JANUARY 10, 2006
By Danny Brault
Photos: Allison Kennedy and Jolene Van Vugt
The Ontario motocross community came together last Saturday night for the annual CMRC Ontario Provincial Championships banquet. During the afternoon, the Industry big-wigs and riders took to the ice for an intense hockey game. Later on, the good times continued at Zeke’s Bar and Grill in Kitchener where delicious food was eaten, champions were crowned and way too much bench racing went on.
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Clutchin’ and grabbin’: The Riders’ team captain, Rob McCullough, tries to slow down the Industry’s Eric Britton.
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Danny Brault or Danny Heatley? After getting rid of some stomach matter, RXC’s Danny Brault gained some momentum for the Riders’ team with this Play of the Year goal.
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Tough guys: Industry player, Matt Lee (no shirt) and Jeff Garrett do their best Hansen brothers' impression as Jolene Van Vugt looks on.
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Down to the wire: The Industry was putting the wood to the Riders’ early in the game, but in the final minutes McCullough, still healing up from two broken legs, helped to tie the game 11-11 by setting up Kassi Boone to score before the final buzzer. Referee Brett Lee decided to settle the game with a shootout and each team selected their five best shooters. After several highlight reel saves from both goaltenders, Riders’ player Dave Toye snuck one by Bruce Godkin for the win.
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Ontario’s best: (Left to right) Machine Racing Honda’s Jason Burke won his first pro Provincial title in the 125 class, followed by his teammate Kyle Keast and KTM Canada’s Pierce Chamberlain (who actually rode a 125). Chamberlain won his second consecutive 250 championship, Keast was second and Ryan Gauld finished third. Keast was also voted Rider of the Year—edging out Burke by just five votes!
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Ontario’s soon-to-be-best: MacKenzie Machan (right) picked up five wins to clinch the 50cc 4 to 6 championship. Pro rider Marty Burr’s son, Dustin (left), won two rounds to finish second and Lucas Godkin was third in the series.
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The newest Lee: Matt and Cheryl Lee showed off their son, Ryder, at the banquet. Notice the Alpinstars toque? Unbelieveable, sponsors are now scooping up talent before they can even speak!
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Sportsman of the Year: Vet Junior rider, Greg Wilhelm, was voted Sportsman of the Year for his off the track contributions to the race community. "I may not be the fastest guy on the track, but I am always really happy to be here," said Wilhelm in his acceptance speech.
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Industry Recognition: The Racer X Canada crew was surprised—and thrilled— after being given the Industry Recognition honour for our work with the Ontario Provincial program in the past two seasons. Danny Brault, Jolene Van Vugt and Allison Kennedy were on hand to accept the award, but there are many other people also responsible for putting together the program. An applause goes out to our designers Dawn McClintock and Dan O’Shea, our editorial staff Jason T. Griffiths and Brett Dailey and our advertising rep, Jay Moore for their contributions to the program. And a big thanks to the entire Ontario motocross community for putting on a great show at each round of the series!
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Strong man competition: Gopher Dunes’ Derek Schuster and Flippy (aka Duncan Hodgkinson) determine who’s the strongest in an arm wrestling match. Schuster’s family was voted Track of the Year for their efforts with the Gopher Dunes facility.
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Final Provincial Standings:
250 PRO P. Chamberlain, K. Keast, R. Gauld
125 PRO J. Burke, K. Keast, P. Chamberlain
125 INTERMEDIATE B. Mullen, M. McGuiness, R. Pelletier
250 INTERMEDIATE K. Ferguson, D. Hamm, T. Bezzo
GP INTERMEDIATE M. McGuiness, B. Mullen, R. Pelletier
125 JUNIOR T. Burke, K. Snelgrove, K. Stephens
250 JUNIOR T. Burke, S. Jansen, S. Donkersgoed
GP JUNIOR K. Stephens, C. Brooks, K. Snelgrove
80cc 7-11 C. Thompson. R. Grey, D. Kaelin
80cc 12-16 B. Phinney, K. Ward, K. Ritchie
SUPERMINI K. Stephens, B. Phinney, K. Ritchie
60cc PEE WEE R. Grey, C. Thompson, S. Azarkiewicz
50cc 4-6 M. Machan, D. Burr, L. Godkin
50cc 7-8 M. Godkin, S. Anderson, K. Whalen
LADIES K. Boone, C. Greene, J. Van Vugt
YOUTH B. Thompson, P. Raymer. J. Burke
PLUS 25 R. Gauld, K. Clark, M. Burr
VET MASTER K. Clark, R. McCullough, J. Allen
VET JUNIOR R. Button, N. Martelock, L. Johnston
PLUS 40 R. McCullough, J. Coles, B. Coles
PLUS 50 B. Van Vugt, E. Berkers, G. Petro
ATV Tykes M. Garmatz, D. Solecki, W. Dunn
ATV Junior S. Ball, M. King, B. Way
ATV Beginner J. Petker, K. Bokla, K. Shantz
ATV Sportsman T. Summers, A. Bunyan, J. Ellenberger
ATV Intermediate J. Klein, S. Largo, J. Stys
ATV Pro J. Banks, G. Gee, J. Petker
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