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Snow Shoe Fits Blythe!
Rocky Mountain Enduro Circuit
Round 7: Snow Shoe Enduro
By: George Pennington
Montrose, CO - August 12, 2007
Riders Get Underway At Snow Shoe!
While a vast swath of the West and Colorado in particular, remain under assault by the forces that restrict the use of public lands for motorized use, one club in Colorado, the Book Cliff Rattlers M/C has bucked the trend of short courses on private land, promoting the only genuine forest enduro in the state. Not only do they stand out among their fellow race promoting peers, their great relationship with the local land use officials gave them the opportunity to move this year’s event to a new, “never been raced on before”, trail system in the Southern Uncompahgre National Forest. Adopting the now popular “restart” system, as mandated by the AMA for “National” events, timekeeping and its equipment are no longer required at this event, creating a friendly and competitive opportunity for serious and casual competitors alike.
Although the wily veteran and current RMEC Champion Ron Schmelzle continues to control the points chase again this year, it was the heir-apparent to the throne, Ian Blythe that emerged victorious today, but not without challenges and drama. Pushing hard early, the YZ125 mounted Blythe was able to gain an early point on Schmelzle and Bernie Frederick. It would turn out to be a gainful opportunity, as a downed arrow in the second loop that many riders missed, caused a long, potentially race altering test to be thrown out, nullifying a scoring opportunity for all. "That worked out well because later in the race there were fewer opportunities to get a lead" noted Blythe after the race. Schmelzle hung on for second, dropping another point late to finish two behind Blythe. The KTM backed Schmelzle, who has spent the year up till now on a 250 four-stroke, was mounted on a two-stroke 300XC for this event, and disappointed with his finish, pointed towards his unfamiliar ride as partly to blame for his performance. "I don't ride an open bike very well, I can't expect to show up on a bike I haven't ridden before and expect to do well" he lamented.
Allan Phillips Had An Outstanding Day!
Frederick held on for third AA on the day, but was displaced for the final overall podium position by 250A rider Allan Phillips. Just 22 points dropped had Phillips on par with Schmelzle, just narrowly giving up the spot on tie-breaker points, but in the process, establishing himself as a legitimate contender for overall wins in the future.
KTM mounted Adam Krefting topped the B's today, taking the open class win along the way. Krefting is another up and comer, remaining undefeated in the events he has run this year. Fellow Open class rider Ben Wagenman kept it close, finishing just a couple points behind Krefting for second overall while Joel Wilkes topped the 250's enroute to third overall B.
Overall B Winner, Adam Krefting
Miles Lahue dominated the 250C's, piloting his KTM to the top of the class by a 10 point margin over runner-up A.J. Trabing, while Fred Copeland fared similarly in the 4-Stroke C's, winning his class handily with an 11 point margin over Ezequiel Ferraros. With 10 entries on hand, the Women's class had a substantial turnout today, but in the end it came down to two, Ashley Walker and Maggie Kunz finishing in that order, just two points separating the pair, while Allison Wilkes hung in there for third.
S. Senior B Winner, Kenny Perkins!
Results:
AA: 1. Ian Blythe (Yam); 2. Ron Schmelzle (KTM); 3. Bernie Frederick (Yam); 4. Mark McDonough (Yam); 5. Travis Epperson (KTM)
200A: 1. Dirk Hale (KTM); 2. Mike Diesburg (Yam); 3. Brody Kunz (Yam); 4. Justin Dertinger (KTM)
250A: 1. Allan Phillips (Yam); 2. Jeremy Henley (Yam); 3. Dustin Walcher (KTM); 4. Josh Aumiller (Suz); 5. Ken Helgeson (KTM)
Open A: 1. Brian Fortman (Kaw); 2. Perry Crider (KTM); 3. Jeromy Kaus (KTM); 4. Kris Brunson (KTM); 5. Scott Forrest (KTM)
4-Str.A: 1. Micah Shuster (Yam); 2. Lance Bross (Kaw); 3. Mike McKeage (Hon); 4. Kyle Deines (Hon); 5. Cody Schafer (Suz)
Vet A: 1. Jose Armesto (KTM); 2. Jason Maynard (Kaw); 3. Ray Barnard (Yam); 4. Ron Culver (Hon); 5. Matthew Vaughn (KTM)
Sen. A: 1. Kevin O'Leary (KTM); 2. Tom Schramer (Suz); 3. Gary Miller (Suz); 4. Mike Thuillier (KTM); 5. Kevin Anderson (Yam)
200 B: 1. Brian Cagianut (Kaw); 2. Steil Beagley (KTM)
250 B: 1. Joel Wilkes (Yam); 2. Rob Decot (Gas); 3. John Cash (KTM); 4. Kels Jones (Yam); 5. Roy Thompson (KTM)
Open B: Adam Krefting (KTM); 2. Ben Wagenman (Hon); 3. Josh Sewall (KTM); 4. Dan Buchheit (Hon); 5. Max Lamb (KTM)
4-Str. B: 1. Hod Hutchison (Hon); 2. Levi Klapperich (KTM); 3. Matthew Entz (KTM); 4. Luke VanDuyn (KTM); 5. Adam Leonhardt (KTM)
Vet B: 1. David Fowle (KTM); 2. Chris McPherson (Yam); 3. Bill Melasecca (KTM); 4. Steve Graybeal (Yam); 5. Craig Barnes (KTM)
Sen B: 1. Steve Hilbert (Hon); 2. P.J. Hildebrandt (KTM) 3. Dave Hjerleid (Hon); 4. Brad Beyer (KTM); 5. Robert Wilkes (Yam)
S.
Sen B: 1. Kenny Perkins (KTM); 2. David Schadle (KTM); 3. Daniel Jones (Kaw); 4. Mike Frederick (Yam); 5. Floyd Stretch (KTM)
200 C: 1. Ricky VanDuyn (Yam) 2. Billy Holmes (KTM); 3. Gabe Apple (Kaw); 4. Kyle Schafer (Suz); 5. Tyler Pennington (Hus)
250 C: 1. Miles Lahue (KTM) 2. A.J. Trabing (Yam); 3. Justin Geiger (Yam); 4. Brandon Wilkes (Yam); 5. Will Finch (Yam)
Open C: 1. James McMynn (KTM); 2. Ryan Masanz 9KTM); 3. Jeff Doolittle (KTM); 4. Paul Kirby (KTM); 5. Brandon Deschamps (Yam)
4-Str: 1. Fred Copeland (Yam); 2. Ezequiel Ferraros (Hon); 3. Whit Smith (KTM); 4. Matt Neeley (Gas) 5. Jerry McRae (Suz)
Ladies: 1. Ashley Walker (Kaw); 2. Maggie Kunz (Kaw); 3. Allison Wilkes (KTM); 4. Ashley Jones (Hon); 5. Miranda Gallegos (Yam)
Vet C: 1. Rodney Beidelschies (KTM); 2. Shane Brown (Kaw); 3. Clint Chew (Yam); 4. Art Castle (KTM); 5. Michael Freeman (Hon)
Sen. C: 1. Alex Bobusky (KTM); 2. David Schiff (KTM); 3. Michael Griffiths (Yam); 4. Fred McMurry (Yam); 5. Jud Barlow (KTM)
S. Sen. C: 1. Steve Renstrom (KTM); 2. Robert Hormell (Yam); 3. Richard Bonine (Yam); 4. Bob McDowell (Yam)
Sup. 60: 1. Ed Kister (KTM); 2. Marv Donaldson (Hon); 3. Don Whittington (Hon); 4. Grant Garagnon (KTM)
Under 16: 1. Tanner Amme (KTM); 2. Jeff Close (Kaw)
Sport: 1. Ben Bradford (Yam); 2. Mike Kunz (Kaw)