Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
Over the past few seasons a young kid from British Columbia who goes by the name of Casey Keast has become one of the fastest mini riders this country has ever seen. With multiple Parts Canada TransCan titles, numerous BC Provincial wins and trips to Loretta Lynn’s and the Monster Cup, Keast appears destined for future stardom. However, as with every young champion in this sport, there are always hurdles and obstacles as they try to claw their way to the top.
During the first four rounds of the 2015 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals presented by Motovan, Casey Keast was going all in racing the KTM Canada Super Mini Nationals on the Saturday and then attempting to qualify for the MX2 class on Sunday (riding his YZ125 two-stroke). At round one in Kamloops, everything went as planned as Keast won the opening round of the Super Mini Nationals and then successfully qualified for the pro motos on Sunday. The following weekend when his Canadian friends were busy racing on Vancouver Island, Keast was in Washington State earning his ticket to the Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National, which is scheduled for later this month in Tennessee. Things were going just as the Keast’s had planned as they made their way east to Calgary, AB for the final round of the KTM Canada Super Mini Nationals.
To maximize his Saturday track time at Wild Rose MX Park, Casey decided to sign up for the MX3 Intermediate class as well. As the gate dropped for the first moto, nothing appeared out of the ordinary as Casey got his usual good start and was looking forward to the win. Then, as it always seems to do in this sport, disaster struck very quickly and within moments the Keast’s summer plans were drastically altered. Here are Casey Keast’s thoughts on exactly what happened in Calgary.
Casey Keast had a big summer of racing planned before getting injured in Calgary a few weeks ago.
MXP: I guess my first question is how are you feeling these days?
CK: Not too bad, we’re almost three weeks into my injury so it’s starting to feel better. However, because of the type of injury that I have, it’s definitely going to be a long road to recovery.
You broke your arm, correct?
Yes, I have a clean break of my humorous bone so it’s not good.
That is the same bone that Nathan Bles broke before Kamloops. But unlike him, I’m assuming they didn’t want to pin and plate your injury?
No they didn’t, I think because of my age. I’m still growing and everything so they want it to heal correctly and not affect the growth of the bone.
Have the doctors given you a time frame for when you might be able to return to riding?
CK: I just had a check up yesterday actually and they told me ten long weeks!
Okay, so the summer is gone for you, which is too bad, we’re very sorry to hear that, but that should still give you time to race the Monster Energy Cup in October, correct?
Yes it should! The plan was always to have the 2015 MEC be my final Super Mini race so that hopefully will still be the plan. It’s hard though to think about that right now as all I can think about are the races that I’m missing this summer. Mammoth Mountain, Loretta’s and Walton were all on my schedule. I suppose that’s racing, though, and hopefully I will be back stronger and better than ever.
Casey Keast had a good weekend at round one in Kamloops winning the Supermini class on Saturday and then qualifying for the MX2 class on Sunday. photo by James Lissimore
I know, it’s never a good time to suffer an injury, however you’re still young and I’m sure you will be a quick healer. So what are your plans now for the summer?
Right now Call of Duty is my best friend as that’s all I’ve been able to do. In a few weeks I’ll be able to start training again and that should help speed up my recovery and get me ready for my return to racing.
That’s good news Casey. I have one more question for you, what exactly happened when you crashed in Calgary?
It was on the first lap of the first MX3 Intermediate moto and I just made a mistake and crashed. But, it wasn’t the crash that broke my arm, it was getting run over after by half the pack. Right away riders started hitting me and I knew my arm was broken. It was definitely a hard thing to deal with.
Well, that’s too bad Casey. I guess it always could’ve been a lot worse, though, it could’ve been more than just an arm. Thank you for taking the time to speak to us and best of luck with your recovery. We’ll see you in Vegas in October.
Yes, for sure, thanks for doing this.
