Multiple Podiums for Husqvarna at Canadian Enduro Championship July 8, 2010 Kamloops, BC FP Husqvarna / Zip-Ty Racing Canada s Ryan Graffunder and Marty Halmazna stormed their way to the front of the pack and claimed podium positions at the opening rounds of the Canadian Enduro Championship (CEC) in Blairmore, Alberta. Graffunder and Halmazna were able to climb the podium on each day of the first two rounds and served notice that they will be forces to be reckoned with for the remainder of the series. British Columbia s Ryan Graffunder proved that he is the real deal by backing up the Top Pro Junior Award that he earned in the 2009 CEC series by nailing 2 nd position in the highly competitive E2 class on day one and 3 rd position on day two. Graffunder now sits in 2 nd overall in the series. It was an exciting start to the series for the young speedster from British Columbia as he was able to share the podium on both days with 2009 E3 Champion Jason Schrage and former World Champion, and all around fast guy, Shane Watts from Australia. RYAN GRAFFUNDER (R) I had an amazing weekend indicated Graffunder. My brother and I having been working hard with our trainer, Kelly Prokopsky, and it really paid off because I felt strong all weekend. I was able to beat Jason in the final tests on each day so I feel that our training program is really working and it motivates me to work even harder. The venue in Blairmore was fantastic and I have to give huge props to the organizers. They worked their butts off and built an awesome race course for us. It s tough to explain how cool it was to be on the podium each day with Jason
(Schrage) and Shane Watts. I m waiting to wake up and find out that I was just dreaming. I can t wait for the next rounds in BC. In the E3 Class, Alberta s Marty Halmazna was able to quickly adjust to the sprint style, special test format of the Canadian Enduro Championship to claim the 3 rd step on the podium at both Rounds 1 & 2. Known primarily for his success at Extreme Enduro events such as Erzberg and Last Man Standing, as well as his multiple Championships in Cross Country and Hare Scrambles, Halmazna is new to the CEC and did not compete in the 2009 edition of the series. Marty once again proved his diversity and talent by figuring out the enduro format in short order and hammering his big Husqvarna TXC 510 through the majestic mountains surrounding Blairmore to secure his spot on the podium at each of the first two rounds. It was a bit of a challenge for me to come to terms with the special test format of the CECs said Halmazna. It is a big change from the traditional races we run in Canada and a night and day difference from the Extreme Enduro events that I have focused on the last few years. I made some mistakes early on Day 1 but definitely got more comfortable and was able to pick up the pace as I worked my way through the rest of the tests. It was great to get on the box and see where I stand against the rest of Canada. I m stoked for the next rounds in BC this weekend and I m looking forward to see if I can shave some time of my tests and move up the podium. MARTY HALMAZNA British Columbia s Nick Graffunder, brother and team mate to Ryan, proved his true grit and determination by pounding his TXC 250 to 6 th position in the E1 class at rounds 1 and 2 despite suffering some major setbacks on both days. After posting some fast test times early on day one, Nick had a major crash that left him with a battered body and some major damage to his bike. Reinforcing his tough as nails reputation, Graffunder shook off the cobwebs while they scrambled to fix his bike in the pits and proceeded to forge on and post respectable times in the final tests of the day. On day two Nick slammed one of the mud holes in test 2 and sucked some water into his TXC 250 that left it sputtering through the final tests. I had a pretty big get off on Day 1 and bent my bars so bad that it destroyed the top clamp said Nick. We got my bike fixed and I went back out for the final tests but I was definitely hurting a bit. On the second day things were going pretty good until I nailed a mud hole wide open and the bike started running really bad. I lost major time but was able to nurse it through the last test and get back to the pits. I though the motor was ruined for sure. The crew tore it down this week and found water inside the air boot so it looks like I just drowned it out. They went through the whole bike and ran it on the dyno at Rivercity Cycle. The motor is still strong
so it looks like I m good to go for this weekend in Penticton. I know for sure now that I can get top 3 times in E1 now so I m really fired up for the rest of the series. NICK GRAFFUNDER Husqvarna Canada s Guy Giroux had a mixed bag of results as he fought to adjust to the steep climbs and descents of the Rocky Mountains. Giroux raced his way to 5 th position in E2 on Day 1 despite a crash that cost him approximately 25 seconds during one of the special tests and reinjuring the thumb that he damaged at one of the last FMSQ races in Quebec. Guy fought his way through Day 2 of the event to finish 8 th in E2 on his WR 250 two stroke. I lost the front end on an off camber in Test 2 on the final lap of the first day and lost a bunch of time and probably cost myself a couple of positions and maybe a podium said Giroux. I stretched my thumb out again which really sucked because it is just starting to heal from when I hurt it in Quebec. I got a good rest and felt really good on Day 2. I actually felt like I was riding faster than the first day but these kids really stepped it up and I ended up losing some positions compared to the first day. I was really frustrated and it took me some time to settle down at the end of the second day. These crazy mountain tests are a big challenge for me but I have to give credit to the young guys. They are really hauling and it is exciting to see the level of competition that is developing in this series. I m looking forward to seeing if I can improve in BC this weekend and
more importantly, I m looking forward to the Eastern rounds on my home turf where maybe I can beat these youngsters in the slippery stuff. GUY GIROUX While the rest of the team was enjoying great success at the opening rounds of the Canadian Enduro Championship in Alberta, Guy Giroux s partner and ultra fast racer, Karine Geoffrion was holding down the fort in Quebec where she stormed her way to her second win of the year in the ladies class at the fourth round of the FMSQ series. Karine is definitely on fire this year and continued her amazing podium streak at the Ste- Véronique round and had a significant lead over second place by the time she reached the checkered flag.
KARINE GEOFFRION
Team Sponsors Husqvarna Canada, Feeding Performance Inc., Motovan, Rekluse, Ogio, Dragon, Xtreme, TCX, Axis, Zox, Pro-Tech, Etnies, Throttle Entertainment, UNI Filter, DID, LeoVince, GPR Stabilizer, Motul, LimeNine, EC3D, Impact Canopies, GoPro, Enduro Engineering, Supersprox, SkyCap, Boyesen, E-line, IMS, Matrix Concepts, TM Designworks, Dunlop and Zip Ty Racing. Special thanks to the Husqvarna Canada dealers that provide extra assistance help ensure our race program is a success; Bow Ridge Sports in Cochrane, Echo Cycle in Edmonton and RiverCity Cycle in Kamloops. About Husqvarna Motorcycles Tradition on two wheels since 1903 Husqvarna Motorcycles, a part of the BMW Group since October 2007, are widely known and respected in the off-road world for a heritage of competition and have accumulated over 70 World Championships in Motocross, Enduro and Supermotard. Originally founded in Sweden in 1903, Husqvarna motorcycles have been designed and manufactured in Varese, Italy since 1987. For more information, please visit www.husqvarna-motorcycles.com and www.feedingperformance.com