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74th Annual GVMC Piston Run Hare Scrambles Saturday June 8th, 2024 and Sunday June 9th 2024
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
74th Annual Piston Run Hare Scrambles presented by the GVMC
Mark these dates Sunday June 8th & 9th, 2024 on your calendar for a great off road adventure.
BCORCS Off Road Championship Event
Saturday, June 8th events are for Kid's Intermediate - Women's Beginner - Kid's Junior - Kid's Beginner - Kid's Peewee Signup Fee - $40.00 Sign Up 8:00am Rider's Meting - 10:30am Race - 11:00am For all classes Engine Sizes and Race Length Information please check the PNWMA Website www.pmwma.com
Sunday, June 9th is for Adults.
ENTRY FEES:
Pre-Entry on line PNWMA Website until 6:00PM Thursday prior to the race With Trail Pass $55.00 (Must show current year membership.) Without Trail Pass $65.00 PNWMA License Required – Individual Year $75.00 – Weekend $40.00 – Includes 1 transponder - Family - Year $90.00 – $15.00 for added family member – Includes 2 transponders – Extra transponders $5.00 BCORMA Trail Pass (optional) $45.00 - (youth 17 & under Free)
Concession - Open Both Days (Saturday and Sunday) Cash Only
Menu: Sausage and Pancake Breakfast Burgers, Hot Dogs, Sandwiches Beverages, cookies, Muffins
Sunday June 9th 2024
“The 74th Annual Piston Run Hare Scrambles” Sponsored by Daytona Motorsports
The First 175 Sign-ups receive a Souvenir Beer Mug
SIGN UP: 7:30 AM RIDERS MEETING: 10:30 AM RACE: 11:00 AM
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 Ray 604-612-1036
Sponsors: BCORMA Daytona Motorsports Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club
Check in the Photo Gallery and Past Events to see the great fun had at this event in the past.
Event Comments:
.74th Annual Piston Run Saturday and Sunday June 8th & 9th, 2024
The weather was perfect on Saturday morning, an excellent pancake breakfast was served by our concession volunteers and the short course was ready. There were 74 riders over seven classes in all from Pee Wee beginner to Ladies beginner, everything went well and these events were great fun to watch especially the Pee Wee beginners. Trophies were presented to the winners in each class and a participation medal was presented to all the riders in each class.
On Sunday the weather cooperated again, the almost 30 KM course was in good shape and the 175 riders were ready to race. The racing was hard and fast without any serious incidents. Smiling faces all around and lots of compliments too. Guy Perrett stepped up to make the trophy presentations and the winner of the Piston Run Trophy was Malcom Hett.
Special Thanks to: Daytona Motorsports and Yamaha Canada for their continued support by sponsoring the Piston Run Mugs
The Chilliwack Amateur Radio Club for keeping us in touch with Search and Rescue if needed. To all the P.N.W.M.A. Volunteers that make this race series what it is.
First Aid Attendant Tony Fryer for being on site and attending to a couple of minor injuries.
Thanks also to all the volunteers that came out for the weekend and took care of the sign up, parking, checking, setting up, cleaning up, sweep riding and any other jobs that needed to be done. Great work GVMC and friends.
The Concession crew that did a great job with the pancake breakfast both mornings and hamburgers, hot dogs and cold drinks throughout the days. Thanks for keeping us fed Rob, Wes and Deb.
Once again, this event could not happen without all the countless hours put in by a small group of dedicated volunteers that keep these trails groomed and maintained. Thank you!
