BARNES LAKE ENDURO 2012

[bertvorgon]

Morning World!

A week ago today, Matt and I were up at Barnes Lake, for the 2012 Cars on Ice Enduro. Matt has pitched the story of a father and son team racing, and of course the ice racing slant, to the Westworld magazine.
Ashcroft would be of course profiled as the tourism slant. We headed up early Saturday morning, amid horrendous rain out the Valley. I fully expected snow in the Canyon, but, it dried out after Boston Bar. Good thing the traffic was almost non- existent, as there was a ton of gravel on the road, and some of the rocks fired at the windshield were scary to say the least.
Three and a half hours later, we arrived at the Lake, just as Don and Richard were getting organized for the first run of the day.
It was cold, maybe -5, with a skiff of fresh snow. I really came prepared this time, all my cold weather gear on, and some of those hand warmers.
I met an old friend, Scott Ratray, who used to be a member of our 510 club, had not seen him for many years. He was helping Paul Bunbury, who had come to defend his Championship title.
Matt geared up with all his camera gear, and we headed for a walk around the Lake, to get some action shots.
Don came in after his run, deciding to knock some timing out of the motor, as it was running hot.
As Matt was actually “working” this weekend, I wandered back above the pits, where Scott and his friend were getting a fire going. I helped scrounge some wood, and we benched raced for awhile. That fire just took the edge off the cold for sure.
Late in the afternoon, we headed back to Ashcroft, to grab a room at the Inn, and have dinner.
Sunday morning had us looking out the window at fresh snow, and low fog. The countryside was beautiful, as you can see the depth to everything, the snow giving great contrast. Climbing up to the Lake had us right into the fog…no racing till this clears.
The schedule was revamped, as the fog finally lifted, with even the sun peaking through on occasion. I had fired my catalytic heater up, and had the interior of the Tracker at 90F.., a good respite from the cold. The hot pits were set up, wonderful colour against the back drop of all the white snow.
I think 13 cars started the race, with 11 finishers, Paul Bunbury retaining his title. Don and Richard finished the race with no problems, Other than their car is traction limited, even on the race studs.
There was a bit of bashing and crashing, and a flurry in the pits as one Honda came in, with the body work hitting the tire. I helped lever the body work back out…a BIG hammer being the tool of choice.
All in all a good road trip, Matt got a million pictures, and, as another slant to the story, the Mayor of Ashcroft and his son race too.

Enjoy the pics, another snapshot of B.C.

[bertvorgon]

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[bertvorgon]

more,.....Enduro grid

[bertvorgon]

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[bertvorgon]

That should do it

[Byron510]

Good to see Andrew and Rick's Mazdaru's are still running after all these years.

From a competition and drivers point of view, this is a great event - the seat time from a road racers stand point is really quite good. If this club can get the contact issue under control, I'm sure you'll see grids increase in size again. At any rate, glad you guys made it up, thanks for the photos.

Byron

[gooned]

Hey, Great shots Keith!! Maybee I' ought to sraighten-out my '69 parallelogram and go play again one day...