Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
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Hello friends, it is hard to believe the weekend is here again on what has been a very short turnaround week for me. We are set to lift off into the final weekend of racing action in what has been a truly amazing Future West Arenacross series. This weekend’s action will also signify the end of an absolutely wide open year for my wife and I on the road chasing our love of this great sport. It was a year that started January south of the border for Supercross, attending all of our local races, 2 Canadian Amateur Nationals (WCAN and Walton), five Pro Nationals, Provincial Championships, a trip to the Peace Motocross Association as well as two different Arenacross Series. We have logged countless kilometers and spent almost 30 weekends in 2015 at a Motocross race somewhere. I would like to thank her for everything she has endured to make this possible. I feel very fortunate to have the kind of unconditional love and support I do. Whenever I hear people say they wish they would win the lottery, I often think to myself I already have.
Our best thoughts are with Dylan Kaelin as he heals up from the injuries he suffered last weekend in Chilliwack. Photo by Michael Earle
I could prognosticate for hours on the unique, genuine satisfaction I get with my involvement and connection to the sport I love. I have many things and people in my life that I am deeply grateful for but without Motocross I am certain I would be just existing and not living a dream. I cannot think of a better way to finish up the racing year in Canadian Motocross with back to back weekends at the Future West series in Chilliwack. As I wrote in my detailed review of the past weekend’s action here at the site, it is really hard to believe that something so good keeps getting better. Last weekend in Chilliwack, upon arrival on Friday night I sat in on the Pro riders meeting. In the confines of the Future West office at Heritage Park there were 26 Pro riders. They were packed in and pretty much sitting on top of each other and it seemed even they were a little stunned at their abundance. The racing was of the best we had seen, and I believe the increase of numbers helped the intensity and the focus of all. Let’s face it, with only 12 gates for 26 guys to vie for and the margin for error in Arenacross already zero to none, things only got tighter. With the numbers increasing each round throughout the series in all classes, the question now is how many this weekend. I am as excited about this final weekend as most kids get when they anticipate to see what Santa has left for them under the tree on the big day. It is hard to believe the big day is only a few short weeks away. If you are looking to get a last minute word in with Santa or off the check twice list before the big day, you are in luck. Santa will be in the house at the final round this Saturday night at Heritage Park in Chilliwack, B.C. Future West is also planning a huge celebration at night’s end to honour all those that have hit their mark and more. I myself am honoured to be hosting this awards ceremony. Brian Koster is in town as well and has been working the in-house mic with John Wren along with sitting in on the ‘Live’ Canadian Moto Show broadcast. We will be back on the Air Friday and Saturday night at 7:00 pm Pacific so join us at www.canadianmotoshow.com.
It’s great to have Brian Koster announcing during the final two weekends of this series.
One rider that will definitely not be lined up this weekend is FXR Racing’s Dylan Kaelin. Kaelin, who did not line up for a Pro National this season with his well-deserved number 8 from 2014, had a serious setback. Dylan, who I called the Bobby Orr of Motocross as a result of his ‘Kneezles,’ had a bad get off Saturday night in Chilliwack. After racing up in the top half of the Pro mains on Friday night, what happened to Kaelin Saturday was not good. It happened right in front of my broadcast platform on the triple jump that began at the exit of the grandstand turn. I caught the crash out of the corner of my eye just in time to see him get slammed by the bike with a belly full of handlebar. I am not sure what the extent of the damage is but do know he has some internal injuries. After texting back and forth with Dylan I am hopeful that we will see him back on his feet soon. Get well soon Dylan Kaelin.
FXR Racing’s Brittany Danyluk was very fast last weekend on the tight Chilliwack track.
By all accounts it looks like barring any type of unforeseen circumstances, Cycle North Honda’s Ross Johnson will continue to see red. That is Red Plates that hang on his wall from his accomplishments in this Future West Series. The two-time running Pro Open Champ will look to add the Lites title to his growing collection this year. I have, however, eaten crow more than once though so nothing is over until it is over. That’s why we run the races, right? I think back to Cloverdale a couple of years back when Tyler Medaglia went down hard in a practice qualifier. I, for all intents and purposes, thought Tyler’s night was done as the crash looked pretty bad to me. When the riders went to the line for the main event I did not even bother to call Tyler’s name out. I have to tell you, when the main event gate dropped and he was the first one to the first turn, I felt like an idiot. I told myself, “Brent you know better than to sell the fortitude of a Motocrosser short.” It was also humbling to tell a smiling Tyler Medaglia that story back in the pits that night after the races. Dylan Kaelin, don’t get any ideas now brother, you let Kyle Springman’s bike rest now. In all seriousness, getting back to the action in Chilliwack and talking about nothing being over until it is over, the Dash for Cash this past Saturday had Ross Johnson heading into the whoops a sure and certain victor, at least in my eyes anyway. Ryan Lockhart, on his Maple Ridge Motorsports Kawasaki 450, had other plans. Ross’s minor mistake allowed Ryan to get close enough to execute a brilliant pass, which saw him win and remind us of how exciting this racing is right to the finish. If I have learned one thing only from this type of racing it is just when you think you can predict it, something can and often does change that in an instant.
This photo does a great job of capturing the intensity of the racing inside Chilliwack’s Heritage Park Arena.
Two full nights of moving and shaking still lie ahead in this series this weekend in Chilliwack B.C. There are a few surprises in the works from Future West for race fans that last minute details have been worked out on. Freestyle riders from Global FMX- Kyle Demello and Kris Garwasiuk will perform some amazing antics at half time. There are some new faces behind this week’s track design and right now I would like to shout some appreciation out to Paul Gibbs, Steve Sache, Chad Mabberly and Kyle Beaton. These fine gentleman are the ones that I am aware of that have stepped up to the plate for this week’s track build. I am not sure on all the details but have been told the largest grandstand side of the new layout will be highlighted by a Dragon’s Back. There will also be a new table-on/ table-off double section. If you are anywhere in the Western world friends, once again it is only $20 for adults and is the best entertainment you will find anywhere. Stop by the broadcast booth which is located right when you walk through the front door.
Whatever you get up to this weekend friends, stay safe and keep that Moto passion pinned. Until next ‘Friday Flight‘ …….’Airmail’ out………………
Let’s go racing Ross Johnson.
