NORTHEAST REGION
The Bear Creek
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Drew Smith chasing the younger riders. Should he have pursued MX? Photo by: Sarah Lane
Hancock, NY
Bear Creek Sportsman Club, September 5th and 6th, 2020
"Maicos Rule" as Darril Wassil (21B)
shows Russell Van Norman (168) and Brad Labor Day weekend Schaible (38L) how its done. has a special significance Is Brett Darrow (82J) smiling Photo by: Sarah Lane as he enjoys the excellent for our Northeast AHRMA track conditions while leading checkered flag riders. It involves that delicate negotiation with our Andy RIder (72R)? first. On the families that—if successful—allows us to travel to the Catskill Photo by: Sarah Lane starting line, he was Mountains of Hancock, NY, for one or two days of cross heard remarking how “fun” it country and motocross racing at the world famous Bear Creek was that the cross country loop was using some of his Sportsman Club (don't forget, they hosted a 2006 round of the property. Uh-huh. Rick Ketcham (Sportsman 200 Intermediate) World Enduro Championship). The good news is that these continued to pick up speed on his Honda “XLsinore” four-stroke negotiations must have gone well with 45 entries for Saturday’s and finished second Intermediate. But a special shout-out is also cross country race and 81 class sign-ups for Sunday’s motocross. warranted for Henry James (50+ Novice), who finished behind These were a couple of great days of racing, with sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s. Some rain in the middle of the previous Otto, but ahead of Rick, on his KDX. The Post Vintage race left the line in three groups starting week served nicely to keep the dust down for Saturday and at at approximately 2:30 PM and could just not ignore the fact least some of Sunday. that a gentlemen standing approximately 7’ 4” and known as Dave Verdetto and his son, Sam, were largely responsible for the “Dunking Dutchman” in a previous life had joined the laying out a very challenging four-mile loop on—if my compass Expert line on a 1984 Husky 430 loaned to him by his friend is correct—the west side of the club property, which AHRMA Otto. Yep, that would be Rick Smits. After one hour plus rode on for the first time last year. And it was truly a Northeast one lap, it was once again Dale Sonnenschein (Post Vintage “delight” with enough roots, rocks and slickness to keep everyone 50+ Expert) showing everyone how to go fast in the Catskill on their toes—and occasionally off their bikes. All eyes were Mountains, with Mike Ferguson (Post Vintage 200 Expert) on Mike Ferguson (Sportsman Open Expert), his cousin, Tim and the aforementioned Mr. Smits (Post Vintage 50+ Expert) Ferguson (Classic Expert), and Dale Sonnenschein (50+ Expert) not far behind. The second line was led home by Tony Yanitelli as the Vintage racers left the start. They were not disappointed (Post Vintage 50+ Intermediate) and Brett Yarrow (Post as these guys put on quite a show with Mike and Vintage 200 Intermediate), who bested four other his Penton Hare Scrambler taking home the blue competitors in his class. Otto DeJager (Post Vintage ribbon after four laps, Tim second and Dale third. 60+ Intermediate) grabbed another gold in a class with For the Intermediate racers, well, you just might five riders, and Rick Ketcham yet again got the best have to argue that this race was “rigged” with of his mentor, Bob Close, (uh, that’s me) in Historic hometown/club member and Ossa-mounted 200 Intermediate with Dave Salmen winning Historic Otto DeJager (60+ Intermediate) reaching the Open on his very cool Maico. (Continues on Page 48) Dave Verdetto Tribute • AUGUST 15, 1945 – SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
Several weeks after our Bear Creek event, AHRMA Northeast riders learned that Dave had passed. Dave was a founding member of the Bear Creek Sportsman Club in the early 2000s, which he pulled together with others because ”good racing/riding land in northern New Jersey was getting more and more difficult to use for events,” according to Drew Smith. Dave was 44
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instrumental in bringing AHRMA racing events to the club’s property beginning in the mid-2000s and he and his son, Sam, have continued to support our efforts and events. And get this—he continued to ride into his 75th year, swinging his leg over an XR500 and a Can-Am 250. Yes, an XR500. Rest in Peace, Dave. Our thoughts and prayers go out his family and fellow club members.
AMERICAN HISTORIC RACING MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION
NOVEMBER 2020
