5th Gear Updates: A Race for Old Men?

It is no news that traditional enduros, the old school time-keeping style events, are of a dying breed, but there are still a few “heritage” races that attract the crowds. The Beagle Bash, in Turkey Point, Ontario, is one of those races. Attracting rides from across Ontario, parts of Quebec, even as far away as Pennsylvania, Michigan and New York state the Beagle Bash, which is now part of the newly formed Ontario Off Road Competition Club series, can be counted in the “success” column. And weather played no small part that success.

Taking place in mid to late April, anything can happen. In the past riders have dealt with rain, snow and even hail as they try to navigate the 150 kilometres of sand trails cut through Norfolk County. Almost 100 riders signed up, and with the dismal turn out at Terra Nova still fresh in the minds of organizers, the turn out allowed Lynn Valley Dirt Riders to breathe a much needed sigh of relief.

Top time for the day went to the top finisher in the Pro class, America’s Alan Randt, with a score of 18:37. Randt lost a mere seven minutes through the various checks and had the fastest times through the special tests. Coming in behind Randt, with a time of 19:53, was Mike Vandenhoek aboard his father’s seven year old WR; proof that the bike does not make the rider!

Running out of gas is a fear for man of the riders. Organizers have a gas truck that travels to two stops on the course, spread equally between the checks, and many riders send crews with gas, spare parts, water and snacks to the stops as well. For one rider, Zack Tustin, that wasn’t enough, however. The Novice rider ran out of gas several times, the last time he was just as he came through the last check, heading back into the pits. Lucky for Zack, Dan Paris was driving me around and we stopped for the rider. We put the Husqvarna in the trailer and headed back to the pits, with a very tired, but happy to not be pushing, Zack.

Traditional enduro enthusiasts will argue that anyone can “go fast,” but it takes a special person, someone who possesses mental and physical endurance, to keep a specific pace and keep track of time and kilometres. Because of this, and a pretty stringent rule about street legal (meaning: EXPENSIVE) dirt bikes, have turned enduros into the realm of older, established riders; riders with the experience to mentally keep track of time and the funds to purchase and maintain the more expensive specialty motorcycles. These bikes also tend to be quite a bit heavier than their “motocross” counter parts. The Super Vet class, racers over 50 years of age, was the largest at the event, with Vet Ex, a class populated by former Pro and Expert riders over the age of 40, was second, having one more rider than Vet Ex.

As today’s young riders get more in tune with time keeping, and technology catches up and adapts, and the prices of these specialty enduro bikes comes down, the sport will be more accessible to a younger audience. I do believe, however, that the cross country/hare scramble style races will forever been the dominant form of off road in Ontario. Traditional enduros have their draw backs, but so do World Enduro Championship style events. Many riders are afraid to try the new format because they’re worried things are going to become too extreme or they are unsure of the moto test part.

Time will tell whether the traditional format will carry on, or whether it will fade, but as long as riders continue to turn out for events, I am sure the organizers will continue to host them.

Results:

Pro:
1 – Alan Randt (18:37)
2 – Mike Vandenhoek (19:53)
3 – Patrick Beaule (20:46)
4 – Darrell Forsbey (20:56)
5 – Allan Lachapelle (22:01)
6 – Matt Spigelmeyer (22:51)
7 – Kevin Cockayne (24:12)
8 – Bryan Marshall (24:16)

Expert:
1 – Greg Bastedo (27:14)
2 – Jeff Stephens (29:01)
3 – Rome Haloftis (29:07)
4 – Thierry LaCombe (29:41)
5 – Lorenzo Calcogno (29:53)
6 – Alex Conti (42:55)

Intermediate:
1 – Desmond Magill (25:45)
2 – Jean Francois L’Ecuyer (26:13)
3 – Robin Hunzinger (30:39)
4 – Trevor Bylsma (33:27)
5 – Drew Rikauka (34:31)
6 – Doug Copper (34:51)
7 – Barry Armstrong (37:09)
8 – George Balla (37:14)
9 – Jon Stevens (38:28)
10 – Rob Jackson (47:31)

Novice:
1 – Jake Tustin (30:33)
2 – Jach Tustin (31:17)
3 – Stephen Polonoski (35:24)
4 – Adam Clapham (37:44)
5 – Owen Gunn (38:28)
6 – Mike Toneguzzo (44:01)
7 – Cameron Lowe (46:41)
8 – Chris Poulsen (58:27)
9 – Jeremy Mestravick (1:12:35)

Vet Ex:
1 – Craig Kennedy (22:16)
2 – Doug Post (22:46)
3 – Paul LaChance (23:46)
4 – Rob Hewit (26:50)
5 – Dean Mayke (27:17)
6 – Wayne Brogan (27:21)
7 – Dave Wrack (28:02)
8 – Gary Klassen (31:47)
9 – Andy Post (32: 43)
10 – Steve Tustin (33:01)

Legends:
1 – Rick Day (34:18)
2 – Dave Cockayne (38:31)
3 – Ted Dirstein (43:41)

Super Vet:
1 – Denis Theoret (24:57)
2 – Lance Matthews (26:13)
3 – Frank Sutton (26:33)
4 – Keith Billings (27:26)
5 – Claude Dulude (27:37)
6 – Steve Young (29:12)
7 – Mark Prebe (31:46)
8 – Mike Blanken (32:51)
9 – Ron Tunason (33:10)
10 – Dave Myers (35:41)

Veteran:
1 – Dave Janzen (26:10)
2 – Brian Orbst (27:11)
3 – Chris Martin (30:37)
4 – Harold Peters (35:38)
5 – Bryan Kowalchuk (40:46)
6 – Stewart Wiggins (42:10)
7 – Brian Helliwell (48:38)
8 – Kirk Lung (53:35)
9 – Rick Mate (56:05)
10 – Victor Chippindale (1:25:20)