| August 17, 2021
Round six of the AMA East Hare Scrambles Championship visited Colesville, New York, August 15, for what was also round nine of the NYOA Championship, the Black Sky Hare Scrambles.
Ryder Lafferty won the Black Sky AMA East Hare Scrambles in New York—but not by much! Photo: Melissa Stanwood
By Kenny Held
More than 20 AA-class riders signed up in hopes of pocketing a piece of the $2000-plus purse that was on the line. Husqvarna’s Ryder Lafferty and Craig DeLong ended up fighting over the cash every lap. Their race-long battle wasn’t decided until the final seconds of the race.
But first, it was another Husqvarna rider, Dominick Morse, who made it known that he wanted some of the loot, as well. Morse shot into the lead and still owned it after the first 24-plus-minute lap, but he was in super close company. Breathing down his back was Lafferty and DeLong as they went through the scoring chute for the first time.
Both Lafferty and DeLong got around Morse during the second lap, and the two then set out on their own private battle for the win and $1000 that would go to the winner.
Lafferty eked out a small four-second lead over DeLong, who just would not go away.
DeLong closed back in to within two seconds at the close of the fourth lap, setting the stage for a dramatic last-lap duel for the win and money.
Lafferty, however, was up to the challenge and did not wilt under pressure. Lafferty kept his head down and held on for the victory, crossing the finish line just 1.35 seconds ahead of DeLong, who came out of the race $750 richer.
Morse, meanwhile, slipped off the pace (with the help of a few lappers) but still took a solid third a little more than three minutes behind the two riders ahead of him. He pocketed $500 for his efforts.
Yamaha rider Toby Cleveland, who started the race in fifth, ended up fourth in the AA class another four-plus minutes behind Morse.
However, Grant Davis (Kawasaki) took fourth overall as the top A (250cc)-class rider.
Championship leader, Beta’s Kyle McDonal, who was seventh after the first lap, rounded out the top five in the AA class, crossing the finish line just ahead of Ian Potter.
Kenito Held was the top B-class rider and Ryan Gribbin was the top C-class rider. Team Green’s Kayla Oneil was the top female racer.
- Ryder Lafferty (Hus)
- Craig DeLong (Hus)
- Dominick Morse (Hus)
- Grant Davis (Kaw)
- Toby Cleveland (Yam)
- Kyle McDonal (Bet)
- Ian Potter (Yam)
- Timothy Steiner (KTM)
- Caleb Baltimore (Hus)
- Grant Maryott (Suz)
