Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
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Hello friends and a great big, wide open welcome aboard to another week of the ‘Friday Flight.’ If you’ve been following along and paying attention to detail you will know that this blog is something that I have taken the utmost pride in doing for the last 16 months. My love of motocross and passion for it compares to nothing else on earth, plain and simple. Over the course of the last four years, my life has evolved in many positive ways beyond belief thanks to my involvement. Writing about the sport I can no longer enjoy as a racer has given me an incredible outlet to exercise my passion and creativity for it. I have unfortunately, over the past year, been overwhelmingly extended and have had to spread myself too thin at times. Apart from dealing with some chronic and potentially serious health issues, I remain forwardly focussed. In remaining true to myself and what I believe in, I have elected to give up my weekly piece here at the site. I of course will still continue to do weekly broadcasts of the Canadian Moto Show and get to as many races across the country as I possibly can. This past Fall I was presented with an opportunity to tell my story in the form of writing a book. I really never thought much of it at the time but while on vacation and reflecting I have decided to take on the offer. One of the parameters of the agreement is a timeline commitment, which will see me keeping my nose to the grindstone. Time, man alive, it sure does fly once you are nearing the top of the hill. What hill? Never mind, the Satchel Paige approach fits best here. Satchel, of course, was the baseball player that, among many things, did not have any birth documentation. When asked how old he was, Satchel would simply reply “If you didn’t know how old you were, how old would you be?” Satchell will long be remembered for not only his abilities on the pitcher’s mound but just as much so for his charisma and willingness to tell a story. Like I said, the ’Satchel Paige’ approach fits here.
It was so good to see the Toronto SX back at the Roger’s Centre last weekend. With over 50,000 people in attendance, I’m sure this race will be on the schedule for years to come. Photo by Frank Hoppen
This past week in our sport saw news made on and off the race track. The off track news is most often not the good kind and last week was no different. First off, the Martin Davalos deal was a shocker for me anyway. I am pretty bummed for Martin and those paying his bills. The rider who has had bad luck, season after season, somehow managed to find even more. How does this even happen? Is it not somebody’s job to make sure these things are taken care of? Anyways, onward and upward as the only future in looking back on this is learning from it. Now to the sad news of Austin Stroupe. This is something that is very unfortunate for Austin to have to deal with. I am also going to take a bit of a selfish approach here and say I also feel it is bad for the sport. Why? Well, simply put, most people like a comeback story and we all like to think that when a rider or person has come clean, they will stay that way. Austin is not a rider I know personally and I cannot say for certain what his issues are or were. I do know from going down a long endless path of self-destruction for many years myself, that once I hopped off of the garbage truck for good, my life got better quickly.
Austin Stroupe is not the only one in our sport who has been down this road and likely will sadly not be the last. On my recent road trip south, I had a heart to heart conversation with my old friend Ron Lechien. Yes ‘The Dogger’ and I raced together years ago and it was fun to recount many old memories. We also spoke on our other common bond of some of the choices that we made at times that had a profound impact on our personal lives and racing careers. The conversation quickly turned to the rider that won the Yamaha Race of Champions the year I raced it. The winner that year was a young prodigy from Tempe, Arizona by the name of Troy Blake. He and Dogger became Yamaha teammates the year after and were friends. I knew that Troy passed away in 2009, and had heard bits and pieces as to how and why. Upon speaking with Ron on this matter, he had told me that there were times that he tried to reach out to his friend. Unfortunately, the two never did connect and Troy very sadly passed away. Friends, I often say, this is no dress rehearsal. Our gift of life, in the here and now, is a one shot deal. This may be a sensitive subject to many but not me. I believe in talking about it. There is always hope but if we don’t talk, that hope diminishes. No need to be alarmed or afraid, just do the best to be who you are and always do what you can to be there for your friends. You never know, what you do or say, by reaching out a hand or picking up that phone when it rings, could possibly save a life. I can tell you from a firsthand experience that it is a very dark and lonely journey. Be the friend that you want others to be and just remember, these are not bad people that are trying to be good, they are sick people who need to get well. Somebody gave me that chance and I will be eternally grateful they did.
Here is a great old photo of Troy Blake and I getting ready for the Race of Champions at the famous Saddleback MX Park in 1981.
So on to racing; The Toronto Supercross, even though I was unable to attend, looked to be a huge success. I am so happy this event was back this year. This event is a great way for Canadian race fans to gather and celebrate the sport’s most gnarly discipline. As well, the event also signifies that winter is pretty much over. It was also very cool to see the legacy of our own Canadian Legend Doug Hoover (1985 125cc National and 1988 500cc National Champ) honoured by the Heroes and Legends Tour. Our own legendary photographer and my good friend Bill Petro was also heavily involved in orchestrating this. Jim Holley and his colleague at Supercross Live, Andy Bowyer, had Doug on his show Saturday afternoon at the Rogers Centre. It was pretty intriguing to see Jim Holley put the question to Doug about why he thinks not as many riders make the same efforts like Doug did back in ‘the day,’ efforts pertaining to racing Supercross and other big events south of the border during the Canadian off-season. Doug admitted that many things have changed, and even though he has been retired since 1988, he has highest of praise for what riders are doing nowadays. I also spoke with Doug on Wednesday night on my Canadian Moto Show. I sent him a pic after the Toronto Supercross interview of the day that he and I were both crowned Schoolboy Champions in Quebec in 1980. Doug Hoover was 100cc Champion the same day I won the 80cc class. He was impressed beyond words to see that old memory captured in time through the image. Friends, Bill Petro’s project, the Legends of Canadian Motocross, is very important to keep alive. He has invested countless dollars and hours of his time to preserve this sport’s rich and vibrant history. It is very important to keep the circle of life flowing when it comes to Motocross. Yes, the newcomers may be the life blood but no one can argue that the decorated heroes in this project are the sport’s backbone. Head over to the www.locmx.com site and check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
Doug ‘The Sweeper’ Hoover was all smiles as he got honored with the Legends of Motocross Tour on Saturday night at the Roger’s Centre. Photo by Bill Petro
Racing? Of course there was some of that too. Justin Hill did as I predicted and won his first main event. I may have predicted that much but I certainly did not see it coming how the 250 Main unfolded. In one word, Yikes! Carnage, okay maybe two words. The bottom line is this is racing and this series looks like it will be a beauty between Hill and Jeremy Martin. Hopefully Malcom Stewart and Aaron Plessinger and others can jump back into the mix after their misfortune in Toronto. I was also very happy to see Jeremy Martin stick up for himself when the mic was put in front of him Saturday afternoon. It was noted by the interviewer that he was not noted for his Supercross skills or accomplishments. He quickly put the brakes on and said, “Give me a chance, I am working on it.” Good for you Jeremy! In the big bike battle, Kenny Roczen was full value for the win and just seemed to get better as the day went on. Marvin Musquin was ‘Marvelous’ and the rest looked pretty average. Okay, Jason Anderson gets honourable mention. The others will regroup and look to improve in Detroit this weekend. Many already have Ryan Dungey wearing the crown this year but hold on for a second. There are still seven rounds left and Ryan did not look spectacular to me in Toronto. I think we will see Ryan Dungey hit the accelerator again this coming weekend. The conservative mode on Saturday seemed to have him looking a little out of sorts. Was it conservative? I don’t know, I am just a speculating race fan Time will tell.
I mentioned above that even though next week will be my final ‘Friday Flight’ blog here, I still plan to go to as many races as I can and hope to see as many of you as possible there. Whatever you do this weekend friends, keep that Moto passion pinned, stay safe and Let’s Go Racing – Until the next ‘Friday Flight,’ Airmail out………………….
Back in 1980, Doug Hoover took home the Canadian Schoolboy Title in Quebec. The following season he moved up to the Intermediate class and then onto the Pro class in 1982.
