HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-06-14, Page 5Feature
Grand National Championships
ONTARIO • AUGUST 17-20
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ALL IN THE FAMILY - Matt Lee is the third member of his
family to compete in professional -level motocross racing.
TIM cvmmir)o PHOTO
Although he. started the sport late in life he recently placed
competitively in a pro series race in Barrie.
Motocross racer in pro ranks
BY TIM CUMMIN(
• Expositor Editor
Matt Lcc didn't start
motocross racing until the very
late age of 15. Alter he started
racing he spent as much time
injured on the sidelines as he
did racing on the track.
That hasn't stopped the 19 -
year -old Walton man from
competing at the highest level
of his sport.
Despite a pin in his finger,
placed there after a racing
injury, he placed 15th in the
125 pro class at the Farrington
track near Barrie recently.
It was the firstof five races
in the pro championship scrics.
In the first moto (the scores
from two motos arc added to
tabulate the race result) he
fared poorly after a strong start,
placing at the back of the pack.
"I was pretty nervous coming
in," he said.
In that first heat he was in
second place for about three
laps but faced the pressure of
competing with lop riders Mike
Jones and Jean Sebastien Roy.
In the second moto of the
race he rebounded strongly by
placing 10th out of a field of
more than 30 to finish 15th
overall. The points he acquired
in Barrie will be added to his
score for the scrics to deter-
mine his final placement.
Each moto, or individual run,
was demanding. The racers
went full -out for almost an
entire half hour. The fact Matt
was able to finish both gruel-
ling races was remarkable
considering that he has only
had about six weeks to get into
race shape.
As part of his training Mau
jogs every morning and rides
about every night. He spent
four weeks in Florida during
February and March to train.
Democracy not
just elections
cont. from page four
In fact,
the one thing that they have in
common is that they are econ-
omically and politically power-
less. His campaign succeeded
primarily by scapegoating
every underprivileged and
vulnerable group in Ontario
society. Cynically, the victims
of the new economy were
blamed for its failures; and
they were not in the position to
fight back.
I believe that Mike Harris'
political calculations will prove
to be wrong (just like his econ-
omic and deficit calculations).
Though they may not realize it
yet (indeed, many were duped
into voting for him), more
people will be hurt by Harris'
policies than he is suggesting.
For every upper income earner
who gets a $10,000 tax write-
-off, ten people will be affected
by the Toss of junior kindergar-
ten. For every employer who
benefits from the massive wage
subsidy known as workfare, ten
workers will be squeezed out
of their positions.
Those people may be power-
less now but just wait until
those attractive -sounding pol-
icies get put into practice. In a
year, no one is going to admit
having voted for Mike Harris.
In the meantilllc, those who
have caught on to his tactics,
will be opposing him at every
turn. After all, democracy is
not just about elections.
The young racer comes from
a motocross dynasty. Chris and
Judy Lcc host the Trans Can
Grand National Motocross
Championships, both pro-
fessional and amateur, at their
family home at RR 3 Walton.
Matt's brother Brett raced
competitively in the 125 Pro
class and was champion ama-
teur winner in the 125 Inter-
mediate class.
Matt's father, Chris, has been
a consistent winner in the
'Oldtimers' class. The 44 -year -
ofd raced in the expert (or pro)
class when he was in his late
20's. A knee injury has
sidelined the senior Lee who
has assumed the role of
'mechanic'.
REBOUNDS FROM INJURY
- Matt Lee's competitive
placing in pro motocross
comes despite a history of
injuries to his arm. ,
Although he credits his father
and brother with getting him
involved in motocross, Matt
wasn't always involved with
the sport. He was busy trying
other things.
"One winter I decided to give
it a go," he recalls. "I've been
hooked ever since."
The strong performance at
the Barrie event came despite
the fact injuries have plague
his motocross career.
He dislocated the top joint of
his ring finger on the left hand
during an Arena Cross indoor
event in Niagara Falls on April
8. He hit a post which was part
of the starting gate mechanism
and the impact broke his finger
and sent him flying.
It wasn't his first injury. How
often has Matt Lee received
broken his arms in his chosen
sport?
"I can't even remember how
many times."
He is not intimidated by the
threat of injury.
"The rewards far outweigh
anything cisc," he said, com-
SUMMER FUN 95
Beginning on Monday, July 3,
1995, the Seaforth Recreation
and Parks Department will
be offering Snoopyschool
Playschool and Playground.
This Fun and Active program
for children ages 4 to 12 years
will be 7 weeks long during
July and August and will be
held at the Agricultural
Exhibition Building inside the
Race Track. The hours of
operation are Monday to
Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m. with supervised lunches.
Early and late supervision is
available if requested for a lit-
tle extra fee. Registration for
this program has not changed
from last year which is
$180.00 per child for the entire
7 weeks. This is equal to $5.14
per day. The children will enjoy
crafts, songs, swimming,
sports and games. They will
also enjoy trips to African Lion
Safari, London's Children's
Museum, and a Waterpark.
Our qualified leaders will
ensure that your child has a
safe and happy summer. Drop
into the Recreation Office
located at the Arena to
Register. For more information
please call 527-0882.
SPECIAL TRIPS
* EXTRA COSTS APPLY TO TRIPS
Dungannon Zoo (Snoopyschool and Playschooll
July 11
Pioneer Sports World (Playschool and Playground) Julyll
July 18 & 19
July 18 & 19
July 27
Aug. 3
Aug. 3
Pine Lake . Camping (Playground)
Lions Park Camping (Playschool)
African Lion Safari (All Groups)
Wallyworld (Playschool and Playground)
Storybook Gardens (8noopychool and Playschool)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
• Safety Issues and Activities
• Barbeque at Lions Park
• Halt Hockey Tournament
• Puppet making
• Magic Shows
• Treasure Hunt
• Outdoor Fun
• Penny Carnival
• Nutritious snacks
• Alrband•
• Paper mache
• Roller-skating
• Clay modelling
• Mint-Olymplcs
• Sign language
• Swimming
• Nature Hikes
CALL THE RECREATION OFFICE
FOR MORE INFO
527-0882
paring motocross racing to the
thrill of a roller coaster.
Although he will face some
tough competition in the pro
series Mau has proven old
dogs can learn new tricks. He
has raced competitively despite
beginning the sport at age 15.
"That's pretty old when
you've got people who started
when they were five," he said.
"Between starting at 15 and
being injury -prone I haven't
ridden that much."
The former Seaforth District
High School student was cham-
pion in the 80 Expert class in
1992 and 250 Junior class in
1993. He turned pro in 1993
and has competed in eight pro
races. He is competing in his
first national series. There are
five races which make up the
pros' series. There are two in
Ontario (Barrie and Walton)
and three in Quebec.
This weekend the Walton
competitor is scheduled to take
part in the next championship
series event in Quebec.
Matt's father says it is more
nerve-wracking watching his
son compete than racing him-
self.
The 1995 Trans Can Grand
National Motocross Champion-
ships will be held at the Lee
farm east of Walton on August
17-20. It is not only the final
race of the pro series but it is
worth double the points. The
Walton event is also the only
amateur national championship.
THE HURON IXpO$/TOR, Jura, 14, 11N►5-5
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gir *IIS WOOD•
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: (Formerly Church Hill Enterprises)
: Chris & Gary Josling are :
: thrilled to announce that we
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Seaforth
•
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r Classes in decorative
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SIGN UP NOW FOR OUR :
: SUMMER BEGINNER'S
: DECORATIVE PAINTING :
: CLASS starting June 28
CALL 527-2233
Thank You Buyers
1995 Hensall Calf Club thanks you
for supporting the Hensall Calf Club Show & Sale
L -R: Brent Rifiey oTgeaforth, Reserve Chiirnpi-on owner, is p cturewith
buyer Kevin Delbridge of Hensall District Co-op. Nathan Elford of
Kirkton, Grand Champion owner poses with buyer Mike Veal of Veal's
Meat Market, Exeter.
BUYERS OF TOP CALVES
Grand Champion: Purchased by Mike Veal of Veal's Meat
Market, Exeter for $2.25/lb. Owner of calf, Nathan Elford.
Reserve Champion: Purchased by Kevin Delbridge of Hensall
District Co-op for $1.70/1b. Owner of calf, Brent Ribey.
1995 HENSALL CALF CLUB BUYERS
arlings
Brussels Livestock
Dorr Brothers
Metzger Meats
Denfield Livestock
London Ford
New Holland
Corsetti Meats '
Norwich Packers
Hensall Livestock
Hensall Cattle Co.
McTaggart's Food
Market (Knechtels)
Cook's
MTS Feeds
Milton Dietz Ltd.
oeszler Trucking
4 calves
4
4
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
Tuckersmith Comm.
Co-operative Ltd. 1 ,
Hay Mutual Fire Ins. 1
McKillop Mutual Fire Ins. 1
Becker Farm Equip. 1
Huron Motor Products ' 1
New Life Mills 1
Jim Snow Construction 1
Wayne Shapton Const. Ltd. 1
Townsend Tire,
Londesboro t
Homoth, Taylor Partners 1
Coleman Farm Supply 1
Monsanto' (L. Bartrim) 1
Clarke Bros. 1
Regency Packers 1
THE HENSALL CALF CLUB wishes to express their appreciation to
all the buyers who attended The Hensall South Huron Calf Sale,
Saturday, June 10 and who, by their brisk bidding, made the show a
success.
It is support such as this which enables the committee to carry on with
the program among the young people in our community and we know
everyone shows a pride in their accomplishments.
Thank yqu to Hensall Livestock for the use of their facilities,
Auctioneer Larry Gardiner, M.C. Denis Martin and Judge Jim Coitus.
Thank you to all the buyers, donators, helpers and Roeszler Trucking.
Your tremendous support is greatly appreciated by the Hensall Calf
Club.
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HAY
Want to see hay made, check out our
DEMONSTRATION
Friday, June 16th, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Come test drive Genesis & Powerstar tractors
with NH haybine, discbine, inverter & balers.
Also see the Kverneland Silawrapper
& the Tube "Line" Bale Wrapper (Mfg. by Horstwelding)
FORD NEW HOLLAND CREDIT
exciting June financing on some Hay Products
1.9%, 2.9% 3.9% & 4.9%
from 24 to 60 months
(tractors & forage equipment not eligible)
Pop & Donuts
527.021!
FARM :u►rtr tri yr
WALTON Neuss here fuming mini business
887.8365 WALTON 527-0245
McGAVI N
vemelanc FARM EQUIPMENT
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