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Madison Thornbrugh, age 5, placed first in the 50 Class. Dakota Hibler, age 7, placed first in the 90 Class. John Hernandez | Miner
Local racer Josh Torres (#316) finished third in the All Big Bikes Open A Division and fourth place overall. John Hernandez | Miner
San Manuel Miner
The Pepper Sauce Canyon Hare Scrambles Off-Road Race was held Sunday, May 25 at the 3C Ranch near Oracle. The race was put on by Arizona Offroad Promotions out of Tucson. There were over 100 entries for the bike, UTVs and Quad races. A racing course was built on the historic 3C Ranch property. Many of the race enthusiasts stayed at the 3C Ranch and the RV park next to it. Food was provided by the Oracle Inn and included breakfast burritos, burgers, hot dogs and barbecued pork sandwiches. Racers from all over the state came to participate in the first of what will become an annual event.
Adrian Darimont, owner of the 3C Ranch and Oracle Inn said next year they hope to make it a full weekend event with music, dancing, food and racing.
Racers from age five to over 50 came to compete including people from Yuma, San Tan Valley, Sedona, Prescott, Payson, Ajo, Cottonwood and Flagstaff. Two local bike racers competed and did well in the races. Shawn Barney from San Manuel finished second in the Big Bike age 40 plus division. Josh Torres also from San Manuel placed third in the Big Bike Open A Division and finished fourth overall out of 56 entries. Winners of the races in their divisions included:
PEE Wee Bikes:
50 cc age 4 – 6: Canyon Ortiz, Casa Grande
50 cc age 7 – 8: First Talan Raper, San Tan; second Carson Millikan, Queen Creek
65 cc C: Gunner Deathrage, Eloy; secondRobert Mohler, Flagstaff
ATV Pee Wee:
80 cc plus: Dakota Hibler, Gilbert
50 to 79 cc: First Dillon Grieser, San Tan Valley; second Madison Thornbrugh, Globe
All Big Bikes
125-250cc A: Luke Moore, Tucson
125 – 250cc B: Graham Aldridge, Flagstaff
125-250cc C: Gavin Burnett, Yuma
Pro: Daniel Martin, Tucson
Open A: Daniel Schoon, Vail
Open B: Brad Gillespie, Phoenix
Open C: Nick Staats, Cottonwood
Vets 30 plus A: Dayton Raper, San Tan
Vets 30 plus B: Michael McNeilly, Gilbert
Vets 30 plus C: Lee Donham, Payson
Senior 0 plus B: Thomas Connelly, Glendale
Master 50 plus B: Gary Peterson, Scottsdale
Women: Samantha McNeilly, Gilbert
Overall: Daniel Martin, Tucson
All Big ATVs:
Pro Class: Matthew Hancock, Tempe
Team Class: Tucson 2 Strokes
Expert: Anthony Razo, Flagstaff
Sportsman: Harold Colby, Vail
Overall: Matthew Hancock, Tempe
Bike/Quad Minis:
91-300cc ages 10-15: Kofey Begay, Casa Grande
All UTVs:
1000 Class: Chase Warren, Tempe
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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