make the track much faster and flow better, but the slick first turn really worked the cornering skills and separated the pack quick. Riders with skills in the turns took full advantage and the riders with decent fitness were in a good spot too. Awesome training for those that rode this day and great race action.

The pros and experts are always a treat to watch up close, after so many years I still learn new stuff from watchin good riders. Keith Grant and Rob Fraser scrub jumps and carve turns like nobody’s business, watch and learn kids, watch and learn…

The spectators were pretty chilly, riders were warm enough while doin laps, but there is a large heated room where people would retreat to heat up. Bring warm clothes if you’re not ridin, sorry, it’s colder in there than I expected. Super thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors and riders who help make it all happen.

Some creative thinking had wood chips drying up the first turn on Sunday morning, providing some extra traction and added speed to the track. A knobby tire up front and a gear change was enough for me to throw my name in the pro ring. With hotshoe BMXer Greg Bidwell and Ontario downhill Elite champ Rob Fraser, in my moto and only two to transfer, I had my work cut out for me. Drawing outside lane in each moto didn’t help either. I got the pop out of the gate, but my bike liked to do its own “pop” as i gave it down the first straight. The powerehouses pulled me each time, but the Black Pony crew worked on my bike and I think the kinks are out. Thanks to Haro for the bike and pony boys for dialin it in, I’ll be back !

Bidwell holeshotted the pro main, but overcooked that slick turn, that was all the help cornermaster Fraser needed to secure his 2nd win of 2 races, so Robbie remains unbeaten in the mains.

Aaron Smith took over the expert 26″ class in Gillies absence, it was a great expert race and the class is loaded with future pro talent. With Carvin’ Dave Klaver and Dashing Dean Thompson in there, props go to Anton Urtan, 14 years old and pickin up the 2 spot in the main against 17, 18 and 20 year olds.

After missin her transfer racin the boys on Saturday, Amelia Walsh had a score to settle. I watched her snap the guys in motos all weekend, but told her she’s just bein to nice with them. Amelia agreed and come main time she had more than enough of not winnin, hammer down snap, cut right over, perfect speed jumpin and wire to wire win for the young lady over the guys. The whole building was rootin for her and you could hear it ! My right hand Jeff Sylvah thought he had a lock on second, but a peek over the wrong shoulder allowed old schooler Gray Quill to sneak by for the second.

The biggest cheers this weekend overall went to the pocket rockets. We have a great group of 7 and 8 years olds. With new riders in the class all the time it’s amazing to see how fast they pick it up and how determined the little ones are. The little racers set a great example to us all as they never seem to give up and always have a smile. Thanks to the pocket rockets for the inspiration.

We will be at it for two more weekends, December 5th and 6th, then December 12th and 13th. That’s all we have booked for the rest of the year, so if you can, come and join the fun.

Results

Day 1

Pro Men
1. Rob Fraser
2. Keith Grant
3. Jamie Edmundson
4. Alex Brancier

17 & Over Expert 26″
1. Matt Gillies
2.Adam Finlayson
3.David Klaver
4.Brian MacDonald

16 & Over Novice 20″
1.Scott Graham
2. TJ Froates
3. Paul Schiavone
4. William Dainty

15 & Over Expert 20″
1. Kyle Pearson
2.Gary Quill
3.Taylor Rowlands
4.Corey Walsh

14 Novice 26″
1.Jamie Tice
2.Devon Chilton
3.Scott Tucker

16 & Over Novice 26″
1.Mitch Harper
2.Morgan Molnar
3.Troy Fitzgerald

7 Novice 20″
1.Jari Wagner
2.Brianne Dainty
3. Colson Bates

8 Novice 20″
1. Lucas DiMonte
2. Noah Johnson

16 & Over Open Wheel
1. Scott Carluccio
2.Brian McDonald
3. Devon Chilton

10-11 Novice 20″
1.Adam Johnson
2.Zach Krug

12-13 Novice 26″
1.Jon Tucker
2.Owen Visser
3. Drake Miles

7-8 Open
1. Lucas DiMonte
2. Colson Bates
3. Brainne Dainty

30 & Over 24″
1.Derek Abraham
2.Ed Vandermolen
3. Ryan Colwell
4. Christine Schiavone

Day 2

Pro Men
1.Rob Fraser
2. Jon Palframan
3.Keth Grant
4.Greg Bidwell

7-8 Novice 16″&20″
1.Jari Wagner
2.Lucas DiMonte
3.Brianne Dainty
4.Colson Bates

15&Over Expert 20″
1.Amelia Walsh
2.Gary Quill
3.Jeff Sylvah
4.Corey Walsh

10-13 Novice 20″
1.Adam Johnson
2.Devon Melanson
3.Zach Krug
4.Drake Miles

27-42 Novice 20″
1.Scott Graham
2.David Murchison
3.Paul Schiavone
4.William Dainty

16-52 Novice 26″
1.Morgan Molnar
2.Mitch Harper
3.Troy Fitzgerald
4.Danny Grant

18& Over 24″
1.Ryan Colwell
2.Frazer Johnson
3. Christine Schiavone
4.Kyle Pearson

7 Open
1.Lucas DiMonte
2.Brianne Dainty
3.Colson Bates

14 & Over Expert 26″
1. Aaron Smith
2.Anton Urtan
3.David Klaver
4. Dean Thompson

12-14 Novice 26″
1.Jamie Tice
2.Scott Tucker
3.Max Jansen
4.Elliott Watson