If there were ever any doubts as to how bad Don Taylor wants to defend his number one plate, those doubts were erased at the Burford half mile. Taylor took the checkers once again in the Open Expert class to make it three wins in three races this season. Despite winning the race by a wide margin however, there were a few exciting moments for Taylor. At one point after hitting a rut coming out of turn two, Taylor shot up the track and ended up about five feet off the track in the grass. Despite a healthy lead at that point, Taylor kept the bike pinned and re-entered the track while hardly missing a beat. While Taylor took the win with ease, the real battle on the track was taking place behind him. Tyler Seguin held second for most of the race but in the final few laps fast Quebec rider Fred Duchesneau put on a furious charge. When they crossed the finish line, Duchesneau’s great ride had earned him second place over Seguin. Seguin redeemed himself in the Production Frame class however as he took the win over rookie Expert Parker Norris who made the trip from Michigan.
Kyle Van Conant made the trek from Michigan as well and was unbeaten all in Intermediate action. With Van Conant alone up front, Braden Vallee and Shane Corbeil were left to fight for the second step on the podium as they seem to run together every time they are on a half mile. Former motocross ace Kyle Sheppard rode great all day and took his first half mile wins of his career in both Production Frame and Open Novice. Jerrett Bellamy had a great ride in second as it was his first half mile event he had ever raced.
Trent Pickle paced the field in the 250 class while Rick Gunby outraced Steve Ball in the Vet category. Hometown boy Spencer Whittam had family and friends cheering as he was able to grab the checkers in the ATV Youth class.
Burford Half Mile Top Three Each Class
Open Expert: Don Taylor, Fred Duchesneau, Tyler Seguin
Production Frame Expert: Tyler Seguin, Parker Norris, Fred Duchesneau
Open Intermediate: Kyle Van Conant, Braden Vallee, Shane Corbeil
Production Frame Intermediate: Kyle Van Conant, Braden Vallee, Shane Corbeil
Open Novice: Kyle Sheppard, Jerrett Bellamy, Steven Murdock
Production Frame Novice: Kyle Sheppard, Jerrett Bellamy, Steven Murdock
Open ATV: Steve Lagro, Jason Stys, Les Stys
ATV Youth: Spencer Whittam, Maxwell Johannsen
VET: Rick Gunby, Steve Ball, Rob Churchill
250 Novice: Trent Pickle, Logan Wilson, Jeff Awde
85cc: Hunter Bauer, Jimmy McCollough, Boyd Deadman
65cc: Hunter Bauer, Jimmy McCollough, Boyd Deadman
50 Shaft: Maguire Scott, Olivia Farkas, Brayden Hutchison
50 Chain: Branden Keys, Mitchell Tinney, Maguire Scott
Photographs by David Dudley
Check out the point standings here.