2015 Baja Brawl Photo Report
Photos and captions by Billy Rainford
I’ve been meaning to get to my all-time favourite track to ride to check out the Baja Brawl at Baja Acres in Millington, Michigan, for a few years now, but the stars just haven’t lined up until this season’s event. My hope was to swoop in on the final day of the 3-day event and grab coverage of the Canadians who made the trip down. I half-expected that to be a simple task…
I was pleasantly surprised at how many Canadians were there! When I headed to the results board, I was shocked to see that every moto had at least 2 riders in it — some had 4 or 5! So much for my slack day at the races.
Even now, going over the results, I see that there are a bunch of riders I missed snagging photos of. I apologize for that, but here is a look at the final day of a great event at Baja Acres.
![IMG_1059](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1059.jpg)
I’m just going to start here because I think this stuff is hilarious. #noragrets (Google it, Bowker!) I guess no one had the heart to tell him?
![IMG_1063](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1063.jpg)
The place was overrun with Canadians! That’s (from left to right) apparent mystery rider, Austin Watling, and Tanner Ward waiting for their next moto.
![IMG_1057](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1057.jpg)
It was a little early to make this call.
![However, it would be difficult to bet against #214 Austin Forkner for that honour.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_9332.jpg)
However, it would be difficult to bet against #214 Austin Forkner for that honour.
![He was underpowered in the Open Pro Sport class but put on one heck of a show chasing down #881 Jerry Lorenz and #28 Mashall Weltin.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1271.jpg)
He was under-powered in the Open Pro Sport class but put on one heck of a show chasing down #881 Jerry Lorenz and #28 Mashall Weltin.
![While these two were scrapping it out up front, Forkner was quickly making up time behind them.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1265.jpg)
While these two were scrapping it out up front, Forkner was quickly making up time behind them.
![They both got around Lorenz and were this close at the flag. Forkner''s 3 moto scores gave him the Open Pro SPort title.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1272.jpg)
They both got around Lorenz and were this close at the flag. Forkner”s 3 moto scores gave him the Open Pro Sport title.
![The Supermini hotshot was #99 Lance Kobush.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1308.jpg)
The Supermini hotshot was #99 Lance Kobusch.
![I like how casual this younger rider is as he goes for the high five.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1307.jpg)
I like how casual this younger rider is as he goes for the high five.
![He was walking around with this young rider who must have thought everyone was saying "Hey..." when he walked past.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1306.jpg)
He was walking around with this young rider who must have thought everyone was saying “Hey…” when he walked past.
![Kobush went undefeated in his classes at the Brawl.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1201.jpg)
Kobusch went undefeated in his Supermini 1 and 2 at the Brawl.
![Jesse Flock was second in Supermini 1.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1202.jpg)
Jesse Flock was second in Supermini 1.
![#43 Carter Biese was the one to beat in 85 (9-13).](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1217.jpg)
#43 Carter Biese was the one to beat in 85 (9-13).
Now let’s have a look at how the Canadians did:
![#16 Brad Williams: 4th in 125 B/C, 4th in Schoolboy 1, and 10th in 250C.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1372.jpg)
#16 Brad Williams: 4th in 125 B/C, 4th in Schoolboy 1, and 10th in 250C.
#692 Nathan Oatman
125 B/C #692 KAW 34th 34th 30th 30th
![#317 Cooper Larche looked very fast on Sunday.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1187.jpg)
#317 Cooper Larche looked very fast on Sunday.
![He was up against some fast riders in his classes: 250B 7th, 450B 3rd, College 25th.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1123.jpg)
He was up against some fast riders in his classes: 250B 7th, 450B 3rd, College 25th.
![#17 Damon Luksys finished 31st in 250B and 22nd in College.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1124.jpg)
#17 Damon Luksys finished 31st in 250B and 22nd in College.
![#312 Cale Barnes took 5th in 250B and 14th in College.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1357.jpg)
#312 Cale Barnes took 5th in 250B and 14th in College.
![#424 Austin Watling is shaping into a solid rider.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1352.jpg)
#424 Austin Watling is shaping into a solid rider.
![He took the 250C title, finished 18th in 450C, and 9th in Schoolboy 2.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_9342.jpg)
He took the 250C title, finished 18th in 450C, and 9th in Schoolboy 2.
![#114 Dylan Rouse: 4th 250C, 16th 250C Ltd., 5th 450C Ltd.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1139.jpg)
#114 Dylan Rouse: 4th 250C, 16th 250C Ltd., 5th 450C Ltd.
![IMG_1350](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1350.jpg)
#111 Austin Manz: 14th 250C, 5th 450C.
![IMG_1084](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1084.jpg)
#112 Baden Brunning: 33rd 250C, 29th Schoolboy 2.
#7 Calvin Kelders:
Shown as a DNF in 250C.
#14 David Eist:
250 C #14/ YAM 3rd 21st DNS 34th
![#456 Carter Trembley: 250C 12th, 450C Ltd. 6th.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1317.jpg)
#459 Carter Tremblay: 250C 12th, 450C Ltd. 6th.
![IMG_1103](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1103.jpg)
#204 Justin Roney: 250 Pro/Am 11th, College 7th.
![#196 Kyle McManus: 250 Pro/Am 17th, 450 Pro/Am 19th.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1173.jpg)
#196 Kyle McManus: 250 Pro/Am 17th, 450 Pro/Am 19th.
#719 Yanick Boucher:
450 A #719 KAW 17th 12th 7th 8th
![#781 Zach Zagar was having a rough day. 450A 16th, 450 Pro/Am 24th, College 16th.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1398.jpg)
#781 Zach Zagar was having a rough day. 450A 16th, 450 Pro/Am 24th, College 16th.
![I didn't speak with him but most of his motos Sunday ended early like this one.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1234.jpg)
I didn’t speak with him but most of his motos Sunday ended early like this one.
![IMG_1199](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1199.jpg)
#295 Josh Mann doesn’t seem to be on the score sheet anywhere.
![#781 Jared Thornton: 450B 8th, 2-Stroke B/C 4th.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1298.jpg)
#781 Jared Thornton: 450B 8th, 2-Stroke B/C 4th.
![IMG_1194](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1194.jpg)
#385 Dallas Ruff-Robertson: 450B 9th, College 11th.
#71 Carter Hutcherson:
Shown as DNS for all of his motos.
![IMG_1117](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1117.jpg)
#113 Jakob Greig: 250C Ltd. 19th, 450C Ltd. 13th.
![#130 Duncan McCleod: 450B Ltd. 3rd, College 9th.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1401.jpg)
#130 Duncan McCleod: 450B Ltd. 3rd, College 9th.
#66 Codey St. Martin:
450 C #66 KAW 13th 14th DNS 22nd
#51 Matt Lepage:
450 C #51/ YAM DNS 11th DNS 28th
#274 Dan Twizell:
450 C #274 YAM 16th DNS DNS 29th
![IMG_1183](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1183.jpg)
#65 Trevor Somerville: 450C Ltd. 14th, 25+ 7th.
#54 Mikey Walker:
#294 Daniel Sprague:
#883 Aaron Popp:
![IMG_1344](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1344.jpg)
#22 Preston Masciangelo:
![IMG_1283](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1283.jpg)
#667 Thomas Munro:
![IMG_1137](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1137.jpg)
#23 Ryder Reinhart:
#34 Hunter Perhoven:
#852 Riley Clapp:
![IMG_1136](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1136.jpg)
#24 Kayden Keller:
#65 Logan Burns:
![#52 Luke Tricco:](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1093.jpg)
#52 Luke Tricco:
![#214 Little:](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1208.jpg)
#214 Bryce Little:
![IMG_1209](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1209.jpg)
#813 Cayden Wise:
![#31 Zeb Dennis:](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1180.jpg)
#31 Zeb Dennis:
![#294 Tremblay:](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1313.jpg)
#294 Austin Tremblay:
![#46 Marco Cannella continues to put up the great results!](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1376.jpg)
#46 Marco Cannella continues to put up the great results!
![Here he is in a classic, "Aw, mom, don't!" moment.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1385.jpg)
Here he is in a classic, “Aw, mom, don’t!” moment.
![But he'd better get used to the attention if he keeps going as fast as he is.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1394.jpg)
But he’d better get used to the attention if he keeps going as fast as he is.
![#184 Tanner Ward:](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1378.jpg)
#184 Tanner Ward finished one spot behind him in Schoolboy 1:
![IMG_1181](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1181.jpg)
#691 Blair Oatman:
Vet 30+ #691 KAW 10th 9th 10th 10th
![#441 Tim Metcalfe:](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1144.jpg)
#441 Tim Metcalfe:
![#939 Iain Hayden swept the +30 class:](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1235.jpg)
#939 Iain Hayden swept the +30 class.
![And that meant another Canadian on stage!](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1250.jpg)
And that meant another Canadian on stage!
#64 Theodore Zervos:
#806 Ronald Clapp:
![The Women's class was as fast as I've ever seen! Shelby Rolen is fast and took the Women's 12+ title.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1140.jpg)
The Women’s class was as fast as I’ve ever seen! Shelby Rolen is fast and took the Women’s 12+ title.
![#196 Chloe Metcalfe:](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1143.jpg)
#196 Chloe Metcalfe:
![IMG_1145](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1145.jpg)
#467 Rob Thornton:
![IMG_1290](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1290.jpg)
#527 Jake Tricco:
![Dan Tricco is recovering well from his big Walton TransCan crash. Check out the cool artwork the guys at Illusion did on his cast.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1320.jpg)
Dan Tricco is recovering well from his big Walton TransCan crash. Check out the cool artwork the guys at Illusion did on his cast.
![Probably not the greatest name for a motocross racer.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1299.jpg)
Probably not the greatest name for a motocross racer.
![IMG_9344](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_9344.jpg)
Sorry, Luke. I interrupted your pre-race moto moment.
![Does this warrant a few jars?](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_9334.jpg)
Does this warrant a few jars?
![That's young Matthew Leblanc taking a title.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_9329.jpg)
That’s young Matthew Leblanc taking a title.
![Catching up on some social media before the next checkered flag.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_9331.jpg)
Catching up on some social media before the next checkered flag.
![Our old friend #165 James Roberts took the 450A title.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1396.jpg)
Our old friend #165 James Roberts took the 450A title.
![Joey Crown checking the mineral content of this award.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1364.jpg)
Joey Crown checking the mineral content of this award.
![I couldn't think of anything original for this one.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1312.jpg)
I couldn’t think of anything original for this one.
![Some Canadian gear on American rider Eddie Morris who won the College title.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1239.jpg)
Some Canadian gear on American rider Eddie Morris who won the College title.
![Iain grabbing a holeshot.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1229.jpg)
Iain grabbing a holeshot.
![#27 Jesse Pierce.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1170.jpg)
#27 Jesse Pierce.
![Austin Watling getting out to a big early lead.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1157.jpg)
Austin Watling getting out to a big early lead.
![Travis was here.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1120.jpg)
Travis was here.
![That should really be a sharp fork in that bullseye. Someone wasn't thinking creatively enough.](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_1113.jpg)
That should really be a sharp fork in that bullseye. Someone wasn’t thinking creatively enough.
![This will probably smoulder for a few more days. I missed all the craziness of the weekend. I hope everyone had a great time at Baja Acres. See you next year!](https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_9347.jpg)
This will probably smoulder for a few more days. I missed all the craziness of the weekend. I hope everyone had a great time at Baja Acres. See you next year!