LeMay Trials

from AHRMA MAG July 2021, Vol. No. 3, Issue No. 6

by AHRMA

Ridge Runners - XC & Trials

Words & Photos: Kate Jorgenson

At the LeMay Trial

The AHRMA Northwest deserves a nice warm day to bring their motorcycles to play and that is exactly what they got to do at the LeMay Redwood Engineering AHRMA National Trial event on the weekend of Father’s Day and Saturday June 19, 2021. After the wind, snow, and rain at the previous events it was wonderful to attend an event, camp, spend time with the AHRMA community and not worry about cancelations or getting too cold and that is quite a surprise for Western Washington! The trials riders, families, and spectators enjoyed the activities for the weekend including the following: motorcycle soccer, the Seattle Cossacks, the LeMay car and motorcycle museum, and of course the AHRMA Northwest Regional Trial on several acres of forested land. Ten sections were laid out by trialmasters Dirk Murphy and Dana Salsman and their team. Some of the sections looked easier than others; some sections made you wonder if the handlebars would fit between those two trees or require shifting my bike to a certain direction to fit. Other sections had deep ruts from many bikes roosting up the hills popping wheelies and crossing their fingers hoping they would make it up without stalling, or worse. Salsman did say though that Richard Mann told him once that, “You don’t make every section difficult; you have to throw in some give-me sections to make riders feel confident when they are riding.” Salsman, Murphy and their team utilized the Washington forest to layout a great trial that included rotted logs, active and inactive ant hills, slippery dirt, squishy moss, and leafy vines. A great way to challenge the 45 trials riders who turned out to ride at LeMay. The largest class of the day was the Modern Classic Intermediate with 16 riders. First place went to Kevin Newins with a score of 18. Second place went to Don Cookson with 19 points and 23 cleans. Third place came down to age because they tied both on score and the amount of cleans; Mike Houde (age 64) earned third place with a score of 19 and 22 cleans. Fourth place went to Brian Loso (age 40) who also scored 19 and cleaned 22 times. Sometimes age out ranks us when it comes to vintage events! Modern Classic Novice had 11 riders for the day. First place went to Jerry James with a total of four points. Second place went to Debbie Poole with a total of seven points. Carson Solsem earned nine points and third place for the day. The Modern Classic Expert class had three riders. Jason Gitchel earned first place with a total of 16 points. Second place went to Kevin Loso with a total score of 49 points and Murphy received 54 points and third place. In the Classic Intermediate class, John Hart scored

68 points. In the Classic Novice group there were two competitors. Greg Houchin amazingly scored a total of two points the whole event he did not score any points for both the second and third loop; Houchin earned first place over Todd Glass who got second place and got 28 points and did not finish the event. Todd Stanley made his comeback to AHRMA after recovering from an ankle injury he endured at Rattlers Run last September, rode at the Oklahoma events for the National championship then he had surgery in January to repair more damage that was done. At the Marymount trials he is back enjoying what he loves to do, which is competing in trials events. He mentioned that he could not have healed up so quickly without the encouragement of his AHRMA family. This helped him to get back on his bike at LeMay. Stanley brought with him two bikes and decided at the event to compete in the Modern Twin Shock Masters scoring only 47 points the entire day! The Modern Twin Shock Novice sole participant was Jim Lee who enjoyed the day riding and taking pictures. He earned a total of 64 points. In the Premier Lightweight class, Stephen Newell earned 70 points in the expert division. The battle for Intermediate was separated by just one point; Jim Cole edged out Jerry Homola with a score of 26 for first place and Homola received 27 points earning second place. The Premier Heavyweight highlighted three riders, two experts and one intermediate. Matt Parsons swept the riders overall for the day and for his class earning zero points. Nice job Matt! Rob Poole recovered from a difficult start to the day he started in section six, the section involving a quick turn and some riders catching air on their front tire. Unfortunately, Rob got more than just air when his chain broke and he had to push his bike back to the motorhome for repairs, but he finished out the day with 26 points, finishing all three loops. Sean Fromhold is back in action after he broke his elbow this past year and he earned 66 points. Scott Stewart earned 26 points in the Air-Cooled Mono Masters class. It takes a lot to try trials for the first time or to be a beginner in trials. Evan Hilton earned first place with a total of 26 points. Jamie Loso earned second place with a total of 46 points. Hopefully you two enjoyed trials and will come and try it again at another event. Thank you to all the volunteers, checkers, and trialmasters who helped make this event possible. The LeMay weekend was very enjoyable with all the festivities, camping, and AHRMA Northwest family fun! We are looking toward our next adventure!