Keast and Burke Split Wins at Ontario AX
Wallaceburg, Ont – Round two of the 2009 Ontario Arenacross Championship took place this past Sunday at The Wallaceburg MX Track in Wallaceburg Ontario. OTSFF Suzuki's Kyle Keast, of Lindsay, Ont. picked up the SX Pro victory, while Team Label It Machine Racing's Jay Burke, of Hamilton, Ont. won the Lites Pro Class.
In the SX Pro class Burke was able to grab the holeshot and began to distance himself from the field, as Keast started in fourth place and had to pass his way to the front. At the halfway point, Keast moved into second and began to mount a charge on Burke. Both riders raced very clean using inside and outside lines, as Keast tried to gain the lead and Burke tried to block him. On the last lap both riders found themselves side by side in the whoop section with only one corner remaining until the checkered flag. As both riders approached the corner Keast was able to slice under Burke taking the victory by less than one second.
"It wasn't exactly how I wanted to win; Burke rode a great race and made things tough. I had a really good run on him in the whoops and I was able to make the outside to inside move in the last corner so I could grab the win," explained Keast. "The track is a lot of fun, and the facility has a lot of potential, more riders need to definitely come check the last 3 rounds out and take advantage to the series that's been created. I want to thank everyone at OTSFF Suzuki, I feels good to get a win on the new bike."
Early Sunday morning, the latest blast of weather winter cleared up, enabling many riders from across Ontario to set off to Wallaceburg and compete in round two of the Ontario Arenacross Championship. The crowd on hand was treated to one of the best displays of racing many people have seen in years, courtesy of Burke and Keast.
The Lites Pro class started very similar to the SX Pro class; as Burke grabbed the holeshot and Keast found himself in third place. Keast quickly made the pass into second place; however he would slide out coming out of a corner shortly after the pass. Keast was able to get going right away and only lose 3 positions. As the laps clicked by Keast found himself in second place, closing in on Burke's rear wheel, with two laps to go Keast moved inside Burke after the finish line and the two riders collided in the corner, sending Keast down to the ground. Burke went on to take the win, as he now has a two race win streak in the Lites Pro class.
"My starts were great today," said Burke. "The D4 motor in my team Label It Machine Racing ride pulled both holeshots and ran amazing. It was a lot of fun racing with Keast, he's a great guy and was definitely on the gas. The track was perfect and it sounds like were going to add in a few more jumps for the next race; I want to thank all the fans for standing up and cheering us on today. It feels good to have the points lead and a win streak going, but there are still three rounds to go."
"All the races were exciting and fun for both racers and spectators to view. Even with the snow, our attendance increased by over 50 percent, and we were able to put together a great day of racing", stated Mark Perrin, MPI Sport Management President. "We worked on the track after practice and during the intermission once the heat races were completed. The track stayed in great condition all day. Once again we were fortunate to have no injuries occur, and all who attend had very positive things to say. My hope is that we can continue to grow, giving more racers and their families the opportunity to experience the atmosphere generated at each round of the Ontario Arenacross Championship Series."
Results - Ontario Arenacross Championship – Round Two
MPI Sport Management would like to congratulate the winners of each class:
50cc 4-6 – 1st Place, Aiden Wildfong, Courtright, Ont., Honda
50cc 7-9 – 1st Place, Brad Williams, Windsor, Ont., Cobra
65cc Beg – 1st Place, Austin Watling, Sarnia, Ont., Kawasaki
65cc Sen – 1st Place, Mackenzie Machan, Listowel, Ont., KTM
85cc 7-11 – 1st Place, Tanner Ward, Beachville, Ont., Kawasaki
85cc 12-16 – 1st Place, Dave Metherall, Beachville, Ont., Suzuki
Supermini – 1st Place, Dave Metherall, Beachville, Ont., Suzuki
Schoolboy - 1st Place, Nicky Beatty, Wyoming, Ont., Honda
Collegeboy -1st Place, Austin King, Port Hope, Ont., KTM
Plus 25 -1st Place, Danny Brault, Douro, Ont., Suzuki
Plus 30 -1st Place, Brad Dixon, Cottam, Ont., Kawasaki
Plus 40 -1st Place, Richard Krzemiem, Cottam, Ont., Yamaha
Womans – 1st Place, Jocelyn Killough, Aylmer, Ont., Suzuki
Lites Beg – 1st Place, Brit Hammer, Drumbo, Ont., Honda
SX Beg – 1st Place, Chaz Dennie, Lanark, Ont., Suzuki
Lites Junior – 1st Place, Nicky Beatty, Wyoming, Ont., Honda
Sx Junior – 1st Place, Bill Law, Cambridge, Ont., Honda
Pit Bike – 1st Place, Cory McWatters, Courtright, Ont., Honda
Lites Pro – 1st Place, Jay Burke, Hamilton, Ont., Honda
SX Pro – 1st Place, Kyle Keast, Lindsay, Ont., Suzuki
Current point standings from all classes will be posted on www.SupercrossCanada.com shortly. Racing for the Ontario Arenacross Championship resumes Sunday, March 8 at Wallaceburg Mx Track.
****Please note there has been a schedule change as Round 5, has been moved from April 4, to Saturday April 11. ***
Registration for Round Three of the Ontario Arenacross Championship can easily be completed online at www.motoregistry.ca. Riders who register online before 10pm on Saturday, March 7, will save $5 on each class entry they register for. Riders who wish to register the day of the event can still do so at the normal rate of $30 for first class entry and $25 for all additional class entries.
For more information on the Ontario Arenacross Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossCanada.com or www.Wallaceburgmx.com. For all media requests, or further information please contact admin@supercrosscanada.com
About MPI Sport Management
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