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Saturday, June 4, 2022
8:00:00 AM
Chipmunk Creek/Wally's Staging Area
Dwight Harris Chris Carey Ray Keller
604)466-8812 (604)534-0609 (604)612-1036 dwightpat@shaw.ca; rkeller@wcwtholdings.com
72nd Annual GVMC Piston Run Hare Scrambles Sunday June 5th 2022
History of the Piston Run
In 1948, Trev Deeley seized his Harley 45 racing the National at Daytona Beach. The damaged piston and rod were mounted on a shield to form the perpetual Piston Run trophy. There is, on the clubhouse wall, a small Piston Run trophy, engraved “1942”. This suggests the event has an even longer history, but in any case, the perpetual trophy dates consecutively from 1949.
The event was originally an enduro, where riders had to average given speeds to arrive at checkpoints by a certain time. There were no dirt bikes before the 1960’s, and riders often took the saddlebags and lights off their daily transportation (few riders were rich enough to afford a car), rode the event, then washed the bike and bolted the lights and bags back on for the ride home. The course was traditionally challenging, with riders on 400 to 600 pound bikes charging into mudholes, logs and streambeds. Many riders of heavier bikes took a passenger along to help push.
In the late 60’s and early 70’s the Piston Run was one of the toughest enduros in the Province. The courses were mostly rocky hillsides and undeveloped land that we could access. The riders were supposed to ride two laps, but many would make it through one lap and call it quits. The diehards really had to work to finish the course.
By the early 1980’s, timekeeping had fallen out of favour, so the format was changed to a hare scrambles race. It was one of the original five events when the PNWMA started the Off-Road Series in 1984. In 1985, the first of the souvenir beer mugs was given out to finishers. This started a new tradition of collecting beer mugs, which continues today.
Current Information On The Piston Run
72nd Annual Piston Run Hare Scrambles presented by the GVMC
Mark these dates Sunday June 4th & 5th, 2022 on your calendar for a great off road adventure.
BCORCS Off Road Championship Event
Saturday, June 4th events are for Kids and Beginners
Sunday, June 5th is for Adults
ENTRY FEES:
Pre-Entry on line PNWMA Website until 6:00PM Thursday prior to the race With Trail Pass $55.00 Without Trail Pass $65.00 PNWMA License Required – Individual Year $40.00 – Weekend $20.00 – Includes 1 transponder - Family - Year $60.00 – Weekend $30.00 – Includes 2 transponders – Extra transponders $5.00 BCORMA Trail Pass (optional) $45.00 - (youth 17 & under Free)
SIGN UP: 8:00 AM RIDERS MEETING: 10:30 AM RACE: 11:00 AM
Concession - Open Both Days (Saturday and Sunday) Cash Only Menu: Sausage and Pancake Breakfast Burgers, Hot Dogs, Sandwiches Beverages, cookies, Muffins
Sign Up: 8:00 AM Rider’s Meeting: 10:30 AM Race: 11:00 AM
For All Class, Engine Sizes and Race Length Information Please check the PNWMA Website www.pnwma.com
Sunday June 5th 2022
“The 72nd Annual Piston Run Hare Scrambles” Sponsored by Daytona Motorsports
The First 99 Sign-ups receive a Souvenir Beer Mug
SIGN UP: 8:00 AM RIDERS MEETING: 10:30 AM RACE: 11:00
Directions…..Take Vedder Rd exit (#119) off Hwy 1 at Chilliwack. Drive south through Sardis and turn left at the steel bridge towards Chilliwack Lake. After 25km, turn left on gravel road. Follow arrows to Rapids Staging Area & Campsite, 6km off the blacktop.
For Camping Reservations at Rapids Camp Site - visit www.chilliwackvalleycampsites.ca
For More Information: Dwight 604-466-8812 - Chris 604-534-0609 - Ray 604-612-1036
Sponsors: BECORMA Daytona Motorsports Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club
Event Comments: GVMC PISTON RUN June 4, 5, 2022
The event this year was spread over two days with Saturday being a ride for the youngsters and Sunday the PNWMA points meet.
The weather this spring had been unusually wet and cold but Saturday turned out to be a great day for the kids.
Thirty-three riders participated in five different classes with the youngest being 3 ½ yrs old and the oldest 16. All small wheel riders rode the Bear Cub loop while the big wheel bikes rode a short course across from the staging area.
Piston Run
The great weather on Saturday took a turn for the worse on Sunday. Approximately 220 riders signed up in pouring rain but by race time it started to clear up. The course held up as well as could be expected, but with the trails softened by the rain some deterioration was bound to occur. This made it especially hard on the less experienced riders. The last rider finished at 4:00 PM, wet and tired, but happy and proud about completing the race.
The rain held off until the trophy presentation and it continued throughout the rest of the day. The first-place rider completed three 25 km laps in 3 hours and 36 minutes. Congratulations to Owen McKill who competed in the master’s class.
Thanks to Jackie for doing the on-site sign-up, keeping track of everything (including the money) and balancing the books, and to Julie for being Jackie’s right hand person.
Thanks go to Verdeen and her helpers Rob, Donna, & Deb for the great food at the concession stand and especially for the home baked cookies.
Thanks to all of our members and friends who came out and helped to make this one of the most successful Piston Runs ever.
Special thanks to the Members of the PNWMA for all that they do to make this series the success that it is, and to Jeff Giesbrecht and the Chilliwack Amateur Radio Club for providing communications for the safety of the participants & helpers.
Very Special thanks to Mike Laycraft from International Motorcycles for the contribution of 40 motorcycle helmets for the Kid’s race.
