The Kioti Armstrong Truck & Tractor American Woods Racing Championship Series (AWRCS), presented by Lojaks Cycle Sales and an AMA East Regional Championship, made its way to Clintonville, Pennsylvania, August 15-16, for one of the most anticipated rounds of the year, the Full Boar Racing Back to School race. Overnight rain left the course slick at the start of the day, but conditions began to track up as racing got underway.
By Kate Stiller | Photos by Taylor Carratura
With fan-favorite obstacles like the Creek Jump and Rock Wall Jump returning, racers had plenty of challenges and opportunities to put on a show throughout the Clintonville course. As more inclement weather began moving into the area later in the day, the Adult Bike race was ultimately cut short, making every lap count.
When the green flag flew for the Adult Bike race, Liam Draper grabbed the holeshot and quickly took control of the race. Draper led the opening two laps with Keihin Rupp running close behind. However, Draper’s day would come to an early end after running out of gas while leading, allowing Rupp to take over the top spot. Rupp held onto the lead through the final lap to earn his fourth win of the season aboard his Kawasaki.
Behind Rupp, Mack Riemer was making his way through the field. Riemer started sixth overall before moving into fifth on lap two. On the final lap, Riemer made a strong push to move into second overall, earning the XC-Pro Amateur win and second overall.
Defending Clintonville winner Easton Uplinger rode a consistent race, finishing third overall every lap. Uplinger would come in just 32 seconds behind Riemer, taking his second podium overall finish of the year. Jay Lipscomb followed in fourth overall and second in XC-Pro, while Ruger Morgan worked his way from eighth on the opening lap to fifth overall and third in XC-Pro Amateur.
Sahara Robinson continued her winning ways in the XC-Women class, leading from start to finish aboard her KTM to claim another victory. Madison Harmon held second throughout the race to finish as runner-up, while Breanna Coast put in a strong ride in front of her home crowd to round out the podium in third.
Hunter Hawkinberry dominated the Youth Bike race once again, leading all four laps aboard his KTM to claim the overall and Supermini A victories. Behind him, Ty Behrendt worked his way from third overall on the opening lap into second by lap two and held the position to the checkered flag to finish second overall and take the win in the Supermini B class. Derek Deal followed in third overall, while Sahara Robinson finished fourth and Noah Shaffer made a late push to round out the top five.
Josh Erny led all four laps of the PeeWee Bike race to claim another overall victory, but Baron Evkovich kept the pressure on, making it the closest round of the season. After the time adjustment, Evkovich finished just eight seconds behind Erny to take second overall and win the PeeWee Bike Two-Stroke class. Kash Brummage worked his way from seventh on the opening lap to finish third overall, while Audrey Petrilla and Mason Ostrowski rounded out the top five.
With another exciting weekend of racing in the books at Clintonville, the AWRCS series now turns its attention to the next round at The Forest in Sigel, Pennsylvania. Riders will return to the woods as the 2026 season continues and the championship battles begin to heat up heading into the final stretch of the year.CN
2026 AWRCS Round 8 Results
OVERALL (Top 10)
- Keihin Rupp (Kaw) 1:31:07
- Mack Riemer (Hus) 1:35:17
- Easton Uplinger (Bet) 1:35:49
- Jay Lipscomb (Hon) 1:36:06
- Ruger Morgan (Kaw) 1:37:15
- Sawyer Carratura (KTM) 1:37:52
- Zachary Huegel (Bet) 1:38:09
- Danny Haftl (Yam) 1:39:04
- Tom Truxell (Hon) 1:39:31
- Joe Schriver (Yam) 1:40:06
