Yamalube Schrader's SMX Racing Team's, Shawn Maffenbeier # 23, broke the barrier of the top 10 this weekend in Kamloops with a seventh overall.
With Kamloops producing the roughest track seen in the series, any mistakes were amplified.
In moto one Maffenbeier had some great battles dicing back and forth with Cole Siebler and Bobby Kinery. Maffenbeier found some great lines for amazing passes that showed that this young 18-year-old wants to make his mark this 2011 season. "My goal for the first event this season was to prove to myself that I can run within the top five to ten," says Maffenbeier. "The Yamalube Schrader's 450F Yamaha had great power and the SSS Suspension was amazing on the treacherous track," he adds.
The second MX 1 moto of the day saw Maffenbeier barely get by a pile up off the start. He quickly made up time and battled his way into the top 10. Even with a couple of nasty crashes in the moto Maffewnbeier managed to finish with an eighth for Moto 2. "Jackie and I thought Shawn would have to settle for something outside the top 10 in Moto 2," said owner/manager Randy Maffenbeier. We were both amazed at his conditioning from PerformX and his simple determination. He never gave up and just continued to pick riders off. We're very proud of him."
Denaye Giroux of the Yamalube Schrader's SMX Racing Team had a great weekend with a second overall. Moto 1 saw some great action between the women with positions changing back and forth several times. "Denaye was running in first and Sidney was challenging her hard for the pass," said owner/manager Jackie Maffenbeier. "They did some bar banging and Denaye went down in the incredibly rough sand section. Denaye got up and managed to hold on for a third place finish. "
In Moto 2 Giroux pulled off the hole shot but ended up getting pushed to the outside and had to make up some time. The racing between the women was again very exciting with passing going back and forth. With about two laps left Giroux again was leading the race but a tip over in a corner cost her the win and she had to settle for second. "I'm disappointed with the mistakes I made," said Giroux. "I've still positioned myself well and look forward to next weekend in Nanaimo. Kamloops is the hardest track for me and with Nanaimo and Calgary being more hard pack, I'm hoping my results are better. The Yamalube Schrader's 250F Yamaha had lots of pull and the SSS suspension helped me get through that crazy sand section."
In the current CMRC Saskatchewan circuit, the Yorkton Motorcycle Club contingent was noticeably smaller for the fifth race in the series as several key riders were attending other race events. Noticeably absent were Kennedy Lutz and Denaye Giroux. There were also no local riders competing in the Ladies' Class.
Several new faces made their debut appearance at Saskatoon, notably Travis Magera, Morgan Gurniak and the returning Yacyshyn brothers, Cody and Serge.
Results for local MX riders at Saskatoon were: 65 cc Peewee - 10) Travis Magera. 85cc, 12-16 - 2) Haylen Langelier; 9) Morgan Gurniak. Beginner GP - 24) Bryden Rusnak. Junior MX-2 - 3) Zachary Hudy; 28) Cody Yacyshyn; 29) Serge Yacyshyn; 30) Levi Litvanyi. Super Mini - 2) Zachary Hudy; 6) Haylen Langelier. Youth - 5) Zachary Hudy; 23) Cody Yacyshyn; 24) Levi Litvanyi.
