Report and photos by Doug Engstrom
Less than a month after raising the bar for event organization and track prep the volunteers at Altona's Moto Park X were up for another challenge with round four of the Fall Provincial Championships rolling into town. Not to disappoint they presented a facility that has seen more upgrades and another flawless race day.
First year racer Ben Gilmore continues to improve each week in the 65cc B class. Gilmore used 6-4 finishes to grab a top five finish in Altona.
Even though he can see Moto Park X from his backyard Renold Sawatsky did not use the comforts of home to his advantage. Sawatsky opted to “rough it” at the track in his camper. None the worse for wear Sawatsky took home second place paydays in both the 40+ and Vet Master classes.
First year Pro Brady Breemersch grabbed the overall in the Youth class with a 2-1 day. Ryan Millar (4-1) and Adam Knutt (2-4) rounded out the podium.
Cole Krahn was on the gas at Moto Park X. Krahn grabbed second overall in the 50cc 7-8 class behind class leader D.J. Burmey.
Brittany Mann grabbed a victory in the first Ladies B class moto. Mann saw the overall slip through her fingertips with a third place finish in the second moto. Rachel Regier stretched her points lead, taking the overall.
A firm believer in the old adage “If your not crashing you're not trying hard enough” Jeremy Hoeppner sets an example for the other officials by giving it 110 percent!
It's a good thing Pearce McKellar is in shape or he might have been tired from climbing the podium steps in Altona. McKellar grabbed the overalls in the Junior GP and Junior 125 classes, while getting third overall in the Youth B class.
After appearing off his usual pace of late, Nick Dunn arrived at Moto Park X trailing the points race in both Pro classes. The gregscustom.com rider let it be known he doesn't plan to surrender those big number 1's on his bikes without a fight. Dunn ran down points leader Adam Pfeiffer of Westside Honda in all four Pro motos in Altona. At days end Dunn had leveled the points race in the 125 Pro class and narrowed his deficit to five points in the 250 Pro class. To top off his day, Dunn who turned 25 earlier this week competed in the 25+ class for the first time. Showing that memory issues can start before you're Vet class eligible Dunn along with Scott Unrau and Matt Hamm were all dq'ed from the first moto for starting on the wrong gate drop.
Entering the day tied for the points lead in the 25+ class, Johnnie Unrau took full advantage of his class mates gaffe and maximized his point take on his way to the overall. In the process Unrau has opened up a seven point gap over second place finisher Luke McFadden.
McFadden also had a strong day in the 250 Intermediate class taking second overall. Devon Ward with the overall leapfrogged third place finisher Colin Cyr for the points lead.
Can't tell you who Jessie Pineault is or where he hails from, but I can tell you he's fast! Pineault took advantage of a poor start by class favorite Josh Pfrimmer in the 85cc 12-16 second moto and grabbed the overall with a 2-1 ride. Pineault also posted a fourth overall in the Supermini class.
When engine problems popped up mid week on his 125 it looked like Jaret Enns weekend would be spent as a spectator. Having none of that would be Capitol Motosports Dave Rand who stepped up and loaned Enns his personal Husqvarna FC450. Enns pulled a top five finish in his first ride in the 250 Beginner class.
Ryley Paterson was flying at Moto Park X in the 50cc 4-6 class. Paterson grabbed third overall behind Ryan Kokorudz and Jordan Siemens.
Ahhh the sweet smell of premix in the morning. Ian Smith is still running the the 2 stroke against an army of cam and valve machines in the 250 Junior class. Smith managed fourth overall at Altona.
After missing a good portion of the season to an arm injury, Jamie Burmey returns to the podium in the Ladies class. Burmey took third overall behind Ami Houde and Bev Bryce-Leger.
Kevin Wildhaber may not be part of the points battle in the 125 Beginner class but he was the top dog on this day. Wildhaber posted 1-1 scores to take the overall ahead of points leaders Michael Giesbrecht and Dustin Konzelman.
After deciding to park his 50 in favor of only riding the 65, 2006 WCAN 50cc Champ Cole DeKoninck is starting to get up to pace on the bigger bike. DeKoninck took fourth overall at Altona behind the 65cc podium of Ryan Linto, Donald Fossay and Jordan Devloo.
Caleb Van Der Meer really appears to be hitting his stride in the 85cc 7-11 class. 6-5 finishes left Van Der Meer one spot short of a top five finish.
Steve Sandfuchs (33) easily claims the title for best war whoops while racing. On this day Sandfuchs also came out on top of a fierce battle with Pat Kelly (369) for fifth overall in the 40+ B class..
Stacy Groening took home a fourth place payout in the Vet Junior class behind the top three of Randall Klassen, Greg Wiebe and Ken Klassen. Hey Stacy how's the form here? Until I get the “Engstrom ahead” flashing signs I tried to pick a shot where your form looks like you spotted me!
See you at the races…