Gracyk sweeps Auburn

May 17 , 2005

By Danny Brault

Coshocton, Ohio's Gavin Gracyk showed the RMZ 450 is capable of winning, following two 250 pro moto wins.

Photo: Tim Dailey

After a break in the schedule to allow riders to recuperate from the first provincial at Gopher Dunes, the series resumed this past weekend at Auburn Hills. Riders were treated to another national-caliber track, thanks to track owner Tom Bitz. In the mornings the track was smooth and fast, but by the afternoon deep holes, ruts and kickers greeted riders around the Auburn track. Riders and spectators were also greeted with the second edition of the CMRC Ontario Provincial program, which featured tons of photos from last year’s series, interviews, provincial news and venue schedules.

Each year in the Ontario provincials a new face interupts the series to shake things up in the pro classes, last year it was Doug DeHaan at the Wheatley round, this year Ohio’s Gavin Gracyk made a guest appearance at Auburn.

125 PRO MOTO ONE:

Jason Burke grabbed the holeshot in the first 125 pro moto, and lead for the first lap with OTSFF Suzuki’s Gracyk close behind. Gracyk managed to get by Burke in the early laps, only to lose it after he lost control and went off the track. He was able to repass Burke once again and this time he made it stick. Burke kept Gracyk honest up to the halfway point, but then Gracyk pulled out a good seven second lead and held on for the win, while Burke took second. Pierce Chamberlain and Kyle Keast battled through the pack to finish third and fourth, respectively. WCK Toys’ Kyle Thompson had a great moto, finishing fifth.

Ryan McLellan #362, Jason Burke and Gracyk lead the pro field around the first corner.

Photo: Tim Dailey

250 PRO MOTO ONE

Riding the new RMZ 450, Gracyk pulled the holeshot, disappeared from the field and went on to win the moto unchallenged. Burke and Ryan Gauld kept things interesting behind the Suzuki rider, finshing second and third. Suzuki’s Zeb Dennis rode a consistent moto aboard a RM 250 to finish fourth and Machine Racing/ Yamaha’s Trever Hall completed the top five.

Holeshot King of Auburn: OTSFF Suzuki's Gavin Gracyk.

Photo: Tim Dailey

125 PRO MOTO TWO

The story of this moto was Machine Racing/ Honda’s Keast. Coming off the gate just inside the top ten, he passed at least three guys a lap and then finally passed his teammate Burke for second. Gracyk held an eight second lead out front and Keast was doing everything he could to keep the Suzuki rider in sight, but he just couldn’t cover the ground lost from the start. Gracyk went on to win his third moto, followed by Keast who earned second overall and Hall in third. Burke landed hard off a jump into some braking bumps and was unable to maintain the pace of the front runners. “I landed in a hole and thought I broke my wrist. I was hurt,” said Burke. “At that point I just tried to get some points.” After speaking with him Monday, Burke says his wrist feels good and it wasn’t a serious injury. He finished the moto in fourth and third overall.

Kyle Keast charged hard in the second 125 moto and was gunning for Gracyk, but he couldn't make up the time he lost off the start.

Photo: Tim Dailey

250 PRO MOTO TWO

Gracyk pulled his third holeshot and gapped the field in the early laps on route to his fourth moto win of the day. He has been sleeping at OTSFF team manager Ron Ashley’s place for the past week, while the team tested the new Suzukis and is preparing for the first national in Mission, B.C.

“It went really well, we didn’t expect to win every moto, especially on the RMZ 250 that was stock except for suspension,” said Ashley on his rider’s performance. “He enjoyed the track and wondered why it wasn’t on the national series.”

Chamberlain finally earned a decent start and put on a charge after the American, but he had to settle for second and third overall, as Gracyk just gained too much time in the early stages of the race. Keast was all by himself in third and Gauld finished fourth and second overall.