pine lake
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2020 Hagerty AHRMA National Cross Country Series Ashtabula, OH, 8/8-9/2020 Author: Joshua Schucker
Terry Cunningham Photo by: Joe Spayd
The Hagerty National Cross Country series wrapped up its
mid-season tour through the northeastern part of the country in early August. After stops in Pennsylvania and Maryland, rounds seven and eight took place at the historic Pine Lake Raceway just southeast of Ashtabula, Ohio. While it has only been three years since Dennis and David Brown connected Pine Lake’s owner, Bud Fischer, with Becky Hayes and the AHRMA Cross Country family, this pristine facility has been hosting off-road events for over fifty years. Already, in just three events, this weekend is becoming a “can’t miss” on the national schedule. One look around the approximately two hundred-acre facility quickly illustrates why the event and location has prospered. The most prominent feature at Pine Lake is obviously its large dirt oval and infield TT track surrounded by guardrails and grandstands. It lends a certain professional, “big league” feel to the place. The parking area is ample, shaded, clean, and welcoming for weekend camping. There is a lake that guests are welcome to use for swimming, although below seasonal temperatures for much of the weekend didn’t lend itself to swimming but was very welcome for racing! Miles of established trails can be found in the surrounding forest. Combined, the amenities are impressive and make for an enjoyable and comfortable experience. 38
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While David and Dennis Brown made the first contact to get Pine Lake on the schedule, their involvement did not stop there. The Browns, along with Jerry Graskauskas, are primarily responsible for the layout of the nearly five-mile course. They were also among the first folks to greet you, as the Browns accompanied Tim Grow, James Smith, and Bill Ryburn in completing all the tech inspections for the weekend’s entrants. After which, sign-up was a visit and warm welcome with national cross country coordinator, Becky Hayes, and her capable assistant, Joe Cole. And of course, make sure to give a wave and nod of thanks to the scoring and flagging crew of Mike and Connie Zdybak and Chris Saylor. As always, it is because of these fine volunteers that we are all able to enjoy this sport. An emphatic “thank you” to all of them! Saturday morning’s sight lap was to be the first taste of the course, which would be the same each day. Dennis, Dave, and Jerry did a tremendous job utilizing all the elements of the facility to produce a unique and memorable course. Surprisingly, given the proximity to Lake Erie and generally flat topography of the surrounding area, the course made great use of localized elevation changes on the property. The opening grass track section, which wore in tremendously over the weekend to become a bermed treat, led into the first major
AMERICAN HISTORIC RACING MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
