Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
The Walton Raceway track sits ready in the morning sun. Photo by James Lissimore
Oh Walton…we will be back!
The moment registration opened and everyone ran as fast as they could into the famous Walton barn to get their bibs printed was the start of the most epic race week we have ever had…and we were in Canada!! We have been to many races South of the Border and all around Western Canada but this was our first race experience in Eastern Canada, and what an experience to remember! I can only hope that our Western Canadian racers would be as welcoming to the East riders as they were to us!
Pits were packed as hundreds of nervous racers gathered around for the Opening Ceremonies, checking out their competition, wondering who is who and what classes they race. Something about being at a huge race like Walton and new unknown faces raises the excitement level. Hearing the history of Walton and listening to the racers speak so professionally on the mic from all around Canada was awesome!
Before the racing even began, everyone gathered for a mandatory riders meeting. Photo by James Lissimore
Team Westcoast – Kourtney Lloyd & Kyle Beaton did everything possible to ensure the team riders had the best race experience. When we pulled into Walton they had all the RVs setup, food, drinks, and bikes lined up perfectly under the tents (thanks Oliver Benek). They also provided professional mechanics for the racers, giving these little rippers a true race experience! Kourtney, Kyle & Oliver ran around for 5 days non-stop to make sure the Westcoast Team and their families were set and ready to go each day! Oops, almost forgot about the water truck they had called to fill up the four pools for the kids to have a little extra fun! If it wasn’t for Team Westcoast these riders would have missed out on this amazing experience Walton had to offer!
Before the rains came later in the week, the temperatures were hot and humid at Walton Raceway. Thankfully we brought some kiddie pools with us!
The Track…WOW! Beautiful setting, awesome layout, perfect dirt and by far the best prepped track. One of the best tracks for spectating, and for those crazy (me) moto moms that feel the need to run around the track to watch their kid in every section, save your energy as you could see it all from most areas. I had to keep reminding myself that we were in Canada not the USA as the level of riders was beyond our expectation but exactly what we were hoping for. The race schedule was set times so no running around asking every single person what race was on the track. There was a huge tent setup for the riders to stay cool and each race got a sight lap. Those sight laps always help the nerves for the racers and parents even if the younger kids treat it as a race and the vet classes take longer then the PW class to get around checking out the lines.
In between races Dexter and his dad sit and talk about just how cool it was to be at the Walton TransCan.
The headache and stress of running around trying to find your kid (or husband) before their moto was the real deal at Walton. There was so much for the kids to do starting off with KTM Canada’s track walk with Tanner Ward, Chris Pomeroy & Claudie Lapointe, followed by another track walk with Kyle Beaton and the Westcoast Team. Endless fun to be had like Bouncy Houses & Helicopter rides, but 90% of the time I would find the kids at the BMX dirt jumps with shovels building the jumps even bigger! KTM Canada hosted a Kids Only Dinner, no parents allowed, and had riders such as Tanner Ward helping the kids, then off to BINGO they went with guest star Larry Enticer that sat with the kids for over an hour playing bingo! On the last day of races, Motocross pro and Walton Champion Dean Wilson made a surprise appearance cheering and motivating all the kids on and taking over the podium mic! Definitely an experience these kids will never forget.
Race holders always try to make it a fun experience for the kids and this is great, but honestly, what about us parents that works our butts off? Well, thanks to Mel & Brett Lee they know exactly what us moto parents need, and they delivered! The last night of the amateur races we got some Live Band action! It was great to hang out and dance with follow race parents that you see all weekend at the start gate and mechanics area but sometimes never meet due to the stress level and competitiveness of the sport. Good times letting loose, meeting new friends and laughing uncontrollably made for an unforgettable week of racing. It felt more like a camping holiday with great friends and racing was just the bonus.
Thanks to Brett Lee and his entire family for an unforgettable week at the Walton TransCan. Photo by James Lissimore
Brett & Mel Lee and the entire Walton family went over and beyond making sure that we all felt at home; it just blew my mind! They had over a thousand strangers on their property, hosting the biggest race in Canada but yet ensuring we were all having the best time possible. I can’t say enough about all the hard work that went into welcoming us. It was amazing as they truly understood what it took for us to travel the distance, and we would do it again! My son unfortunately had some bad luck but all the good times overpowered his race results, and he can’t wait until next year’s “best race ever.” My husband finally got to live his childhood dream of racing Walton and becoming a Walton Champion!! As for this crazy social moto mom, I loved the entertainment that Walton had to offer and I can’t wait to go back to cheer on my boys and dance it up with all my new East coast friends! Walton, not only did you put on the best race but all the big and small details throughout the week were beyond our expectation and we will be back…60 hours of driving was worth it!
