| July 26, 2022
The AMA East Hare Scrambles Championship teamed up with the New York Off-Road Association (NYOA) to host the Ditch Banger Hare Scrambles in Cortland, NY, July 23-24. In the premier class, Ben Wright came away with the overall and AA-class wins.
Ben Wright (51) was the overall winner at the AMA East Hare Scrambles Championship round in New York. Photo: T. Merritt Photography
By Kenny Held
Things went well for the Yamaha rider, Wright, right away. He nabbed the holeshot and never looked back. The Pennsylvanian led all four laps, extending his lead with each go-around. Wright took the checkered flag more than three and a half minutes ahead of runner-up Caleb Baltimore.
Baltimore (KTM) was fifth after the first lap but slowly worked his way through the pack and had control of second place by the end of the third lap.
Yamaha-mounted Ian Potter held down second place for the early half of the race before giving way to Baltimore. Potter held on for third, finishing nearly a minute behind Baltimore.
Beta riders Mark Fortner and Daniel Fortner rounded out the top five overall and AA division.
Championship leader Max Fernandez had a tough day. He suffered damage to his rear wheel on the first lap and had to pit for repairs, costing him any chance he had of winning. The Beta rider, however, fought back and salvaged eighth place in the AA class.
Three 250cc A riders made it into the top 10 overall, with Hunter Keen (Honda), Kyle Grenewicz (Yamaha) and Kenneth Held (Suzuki) all finishing within 45 seconds of each while holding down the 6-8 positions as they crossed the finish line.
AA riders Toby Cleveland (Yamaha) and Timothy Steiner (KTM) completed the top 10 overall.
Joshua Ackley (GasGas) topped the AA 35+ class in 13th overall and Grant Maryott (Suzuki) was the top Vet A rider in 14th overall.
The top B-class rider was 25th overall Bailey Flynn (Yamaha) who came from the B 125-200cc start line, while the top C-class rider in 66th overall was Nicholas Toscano (Kawasaki) who was entered in the 250cc class.
The top female racer was KTM-mounted Cheyenne Sisenstein who took the checkers less than a minute ahead of runner-up Mallory Eberhardt (KTM).
OVERALL
- Ben Wright (Yam)
- Caleb Baltimore (KTM)
- Ian Potter (Yam)
- Mark Fortner (Bet)
- Daniel Fortner (Bet)
- Hunter Keen (Hon)
- Kyle Grenewicz (Yam)
- Kenneth Held (Suz)
- Toby Cleveland (Yam)
- Timothy Steiner (KTM)
