Round two Manitoba Spring Provincial Championship: Morden

May 31, 2005

Report and Photos by Doug "Chili" Engstrom

After three consecutive weekends of rainouts, Mother Nature finally relented and allowed the Manitoba Motocross Association to put on round two of it’s Spring Provincial Championship at Shadow Valley Raceway in Morden. This round was also the first Motovan CMRC Amateur National Qualifier. Entries were estimated somewhere between 500-550.

Entering the day tied for the lead in both Pro classes, gregscustom.com rider Nick Dunn was looking to re-establish the dominance that lead him to four Pro titles in 2004 and the number one plate for the 2005 season in Manitoba. Dunn had a forgettable day that included some bad luck and some time on the ground. He went 6-12 In the 125 class and 2-9 in the 250 Class.

Photos: Doug Engstrom

Josh Penner, riding only four weeks after what was originally thought to be a season ending shoulder injury, showed some of the dominance Dunn was trying to exert by placing his gregscustom.com backed Suzuki RMZ-450 on the top step of the podium in both 250 Pro motos. Penner also managed a win in one of the 125 Pro moto’s giving him three out of four Pro victories on the day.

Adam Pfeiffer took his Westside Honda/Too Tech Canada CRF250 to victory in the first Pro 125 moto.

James Simner used his Westside Honda CRF250 to put a steady 2-2 on the board in the 125 Pro Class to take the overall.

Logan Swanson used the experience he gained riding the KTM Jr. SX Challenge at Indianapolis to tear up the 50cc (7-8) class winning by margins that would make Ricky Carmichael envious.

Some of the days best dicing of the day came courtesy of 85cc phenom Ryan Millar. Millar outclassed the field in the 85cc (7-11) class even surviving a major get off in moto two to win by a comfortable margin. Perhaps his best battle of the day came in the 125 Junior class where Millar was riding a KTM105SX. In the first moto, after a midpack start , Millar chased down class leader Jonathon Chapman and his CRF250 to take the win. In moto two Millar again pulled in the leaders briefly before settling into third, with Chapman going 2-1 for the overall. Millar’s day wasn’t done as he proceeded to have a great battle with Casey Schriock in the first supermini moto with a few lead changes before Schriock made a mistake allowing Millar to get away. A second moto battle never materialized as Millar’s transponder moved on the first lap getting in the way of his steering and impairing his ability to turn.

Casey Schriock celebrates going 2-1 and taking the overall in Supermini, as well as going 1-1 in 85cc (12-16).

Tim Lavoie enjoyed the Shadow Valley track going 2-2 in 125 Intermediate and 1-1 in the 250 Intermediate class. In the process he took over the points lead in both classes.

Chris Giesbrecht (37) being chased through the whoops by Jonathon Chapman (500). Giesbrecht took the 250 Junior class going 1-1 while his 1-2 in GP Junior was bested by Chapman’s 2-1.

1979 125cc Canadian Champion Kim Houde retained his lead in the 40+ class with a 4-1 day. Houde also went 1-1 for the overall in the Vet Master class.

Coard Allard (92) used this holeshot to help him to a 4-2 finish for second overall in the 60cc Pee Wee division. The second moto tiebreaker was used to break a three-way tie for second. Dylan Boulanger (93) had 2-4 finishes which gave him fourth overall while Rio Stoesz won the class.

In the Youth class, Matt Hamm took advantage of a five position penalty assessed to James Simner for passing on a yellow flag to put his Headingley Sport Shop KX250 on top of the podium.

Landon Stephenson captured the 125 Intermediate class with 1-3 moto scores.

Desirae Shiskoski was very strong in taking both moto’s in the Ladies class.

Second year Intermediate Darcy Goerzen had a strong day on the big bikes with a 2-6 finish in 250 Intermediate. He managed 8-4 in the 125 Intermediate class.

Art Pohl using a holeshot to help him post 2-1 moto scores in the Vet Junior class. The second moto victory gave Pohl the overall ahead of Dean Beischer’s 1-2 finish.

In his first season out of the 80 classes Aaron Pfrimmer continues to impress. He currently sits second in points in both the 125 and GP Junior classes.

Craig Hargreaves (541) went 1-1 in a spirited 25+ class taking both moto’s from Scott Unrau (77) who went 2-2.

Adam Knutt grabbing a big Youth class holeshot.

Larry Swartz (248) and Renold Sawatsky having a Vet Master duel. Swartz finished 5-6 on the day while Sawatsky went 4-2.

Ryley Paterson closes out the report giving us a lesson in staying focused!