Student tops teacher in flat-track race> Massachusetts’ Creamer wins open pro division as cycles descend on Bass Park

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BANGOR – Roger Durkee is an excellent competitor. But he just might be a better teacher.

The 37-year-old Dudley, Mass., man finished second in the open pro division and first in the “Dash for Cash” race Saturday at the United Bikers of Maine semi-pro flat track races at Bass Park. The only rider who could outlast the crafty veteran was 20-year-old Aaron Creamer of Leominster, Mass., Durkee’s one-time pupil.

“He went to my dirt-track racing schools when he was a kid,” Durkee said of Creamer. “He’s been to my yard, my house. I used to work on his bike.”

Creamer, for his part, was delighted he has learned his lessons so well.

“To go out and beat a guy who taught me a lot of stuff is great,” he said.

Riders from all over Maine and New England gathered to contest races in 15 divisions Saturday and Sunday, with $2,500 awarded in prize money each day.

Creamer and Durkee also finished first and second in Sunday’s open pro.

The open pro division race consisted of 12 laps around the half-mile circuit. Saturday, Durkee had to start behind the penalty line because he had won the Dash for Cash earlier in the day.

The Dash for Cash was an event in which the top riders in the heat races of several divisions competed in a two-lap sprint for a pot of money that had been collected from donations from spectators. For winning that race Durkee earned $255, but had to accept the penalty of starting behind the field in his feature race.

Durkee utilized the wide turns and the long straightaways on the track to move his way through the field, and had caught everyone but Creamer with eight laps remaining.

Unlike Durkee, Creamer said he took it easy during the Dash for Cash because he wanted to start on the front line.

Creamer works full time as a tow-truck driver for American Automobile Association in Massachusetts, and estimates that he spends as many as 80 hours per week training on his motorcycle or working out in the gym.

Part of his regimen involves working for the Concord, N.H.,-based group Skunk Works, a motorcycle club for children. Several boys wearing Skunk Works gear competed in the children’s races over the weekend.

“[Skunk Works] helps teach kids riding and life values. I teach them, I’m supposed to be a role model,” Creamer said.

Six-year-old Ethan Fick of Garland was the only Mainer to win a race Saturday, finishing about an eighth of a mile ahead of the field in the 50 cc senior division. Fick was also second in the 50 cc 4-6 stock division. Sunday, Fick took firsts in both divisions.

Fick said that he had fun and enjoyed winning, but didn’t seem surprised by his success. After all, in 14 races this summer, he has finished first eight times.

Fick’s mother, Regina, said he had his first bike at three months and could ride a bike at age 2 – without training wheels. At age 3, doubtless observing how much his father Ethan enjoyed riding his motorcycle, he asked if he could have one of his own.

“His father put him on it and away he went,” Regina Fick said.

Jessica Bailey of Sommers, Conn., also credited her father with encouraging her to compete. The 26-year-old rode in the Adult 100 division, finishing third Sunday. She was the only woman who raced.

“I think I’m just as daring as [the men],” Bailey said.

Bailey began racing this season after her father, Douglas Bailey, urged her to ride in a women’s only “powder puff” race after the Sideways Promotions club’s banquet in Gardner, Mass., in October.

“Jess started on a road bike when she was a little kid but she didn’t want to ride for awhile because she didn’t want to get dirt under her nails,” Douglas Bailey said, smiling. “Now she’s very aggressive and assertive.”

Brent Hicks of Plymouth, a New England motorcross champion, competed in the open amateur division even though he broke his collarbone in a dirt bike accident three weeks ago. Hicks’ right shoulder was in a padded sling that he secured to his body by plastering his T-shirt with duct tape.

Saturday was the first time Hicks had been on his bike since the accident. Third in the race a year ago, Hicks didn’t contend this time around. But he was glad he turned out for the festivities.

“It’s a good time up here,” he said.

Motorcycle Racing

UNITED BIKERS OF MAINE At Bass Park, Bangor Flat Track Motorcycle Races Saturday

50 cc 4-6: Alexander Lyskawa (N.H.), Ethan Fick (Garland), Matt Beland (Mass.); 50 cc 7-8: Travis Friend (N.H.), Chase Bickford (Bar Harbor), Beau Lirette (Mass.); 125 amateur.: Craig Starzynski (Mass.), Bruce Leung (Mass.); adult 100: Shane Harvey (Mass.), Shawn Morin (N.H.), Mike Grondin (Mechanic Falls); vintage amateur: Don Veitch (N.H.), Frank Rounds (Vt.), Fritz Teffner (N.H.); 50 senior: Ethan Fick (Garland), Brent Lyskawa (N.H.), Beau Lirette (Mass.); senior.: Mark Thomas (N.H.), Ron Bertrand (Mass.), Gregg Seraphin (Mass.); 60 cc: Jim Rispoli (N.H.), Troy Estabrook (N.H.), Shane Narbonne (Mass.); super senior: Bob Bertrand (Mass.), Alan Niles (R.I.), Al Merchant (Mass.); 80 cc: Troy Estabrook (N.H.), Shane Narbonne (Mass.), Corey Hildebrand (N.H.); 250 amateur: Eric Casey (Mass.), Joe Seraphin (Mass.), Ted Brisbois (Mass.); vintage master: Ron Bertrand (Mass.), Curt Friend (N.H.), Mark Loranger (N.H.); open amateur: Bob Bertrand (Mass.), Eric Casey (Mass.), Mike Beland (Mass.); 250 pro: Bob Weiss (N.Y.), Ron Bertrand (Mass.), Gregg Seraphin (Mass.), Mark Loranger (N.H.), David Casey (Mass.); open pro: Aaron Creamer (Mass.), Roger Durkee (Mass.), Bob Weiss (N.Y.), Jeff Swensen (N.H.), Noah Leon (N.Y.) Sunday

50 cc 4-6: Ethan Fick (Garland), Alexander Lyskawa (N.H.), Matt Beland (Mass.); 50 cc 7-8: Travis Friend (N.H.), Beau Lirette (Mass.), Chase Bickford (Bar Harbor); 125 amateur: Craig Starzynski (Mass.), Bruce Leung (Mass.); adult 100: Shawn Morin (N.H.), Sean Harvey (Mass.), Jessica Bailey (Conn.); vintage amateur: Don Veitch (N.H.), Frank Rounds (Vt.), Dwight Whitten (Manchester); 50 senior: Ethan Fick (Garland), Brent Lyskawa (N.H.), Beau Lirette (Mass.); senior: Ron Bertrand (Mass.), Jody Phelps (Mass.), Gregg Seraphin (Mass.); 60 cc: James Rispoli (N.H.), Troy Estabrook (N.H.), Shane Narbonne (Mass.); super senior: Bob Bertrand (Mass.), Yogi Hildebrand (N.H.), Al Merchant (Mass.); 80 cc: Troy Estabrook (N.H.), Shane Narbonne (Mass.), Corey Hildebrand (N.H.); 250 amateur: Eric Casey (Mass.), Joe Seraphin (Mass.), Ted Brisbois (Mass.); vintage masters: Ron Bertand (Mass.), Curt Friend (N.H.), Mark Loranger (N.H.); open amateur: Eric Casey (Mass.), Bob Bertrand (Mass.), Mike Beland (Mass.); 250 pro: Ron Bertrand (Mass.), Gregg Seraphin (Mass.), Mark Loranger (N.H.), David Casey (Mass.), Alan Niles (R.I.); open pro: Aaron Creamer (Mass.), Roger Durkee (Mass.), Jeff Swensen (N.H.), Bob Weiss (N.Y.), Ron Bertrand (Mass.)