Successful Weekend Despite Challenging Conditions

[POST RACE RECAP]

KSR Racers Enjoy a Successful Weekend Despite Challenging Conditions

Oakwood, ON (March 24, 2021) – This past Sunday marked the third and fourth rounds of the CSRA Regional Snowcross championship races in Lindsay, Ontario.  Initial icy conditions led to rider and team trepidations in hitting the track. However, event organizers were able to take team concerns into consideration which led to postponement of the first race for an hour in order to provide some time for the sun to shine, resulting in warmer temperatures. This allowed for the ice on the track to break up a bit, and for KSR to then make the final decision to go racing.

And race they did! In what turned out to be a successful track challenging KSR racers Dakota and Zoe, they were able to adjust their riding style and conquer what was described by Dad as a “late 90’s style snowcross track”. It was unlike any track they have previously raced on.

Zoe #502

Zoe raced hard and fast with changing track conditions, saying she “needed wipers on her helmet” for wet roost aimed her way as she was charging and making efforts to pass other riders.  Zoe ended up with 2nd overall in transition girls R1 and R2 for the day. In Transition 2 (11-13), Zoe was able to achieve 8th in R1 from backrow and 6th in R2.

Dakota #501

Dakota was excited to race regardless of the track conditions! She was exceptionally pleased after coming off the track after her first junior girls race of the day stating “it was like a whole new track” after the one hour start delay.   She was happy to model her new Fly Racing jersey (which happens to include her favorite colour purple) and could be seen posing for the camera in the pits to show her enthusiasm for the gear.  Dakota came away with the wins in R1 and R2 of Junior girls and battled very hard in the Junior 14-17 class achieving top spot R1 and second in R2.   With no large jumps or doubles which traditionally tends to separate the field a bit, Dakota had to summon all her strength and endurance in order to stay top 3 in the Junior class. 

Karkoulas Sisters Racing is looking forward to the next race on Easter Weekend (April 2-4th), at Horseshoe Resort, in Barrie, ON.

KSR would like to thank the following sponsors for their support: BAILEY MOTORSPORTS, Ski-Doo, Motul, Fly Racing, Backwoods Promotions Inc., Off Road Vixens, STUD BOY Traction, St-Onge Recreation, Dayco, Rox Speed FX, Inc., C&A Pro Skis, SCOTT Sports, Scott Sports Canada, The Compound – Muskoka, Tekvest, 139 designs, Clean Media, Laps for Muscular Dystrophy.

 

RESULTS: To see full results for the CSRA Series, visit: http://live.tracksideresults.com/csra/

FOLLOW US: @KSRsnowcross (Twitter & Instagram)

NEXT RACE:  Dayco Snowcross finals – April 2-4th – Barrie, ON  

First National CSRA Race of 2021

[POST RACE RECAP]

 

First National Race of 2021 Season is a Success for Brooklyn Karkoulas

 

Oakwood, ON (March 16, 2021) – After much race season uncertainty and anticipation, Brooklyn Karkoulas #500, was finally able to line up and get the green flag this past Sunday, March 14th. The race, held in Lindsay, Ontario, was the first National race of the 2021 CSRA Snowcross season.

 

With a great thaw the week prior to the event, combined with warm sunny skies, many teams were doubtful the race could be held as planned.  If there is one thing avid snowcross racers can attest to, ‘where there is a will, there is a way’.  CSRA organizers were able to do what seemed like an impossible feat by trucking in 400 loads of snow the days before the event and tirelessly building a technical and physically demanding track for the National series classes to compete on.   Race after race saw the track hold up albeit change with every lap. This created challenges for riders to adapt and overcome, which is just what Brooklyn did.

 

An early season practice mishap had Brooklyn’s confidence shaken leading up to this opening race.  However, as we have learned time and time again with this rider, her competitive drive tends to see her through and this opener was no different.  After a cautious practice to start the day, Brooklyn was feeling back at home while lining up and waiting for the light to go green.  Capturing the hole shot she never looked back and led from start to finish, a result she repeated in moto 2.  For the final, while Brooklyn missed the holeshot she was able to make necessary passes by executing a smooth double double in front of the grandstands. This allowed her to move from third place  to first by the first corner and led the way until the checkered flag!

 

Since this past weekend featured National classes, it allowed for fellow Bailey Motorsports teammates, Yanick Boucher # 53 and Ryan Hunt #729, to hit the track as well.  Yanick and Ryan both piloted their Husqvarna/Yeti Snow Bikes to great finishes with Yanick riding to a carbon copy of Brooklyn’s results going 1-1 in qualifiers and taking the win in the final as well. Ryan raced some great moto’s going 5-8 and finishing out the final in the top 5 position. Pulling double duty, Ryan not only raced the Snow Bike class but he also raced the Pro snowmobile class.  Racing hard on a soft consistently changing track Ryan qualified 4-3 in his qualifiers and after a gruelling 10 minute plus 2 lap final Ryan found himself in the top 10 position.

 

KSR would like to thank the following sponsors for their support: BAILEY MOTORSPORTS, Ski-Doo, Motul, Fly Racing, Backwoods Promotions Inc., Off Road Vixens, STUD BOY Traction, St-Onge Recreation, Dayco, Rox Speed FX, Inc., C&A Pro Skis, SCOTT Sports, Scott Sports Canada, The Compound – Muskoka, Tekvest, 139 designs, Clean Media, Laps for Muscular Dystrophy.

 

RESULTS: To see full results for the CSRA Series, visit: http://live.tracksideresults.com/csra/

FOLLOW US: @KSRsnowcross (Twitter & Instagram)

NEXT RACE:  Regional  event scheduled  March 20-21st in Lindsay, ON. 

2021 Season Opener at Home Track in Lindsay

[POST RACE RECAP]

Karkoulas Sisters Racing Kicks off Season Opener at Home Track in Lindsay

Oakwood, ON (March 3, 2021) – This past weekend, KSR racers Dakota and Zoe were extremely eager to undergo the highly anticipated and, respectfully, long awaited first race weekend. After months of preparation and countless hours spent at The Compound Muskoka, the girls were fired up, prepared, and confident to take on the Kawartha Cup Regional Snowcross home opener, in Lindsay, ON.

First race jitters were set aside the moment that our racers got to that starting line, dialled down the nerves and welcomed the adrenaline to kick in.

Zoe #502

Zoe Karkoulas was the first of the KSR racers to get the green light last weekend, in her Transition 2 class. This race in particular showed a direct correlation between time spent practicing and improvement, as Zoe was able race a phenomenal moto, securing a strong first place finish in this qualifier.

The day did not slow down for our youngest racer as she then moved on to take another first place in a very competitive transition girls’ race. Spirits were high going into her second Transition 2 qualifier, as Zoe carried a confidence boost from her first two races. While battling in the early laps of the race, Zoe hit a kicker while trying to make a pass on the outside of the track. This caused her sled to get away from her, but she was quickly after to remount her Ski-Doo while also starting it herself with just one pull! Zoe finished her second Transition Girls moto with a first and her Transition 2 final with a 11th after getting stuck behind a sled in the first corner of the track, along with half of the pack.

After a very impressive morning, Zoe then had to repeat all five races again with the new COVID-19 policy programing! She ended up with a second and a first in the Transition Girls’ class (giving her a first overall) and a fifth place finish in the Transition 2 final. When asked about her thoughts on the season opener, Zoe said, “It was a good weekend and with lots of support I could leave the track with 2 gold medals which makes me unbelievably happy! I am now ready to race again next weekend!”

Dakota #501

Dakota Karkoulas’ day was powered by perseverance. With two very tough battles in the Junior Girl’s class, she ended up with a second place finish. Hungry for the win, she was able to set everything else aside and focus for her next two Junior Girls motos. She raced strong and proved that she is a force to be reckoned with after winning both of her Junior Girls’ classes in the second half of the day.Not to be underestimated, Dakota will push herself to the fullest while riding smart and hard in every race. While fighting to defend her championship in the Junior Girls’ class, Dakota also battled it out in the Junior 14-17 class. With so many races in one day, Dakota’s endurance had proven to be a vital component leading to her success with two over all third place finishes in a highly competitive class. When asked about the weekend, Dakota said, “This weekend was amazing! There was so much tight competition and great battles! I am so happy I was able to be a part of this weekend and podium in all my classes. I had so much support and help, it was truly amazing.”

Overall, Karkoulas Sisters Racing is incredibly proud and happy with the performance of their two regional racers this past weekend. With ten races each, there was not a single free minute and so the team would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who provided support and assistance.

KSR would like to thank the following sponsors for this support: BAILEY MOTORSPORTS, Ski-Doo, Motul, Fly Racing, Backwoods Promotions Inc., Off Road Vixens, STUD BOY Traction, St-Onge Recreation, Dayco, Rox Speed FX, Inc., C&A Pro Skis, SCOTT Sports, Scott Sports Canada, The Compound – Muskoka, Tekvest, 139 designs, Clean Media, Laps for Muscular Dystrophy.

RESULTS: To see full results for the CSRA Series, visit: http://live.tracksideresults.com/csra/

FOLLOW US: @KSRsnowcross (Twitter & Instagram)

NEXT RACE: Postponed due to COVID-19 zoning changes impacting a large majority of CSRA races. The next scheduled race is March 27-28th in Barrie, ON.