UPDATED 6-20-09

Higgins Hits the Trifecta

Sunday June 7^th started out sunny and cool but the temperatures once again didn’t keep the enthusiasm of the crowd and participants from brimming over the top. The riders were once again happy to be fed breakfast in the morning along with a hot cup of coffee and this week orange juice has been added to the menu. The new sign up made the morning a breeze. With everyone fed and ready to go there was only one thing to do and that was go racing.

Kolby Carlile #36X 80cc Class enjoying breakfast sandwiches.

Our first race of the day was the 50 cc chain class. The finish was identical to the previous week with the #6 Yamaha of Carson Payne taking another win in the class, Ryan Scavuzzo took second and Bryce Walker finished third both on Honda’s. The 50 cc shaft class has been dominated by Yamaha’s this year and the top spot for the day went to Rodney Davis on his #48, Branden Ferranti and Colby Petrie ended up second and third respectively. The 65cc class saw Darren Prentice on his #28 Yamaha trying to chase down Tyler McKnight for a second week in a row but his Kawasaki was just hooked up. Derek Uschold took third rounding out the top three with his Suzuki, putting another manufacturer on the box. The Welles boys kept it entertaining in the 80 cc class with Jon taking the win, Michael second and Justin Parker in third. Justin tried his hardest to close the gap but it just wasn’t his day.

Justin Jones got the hole shot on his 16j Yamaha in the 125 cc class and Cole Parker Yauchzee kept challenging to take the lead but just didn’t have enough. Justin had too much momentum and wasn’t giving an inch to Cole. Cole had to settle for second and Ray Keller Jr. rounded out the third spot. The points race is really close for these talented youngsters with Jones and Yauchzee tied for first and Keller and fourth place finisher Ryan Payne tied for third overall.

The 250 Amateur race was action packed. Matt Zacher slings his way into the hairpin just barely beating #27 Jeremy Horanburg to the punch. In the meantime, Justin Jones comes out behind Zacher in second. The race is on, Yauchzee is sticking his nose in the mix but gets tangled up with Horanburg in the pit corner, Cole gets the worst of it.  Jones is all over Zacher’s back tire letting Matt know that all it’s going to take is one slip and he’s done but Matt is riding fast and smooth. Becki Traxler is running in the fifth spot trying to get around Steve Dash #173. Number 10, Tombari Jr. drops out due to mechanical problems, 3x Ryan Gibbs goes down in the hair pin. The action is everywhere and Jones is still within a breath away from the win. Zacher takes the checkered flag with Jones less than a tire away. Jeremy Horanburg ends up third.

The 250 Expert race was all Jeremy Higgins. He got the hole shot and never looked back. Cody Johncox was the only one putting pressure on him until he laid it down in the hairpin. Then Jeremy decided it was his turn and laid it down on the big hill but he had such a lead it didn’t make a difference. He got up and continued on with the lead intact. Higgins was clocked going 64 mph on the downhill, now that’s moving on a little track. John Richenberg took advantage of the situation and ran a consistent second place but was never a real threat to Higgins. Scott  Barrett 39B ended up in third after closely battling with the other 39 of Ken Shaffer.

Then it was time for the Seniors to take to the dirt. John Parker from Canada has been dominating this class and today was no exception. Parker took off like a cannonball and flew ahead of the pack. Dennis Tombari finished second on his Honda with Tom Palmeri in third on his ATK.

The Open Amateurs always provide a thrilling show. Matt Zacher #100 once again pulls the hole shot on the start with Shawn Tambe and Chris Caswell close behind. Things are starting to heat up when all of a sudden there are riders down on the front straight by the starter. AJ Horn got up into the loose stuff and hit Jeff Garlock’s back wheel and looses it. Becki Traxler is in the wrong place at the wrong time and takes a heck of a tumble over Horn and his bike.  Becki gets up and shakes it off and is able to continue on after gaining her senses. Horn isn’t so lucky, he suffers some facial injuries and is escorted off by the ambulance squad for further evaluation. I am told that it ended up being nothing too serious thankfully. On the restart Chris Caswell #44 gets the lead, Zacher and Tambe follow. Zacher gets the lead from Caswell and doesn’t give in. Caswell settles in for second while Mark Dehond and Tambe battle back and forth for third but Shawn Tambe is able to hang on rounding out the third spot.

The Open Expert race was on your feet exciting. Brad Hazel 41B takes the lead on the start with  Jeremy Higgins in hot pursuit, RJ Overholt comes out of the mix in third. RJ tries making a pass in the hairpin on Higgins but he shuts the door. Higgins is working on Hazel and sticks it in on the spectator turn and Hazel shuts the door.  Hazel, Higgins, and Overholt are scrambling. Higgins throws it in under Hazel on the straight away but no go. RJ is hanging in third cause the youngsters are battling away up front and are bound to make a mistake. Higgins once again sticks it in and has enough to get Hazel on the downhill with one lap to go. Unfortunately, the mistakes never come and RJ ends up sitting in third. This leaves Higgins and Overholt now tied for first place in the Open Expert division.

The 125 four stroke class comes out and they are chomping at the bit to go.  Brian Wass flies away from the gate and takes the lead. Paul Tuttle #2 works on Wass and gets by him on the pit corner around the outside, Tuttle then takes off and dominates. Brian Wass 34x fights for second place but Troy Keller #111 passes him on the pit turn and takes second place away leaving Wass in third.

The Grand Prix never fails to leave ‘em standing and Higgins was on a mission. The staggered start has at times given the smaller amateur riders a distinct advantage. The Expert Riders have a longer distance to travel and with the caliber of riders we have, it certainly makes it a tough game of cat and mouse. This week’s show was Hazel and Higgins darting in and out of the other riders. This race allows an opportunity for all the riders that they would not otherwise get at any other venue. The experts respect the younger less experienced riders because they have all been there and the amateurs get a chance to ride and learn from the Pros, a very unique experience in deed.  

This Sunday is Father’s Day. It is also the Retired Rider’s Race a chance for many of the track alumni and “old timers” the opportunity to twist the throttle again. It’s a great way to reminisce and have some fun.  Come out and make a day of it, grab your Father, Grandfather, Uncle or Son and come watch the original extreme American made sport!

2009 RACER RELEASE FORM

THANK YOU TO THE JUNE 7Th GRAND PRIX SPONSORS!!                                        

Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Dept. Father's Day Chicken BBQ

Garlock Office Products

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Bandera Band-Top 40 Country/Country Rock

Houseman Refrigeration Heating and Cooling

Curley's Lyndonville Hotel

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Bud's Plumbing & Electric 585-590-6967

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P.O. Box 101

Albion, NY 14411