Singletracks: Full Throttle Harescrambles Report

Jun 16 2010 - 3:53pm - Steve Shannon

Singletracks: Full Throttle Harescrambles Report

The recent rains out in the BC interior have been both a blessing and a curse. The Okanagan region is usually so dry that the dust is chokingly thick by mid-June, so any rain is welcome. Well, 2010 has been a little different. Besides a couple dust bowls in April and May, we've been treated to no dust and great traction (though maybe a tad slippery compared to usual). For the most part, it's been a welcome change, but it does have its downsides. The Okanagan is a semi-arid desert so the water doesn't really get absorbed into the ground. It tends to run off and collect in low spots. This was the case two weeks ago in Kamloops, where all the rain forced the OHSS to cancel the Dragon Spray Harescramble as the course was flooded under a couple feet of water. I don't think I've ever heard of a race in Kamloops being canceled due to too much water! Like I said, the rain can be both a blessing and a curse.

Racers had perfect conditions on Sunday for the Full Throttle Harescrambles.

Photo by Steve Shannon

Luckily, the stars aligned and racers were treated to a perfect weekend of racing out here in beautiful British Columbia. After all the rain we’ve had, mother nature decided to take it easy on us and treated us to sunny skies and moderate temperatures, perfect for a day of duking it out in the woods. Sunday, June 13th was round 2 (formerly 3) of the Okanagan Hare Scrambles Series held near Becker Lake outside of Vernon, BC.

The VOMC laid out a fantastic course in the hills above Vernon, BC. Future race organizers need to work hard to top this course.

Photo by Steve Shannon

The VOMC laid out a fantastic course for the Full Throttle Hare Scrambles. They laid out 20km of perfect singletrack, featuring a great mixture of fast and flowy and tight and nasty trails, all filled with the slippery roots well known to racers in the Vernon area. To top things off, the course organizers worked extremely hard over the weeks leading up to the event to build an endurocross course near the pits to add some excitement for the spectators. The endurocross course featured large wire spools, a rock pit and logs, logs and more logs! Of course, to keep things safe and fun, the endurocross was optional and racers could take a longer trip through the woods to avoid the man made obstacles.

The endurocross section was great for spectating. There was lots of crashes, but everyone was okay.

Photo by Steve Shannon

As is tradition at the OHSS, racing kicked off in the morning with the B classes. While maybe not quite as skilled as those racing later in the day, the B riders showed a lot of heart tackling the endurocross section while spectators cheered them on. There were some crashes, but everyone finished safe and sound, though maybe with a few new bruises. After the B riders finished up, it was time for the half time show or in other words, the peewees. It’s always great to see the young and upcoming talent as they ride around the peewee course. The 50cc bikes headed out first for a spirited 10 lap ride, then the 65cc bikes were let loose on the course. While there were some crashes and mishaps, all of the kids had big smiles on their faces when they received their plaques later in the day.

The OHSS has a great thing going. The entire family can ride and compete in one day on some great courses in the BC interior. Check out www.ohssracing.com.

Photo by Steve Shannon

Once the peewees were done, it was on to the main show. With a ride day scheduled in the Lower Mainland and a few pros on the injured list, the pro class was a little smaller than usual with only 5 pros lining up. The big news was 2009 CEC champ Bobby Prochnau was lining up for his first race after spending the last two months injured. Joining Prochnau on the starting line were Ryan Durkee, Ryan Graffunder, Nick Graffunder and Dillon Bucknell.

Bobby Prochnau returned to the starting line after spending the last two months laid up with a broken thumb. After leading most of the race, then running out of gas, Prochnau would settle for 3rd.

Photo by Steve Shannon

Off the start it was Prochnau taking his bone stock RTR Performance KTM300XC into the woods first. Husqvarna’s Ryan Graffunder followed closely behind, with Bucknell, Durkee and Nick Graffunder in tow. Through the endurocross section RTR’s Durkee put a pass on Bucknell for third and took off after Graffunder and Prochnau as the racers headed out into the woods for the majority of the loop. After the first lap it was Prochnau with a significant lead followed by Durkee, Ryan Graffunder and Bucknell. Nick Graffunder was nowhere to be seen, but eventually came in and had to call it a day after electrical problems caused his bike to stop running. Nick’s been having some bad luck lately, so hopefully he gets everything sorted out before the Canadian Enduro Championships start next month.

Ryan Durkee had a day he would rather forget. Look for him to be fired up for the Canadian Enduro Championships next month.

Photo by Steve Shannon

On the second lap Durkee started to slow, allowing Graffunder and Bucknell to move past. Durkee took some time off the bike lately for his highschool grad and wasn’t quite prepared for the demanding course laid out by the VOMC. Prochnau continued to lead as Graffunder and Bucknell charged hard through the woods. Showing that even champions were having a tough go, Prochnau came in at the end of lap 3 without his number plate and front fender. Prochnau slid out on some roots right into the end of a downed tree, smashing his fender and number plate but leaving him and the rest of the bike unscathed. By the end of lap 3 Bucknell had passed Graffunder, though he would relinquish 2nd when he pitted for gas just before the endurocross section. Graffunder flew by and man handled his bike Husky TXC450 through the endurocross section while Bucknell lit it up on one of only two two-strokes in the pro class.

Kelowna Yamaha's Dillon Bucknell showed he's quickly adapting to the pro class. His perseverence paid off as he finished 2nd on Sunday.

Photo by Steve Shannon

At only 20km, the course was short enough that riders could possibly get 4 laps out of a tank. That was Prochnau’s strategy, but it didn’t work as he ran out of fuel only a couple kilometers from the pits. As he pushed his bike, Graffunder and Bucknell moved past but according to Bobby, that was a good thing as his injured thumb was really sore and he needed to slow down anyways.

This one has been a long time coming. After moving to the pro class in 2008, Ryan Graffunder has been waiting patiently to claim his first win. It finally happened on Sunday as Graffunder took his Feeding Performance Husqvarna TXC450 to the top spot of the podium. There's got to be something in the water outside of Kamloops, as there's now been three Graffunders to stand on top of the podium.

Photo by Steve Shannon

At over 40 minutes a lap, the pros were getting tired on the 5th and final lap of the race. They spent nearly 4 hours racing through some very tough terrain in the afternoon heat. Graffunder persevered and rode smooth and steady to take his first win in the pro class. Needless to say, Graffunder was elated to finally put his Feeding Performance/Zip-Ty/Husqvarna TXC450 on the top box of the podium. Bucknell ran out of water in his camelbak on the last lap but kept it together to take 2nd not far behind Graffunder. In his first year as a pro, Bucknell is steadily improving and was happy to battle with Graffunder and the rest of the pros throughout the race. Rounding out the podium, and the only other competitor to ride all 5 laps was RTR/KTM’s Bobby Prochnau. All of the pros were tired yet happy and had nothing but positive things to say about the race.

Prochnau charges down a steep hill in Vernon. Bobby's speed is definitely still there but his thumb is still a little tender. He'll be 100% by the time the Canadian Enduro Championships kick off in three weeks.

Photo by Steve Shannon

Behind the pros there was a slew of amateurs racing for nothing more than pride and the hopes of a plastic trophy. The expert classes (expert and vet expert) had some tight racing. Kyle McClelland rode fast and consistent to take the win in expert. Cliff Schroeder led the first lap then had to settle for second while Tyler Murphy rode hard to a well deserved 3rd place.

Kyle McClelland rode hard to take the expert win. He'll be one to watch in the 'A' class at the CECs.

Photo by Steve Shannon

Vet Expert was extremely fast, with Ian Mckill working his way past the entire expert class before a late race charge by McClelland put the young guys back on top. McKill still won vet expert, followed by Mark Cahill and Miko McGrady. Showing just how tough the former pro champion and ISDE competitor is, McKill went out and rode a couple more laps after finishing just to get some more training in. Impressive for a guy who spends more time in his shop running his business (Rider’s Edge Suspension) than riding and racing.

Ian McKill is still hauling in the woods. He took another win in Vet Expert, then went out and rode another 40km to get some extra practice in. He's an animal!

Photo by Steve Shannon

Behind the experts was a slew of crashes and battles throughout the rest of the field. The endurocross section made for great entertainment with heroes cleaning the obstacles and some of the others having some spectacular crashes. It was all in good fun though, as no one was seriously hurt and everyone was smiling after the event. For complete results, check out the OHSS website at www.ohssracing.com.

McClelland and McKill side by side through the spools. Youthful exuberance beat out old age and treachery in this round.

Photo by Steve Shannon

The VOMC put on a great race that all organizers should strive for. It was nice for the spectators to have something interesting to watch and I think most of the racers enjoyed the endurocross section too. Consider the gauntlet thrown down, and let’s hope the rest of the race organizers work as hard as the VOMC to put together more great races this year.