Searchmont Resort near Sault Ste. Marie hosted the second round of the Canadian Snowcross Racing Association’s (CSRA) National Championship series this past weekend. The resort provided a huge man made race course which thrilled crowds with the longest uphill straightaway in all of North American snocross. With speeds in excess of 80 MPH in Pro Open and jumps which pushed riders and sleds 100 ft through the air, the event was – as always – a crowd pleaser.
AJ Lester showed he’s back in strong form for the 2004/05 season by carding impressive results in Pro 600 Qualifying and with the crowds support he carded a well deserved fifth in Saturday’s only Pro Final.
In Pro 440 a frustrating ride netted him but a twelfth at the finish. Good news was AJ’s points tally for the weekend – netting him 8th and elevating him to 3rd among CSRA full season riders for the 440 National Championship points chase.
When the green dropped in Pro Open AJ again struggled with traffic up the hill and posted a disappointing 11th at the checkers. While not a stellar weekend AJ left with 8th overall for the weekend in Pro Open and among season long CSRA Pro’s AJ is now in fourth for the Pro Open National Championship.
Matt Turner came to Searchmont with a severe case of the flu which spread through the LBR trailer like a plague – affecting almost everyone before the weekend was over. Matt has a tough as nails drive to win and rides with his heart every time he pulls the trigger. Although he was very sick, Matt went out in Pro 600 and pulled good starts netting a front row start but his energy was seriously compromised by the time the green flag dropped. Matt still shot up front at the start – showing his snow flap to most of the field but finished exhausted – a disappointing 14th. Matt was ready for bed to rest for Sunday’s National program.
In Pro 440 qualifying Matt pulled convincing holeshots but determined he would ride until his energy gave out and then stay on the sled – rather than risk an off. This mind set netted him a three moto tally of 4, 4, 7 and a front row start in the final. In the final Matt struggled after a strong gate to end up 13th with a broken rear axle. Among season long CSRA riders Matt is 3rd in 440 National Points.
In the Pro Open final Matt rode hard but had more mechanicals and ran out of energy to net 10th at the checkers. Among season long CSRA riders Matt is in 7th in National Pro Open points.
