Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
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Once again friends, thanks for climbing aboard this week’s lift off into the weekend via your Friday Flight here at MXP Mag. To all of our friends south of the border, I hope you had a great Thanksgiving with all of those that you are grateful for. If you are headed out shopping today on the day the gate officially drops on your wallet and the holidays, keep your elbows up. I would like to be able to start this week’s blog off with some firsthand accounts of some fierce Moto related action that I had the pleasure of witnessing firsthand. Unfortunately, that was not the case this past week for me in any way shape or form. It was a bit of a tough one for me, and I am grateful that I did survive with my health and sanity somewhat intact. Okay, what gives, right? I live in a two story condo and the only way in and out for me is via the elevator that was put in at the cost equivalent of four brand new dirt bikes. Some could argue it is cool to live like Eminem, or any other rock star for that matter, and have an elevator in the house. Not so, this week when it came to the repair bill I received for mechanical issues with the lift, I am truly a Canadian Motocrosser right down to the bare bones of the bottom of my wallet. Would I change a thing? Absolutely not. The elevator is now back in order and luckily for me interest rates are low and I am headed back to work in Chilliwack this weekend to broadcast the Future West Moto Arenacross action.
As you can see the arena in Chilliwack is not only a massive building, but it also offers some beautiful BC views. Photo by Clayton Racicot
Chilliwack, B.C.’s Heritage Park is home to the back half of the 2015 Future West Moto Canadian Arenacross Series. It will provide some very competitive and entertaining racing action. The series will conclude over the course of the next two weekends and I believe the best action of the series is still ahead. In the Pro Lites class, Cycle North Honda’s of Ross Johnson enjoys a pretty comfortable points lead over GA Checkpoint Yamaha’s Brad Nauditt, Ryan Lockhart and Jess Pettis. The Pro Open class, that has been owned by Johnson the last two years, is a much different story altogether. Only two points separate the trio of Nauditt, Johnson and the Maple Ridge Motorsports Kawasaki of Ryan Lockhart. Jess Pettis, on the Vernon Motorsports Yamaha, is 6 points adrift of that trio and is getting faster each round. Jess proved that in Cloverdale by winning his first ever series top level victory on the borrowed bike of Kyle Beaton.
The plot will be the thickest of the series in Chilliwack, and if I had to make an educated guess based on the contacts I have made, I say we will get anywhere from 15-20 top level riders for each of the remaining two weekends. It looks like Keylan Meston, who recently tested the waters of the AX-tour at the Penticton and Calgary rounds, will jump into the Future West Fray in Chilliwack. I am also looking forward to seeing Husqvarna mounted Noah McConahay, who also won his first ever Future West race in Cloverdale, back in action this weekend along with his 2016 AMA Supercross teammate Chris Howell.
Howell will also see his first 2015 Future West action, and he and teammate McConahay, who have both been ranked in top 100 of the AMA, will also contend for podiums. Add into this mix upcoming talent, KTM/ GP Moto/ Goldentyre backed Ryeley Gallup from Brooks, Alberta along with Kyle Swanson, a few others and the table is set. If you have never been fortunate enough to get out to this venue and are wondering what separates it from other events and what all the hype and fuss is about, let me shed a little light as I see it. Wait a minute, did I just say I saw the light? Okay, we won’t go there, but let’s get back to Heritage Park in Chilliwack, B.C.
Young riders like Tyson Dubuc are ready to race in Chilliwack this weekend. Photo by Clayton Racicot
The building itself is roughly 300,000 square feet, and every single thing, with the exception of housing your race fuel, is inside under one roof. When a spectator walks through the turnstiles at Heritage Park their peripheral vision and senses are quickly overcome and invigorated with its unique electricity and battlefield ambience. The best way to put it, and it never changes for me, is that when I roll through the doors it feels like entering an Indoor Motocross Carnival. There is literally something for every member of the family and this interactive venue discriminates against nothing. The pits and riders are just as accessible as the popcorn and pretzel stands, and it makes a great way for fans to put faces to the riders. I find this works both ways and has a huge positive spin-off effect in promoting the all-inclusive aspect of our sport. Upon entry, race fans in Chilliwack are encouraged to mingle, interact and converse with not only the top level riders but also those who are just getting their start. One of the best ways for a rider to increase his fan base is to be available, approachable and personable with fans they have never met. This venue and series facilitates every bit of that and more. I have seen growth in recent years on the race track and in the seats as a direct result of riders and staff members taking the time to share their experience, thoughts and space with the fans. I think back to when I read an article where my childhood hero, Bob Hannah, was asked why so many people cheered for him and not his arch rival and on-track nemesis Kent Howerton. Hannah’s response was, “I am not sure, but maybe it has something to do with the fact that after the races I am still around to talk to the fans.” Hannah claimed that Howerton would leave the track after the races to go back to the hotel. Hannah stated in the interview, “What do I want to go back to the hotel for? I am a racer and the track is where I want to be.”
I look back on that now and it totally make sense to me. I can remember being at races as far back as 1976 and waiting for hours after a race and finally getting to see Bob Hannah in person. Was that why he was my hero? I am not exactly sure but I think it had a lot to do with it. Most riders love to meet and connect with their fans and find out who is cheering for them and why. Who do you cheer for? Who is your hero? Why? I chose Hannah because he was a winner and I also idolized his ability to hang off the back of a motorcycle and somehow manage to stay on and win. Is it any wonder I need an elevator? In all seriousness friends, I believe we chose our heroes based on the parallel values, hopes, dreams and aspirations shared with those we cheer for. I cannot say if it is an age related thing, but I find more and more as each day passes that my hero is the sport of Motocross and not so much individual racers. I guess after looking back in full circle fashion I can say that my greatest achievements in life are as a direct result of having Motocross in my blood. I also like to think that I am living proof that there is a place in this sport for anyone who desires to be connected whether it is on or off the track.
Chad Reed is ready to take on some pretty fast riders in this weekend’s Australian SX.
Seeing the forward progress and accomplishments of riders of all ages gives me a great sense of reward vicariously. Just this week, following the Supercross portion of the Mini Olympics at Gatorback Park in Florida comes to mind. I see the likes of Austin Watling, Marco Canella and others ride with confidence and get great results as a result of their AX Tour experience. Yes, okay, maybe that and many other factors as a result of their support and commitment to excellence. Let’s face it though, these riders that made the decision to ride the technical AX Tour races and lined up this week in Florida did so with an increased skill set and confidence. Congratulations to all Canadians who ventured down and did us all proud, you all know who you are. Before I hit the mountainous highway and make the five hour trek to Chilliwack to broadcast the action tonight, I want to get one more thing out of the way. In doing so I am going to call out our editor Chris Pomeroy and ask him publicly if Ryan Lockhart wins a Pro main, does he still get an MXP Mag cover shot? If you are unaware, this is a little something that came up last season at the Monster Energy Cup but unfortunately the win did not materialize last year for Ryan. With eight Pro Motos left I say it is possible, but the man who I have coined the ‘People’s Favourite,’ Lockhart will need better starts than we have seen from him so far this series. What Ryan does have on his side is that the Chilliwack venue has always seen him get great starts and results. If the stars do align for Ryan and he does manage to get that elusive hard earned victory it will be at the expense of some pretty serious indoor talent. In that namesake, how about Ross Johnson who also excels on the Chilliwack surface? The Cycle North veteran will head to Chilliwack with some added fuel in the form of a tough weekend at the previous round in Cloverdale. So whether or not Ryan gets the win, the cover shot, or loses his shirt in the process, he, like every other person in Chiliwack, will have me in their corner as the sport on the rise is the real winner. Come on out and get some if you can. The Canadian Moto Show goes on the Air ‘Live’ from Chilliwack’s Heritage Park at 7pm Pacific, 10pm Eastern and can be found at www.canadianmotoshow.com.
Whatever you get up to this weekend friends, stay safe and keep that Moto passion pinned. Until next ‘Friday Flight‘ …….Airmail out………………
Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends! Now, let’s go racing! Photo by Clayton Racicot
