Race Report: Westerfield Finishes KORHS Season with a Win
Alan Westerfield ended the KORHS racing season by taking the victory at Big Hill. Racing fiercely throughout the series, Westerfield capped off a successful year as he showed off his skill at tight single-track racing. With that aptitude, he battled Marty Michels and Loupie Lambruno on the technical 6-mile trail in one of the toughest races of the year.
“The course was what an off-road race is supposed to be,” Westerfield said.
The crisp and sunny weather was a great beginning to the action in the woods. At the start, Michels won the holeshot, and the rest of the challengers followed on the winding, tree-covered hillsides and crossed through natural springs, ravines, creek beds, and scattered mudholes.
“We [Michels and Westerfield] stuck close for the first several laps, changing positions often and relinquishing the lead to Loupie once,” Westerfield said.
Following closely behind the trio throughout the race were Vet A racer Mike Monnig and Light A racer Harvey Whitaker.
Westerfield’s third win of the year came after he passed Michels near the end of the race.
“His [Michels’] pace was quick, but I had a special line picked out through a muddy crossing,” Westerfield said. “It was a risky maneuver, as the bank I had to climb was nearly 90 degrees and 10 feet high.”
Westerfield tied with Michels for the fastest overall lap times, at 15:57.
“Alan and I have been racing against each other for years,” Michels said, “and we know what is expected of one another, so I was really comfortable pushing the pace with him.”
In closing out the year, Westerfield has gained enough points to take first place overall in the KORHS championship series.
“KORHS did an outstanding job marking, scoring, and putting the event on,” Westerfield said. “Thanks to all who have sacrificed to make this idea a reality.”
The talented Youth racers also had a great race and a great year developing skills and impressing the spectators. In the Pee Wee and Junior Mini race, tough rider Brecken Harvey, contesting the Pee Wee A class, took the overall win and had the overall fastest lap time at 2:20.Pee Wee B racer Noah Chitwood and Pee Wee A racer Kyle Wynn followed Harvey at the checkered flag. Pee Wee B rider Josh Vender and Junior Mini B rider Andrea Lawrence trailed close behind.
With determination in their eyes at the starting line, the Mini racers kept a staggering tempo throughout the race. Zach Halcomb conquered the rugged course to win the Supermini class, taking the overall win and landing the fastest lap time, at 4:31. Cody Hardesty caught up to place second, while A.J. Maguire fought hard to trail him to the checkered flag. The Mini racers have proved to be a resilient and entertaining bunch, with high hopes for next year.
Efforts from all participants made this year’s last race a great event. KORHS thanked the many who have supported Kentucky’s hare scramble series. Please visit www.kyharescramble.com for more information, including all results and race reports.
Results
O/A: 1. Alan Westerfield; 2. Marty Michels; 3. Loupie Lambruno; 4. Mike Monnig; 5. Harvey Whitaker.
HVY A: 1. Alan Westerfield; 2. Marty Michels; 3. Loupie Lambruno; 4. David McWilliams.
LT A: 1. Harvey Whitaker; 2. Mike Miller; 3. Billy Clark; 4. Brandon Freeman.
VET A: 1. Mike Monnig; 2. Greg Elrod; 3. Pete Redel; 4. Ken Teuschler; 5. Jeff Stoess.
SR A: 1. Eric Gill; 2. Lendell Smith.
HVY B: 1. Jason Jackson; 2. Jeff Green; 3. Lloyd Fry III; 4. Kyle S. Miller; 5. Kevin Wolfe.
LT B: 1. Christopher Allen; 2. Chris Douglas; 3. Roger Spires; 4. Gary Bisang; 5. Jesse Dean.
VET B: 1. Joe Halcomb; 2. Rodney Newton; 3. Shad Reynolds; 4. Stewart Redden; 5. Kent Anness.
SR B: 1. Marty Thacker; 2. Greg Tucker; 3. Lloyd Fry Jr.; 4. Ed Fessler; 5. Michael Klotz.
MSTR A/B: 1. Chris Loos; 2. Boyde Wolfe; 3. Stuart Ferguson; 4. Gerald Westerfield; 5. Jeff Oakes.
HVY C: 1. Richie Johnson; 2. Brad Jaggers; 3. Eric Vender; 4. Terry Roberts; 5. Matt Moore.
LT C: 1. Warren Gooch; 2. Joey Richmond; 3. Aaron Wolford; 4. Wendell Gay; 5. Derek Blankenship.
VET C: 1. Lance Davis; 2. Sean Delaney; 3. Tony W. Butler; 4. William Mullins Jr.; 5. Charlie Hall.
SR C: 1. Jeff Little; 2. Dale Larsen; 3. Michael Falk; 4. Bill Boyd; 5. Carl Nunnelly.
WMN: 1. Julie McWilliams; 2. Lauren Parker; 3. Jennifer Roberts.
BEG: 1. Mark Williams; 2. Dew Gorman; 3. Calvin Barnett; 4. Ethan Ramsey; 5. Justin Barnes.
O/A P/W / JR MINI: 1. Brecken Harvey; 2. Noah Chitwood; 3. Kyle Wynn; 4. Josh Vender; 5. Andrea Lawrence.
P/W A: 1. Brecken Harvey; 2. Kyle Wynn; 3. Austin Fields.
P/W B: 1. Noah Chitwood; 2. Josh Vender; 3. Adam Hollenkamp; 4. Justin Napier.
JR MINI B: 1. Andrea Lawrence.
O/A MINI: 1. Zach Halcomb; 2. Cody Hardesty; 3. A.J. Maguire; 4. Cody Spires; 5. Austin Schaffner.
S/MINI: 1. Zach Halcomb.
MINI A: 1. Austin Schaffner.
MINI B: 1. Cody Hardesty; 2. A.J. Maguire; 3. Cody Spires; 4. Ryan Wynn; 5. Wesley Parker
Marty Michels
