Dust, Grit, and Glory: KWRC Rallycross Event 2A Delivers Thrilling Action at Eagles Nest

The thrum of anticipation and the promise of sideways action filled the air last Saturday as the Kitchener-Waterloo Rally Club (KWRC) hosted its Rallycross Event 2A at the Eagles Nest MX Park. This supplementary event, swiftly organized in response to the overwhelming demand for the previous rallycross, proved to be an absolute hit, drawing a robust field of competitors eager to put their skills and machines to the test. With an abundance of entries, the club simply couldn't say no to more rallying excitement!

A Day Defined by Dust and Discipline

Mother Nature, at least initially, was on the side of the competitors, holding off any rain and allaying fears of another cancellation. However, the trade-off for blue skies was an almost oppressive amount of dust. The dry conditions transformed the course into a fine powder that, at times, was incredibly thick and choking. 

Marshals, stationed strategically around the course, were clearly feeling the effects, many donning masks to mitigate inhaling the dense particulate. While swirling winds offered some natural respite, helping to clear the air, the sheer volume of dust had Officials delaying starts, ultimately limiting drivers to a total of five timed runs by the end of the day.

Despite the dust, the sun-baked dirt track remained remarkably hard and smooth throughout the event. This consistent surface limited the build-up of silt that often punishes aggressive driving, allowing competitors to push hard without constant fear of being thrown off line. This smooth consistency also contributed to a remarkably low number of DNFs (Did Not Finish), ensuring an enjoyable afternoon for nearly all participants – save for one unfortunate transmission that decided its day was done prematurely.

Blistering Pace and Remarkable Consistency

As the dust settled on the final runs, the results revealed incredibly tight competition at the sharp end of the field. Just a mere 1.6 seconds separated the top two overall finishers. Darin Mayes ultimately clinched the overall victory, a testament to his experience and incredible consistency. While Lukasz Chlebek set the fastest single runtime of the day with a blistering 2 minutes, 14.4 seconds – besting Mayes's quickest by 0.7 seconds – it was Mayes's remarkable ability to maintain pace, with only 4.5 seconds variation across his four fastest laps, that secured his win. Rounding out the overall podium was Jason Ronza, guiding his '01 Impreza to a strong third-place finish, 13.2 seconds behind the leader.

First-overall: Daren Mayes

2nd overall: Lukasz Chlebek

3rd overall: Jason Ronza

The two-wheel-drive (2WD) club saw fierce competition, with Alexander Zona piloting his Sentra to the top spot in the class. Zona narrowly missed out on an overall podium position by a scant 0.9 seconds, showcasing the impressive speed achievable in FWD machinery on the KWRC course. 

First - 2WD & 4th overall: Alexander Zona

In the Side-by-Side (SxS) class, the event became a two-driver shootout, with Cassie ultimately besting Kirkpatrick. Both SxS competitors, however, are undoubtedly praying for rain at future events, knowing their vehicles truly shine when the track transforms into a muddy playground.

First in SxS & 5th overall: Gavin Caissie

Full results and class breakdowns are posted below, followed by the best images from a memorable day of rallycross action.

Here's another look at the drivers on the podium:  3 each of the top 3!

Beyond the top three, every driver pushed their limits.  Check out the rest of the incredible field!

Special mention here, what a blast it was seeing this car rip up the track!

Rumor has it, this one's going to be up for sale...

Bringing up the rear, but still giving their all!

Don't Miss the Next Opportunities!

Mark your calendars! The next KWRC Rallycross is scheduled for July 12th. Be sure to bring your sunscreen, as the summer sun will undoubtedly be out in full force.

https://www.kwrc.on.ca/kw_events/rallycross-3-for-2025/

For those who prefer a different kind of challenge, be sure to check out the Discover Ontario navigational rally on June 21st. This is one of the longest-running navigational rallies in Ontario, and event organizer Brooke Jacobs consistently delivers a top-notch event. This year, teams will enjoy the scenic roads around the Caledonia area. Don't miss out on this unique and engaging motorsport experience!

https://www.kwrc.on.ca/kw_events/discover-ontario-orrc-snatr/

Coming soon!  The 2WD vs. 4WD Showdown!  

I'm excited to announce an upcoming special report, meticulously comparing the performance and characteristics of 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive cars across the first three events of the 2024 rallycross season.  It's a special contribution from a close correspondant, drawing directly from my daughters insightful statistics project from school!  Don't miss this "data-driven" comparision.