Lafferty Tops Black Sky Hare Scrambles
R
ound six of the AMA East
Hare Scrambles Champion-
ship visited Colesville, New York,
August 15, for what was also
round nine of the NYOA Cham-
pionship, the Black Sky Hare
Scrambles.
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 De-
Long, 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 be-
hind 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 (Kawa-
saki) 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.
Kenny Held
OVERALL
1. Ryder Lafferty (Hus)
2. Craig DeLong (Hus)
3. Dominick Morse (Hus)
4. Grant Davis (Kaw)
5. Toby Cleveland (Yam)
6. Kyle McDonal (Bet)
7. Ian Potter (Yam)
8. Timothy Steiner (KTM)
9. Caleb Baltimore (Hus)
10. Grant Maryott (Suz)
VOLUME 58 ISSUE 33 AUGUST 17, 2021 P33
Ryder Lafferty won the
Black Sky AMA East Hare
Scrambles in New York—
but not by much!
PHOTO:
MELISSA STANWOOD
