2015 Baja Brawl Photo Report
Photos and captions by Billy Rainford
I’ve been meaning to get to my all-time favourite track to ride to check out the Baja Brawl at Baja Acres in Millington, Michigan, for a few years now, but the stars just haven’t lined up until this season’s event. My hope was to swoop in on the final day of the 3-day event and grab coverage of the Canadians who made the trip down. I half-expected that to be a simple task…
I was pleasantly surprised at how many Canadians were there! When I headed to the results board, I was shocked to see that every moto had at least 2 riders in it — some had 4 or 5! So much for my slack day at the races.
Even now, going over the results, I see that there are a bunch of riders I missed snagging photos of. I apologize for that, but here is a look at the final day of a great event at Baja Acres.
I’m just going to start here because I think this stuff is hilarious. #noragrets (Google it, Bowker!) I guess no one had the heart to tell him?
The place was overrun with Canadians! That’s (from left to right) apparent mystery rider, Austin Watling, and Tanner Ward waiting for their next moto.
It was a little early to make this call.
However, it would be difficult to bet against #214 Austin Forkner for that honour.
He was under-powered in the Open Pro Sport class but put on one heck of a show chasing down #881 Jerry Lorenz and #28 Mashall Weltin.
While these two were scrapping it out up front, Forkner was quickly making up time behind them.
They both got around Lorenz and were this close at the flag. Forkner”s 3 moto scores gave him the Open Pro Sport title.
The Supermini hotshot was #99 Lance Kobusch.
I like how casual this younger rider is as he goes for the high five.
He was walking around with this young rider who must have thought everyone was saying “Hey…” when he walked past.
Kobusch went undefeated in his Supermini 1 and 2 at the Brawl.
Jesse Flock was second in Supermini 1.
#43 Carter Biese was the one to beat in 85 (9-13).
Now let’s have a look at how the Canadians did:
#16 Brad Williams: 4th in 125 B/C, 4th in Schoolboy 1, and 10th in 250C.
#317 Cooper Larche looked very fast on Sunday.
He was up against some fast riders in his classes: 250B 7th, 450B 3rd, College 25th.
#17 Damon Luksys finished 31st in 250B and 22nd in College.
#312 Cale Barnes took 5th in 250B and 14th in College.
#424 Austin Watling is shaping into a solid rider.
He took the 250C title, finished 18th in 450C, and 9th in Schoolboy 2.
#114 Dylan Rouse: 4th 250C, 16th 250C Ltd., 5th 450C Ltd.
#111 Austin Manz: 14th 250C, 5th 450C.
#112 Baden Brunning: 33rd 250C, 29th Schoolboy 2.
#7 Calvin Kelders:
Shown as a DNF in 250C.
#14 David Eist:
#459 Carter Tremblay: 250C 12th, 450C Ltd. 6th.
#204 Justin Roney: 250 Pro/Am 11th, College 7th.
#196 Kyle McManus: 250 Pro/Am 17th, 450 Pro/Am 19th.
#719 Yanick Boucher:
#781 Zach Zagar was having a rough day. 450A 16th, 450 Pro/Am 24th, College 16th.
I didn’t speak with him but most of his motos Sunday ended early like this one.
#295 Josh Mann doesn’t seem to be on the score sheet anywhere.
#781 Jared Thornton: 450B 8th, 2-Stroke B/C 4th.
#385 Dallas Ruff-Robertson: 450B 9th, College 11th.
#71 Carter Hutcherson:
Shown as DNS for all of his motos.
#113 Jakob Greig: 250C Ltd. 19th, 450C Ltd. 13th.
#130 Duncan McCleod: 450B Ltd. 3rd, College 9th.
#66 Codey St. Martin:
#65 Trevor Somerville: 450C Ltd. 14th, 25+ 7th.
#294 Daniel Sprague:
#22 Preston Masciangelo:
#667 Thomas Munro:
#23 Ryder Reinhart:
#24 Kayden Keller:
#214 Bryce Little:
#813 Cayden Wise:
#31 Zeb Dennis:
#294 Austin Tremblay:
#46 Marco Cannella continues to put up the great results!
Here he is in a classic, “Aw, mom, don’t!” moment.
But he’d better get used to the attention if he keeps going as fast as he is.
#184 Tanner Ward finished one spot behind him in Schoolboy 1:
#691 Blair Oatman:
#939 Iain Hayden swept the +30 class.
And that meant another Canadian on stage!
The Women’s class was as fast as I’ve ever seen! Shelby Rolen is fast and took the Women’s 12+ title.
#196 Chloe Metcalfe:
#467 Rob Thornton:
#527 Jake Tricco:
Dan Tricco is recovering well from his big Walton TransCan crash. Check out the cool artwork the guys at Illusion did on his cast.
Probably not the greatest name for a motocross racer.
Sorry, Luke. I interrupted your pre-race moto moment.
Does this warrant a few jars?
That’s young Matthew Leblanc taking a title.
Catching up on some social media before the next checkered flag.
Our old friend #165 James Roberts took the 450A title.
Joey Crown checking the mineral content of this award.
I couldn’t think of anything original for this one.
Some Canadian gear on American rider Eddie Morris who won the College title.
Iain grabbing a holeshot.
#27 Jesse Pierce.
Austin Watling getting out to a big early lead.
Travis was here.
That should really be a sharp fork in that bullseye. Someone wasn’t thinking creatively enough.
This will probably smoulder for a few more days. I missed all the craziness of the weekend. I hope everyone had a great time at Baja Acres. See you next year!
