Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
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Once again friends, thanks for checking in and climbing aboard the weekly ‘Friday Flight.’ With the clock winding down on 2015 after this past weekend’s final Canadian Motocross checkered flag wave in Chilliwack, B.C., what a year it has been. I myself am over the moon stoked with positive energy moving forward as a result of all the great moments and memories I experienced in 2015. I guess it is cliché to say that all good things must come to an end but as we Motocrossers know all too well, nothing is ever really over for us. This undying passion in us all is as steadfast, constant and certain as the sun, the wind and the rain. I will acknowledge at this point, though, that no matter who you are or what level your involvement at this time of year, a well-deserved break is needed. For a guy like me who gets so amped up for race weekends that the thoughts and anticipation of it keeps me awake at night; a break is something that you would not think I would be down with. After this past weekend’s Future West Moto Arenacross Series finale, I find myself looking forward to a couple of weeks off over Christmas with friends and family. My wife does remind me that as spent and over it for now as I am, in a couple of short days I will be singing a different tune. For us Moto heads who can never really seem to get enough, there is always some action to follow. The AX-Tour is back in action south of the border this weekend for RD-3 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Austin Watling has been getting a lot of experience this fall racing indoors. All of this intense racing will no doubt help Austin as he makes the transition to the Intermediate class in 2016.
I had the pleasure of speaking with up and coming Canadian fast guy Austin Watling on my Canadian Moto Show Wednesday night. Austin, who has had a great year result wise and gained a ton of experience, is still on tour racing and working with the Jet-Werx crew. I asked Austin on the show if he was looking forward to lining up as an Intermediate in 2016. He beat me to the punch and said he got his first Intermediate experience the previous weekend at RD-2 of the AX-Tour in Batesville, Mississippi. Austin cited that he waited to make the move so he could compete and get his victory at Mini O’s at the level he had been racing at all year. Nice work Austin. The value of Arenacross for all levels and ages of riders is huge. I know I have been banging on this drum long and hard for the last four or five months but for good reason. Kids like Austin and many many others are getting great results at world class events as a result of being able to hone and develop their skills year round.
Once again I had a lot of help announcing last weekend in Chilliwack. photo by Michael Earle
This past weekend in Chilliwack, the Future West Moto Arenacross Series wrapped up and what a beauty it was. I can very proudly say that in the last 3 years I did not miss a single round of the series action. If you followed along at home or were fortunate to be at any or all of the events, you have a pretty good idea of how great this series was. The series started off in the small farming community of just over 5,000 in Armstrong, B.C. and the event was well supported. After a couple of weeks to re-group from rounds one and two, the series touched down at the Agriplex in Cloverdale, B.C. The track there was the most technical of the series, which saw some riders excel and have their best rounds of the series while others struggled. This series was never short on drama on the race track in many classes, and the numbers increased and grew steadily throughout. Round 5 and 6 in Chilliwack saw a total of 543 entries including 26 Pros for the two nights of action. Is it just me or is that number not phenomenal? The other thing that I was very excited to see as a race fan was the number of people that attended each and every round of this series. Historically we have seen great attendance in Cloverdale as the ambience there for fans is top shelf. Chilliwack, however, in recent years on back to back weekends, had seen attendance tail off slightly. This is a bit of a catch 22 as it is the best rider friendly race track of the series. This year things were much better and over the course of the final two back to back weekends of the series the stands remained packed.
It was great to see Kyle Beaton back on a race track at the final round in Chilliwack. photo by Michael Earle
When the action resumed on the final weekend in Chilliwack it was a true Canadian Moto feel good moment to have Kyle Beaton lined up in the Pro class. Kyle showed everyone why we call Heritage Park ‘The Barn Beats Built.’ He busted out a big holeshot and led the Pro Lites qualifier for 4 of 6 laps. In the main event he got a little tight as to be expected but did not look out of place one bit. Kyle told me on the Live broadcast on Saturday night that his appetite has once again been spurred and we very well may see him line up in race shape at next year’s series. How cool would that be? Whatever you decide Kyle, you are my Hero buddy.
Did I mention there was some drama in this series? You bet there was. Even though from the outside looking in one would think Ross Johnson on the Cycle North, FXR Racing Honda had an easy time of things. Don’t get me wrong, Ross Johnson is a world class indoor racer and is full value for his credentials. Let me put this year’s series in perspective as it pertains to the man who was just crowned a 3-time, consecutive, Future West Arenacross Champion. I contacted Ross 6 days before round one in Armstrong and he was not even sure if he was coming to race for a couple of reasons. One, he had a pending deal to go to Germany, and two, he only had a 250F that he had just obtained days. At the last minute he decided it would be a good way to get ready for his plans of going to Germany. He picked up the phone and got the green light from his long-time supporter Kourtney Lloyd from Cycle North. After the great round one in Armstrong it was still unclear if Ross would be at the next round. I am not sure exactly what led to the decision but what he put the finishing touches on this past weekend was an amazing feat for the record books. Johnson had a substantial points lead in the Lites class but in the final main of the series he would get a huge scare. On the first lap he and JMC Husky – Killer Customz rider Noah McConahay would leave the race track together and go down hard. The race was red flagged and it was uncertain from my vantage point what the extent of the damage was. I will admit that it was very scary for this race fan and I feared for the well-being of both riders.
It wasn’t easy, but Ross Johnson took home his third Canadian AX Championship last weekend. He is flanked in this photo by the legend Ryan Lockhart and Cycle North Honda boss Kourtney Lloyd. photo by Michael Earle
I was perched on my broadcast platform in Chilliwack; when the riders went to the line for the final Pro Open Moto of the season Johnson and McConahay somehow both lined up. I found out after the fact that Ross Johnson was bandaged and duct taped back together to pull off the unthinkable. Thank you medic and all around good guy Steve Sulyok. Ross, with what has now been diagnosed with a broken shoulder blade, went out and fought through the pain and adversity to a second place finish. Unbelievable Ross, you are not only a champion but a Rocky Balboa-like warrior. Ross Johnson friends is not only a warrior and a winner but is a very humble, down to earth human being. Over the course of this series I got to know Ross a lot better and see a side of him that many may never be fortunate enough to see, thanks Ross. Johnson’s medical prognosis has him now sidelined for 5-6 weeks but he has a deal to race in England next month. He is not exactly sure what will happen but if what we saw this past weekend in Chilliwack is any indication Ross will likely be there lined up. It should be good if he can head to contest the British Supercross/Arenacross series with his statesman and Pro Open winner Saturday night Colin Jurin. It has also just been announced that Josh Hansen will race that series as well. Good luck Ross and Colin. A quick footnote on AMA national ranked number 96 Noah McConahay who raced the Future West series. He is also teamed up to race AMA Supercross with JMC-Husqvarna USA. Noah’s journey can be followed at Killer CustomZ.net, http://www.kcmx.net/, a website run by Michigan native Kyle Peschi who profiles and portrays privateer racers. Very cool stuff Kyle and Noah, looking forward to following your blog – good luck Noah and I will see you there!
For those of you who were following the social media thread at the Future West Facebook page, it is to be noted that the one-off round in February has been decided against. You are reminded to follow along as the 2016 schedule is being worked on as we speak and will be released very soon. Future West will facilitate a great, all inclusive schedule in 2016 both indoors and outdoors. Thanks for nothing now I won’t be able to sleep again thinking about it.
Wherever the holiday season takes you friends, stay safe and keep that Moto passion pinned. Until next ‘Friday Flight‘ …….Airmail’ out………………
The 2015 Future West Moto AX Series was incredible and everyone went home happy. Thank-you to all for listening to me and allowing me to be a big part of it. See you all in 2016. photo by Michael Earle
