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Wineland Top Gun at Pilot Peak!
Rocky Mountain Trials Association
Round 5: Pilot Peak
Lake George, CO | June 18, 2006
By George Pennington
Round 5 of the Rocky Mountain Trials Association’s Championship series marked a long awaited return to the Pilot Peak area of the Pike National Forest. With an elevation of near 9000’ ft., the area features an abundant assortment of Aspen and Pine spread among the rock formations and trails not usually seen in the lower and more desert-like areas more common to RMTA events. Last used in 2001, the area suffered severe damage during the infamous Hayman fire and has been off-limits since. Only through the continuing perseverance of RMTA officials, did the Forest Service finally relent and allow the event to proceed (Ok, you can ride….but no fun allowed!) albeit with a strict and lengthy list of requirements, not the least of which was turning in the GPS coordinates of each section (I suppose they wouldn’t be able to find them otherwise!).
Keith Wineland once again easily topped the field, dominating the Champ class with a ridiculously low score of seven points. It wouldn’t have been that high if a second loop miscue hadn’t uncharacteristically caused Wineland to five a section. Once again though, as easy as Wineland makes it seem, the other Champ contender’s scores will remind you that these sections are tough! Gas Gas mounted Bailey Tucker, who at 13 years old is just in his first season in the Champ Class, finished out the day in second, a whopping 30 points behind Wineland. Impressively though, Tucker finished an equally whopping 41 points ahead of Dusty Hedwall, third on the day. With the remaining Champ contenders turning in scores in the 90's, the gap between National contender Wineland and the rest of the field remains wide. Perhaps recent Colorado immigrant, National Champion Geoff Aaron, will find the time to attend a few events in the future and challenge Wineland.
Utilizing the old adage of “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”, the advanced-class riders were greeted today with challenging sections characterized by large vertical rock faces or steps. In describing course conditions today, Trialsmaster Adam Leute explained “I’m not good at turns, and I like big obstacles, so that is how I set the course.
Class veteran Greg Howie lived up to the challenge and rode hard to a well deserved win, dropping 63 points and cleaning only four sections along the way. Ryan Jonke cleaned seven sections, but dropped 72 points as he maneuvered his Scorpa to second on the day, the big rider plowing his way over, through and around in a style reminiscent of the proverbial bull trying to escape the china shop. Crossing over from the Motocross world, and trading in his Tech 8’s for trials boots, Joey Hamilton found his way into third with 81 points dropped, edging Jarrod Tilton, also on 81 by cleans.
The more experienced Sr. Advanced class riders had a much easier day on the course. In stark contrast to the Advanced rider scores. Class champion Tom Thompson prevailed yet again today dropping only 13 points and narrowly edging out Tom Hedwall who finished on 16. Despite a nasty fall while practicing Ron Gardner completed the podium, finishing with a more characteristic score for the day of 58.
Amateur action saw Brody Kunz and his Montesa edge Jason Drake for the win today by a single point. Mark Berry finished third on the day, while a visitor from California’s SCTA club, Joseph Carrillo, made his way out to the Rockies to take a fourth place medal back home with him.
Ed Peacock found himself at the top of the Novice Class today, dropping 10 points and cleaning 25 sections along the way. Kayla Sharpe-Grace had given up seven points to Peacock through loops one and two, but a stellar final loop score of zero put her right into contention. Peacock’s consistent scores were too much though to overcome and he maintained the advantage by two.
Results:
Championship: 1. Keith Wineland; 2. Bailey Tucker; 3. Dusty Hedwall; 4. Steven Deines; 5. Kevin Busch
Expert: 1. Kyle Deines; 2. John Sinks; 3. James Sinks; 4. Keith Busch
Advanced: 1. Greg Howie; 2. Ryan Jonke; 3. Joey Hamilton; 4. Jarrod Tilton; 5. Sarah Duke
Sr. Advanced: 1. Tom Thompson; 2. Tom Hedwall; 3. Ron Gardner
Veteran: 1. Frank Peterson; 2. Jeff Payne; 3. Larry Lund; 4. Rick Loucks; 5. Mike Willette
Intermediate: 1. Mark Joslin; 2. Dan Wickersham; 3. Bill Haskell; 4. Dave Lindeman; 5. Jeff Payne Jr.
Sr. Intermediate: 1. Ken White; 2. Mike Stokes; 3. Walter Popp; 4. Kerrie Pattison; 5. J. Sheets
Amateur: 1. Brody Kunz; 2. Jason Drake; 3. Mark Berry; 4. Joseph Carrillo; 5. Ronald Mize
Sr. Amateur: 1. John Clement; 2. Fred Martinson; 3. Andy Parker; 4. Dave Kemper; 5. Herb Jonke
Novice: 1. Ed Peacock; 2. Kayla Sharpe-Grace; 3. Scott Fischer; 4. Bevin Sharpe; 5. Scott Richardson
Jr. A: 1. Ty Lindeman / Cole Anderson (tie) 2. Rayen Jonke / Alex Tucker (tie)
Jr. B. 1. Tristen Sinks; 2. Garrett Stokes