NOVEMBER 8, 2006
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Approximately 45 Canadian’s made the trek down to California to try their hand at the Vet Championships, with riders making the trip from British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and even one from Quebec. There was certainly no shortage of red and white to be seen on the Glen Helen circuit. |
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Story and photos by James Lissimore |
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The White Brother’s World Vet National at Glen Helen is regarded as the premier event for the Vet class racer, attracting riders from around the world for a great weekend of racing on the well known AMA national track. With classes for all abilities, the race attracts a large cross section of riders, culminating with the +40 Pro and +30 Pro races, held on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Names like Dubach, Hughes, Fowler, and Foley make the annual appearance to battle for the title of fastest vet racer.
With a record number of Canadians making the pilgrimage to compete this year, including fast 50 year olds Pete DeGraaf, and Kim Houde and perennial +30 frontrunner Julian Cerny , I decided to make the trip down to take in the action. I certainly wasn’t disappointed. The racing action was great, the track lived up to it’s billing and the shear amount of Maple Leafs seen on and around the track was unbelievable. It was a great time and I certainly plan to come back. Judging by things, next year will see an even bigger Canadian presence! |
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Legendary vet rider, Lethbridge’s Pete DeGraaf, continued his amazing boundary breaking season at Glen Helen. After becoming the oldest rider ever to score points at a National this year at Nanaimo and sweeping every moto he contested at the Western Amateur Championships at Raymond, the 51 year old set his sights on the World Vet Championships in the +50 Expert class. In dominant fashion, he swept both +50 motos on Saturday, winning the first by 30 seconds and the second by almost a full minute (after Kim Houde made a huge come from behind effort for second place). The biggest surprise though came in the +40 pro class, where he managed to podium with 3-4 moto finishes for 3rd overall. With his great results in the +40 class, DeGraaf decided to forgo the +50 class on Sunday to take a shot at the premier +30 Pro class. His first moto started off great, as he was running comfortably in 6th until he was taken out by a lapper and tweaked his knee, ending his day. Still, a great showing from a true moto hero. |
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Manitoba’s Kim Houde blasts of the line on his way to another moto win. With DeGraaf electing to focus on the +30 class on Sunday and forgo the +50 class it paved the way for another Canadian, 79 Canadian 125 national champ Houde to take both moto wins and the championship. Houde also won the +45 expert class on Sunday with 1-1 moto finishes. |
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The original Vet King, Edmonton’s Zoli Berenyi Sr. made his annual trip to the race and won his 11th title, this one in the +70 class. |
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Perennial +30 Pro class front runner, Alberta’s Julian Cerny, was hampered by poor starts but battled back to 5-6 moto finishes to take 6th overall. |
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Alberta’s Chris Bonneau is congratulated by his friends and family after crossing the finish line of his final moto of the weekend. Bonneau had a large brain tumor removed only a few months ago and just being at the race and being able to line up was a huge undertaking and an inspiration to all who attended. It was fitting that his final moto was also the last moto of the weekend, as seeing all the Canadians on the track to cheer him on was a great end to an unbelievable weekend. |
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The lone Canadian women’s racer racing at Glen Helen was Alberta’s Anne Bonneau, who finished 4th in the +30 Ladies class on Saturday and 19th in the +35 Novice class on Sunday. |
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Manitoba’s Randall Klassen won the +35 Novice II class on Saturday. |
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Is that the Burner? Former factory mechanic turned Parts Unlimited/FMF rep and Racer X Canada columnist, Steve Matthes came out to do a little racing and hang out with his Winnipeg buddies. |
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BC’s Shaun Greenaway(343) blasts off the line to take the holeshot over Alberta’s Blaine Rasmussen(43) in the +35 Expert class. Greenaway would place 3rd overall while Rasmussen would follow up in 5th overall. |
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See you at Glen Helen next November. |
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