National Mini Road Racing Event-What retired Superbike Champions do for fun August 18, 2006- No longer the best kept secret of hard core mini roadracers, Cariboo Raceway Park in Quesnel BC hosted 173 class entries for the 3rd Honda Canada National Mini RoadRacing Championship and Round #4 of the Western Canadian Mini RoadRacing Series. Long Distance entries from Southern Washington, USA united with over 60 mini road racing club members from Western Canada for three days of exceptional racing August 4, 5, and 6th, 2006. Nestled within a small valley inside the small town of Quesnel, BC; a hidden motor sport oasis can be found boasting dirt tracks, mud bogs, a circle track and one of the top mini RoadRacing courses in North America. With true British Columbia hospitality, even Mother Nature welcomed racers and there families as beautiful BC blue skies overlooked the weekends’ events. Anticipation surged throughout the camp as Friday’s dawn brought the opportunity for racers to discover the layout of this phenomenal track: 8 hours of practice flowed as riders learned the curves of Caribou Raceway Park and discovered the intricacies of elevation changes; for many riders the first time elevation changes of any consequence were experienced. Fridays evening Qualifying was run with the help of the Caribou Karting Association Volunteers and there timing system. A step into the future for mini roadracers as for the first time track times were discovered and a new tool entered the arena in this highly competitive sport. For some racers the lap times are just a curiosity, for others the bragging rights surrounding these times are a source of justifiable pride. During the Thunder/Formula Formula Qualifying session CIMRA President and event Host laid down his XR100 in corner 5. Despite two broken ribs he regaled volunteers at the time of the incident of how he had proceeded to beat AMRA President Jay Fox and passed 7 time Superbike Champion Don Munroe. This off track bench racing was proven correct with the help of the timing system: Congratulations’ Steve and a speedy recovery. To maintain the fun factor in Mini RoadRacing the Central Interior Mini RoadRacing Association (CIMRA) issued a challenge to all CMA Sanctioned Mini Clubs. The test is to implement ‘A for Fun Only Race’, rules and regulations to be decided by the host club. The CIMRA designed the “Red Neck Challenge” which took place after Friday’s intense Qualifying session. The rules for this event are simple: 10 bikes, 4 laps, enter the hot pits, pass your bike to another rider, run 50 feet to kiss a stuffed toy pig, and then run another 50 feet to cross the finish line! Under the direction of Race Director AMRA’s own Scott Nalder the proceedings commenced with bikes lined up at the starting grid, sometimes backwards for the faster riders ,5 heats were ran with the top 2 racers moving up from each heat. For the final heat 9 thunder and NSR 50 bikes and one pocketbike lined up side by side across the starting line. Not wanting to get stuck in traffic on the grid the pocketbike was moved to the front row and awarded a head start. Unfortunately; due to mechanical failure instead of leading the pack the extreme machine was picked up and carried off the track. The remaining contenders were ready for action as they were relined up backwards and embarked on a final 4 lap race. Remember the rules are simple: 4 laps come in kiss the pig and cross the finish line, well simple if the racers could count to 4; after 8 lap’s mid-pack riders came in kissed the pig and won the event! Leaders despite being waved in after 5 laps thought the spectators were just waving and providing support. Truly a great event...in Mini RoadRacing fashion! Saturdays’ National racing proved to be as spectacular as expected. The competition level in Mini RoadRacing continues to progress at phenomenal speeds; 2005 race leaders many times did not approach the podium this year. The lap times set by racers over previous years with all factors being equal: bikes, tires, rider, times have declined by several seconds a lap. Great job! ‘For me, I really enjoy mini-roadracing with AMRA as it offers me a great place to ride motorcycles in a fun, yet competitive environment, on a closed course without a lot of expense, risk, and time commitment. I'm amazed by the speed and talent displayed by some of the younger club members. I wouldn't be surprised if these kids mature into a generation of future roadracing champions given the huge head start AMRA mini-roadracing offers’. Don Munroe; 7 time Canadian Roadracing Champion, 2006 Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame Inductee. For the past year the youth contingency has dominated the sport of Mini RoadRacing. The competition level has surpassed the capabilities of many for fun riders. To facilitate the needs of ‘RoadRacing for Everyone’ for the first time a Veterans Class has been introduced to the sport of Mini RoadRacing. Rules are being defined, but for this event in Quesnel it was kept strictly as a fun race. Honorable mention trophies included ‘Somewhere in the Middle’, ‘Dead Last’ and ‘Somewhere near the Front’. This class will be further defined over the season as there is great demand for a class where the youth can’t keep the over 40’s (or 30’s) off the podium. As a close to the weekend, on Sunday a three hour Endurance was available for those that still had the stamina after Saturdays Racing and After Hours Party. Each Round of the Western Canadian Series offers an exceptional experience for the racer and the Endurance Race in Round #4 is no exception. Unique to Quesnel all classes are allowed to run together, including Formula 80’s. This year the race was run with the help of the new AMRA timing system (supported by Parks Foundation Calgary) providing valuable experience for racers. As a result of the timing system all race teams were awarded there lap times for each lap of the 3 hour endurance race. 17 teams entered the event and all finished, a good clean race was run by all competitors. Each track in the 5 Round series boasts a special group of challenges; elevation, off camber corners, technical chicanes and high speed turns. The final round of the Western Canadian Series will be hosted in Martinsville, Saskatchewan by the SMRA (Saskatchewan Mini RoadRacing Association) September 3 & 4th, 2006. If you haven’t yet experienced this circuit come over and discover which challenge this incredible track offers. British Columbia Canada has long been recognized as a beautiful place to vacation. Long recognized for the beautiful Lakes, Mountains and semi tropical summer weather: Typical outing supplies would include assorted water toys, swim gear, and hiking boots. After the August long weekend in Quesnel BC standard supplies will NOW include Formula Extreme Mini Bikes, Dirt bikes with street tires and racing leathers. Plan now for next year event as it just keeps getting bigger and better every year1
What does your family do for fun? Mini RoadRacing is waiting for you!
For more information on Mini RoadRacing and the AMRA events, news and developments contact www.amra.ca. Written by: Bernedette
