Round Three: AHRMA Mid Atlantic Cross-Country

Twilight Farms 7/12/2020

Author: Joshua Schucker - Photography: Lorena Walker

The middle of July is typically reserved for some downtime in the Mid Atlantic regional series to avoid some of the heat and humidity that settles into the area this time of year. However, as another reminder that nothing about 2020 will be normal, racing in July seems just about right. Originally scheduled for May 16^th and postponed due to the pandemic response, the Twilight Farms event was rescheduled for July 12^th. While July is not optimal, it goes without saying that the series’ participants are extremely grateful that the land owners chose to reschedule rather than cancel this event.

Set in a region of hills and valleys in Eastern York County, PA, the Roycroft family welcomed the Mid Atlantic’s best vintage riders to its Twilight Farms property for the second time. After a strong turnout and great feedback from its inaugural event in 2019, folks were eager to see what trail boss Ray Donet Jr. had in store for this year’s event. Last year’s race was clearly defined by the unique topography of the area. Using the hillsides surrounding a creek lined valley, the course made full use of the land ascending and descending the valley. This year’s course would follow a similar concept with the twist of reversing some aspects. The large uphill from 2019 was now a rocky winding descent to the creek bed below. Plenty of other hill climbs took its place and connected flowing two track and off-camber trail which made full use of the property. Some elements, such as several short steep-back creek crossings, were excluded from the morning’s vintage race due to potential difficulties with the limited ground clearance of the older bikes but were an interesting addition to the post-vintage event. This year’s course saw the addition of a universally praised grass-track section which switch-backed its way through an open pasture on the lower end of the property. And, although heat and humidity would prove to be a concern on this day, much of the property lies within the shade of the forest providing a bit of relief from the heat and dust. Challenging, fun, and unique, the Twilight Farms course certainly provided action, close racing, and plenty of conversation afterward.

Brumbaugh makes a pass on Grove.

A tight starting area was filled with participants for the morning’s vintage race. As the dust cleared, 49 riders had taken the green flag with top finishers on their way to accomplishing five laps. Christian Brumbaugh has been dominating the overall results in the vintage races in 2020, but Brian Grove, the runner-up at the last event, has been knocking on the door recently. Grove and his Husqvarna would take an early lead and carry it through the white flag lap, but it was clear that Brumbaugh was closing in. A last lap miscue in a rocky, rutted creek crossing would eliminate Grove’s advantage. Christian’s Yamaha DT would claim the lead and hold on to cross the line a minute ahead of Grove for his third win in as many races. Wyatt Stoup would stay close all day riding a Honda XL and round out the top three just behind Grove. Interestingly, the top three were all from the Vintage Open Expert class. Kyle Warner’s performances this year have been stellar aboard his small-bore Yamaha. Not only did he take the Vintage 100 Intermediate class win, but also finished 14^th overall and was the last rider to finish on the lead lap. Another solid top-20 finish went to Suzuki PE mounted Daniel Zell as he claimed the Post Vintage 200 Novice class win over the XR200s of Joe Spayd and Eric Stalknecht. Sanford Quickel took command of the Vintage 60+ Expert class early on, did not succumb to pressure from the Yamahas of Alfred Schnug and Charlie Walker, and took the checkered flag on his Penton.

Grab an old bike and come join the fun.

Demonstrating remarkable turnout for a rescheduled event, sixty riders were entered in the afternoon Post Vintage race. Steve Mason Jr. and Dalton Dunman would swap the lead throughout the race, but Dunman’s KDX would come out on top for the overall victory while Mason’s IT175 would have to settle for runner-up. The day’s earlier victor, Brumbaugh, would bring his IT home in third and runner-up to Mason in the Post Vintage 200 Expert class. Glenn Hershey would pass Jim Laird on lap two and maintain the position until the checkered flag waved for his Can-Am “Black Widow”. Laird held his position to finish second to Hershey in the Historic 200 Intermediate class. Chris Hoffmeister also overcame an early deficit as he piloted his Montessa around early leader Jim Wazuka for the Historic Open Intermediate class win. Wazuka’s Bultaco would finish second making the class a battleground for Spanish marques. A large Post Vintage 50+ Intermediate class saw plenty of action throughout the race. Kevin Marshall took an early lead on his Kawasaki, but troubles on lap two would see him retire from the race handing the lead over to Can-Am mounted Tommy Tippett. Tippet would eventually finish the race in third place as Doug Kurz and Jamie Reitz freight trained him on lap four to finish first and second respectively.

B and B Yamaha's Craig Shenigo races his Post Vintage IT.

Thank you to everyone involved in making this event possible. Many thanks to Ray Donet Jr., and the Roycroft’s for the effort, hospitality, excellent food, and access to their beautiful property. Thanks to the Mid-Atlantic’s crew of volunteers that pursued a reschedule and showed the flexibility needed to make it happen. Thank you to the sponsors that support the regional events; Potomac Vintage Riders, Preston Petty Products, Stainless Cycle, Vee Rubber, Grove Printing, KMI Printing, and Works Enduro Riders.

The complete results from this event can be found at:

http://www.moto-tally.com/AHRMA-NA/Results.aspx?fbclid=IwAR158FR6tDVLRqUCsk_ROyvcK8rADYTlIk7pCXHs_-8F6vYHjosWZ6NlrHA

Follow the series’ Facebook page:@ AHRMA Mid Atlantic Cross Country for updates.

FB link here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/456653767869135/