What an exciting weekend of motocross racing it was at the Nanaimo Wastelands Motocross Park. There were some great racers on hand to thrill the crowd on April 30th and May 1st. The track was in incredible shape for all the riders that made the trek for rounds 3 and 4 of the Vancouver Island Spring Series. They were just flying around the track at unbelievable speed. There were lap times of less than two minutes being turned in during some of the classes.
Campbell River rider Ryder Roth was working hard for a podium finish as he was up against some great little riders in the 50cc 4-6 class. On Saturday Roth took the win in moto one over Nanaimo rider Cole Wasmuth and Abbotsford rider Charles Charlton. What a race to finish line for these three riders in the afternoon moto. They were tight right to the finish line as each one never backed off the throttle. It was a photo finish as they came across the finish line separated by mere inches. In the end the overall win went to Wasmuth and Roth took home second place. Third overall for the day went to Charlton.
These riders were out there again on Sunday trying to out-ride each other. Roth and Wasmuth were tied in points going into the afternoon moto, so that was going to make for an exciting race to watch. Once it was over it was Roth that took the checkered flag first, giving him the win for the day. That left Wasmuth and Charlton to battle it out for second place. Wasmuth just crossed the finish line ahead of Charlton giving him second for the day and Charlton third place.
A race for all ages
There was also some great riding in the older 7-8 class of the 50cc as all three of the podium finishers were giving all they had. Cameron Bradley of Saltspring Island finished first on both days while second for both days went to Island rider Joseph Jenkins. Home track rider Cameron Whitcomb of Nanaimo took third for both days.
Campbell River rider Lindsey McLean had a good weekend of racing at the Wastelands. She was racing against some great lady riders on the weekend as home track rider Camille Baker was not about to let first place leave the area without a battle. Saturday was a three-way race to the finish line between Baker from Shawnigan Lake, rider Brittany Stokes and McLean. In the end it was Baker finishing first with Stokes taking home second place. McLean finished the day in third place.
On Sunday they were right back at it each trying their best to finish first over all. Baker got two great starts to lead the way to the finish line first in both motos for the over all for the day while Stokes and McLean had a great battle in both motos. Each battling hard to get the advantage over the other. When the race came to an end it was McLean that took home second for the day while Stokes went home with third.
Time for the juniors
What a weekend of racing in the MX2 junior class. With close to two dozen riders in the start gate it was anyone’s guess as to who would pull off a great start and ride it all the way to the finish line. With all these riders ready to give everything they had to win it was a real thriller on both days of racing. On Saturday it was Port Alberni rider Andrew Madeo that took the checkered flag first in both his motos. It was Graham Scott of Sydney that had enough points combined in both motos to take home second place for the day while Chase Krompocker of Powell River took home third.
On Sunday it was North Island rider Jason Abernethy that was first through the hole shot. He was just flying around the track and pulling ahead of the pack as each lap was put in. Abernethy took home first place on Sunday while Ladysmith rider Jeremiah Sims finished the day in second. Third for the day went home with Dylan Hansen of Port Alberni.
Some fast racing took place in the MX2 intermediate class this weekend. Shawnigan Lake rider Connor Barnes took the win for Saturday but it was not an easy win as he had to contend with Crofton rider Cory Cardinal who was hot on Barnes rear tire and had to settle for second place. Third place went to Ryan Lalonde who in his first year of the MX2 intermediate class.
Roaring to the finish
Sunday saw the presence of Powell River rider Bryce Adam. Adams made his presence felt right from the drop of the gate—he took an early lead and never looked back as he crossed the finish line in first place. Lalonde crossed the finish line just ahead of Barnes for second place while Barnes was third. In the afternoon Cardinal was back out there for moto after having to leave the morning moto with bike problems. Cardinal was flying high and roaring in and out of the berms. He crossed the finish line first ahead of Barnes while Adams was third. It was Adams that took home first place. Barns went home with second place and Lalonde was third.
New Westminster rider Spencer Knowles made the trip over to Nanaimo worth his while as came over and rode in two classes on the weekend. Knowles rode in the youth class and the GP pro class. What a show he put on for the crowd in both classes—he was whipping the bike as he was doing the step-downs. Knowles took home first place in both classes while Nanoose Bay rider Nick Syrotuck went home with second place for both days. Third place for Saturday went home with Barnes in the youth class while Cardinal took home third place for the class on Sunday. Derek Thompson of Nanaimo took home third place overall for the GP pro class both days.
What a ride Brandon Johnson of Saltspring Island had in the 65cc class. He was out of the start gates like a bullet both days and rode to first place overall. It was fellow Saltspring Island rider David Bradley that crossed the finish line second both days. Tanner Mayland of Crofton rode really well this weekend and took home third for the both days.
Blasting to the finish line
North Island rider Mark Ellis of Port McNeil had podium finishes on his mind as he roared around the Wastelands track in the vet masters class. On Saturday he crossed the finish line in second place just behind first place finisher Paul Sprentz of Saanichton in the afternoon moto. That was good enough to give him second place for the day behind Sprentz who took first. Third went to Saltspring Island rider Matt Kerigan.
On Sunday it was Ellis that was the rider to catch as he was just tearing around the track on his big Honda 250 four stroke sponsored by All-Out Motorsports of Port McNeil. He crossed the finish line first in motos to take overall for the day. Second place went to Ladysmith rider Mark Hancock while Dan Nikirk of Shawnigan Lake went home in third place.
Campbell River club rider Blaine Morrow of Black Creek was among one of the riders hurt and taken to the hospital in Nanaimo on Sunday. Hope you and all the rest of the injured riders are back up and riding real soon. Best of luck to a speedy recovery.
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