Walton Provincial report
JUNE 14, 2005

By Danny Brault

Photos Jolene Van Vugt and Jason T. Griffiths

 

Over 900 entries flooded the Walton Provincial/ Walton qualifier this past weekend. Qualifiers were run in the 125 junior class, beginner and supermini classes and several quick American riders shook things up in the intermediate and pro classes. Minor changes were made to the Walton track and it kept things interesting and challenging for the riders.

A little drama was added to the program, as well. During the program on Saturday, promoter Chris Lee was out watering the track when the trailer carrying the water drum rolled over, nearly throwing Lee out of the tractor. Luckily no one was injured, however, the track was left without water for the remainder of the day and the dust elevated to dangerous levels. Fortunately, on Sunday the track was watered and prepped perfectly. In fact, the dirt looked so good, you probably could have ate it!

The 125 pro class awaits its first start. The rider prepping the gate is Kevin Hoge from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvannia. Notice his jersey without any numbers? Well, someone did, because he was protested in the first moto (which he won) and was penalized five positions.

 

Machine Racing/ Honda's Kyle Keast scored his first win in the second 125 pro moto. Keast pulled a top ten start, which for him is basically a holeshot and eventully passed Chuck Mesley for the lead with three laps to go.

Chuck Mesley continues to get faster and stronger each weekend. Mez took the overall in the 125 class with 2-3 moto scores. He now sits eighth in series points.

Pittsburgh's Hoge visisted the Walton round after fellow American Steven Romen told him about the series. Hoge won the first 125 moto but was later protested because he didn't have proper numbering on his bike and jersey. He finished the day third overall with 6-2 moto scores.

First turn pile-ups were the most common sight at Walton.

This was the second most common sight at Walton: pile-ups at the landing of the tabletop following the first corner

Michigan's Will Hicks is no stranger to the Walton track. Hicks has won junior titles at the TransCan and finished second in 125 and GP intermediate last year. He won the 250 and GP intermediate classes this past weekend. Billy Mullen (624) and Brad Adams (881) also faired well at Walton. In the 125 class the two riders battled in the first moto with the win going to Mullen, who also won the second moto. Adams picked up a win in the first GP moto and and second overall.

Don't really enjoy watching racing too much? Well there's other interests at the track as well. Jaime Arnill does her best Fan of the Week pose.

Scotty Maidman (front) and Kyle Snelgrove share a laugh and mid-moto cheeseburg.

Keep your on the prize..err I mean track. Josh Snider (147) and Pete Raymer (51) duke it out in the 250 pro class. Raymer picked up seventh overall, while Snider grabbed ninth.

Oh my, who do these goggles belong to?

Oh, we found her. Jolene Van Vugt won both Ladies motos on Saturday, then lined up for the 125 and GP junior qualifiers on Sunday. Van Vugt was clipped on the start straight in the 125 junior main and fell face first on to a rear tire of a rider ahead of her. Ouch...

KTM's Michael Willard traded the top two positions in the 250 pro class with teammate Pierce Chamberlain. Willard's win in the second moto gave him the overall over Pico.

Sturgess Cycle's Rob McCullough went 1-3 in Vet Master and 1-1 in the Plus 40 class. McCullough rode 250 pro on Sunday and finished 15th overall. Not bad for guy who sits on the couch all week eating chips and sluggin' back sodas.

KTM's Cole Thompson looks to complete a perfect season in the 80cc 7-to-11 class as he won both motos at Walton. He finished fourth in the Supermini class, as well.

The Walton TransCan is right around the corner...are you ready?