Can-Am Challenge Series Round#5 Gingerman Raceway, Michigan July 29th-30th CCS hosted round 5 of the Can-Am Series at technical Gingerman Raceway this weekend. The heat followed the series from Mosport, subjecting riders to extreme temperatures and smothering humidity. The 250 championship was yet to be decided, with rookie Pro 250 rider Matt Cooper going into this round with a significant points lead. Twelve year old PJ Jacobsen is untouchable in his position as the 125 champ, despite his absence from the track this weekend (due to age limitations). To give the riders more time, Can-Am Officials decided to combine qualifying on Saturday afternoon. Cooper put his head down and grabbed pole with an impressive 1:27.5. Next quickest 250 rider was Tom Swager, an American on his home track, but also new to the 250 class this season. Rounding out the front row would be Christopher Quillman and Can-Am regular Jim Bergey. Dempsey was expected to clock in some quick times, but threw a chain during the first lap of qualifying. American Aaron Risinger took pole among the 125s with 1:31, followed by Swager on his 125, Jeff Chen, (a Can-Am veteran, nice to see you back, Jeff) and Rick Bulmann. The weather turned sour on Sunday, with heavy winds bringing a storm front which dumped plenty of water to have the final declared a wet race. The finals were also combined, with the 250s starting up front. Cooper wheelied his 250 off the line, but John Dempsey, notorious for being a master in the rain, was first into corner one. He quickly found himself riding in the grass, but was able to ride it out and continue, only to repeat the mishap a couple more times during the first lap. Cooper lost traction immediately afterwards in corner two, but was able to get back up and carry on at the back of the pack with a slightly damaged bike, opting to bring it home safe and sound in order to build his points lead. Jim Bergey took full advantage of both Dempsey’s and Cooper’s mishaps, and found himself leading the race for two laps before being overtaken by a maddening fight between three 125 riders, Swager, Jeff Chen, and Boyd Bruner. Bergey stayed in the lead of the 250s for five laps before Dempsey finally settled down to put Bergey into third. Meanwhile, Swager and Chen were doing everything but kicking and scratching each other to get into the lead; Bruner hung on in third, in prime position to watch the fight for first in front of him. Mark White represented the Canadians well, keeping Steve Yui (riding with a blown exhaust) and Robert Rawlins behind him. Rick Bulmann, weary of the wet conditions, ran a safe seventh. The beginning of the 9th lap was the heartbreaking end to Chen’s campaign to deprive Swager of first place; he found himself victim to gas gremlins, and was forced to watch Swager ride off into the sunset with his win from corner three. Dempsey took his first Can-Am 250 win, despite having a few ‘moments’ during the race, and Can-Am podium virgin Jim Bergey ran a solid and well earned third place. Swager’s results would count in both classes in lieu of the decision to combine the races, and was given second place among the 250s, along with his first place finish in the 125 class. Boyd Bruner collected second place, followed by Mark White in third. One race left to go for the Can-Am Challenge Series, and there are battles yet to be won, championships still up for grabs. For second place in the 125 championship, Mark White and Rick Bulmann will have it out. While Dempsey and Bergey are both in second and third respectfully, there is a huge battle going on in the 250 class. Brunet, Brault, Colley, Bergey, and Dempsey will be having an all out, gloves off battle for the last two spots open in that championship, with Dempsey the only rider that can touch Cooper on his way to becoming the 2006 250 Champion. There are 53 points separating these two riders with a maximum of 54 points to be awarded. The final round will be Labour Day weekend in September, in conjunction with Parts Canada Superbike, held on the Shannonville PRO track configuration. 125 GP FINAL RESULTS 1st-Tom Swager 2nd-Boyd Bruner 3rd-Mark White 4th-Steve Yui 5th-Robert Rawlins 6th-Rick Bulmann DNF-Jeff Chen DNS-Jeff Permanian DNS-Brain McCaughlin DNS- Aaron Risinger 250 GP FINAL RESULTS 1st-John Dempsey 2nd-Tom Swager 3rd-Jim Bergey 4th-Christopher Quillman 5th-Matt Cooper DNS-Mark Stiles DNS-Aaron Stein