Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
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Once again friends, I am back in business relatively unscathed after what I can honestly say were probably two of the toughest weeks I have endured in a long time. I would like to thank Palms for the great job he did filling in for me last week in BigSteelBox’s namesake. As summer starts to make its descent into Fall, this time of year always has me reflecting or reminiscing about some of the great life experiences and lessons I have been privileged to through Motocross. To me that is what defines this sport and separates it from most others. ‘The Experience’ There will never be anything to replace what this sport’s experiences have given and taught me over the years. Only to add to that the respect it has given me for my fellow man as well as a true and genuine sense of accomplishment and happiness.
Just this past week I came across a media post in memory of the day that Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope came to an end just outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario. For me, reading this post took me back to one of the most pertinent and experiences of my formative years. It was 1980 and I had been back East that summer with my family racing Motocross. I was focussed on that year’s Junior National, which was scheduled to take place in Quebec. We first lined up in Quebec at the fabled St. Gabriel de Brandon track and at 14-years-old I rode the support class on an 80cc Yamaha of that day’s Pro National. It was a great day on a race track that was a pure piece of pristine Motocross beauty; the race track pretty much emulated everything of the era of our sport. It was physically demanding, it was rough, and it was above all else all natural terrain with many peaks and valleys on the horizon of seemingly endless rolling farmland. The day went well for me as I would go 1-1 in my class, and the race would be a great tune up for the following week’s Junior National at Notre Dame de La Salette, Quebec. I remember the head referee approaching my Dad right after the conclusion of my second moto, asking him to present my birth certificate as someone protested my age. Looking back on that, it still brings a smile to my face as I was only 14-years-old but did support a full beard. As we loaded into our motorhome to head to the biggest race of the year, the sweet smell of victory was quickly soured by the rancid odour of our family dog that found it necessary to roll in every cow pie on the St. Gabriel grounds. Oh the travel memories.
The Junior National of 1980 was held in Notre Dame de La Salette on a pretty decent race track that had good, well-packed soil. At least it did until it began to pour rain non-stop on race day morning. Being a BC boy, you would think it would be a dream come true to line up for the biggest race of the year in the sport’s greatest equalizer, the mud, right? Wrong! I hated the mud. Yes, I won many races in it, and in fact, heading into that year’s national, I had not lost a moto to that point that season. The previous year of ’79, Al Dyck won the title. What I learned that year and how far I advanced from 13-14 was huge. I had Yamaha Motor Canada support thanks to Bob Works, and I had gone through a growth spurt. Regardless of the outcome, this would be my last year on the small bike. Let’s just say I was a frame breaker and those mini cycles were not then what they are now.
I remember heading to the line not really knowing anything about any of the riders I was lined up against. I quickly noticed to my left a rider that was flanked with umbrellas on either side by a Canadian Motorsport Legend and his son. Yes, it was none other than Yvon Duhamel and his son Mario, there in support of their son and brother Miguel Duhamel. I am not sure where Miguel finished that day but the storied career he proceeded to write needs no introduction, I am sure. I ended up a distant second in Moto one to an Ontario fast guy on a Honda by the name of Glen Caley. We have all had those moments in life when things don’t go as planned and we are unsatisfied with the results. To say this was me in those moments between motos was a huge understatement. I was a fiery red head who had not been beaten all year and was absolutely pissed. At stake by winning the national title was a chance and an opportunity of a life time to represent Canada at Saddleback Park at the following spring’s World Mini Grand Prix in the Yamaha Race of Champions. It meant the world to me to have a chance to be there on the line with the 20 best mini cycle riders in the world, just as my countrymen Jeff Sutherland and Al Dyck had been the previous two years.
I was not so much upset with myself because I had finished second in Moto one, but more so because of how tight and awful I felt on the race track. About halfway through Moto one, I knew second would give me an opportunity to win the overall and get the job done with a better effort if I won Moto 2.
Talk about memories; I can still feel that moment as if it were yesterday sitting in the pits in between motos on my toolbox looking down at my feet knowing that second was not good enough. I also recall having a few people, fans, and friends stop by to say, “Good moto, nothing wrong with second.” Well, to me the only thing good about second was it put me in a position to control my own destiny by winning Moto 2. When I went to the line for Moto 2 I was already in a zone of my own. I don’t think I looked at anyone or anything except the first right hand corner at the top of the start line hill. By this time, the rain had stopped and the track had become very tacky and heavy. None of that mattered as my only thought and focus was the fact that I would be to the first corner first and no one was going to beat me. When the gate dropped I went to the front and once again felt that confident flow that allowed me to open up a substantial lead. With about three laps to go there was a weird dog leg section on a downhill straightaway, and I got out of the race line into the heavy mud and went down hard. I am not sure how and why but it was a slight mental error that had me on the ground with my bike in some of the heaviest mud I had ever seen. Wrestling the bike upright with the foot peg caked and stuck, and the left grip resembling a summer slip n’ slide, I was momentarily stunned. Second place Caley soon blitzed by to the lead as I fought feverishly to re-fire what was by this point a fully flooded YZ80. Finally, it fired and the first thing I said to myself was, “There is no way he is going to win!” He had me by a few corners, and on the lap I got going I noticed many on the sidelines cheering me on, some even to the point where they had hopped the snow fences and were waiving hats and shirts at me. I was a little bit surprised as I had never seen anything like this, and after all, I was from BC. Why were they cheering for me? Welcome to Quebec Brent, they are the best race fans in the country and are always up for the action. The push from the sidelines only seemed to fuel my already five alarm inferno to get around Glen Caley and be crowned the 1980 Canadian National Champ. Within a lap I caught Glen and made an uncontested pass to the lead. Shortly after that the white flag came out, all I could think was, not that I was going to win but more so the fact that no one was going to beat me! Winning that race, even though I won many, many more after, was one of the most character defining moments and memories I have from this truly great and amazing sport. I often like to say this sport is about the memories and experiences, and the results are only secondary. I assure you, though, at the tender age of 14, if you would have told me that on this day in late August you definitely would be off of my Christmas Card list.
With our mission accomplished and headed back to BC via Highway 1 through the scenic Great Lakes district, we were soon approaching Thunder Bay, Ontario. While descending downhill, we were met by a bridge of flashing lights and a motorcade surrounded by people. I remember vividly reading the sign that said ‘Terry Fox.’ As we were escorted by, I looked out the driver-side window, over my Dad’s shoulder, and made eye contact with Terry as he looked our direction while hopping along. Once again, being a 14-year-old and not paying much attention to anything but Motocross-related stories, I knew very little about Terry Fox, his mission and what would be his life changing, for many, undertaking. After having as many questions answered by my Mom and Dad that they had answers for, we continued on our way. I am not sure if I remember Terry’s name being mentioned again until the following year, one early Sunday morning when my father and I were headed to a race in Aldergrove. Moments after we headed out of our driveway, my father turned on the truck’s radio and we heard the news of Terry’s passing. I don’t think my father and I even responded; it was pretty much silence the balance of the 45 minute drive to Aldergrove. I really believe that in those 45 minutes that followed, it became very apparent to this now 15-year-old that there were absolutely no guarantees in life. Upon arrival at the track, I shared the news with one of my good friends and top level expert riders of that era ‘Captain Marvel’ (Marv Cross). Marv’s response was “So sad, I thought they were going to save him.” Even though Terry’s passing was very sad and tragic, I look back to all the good things that have come out of his efforts.
Even though Terry may have never thought anything of it beyond our paths crossing, the memories of that life changing summer of1980 and crossing paths with one of life’s greatest victors will remain with me forever.
As we head into another weekend of racing action across this country as the outdoors begin to wind down, maybe, like myself, it will be years down the road that you are rewarded with the appreciation or value. Maybe it will be immediate, maybe it will be later in life. Both life and the sport of Motocross reward those who embrace it and make the best of it. There is still a lot on the horizon here in Canadian Motocross. I will be at the final round announcing our BC Championship series in Kelowna on Sunday. My friend, the man they call the ‘Seven Deuce Deuce,’ is in town and will be helping me out on the mic, as well as cheering on the many who look up to him. The Kelowna Dirt Bike Club, BigSteelBox and Kettle Valley Woodworks have posted over $2,500 for the Pro Purse. Intermediates will get 100% payback and all those who hit their mark will be rewarded at our awards ceremony that will follow with a dinner on Sunday night.
AMO Reloaded is back in action for the final four rounds of what has been a truly positive, upbeat change for the Ontario scene. Moto Park will be the first of four weekends on Sept. 13th. I have not reached out to Gauldy to get the goods, but I assure you from what I have heard, he is continuing to do everything he has done since he took the reins on this effort. I have not heard any negative feedback whatsoever so a big thumbs up in his direction. If you are a racer or a race fan that is sitting on the fence and not sure what to do this weekend, let me suggest that wherever you are, get out and support the guys that support the sport nearest you. On the note of the upcoming two Canadian Arenacross Series that have been scheduled for this Fall, I have been told by both parties that we will have some formal press releases with regards to the finite details very soon. Future West Moto has just announced that they have cancelled the scheduled Abbotsford round, so now there will be no imminent conflict between fans and riders on this particular date. The AX Tour now has sole possession of the October 23rd & 24th weekend for their Penticton round. I think these two series will continue to provide an outlet for riders and race fans to do what is imperative, and that is to keep the compete level up throughout as much of the calendar year as possible without having to head miles south. I reached out to Justin Thompson of the new Canadian AX Tour yesterday to get more directly from him the upcoming series and plans. He did tell me that they had hoped for five rounds this year but were happy with the four as an introduction to the Canadian market. He also told me that they plan to increase the series to as many as seven rounds next year. I have seen the benefits of the Future West Moto Canadian Arenacross Series first hand when it comes to the development of future and current Canadian talent. These series will both continue to evolve and give riders and race fans an outlet for their passion and perseverance. That my friends has this race fan smiling. Let’s All Go Racing.
Until next Friday Flight, ‘Airmail’ out………………….
