Twilight Farms - XC

Twilight Farms

Round Four: AHRMA Mid-Atlantic Cross-Country, May 23rd, 2021 words by Joshua Schucker // photos by Becky Schreckengost

Afew miles west of the wide Susquehanna River, and just below the town of Airville, PA, sits the property of Kirk Roycroft. Known as Twilight Farms, this would be the third time Kirk welcomed AHRMA’s Mid Atlantic Cross-Country series to his collection of hills and valleys. Already garnering a reputation as one of the tougher courses on the circuit, this year’s iteration would prove to be no different. After some tweaking following the inaugural event, the course had been dialed in nicely by year two. This year’s course would essentially follow last year’s with some minor variations. After some minor course work and final approval by local hotshot, and perennial top-ten finisher, Brett Reichart, the 3.5-mile course was ready for action in 2021. As stated earlier, it is challenging, but it sure is fun too. Certainly, a return to its former springtime spot on the schedule would remove the additional challenge presented last year, as the rescheduled event suffered from the heat and humidity of mid-summer. But, after the wacky weather of the previous round two weeks prior, where temperatures dropped into the low 30s and rain turned to snow, Mother Nature was not prepared to quit tossing wild cards on the table. Just as the course followed a similar path as 2020, so too did the weather. Despite the calendar stating late May, the thermometer registered solidly in the 90s. So much for avoiding the heat this year! In one of the few variations from last year, the tight starting area grew a bit larger and moved a bit further north to make way for some new construction at the site. The beautiful, partially completed, barn would house the excellent ownerprovided concessions on this day, and would play host to the, by-now, Mr. and Mrs. Roycroft’s nuptials shortly after the race weekend. Congratulations! The newly opened starting area resides on the higher elevations of the property and is a bit unique. Laid out like bumpers in a pinball machine, multiple trees remained in the main path. Obviously, with safety being a primary concern, each tree was cushioned by hay bales and conspicuously marked. After dodging the trees, the course entered the western part of the property, which is dominated by flowing two-track following the rolling terrain, with an entertaining grass track section part way through before a return to the woods. A quick trip through the scoring tent and on to the eastern portion of the course where things change quite dramatically as the course crosses a creek and ascends a substantial hillside through a variety of roots, rocks, and single-track. Once atop the hill, the course becomes rather rock-strewn as it zigzags through some ATV width paths before hitting off camber single-track leading to a long rocky downhill return to the valley below. A bit of gnarly rock garden ends with a run back through the creek and into the distinct terrain of the northern bit. Ascending yet again, this time starting on a dirt road laden with glimmering mica-infused rocks. A couple short and steep climbs, often a site of potential traffic, follow one another as the trail enters the woods for a final set of switch-back single-track that meanders its way up in elevation in a return to the starting area to begin

Race 3 start

another lap. In general, the trail condition was excellent, although with the warm temperatures, there was a bit of dust in some areas dependent on the level of traffic.

RACE ONE (VINTAGE):

After settling for the runner-up in the overall standing in his first two races, Josh Zerance used his front row, AA class, starting position as an advantage. With thirty-seven riders behind and a clear track in front of him, Josh set the pace on his Can-Am. Early troubles for AA class cohort Brian Grove, overall winner of every round so far, set the stage for Zerance to lead all four laps taking the overall and AA class victory. Vintage 200 Expert victor Brett Reichart followed in second overall on his Puch with Sanford Quickel close behind in third. Penton-mounted Quickel also won the Classic Expert class for the third time in as many tries this season. Josh Horvath outpaced the rest of the intermediate pack with a convincing fourth overall and a class win in the competitive Vintage 200 Intermediate class over runner-up Sylas Merrell with Brock Kutskel rounding out the podium. These three were all within the top-eleven overall in a strong showing for the class. Yamaha pilot Larry Warner knocked down fifth spot overall and topped Joe Cole’s Husqvarna for the winner Brandon Rowe, in the battle for top novice class rider. Rowe completed a respectable three laps on the tough course and nearly landed in the top twenty overall.

RACE TWO (POST VINTAGE):

Fifty-one riders lined up amongst the trees to start the Post Vintage race, which would become a race of redemption for Brian Grove. He set aside his (51Z) Richard Colahan, woes from (470) Kerry Kubena an early exit in race one to take the overall win. Although Grove’s Honda XR200 led all four laps, it wasn’t an easy win by any means. Steve Mason, Jr was on his rear fender incessantly and as they passed the white flag only five seconds separated the two. Mason was unable to get his Yamaha IT past Grove

(929) Anthony Lowery (258) Austin Hernan, (85S) Craig Lowery, (72S) Evan Klingensmith (3R) Jenn Smith

Vintage 50+ Expert crown. At most any point in the race there was less than a minute separating the top three in Vintage Open Intermediate, but Dave Light took the class win for the second race in a row. Josh Schucker and Kevin Higgins followed Light to the checkers for second and third respectively. Eddie Frederick took his Bultaco to the Vintage 60+ Novice class win but couldn’t overcome the performance of Vintage Open Novice (5) Brock Kutskel though and settled for second. Lee Hickok joined the AA class and rode to a strong third overall and third in class as all were AA class riders. James McCommon took an early lead in Post Vintage 60+ Expert, but John Brunnett hustled his Can-Am into the lead on lap two. McCommon continued close pursuit of John throughout the remainder of the race, but Brunnett held strong to take the checkers. Yamaha-mounted Charlie Walker wasn’t far behind for third. 2021 is the year of parity in Post Vintage 200 Intermediate. Of the ten riders who took the green flag, eight were vying to be the fourth different winner in as many races. Sam Merrell was hoping to be that guy as he set the pace off the start. But, following up on a strong race one performance, Brock Kutskel proved he was on fire this day. Kutskel made the move past Sam’s IT175 on lap two and proceeded to lay down blisteringly fast lap times on the way to the win while Sam managed to stay on the podium in third. Brock’s win continued the trend of not only a different winner each round, but a first-time winner in the class as well. Glenn

Hershey and Howard Grove battled runner-up. Cayden Williamson had all race in Post Vintage 60+ the green machine of Greg Kemp Intermediate class. Howard led in sight throughout lap one, but lap one on his XR200, but Greg would begin to put some with Glenn only distance between ten seconds the two as he back it wasn’t guided his long before KDX to the the lead changed class victory in hands. Grove held Early Modern 200 tight to the back tire Intermediate. Cayden, of Hershey’s Can-Am also riding a classas the two maintained ubiquitous Kawasaki pace. Ultimately, KDX, held on for Grove’s bid to take second spot. back the lead fell short as he settled for runner-up behind Glenn with Fred Walker coming in third. Another challenging, competitive, and enjoyable visit to the Roycroft’s Twilight Farms. The series is truly grateful RACE THREE (DISC BRAKE): and lucky to have wonderful property owners As expected, the AA class riders again dominated race three, with the top four overall coming from the front row. Mike Blackwell and Luke Goonan put on quite a show as they were both turning in amazing lap times and were separated by mere seconds each lap. Mike held the lead on his Kawasaki when the white flag flew, but Goonan’s KTM was only seven seconds behind setting the stage for an epic last lap battle. When the pair emerged from the woods for the last time, Luke was now in front and took the checkers in a stellar series debut for the newcomer. like Kirk that are willing to share their property and love of the sport with all the competitors. Thank you for the opportunity to share a bit of our life and love with you. These events do not happen without the support of a dedicated team of volunteers. Thank you profusely for the support and commitment. Special thanks to the sponsors that make these events possible; Potomac Vintage Riders, Preston Petty Products, Stainless Cycle, Vee Rubber, Grove Printing, KMI Printing, Horizon Homes, and Works Enduro Riders. Blackwell, giving it all he The 2021 schedule and had, fell just four seconds complete results from this short. Fellow AA event can be found class riders at Brett

(996) Laci Horvath (9K) Kevin Marshall

(686) Dave Salmen (23Z) Josh Zerance

Reichart and Lee Hickok rounded out the top four in class and overall. Roy Miller held off Brian Schwein’s YZ250 to become the Early Modern Open Expert winner on his rare KDX250 and take fifth overall. Sean McKinney claimed the top spot in Pre-2K Open Expert with Ed Chouchane and his XR https://www.ahrma. org/ahrma-midatlantic-region. Follow the series’ Facebook page @ AHRMA Mid Atlantic Cross Country for updates and news throughout the year.