Monday Maniac #16

By: @gauldy107

Sand in your face, sand in your eyes and sand down your crack. The 2012 CMRC Southwestern Ontario season got underway yesterday in the deep sand of Gopher Dunes. For as long as I can remember we have started the year off at the toughest track this country has to offer. Sometimes this is a good thing and sometimes it’s a bad thing. It takes a real strong and smart rider to get through the Dunes. I figured this year there would be a high percentage of riders ready since the weather has given us multiple chances to ride way ahead of schedule. I for one thought I was way better prepared than how I felt after about five laps of the first moto. I have never been that tired or that pumped up in my career. I felt awful – LOL. I saw that I was not the only one that had a tough day. I saw 3 or 4 ambulances head out the gates of Gopher, which is unusual for that place. The combination of the ANQ (amateur national qualifier) pressure, the pouring rain in the AM, and the awkward design of the track made for some dragging tongues (me being the worst one); a tough start to the season for some. Even though there were a few negative moments, the positives outweighed them tenfold. The pits were full, huge entries and the Pro class had some great battles in both motos so the fans got their money’s worth. The next race is in two weeks at Motopark. If you have had a chance to go there this year you know that this facility is A1 and I can only imagine how amazing it will be for their first race of the year. Now if we can get that B with and ITCH Mother Nature to beat it for that Sunday we will all be in for a treat.

Great turnout in all classes at the Dunes. MX2 Junior had three qualifiers. I'm pretty pissed about the Vet Master class swap that no one told us about and the fact that there were only four riders in the class.

Huge crowd for the 5th Annual Josh Damery AX in Springhill, Nova Scotia. Photo by Nicole Murphy

The 5th Annual Josh Damery AX event went off this weekend in Springhill, Nova Scotia; the hometown of none other than the famous singer Anne Murray and of course the man that put Springhill on the map, Ryan Lockhart. By the sounds of things the event was killer. Not as many notables flown in like past years but the fans got a chance to see locals like Ryan and Brad Lockhart, Mitch Cooke, Johnny Montes, Davey Fraser and some Quebec stars like Karl Normand. This race gives fans a chance to meet and greet the heroes of the Maritimes and celebrate the life of Josh Damery. Friday night saw the Quebecer Karl Normand stuffed Ryan Lockhart and race off for the victory. “The track was real soft and tough to pass” stated Newf. Top five from Friday were:

1. Karl Normand

2. Davey Fraser

3. Ryan Lockhart

4. Mitch Cooke

5. Brad Lockhart

The track layout looked pretty cool. Photo by Nicole Murphy

Saturday was a different story as the town of Springhill nearly had the roof blown off it when the checkers waved for Ryan Lockhart. “I felt so good riding this weekend. To win in front of the crowd that showed up really made me feel amazing,” shared a very happy Newf. He received a standing ovation, which made the local hero Lockhart feel something he hadn’t for quite some time. It’s safe to say this was very special. Saturday results were:

1. Ryan Lockhart

2. Karl Normand

3. Davey Fraser

4. Brad Lockhart

5. David Strang

Thanks to Ryan Lockhart for helping get us a photographer. Thanks to Nicole Murphy for the pics.

The star of the weekend hanging with the fans. Photo by Nicole Murphy

Darryn Durham took his first victory as a Pro this weekend in New Orleans. Photo by Rich Shepherd

After a week off it was time for the New Orleans Supercross. Ryan Villopoto took home his 9th win of the year. If you’ve been under a rock or just a lame human that doesn’t know about the best sport in the world, Villopoto is the champ again and did so in dominating fashion. The really cool thing to hear about was Josh Grant getting a 2^nd; one of the coolest guys on the tour and so well deserving. He finally put it together and felt good right from the start and showed speed like he had way back in 2009. Cole Thompson made his way back to the Lites class this weekend. Looks like it didn’t go as planned but I’m betting he was pretty happy to be back on the bike and racing after taking a couple weeks off from his big get off in Toronto. In the SX class, Bobby Kiniry qualified 8th and looked like his momentum was still flowing from his 6th place in the main back in Houston. I have yet to see the main but the 18th at the checkers was not what he was looking for. The series now heads west to Seattle this weekend. Can Dean Wilson take home his first title? Or will Eli Tomac bounce back after losing 22 points at the last round way back in February and take the lites West title? It’s back live this Saturday night at 10:30pm EST on Speed.

Two riders that have banged bars all winter will do it again this summer in Canada. Matt Goerke #87 and Bobby Kiniry #81 pound their way through the sand section. Matt didn't make the main and Kiniry rode to an 18th

Cole Thompson rode well but didn't make the main. Next stop Vegas. Photo by Rich Shepherd

I got this note from our good friend from New Zealand and honorary Canadian, Mason Phillips. He will not be making it to Canada this summer but he is trying to sell his fun mover. Here are all the details:

Hey Gauldy,

I’ve attached a few photos and here’s some info on my fun mover and trailer. I’d like to sell both of them together if possible.
I’m selling them with everything: Cabinets in the garage and the trailer, the compressor, pressure washer, bedding, TV, DVD player, bike stands, tie downs, EZI up, Ogio loading ramp, work tables, chairs, hoses, oh yeah and the motor home has an extra 500L water tank underneath the garage. Actually everything you need to go racing: Everything!

The fun mover is a 2006 Fourwinds, the mileage is about 80,000 miles. The trailer is also 2006, it’s 12 or 14 ft.
The motor home has 2 AC units, both the motor home and trailer have really good tires.
It’s all sitting in a garage in California, 5 minutes down the road from Starwest.
Motor home and trailer are basically in perfect condition. I look after my stuff good. Everything is in almost new condition.

I want $40,000 and someone can take it all.

I’m flying over to Cali on May 5 and will be there 3 weeks to sort all my stuff out. The best way to contact me is just to email me, the time difference can be a pain to call. racingmason@hotmail.com

So if you’re interested in a Turn-Key race mobile, this could be the ticket.

So one race is in the books here in SWO. The morning was a pain with the crappy weather but it seemed like everybody dealt with it okay. Thanks to Gopher for always putting their hearts and souls into the sport we all love, and CMRC for creating a sturdy race organization for us to race with. Last but not least, all the racers that showed on four wheels or two. It’s just great to be back at the track (even if I left early for iced balls and missing races).

BRRRRRAAAAPPPP!!!!!