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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-08-20, Page 1212 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, August 20, 2014 spar Canadian riders take top spots in Walton The mud was flying and engines reving this weekend, as Walton Raceway hosted the annual Trans - Can Grand National Champion- ship Aug. 13 to 17. Deemed the 'Celebration of Cana- dian Motocross, the event once again turned the small hamlet into Moto- cross town as over 1,000 motocross rid- ers and their families travelled from far and wide to compete for Canada's big- gest motocross awards. Despite some questionable weather, visitors got a chance to meet their favourite racers, while picking up some autographs as well as some covetted swag. Canadian Colton Facciottimayhave taken home his fourth Canadian National MX1 Championship, but it was American Mike Alessi who won the day, finishing first at Walton, taking home the covetted Walton Sword. In the MX2 Championship, Que- bec's Kaven Benoit out raced his competition to grab the overall win, after placing second after his two races at Walton. On Saturday, the raceway also played host the CMRC Amateur National Championships. Over the course of the season, each CMRC region in the country hosts amateur national qualifier events, essentially to establish who will be invited to compete at Wal- ton for the title. Throughout the week, Walton also offered a long list of social activities for racers and campers, including everything from scavenger hunts to bingo, and even a hosted a Jason Blaine concert on the Friday night. The week signaled the end of another national championship season, which has some to a close each year in Walton since 1992. The raceway is one of the longest run- ning motocross tracks in Canada, and is run by the Lee family, who has owned property since 1965. Over the years, four generations of Lee's have ridden at Walton; Ron, Chris, Matt, Brett, Jake, Tim and Caden. While future riders, Haden, Ryder, Sheldon and Harper won't be far behind. More than just a great time for motocross fans, the event also served as a fundraiser for several local organi- zations including Seaforth Minor Broomball, the Seaforth Curling Club, Mitchell Horse Club, and the Seaforth and District Community Hospital For more information, as well as a full list of the week's results, visit www.waltontranscan.ca. Track tid bits, courtesy of Walton Raceway Current longest running Moto- cross National Race: 23 years Amount of water used throughout the week: 300,000 gallons Number of staff and volunteers: 310 Track length: 2.6 kilometres Average number of laps over a Trans Can weekend: 33,600 Spectator tunnels: 5 Track, pits and spectator parking combined use 80 acres Bingo is one of Walton's most popular after race activities Amount of fuel used by event equipment: 1822 gallons Feet of extension cord used: 2500 feet Estimated number of recycled bottles: 38,000 Most Walton titles: Josh Woods In addition to a motocross track, Walton has 5 mud bog pits, moun- tain bike trails, bicycle trails, a pump track, two RC tracks, Enduro trails and truck bush trails At this year's Trans Can there were close to $200,000 in prizes, trophies, contingency and cash awarded The yellow bib assigned to the points leader was inspired by the Tour du France Past Champions at Walton MX1 2001 Darcy Lange 2002 Blair Morgan 2003 Jean Sebastien Roy 2004 Jean Sebastien Roy 2005 Gavin Gracyk 2006 Dusty Klatt 2007 Paul Carpenter 2008 Colton Facciotti 2009 Colton Facciotti 2010 Bobby Kinky 2011 Colton Facciotti 2012 Matt Goerke 2013 Cole Thompson MX2 2001 2002 2003 Simon Homans Gavin Gracyk Derrick Fisher ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! DEADLINES Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm Iluron Expositor 8 Main St., Seaforth P H : 519-527-0240 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com OFFICE HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm CLOSED TUESDAYS Whitney South, Huron Expositor Mike Alessi, of Hilliard, FL, holds up the covetted Walton Sword, reward for his Walton win. 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Justin Keeney Michael Willard Michael Willard Tucker Hibbert Jeremy Medaglia 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Kerim Fitz -Gerald Shawn Rife Tyler Medaglia Teddy Maier Shawn Maffenbeier The 2014 Canadian National MX1 Championship podium. Whitney South, Huron Expositor