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Hello friends and welcome to this week’s version of the ‘Friday Flight.’ It is pretty amazing how something so highly anticipated, hyped up and distant can come and go in the blink of an eye. The 2016 Monster Energy Supercross opener in Anaheim on Saturday lived up to everything it was supposed to be and then some. I know by today’s standards of instant gratification thanks to the world wide web, most of this by now is yesterday’s news. I will get to some of the major developments of the past few days since the final flag wave of the opener but first a few things worth reflection. Some of which are for good positive reason and others, you be the judge. First off the Dirt-Wurx crew has every right to beat their chests as loud and proudly as they can as they did an amazing job. We all know how physically and financially taxing a full on ‘Monsoon Muddier can be at an opener. Certainly this weekend was a large dagger dodged by riders, teams and race fans alike. Yes Mother Nature deserves a pat on the back too.
The new Petco Park in downtown San Diego provides a perfect backdrop for the 2016 Monster Energy Supercross Series.
The transition pits in between the whoops and rhythm sections were quite soft at RD-1 and gave riders fits. When the polished production of the night program goes to TV, a lot of the depth and perception of what these riders are enduring is lost. As a race fan the split start section bridge addition to the opener was cool to look at but I have spoken to a few riders who did not like it. It seemed to put riders that had to start outside at a huge disadvantage. In Supercross starts are imperative and the equipment disadvantages some are faced with only made things worse. I have watched the re-play over countless times to make sense out of what happened when Justin Barcia unseated Ken Roczen in the 450 qualifier. It was a freak thing for sure and the only thing that flew as fast a K-Roc did in Lawn Dart Asteroid’ like fashion all night, was Jason Anderson winning the main event. It was very cool to get Adam ‘The Seven Deuce Deuce’ Enticknap’s take on my Canadian Moto Show on Wednesday night on the whole deal. Adam too had watched the replay and even though he was taken out hard in the crash, blamed no one. As Adam put it, merely a racing incident and even though he is a little beat up, very happy to get out A1 in one piece. Adam did speak on the tension and the hype riders are confronted with at the opener. Enticknap in his own words said “Brent, you have no idea how tense it is at round one”
Another rider I spoke with this week who will be back with Redemption Racing in Canada in 2016 was Cade Clason. Cade was also caught up on the outside coming into that first turn melee and ended up with a fist full of Enticknap’s Ride Red Honda rear wheel. A bit stunned at the time, Cade was able to soldier on and finished up the night very strong. Cade very ironically finished up the LCQ 2 positions shy of making the main event right behind MCR’s Vince Friese. I had a great chat with Cade this week on the Canadian Moto Show and without getting into too much detail here, it is worth a listen. Cade was able to weigh in and candy coat nothing when I asked him about some of his racing interactions with Vince Friese. The interview with Cade is at the one hour and fourteen minute mark and the archive is here at www.canadianmotoshow.com. It’s definitely worth a listen.
So what about Vince Friese? Weston Peick? In summing up how I felt, one word describes the whole thing for me in a nutshell DISAPPOINTED. I have always prided myself in my ability to deal with most things in life in a sane and rational manner as a result of my many hard earned life lessons. Have I ever done anything stupid or that I have regretted and have to live with to this day? Enough about me! I am sure Weston and his connections are all just as disappointed as most from his actions on Saturday night. Moving forward I know they will both be anxious to make Moto news headlines again soon for their on track results. I may be wrong in saying this but the way I see it when it comes to Vince Friese, this incident will cast a magnified spotlight on his every move by riders and race officials. Should he have been penalized, probably not. One cannot deny that Vince Friese has a reputation and likely after Saturday even a few less that are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. There are two sets of eyes I have used to comprehend this incident. First off as what I merely am now, a race fan. Secondly as a former top level rider who raced in an era where riders did their own policing. No matter how I look at it, disappointment still sums it up. If Vince Friese manages to successfully complete the 17 round marathon in the trenches of this series, he will be lined up in Canada in the MX-1 class in 2016. If high energy racing action and drama is your thing, you might wanna get your tickets for a Rockstar National for 2016.
You all know the results of the opener by now and for a field in the premier class as deep as it is, it looks like we will likely see multiple winners in 2016. Jason Anderson was full value for his come from behind win. I picked Jason to win at least one this year but after watching him in the afternoon in timed qualifying, the round one main event was a bit of a surprise. He has tons of talent and was justly rewarded for all of his hard work and off track sacrifices. The Husqvarna looked very nubile and quick at the opener. Ryan Dungey did his thing and I still maintain he will prevail as the 2016 Champion. Eli Tomac will improve rapidly each round as will Ken Roczen, Trey Canard and others. I must say a week ago while writing this, I did not believe Chad Reed would look as comfortable and confident as he did at the opener. I don’t know about the rest of you but I am sold, Reed may likely win one this year too!
It was also cool to catch up with Donk’ Listowell’s own Scott Donkersgoed on Wednesday night’s show. Donk who is down in So-Cal to tune for Vicki Golden as she will contest the Supercross Lites East series. He informed me on the show that I was the first to be told publicly that he is now the man behind the wrenches for our own prodigal son Cole Thompson. Donk tuned for Cole in 2013 after Thompson filled in for injured rider Colton Facciotti on the KTM Canada Racing bike. Together the duo captured the ‘Sword of Walton’ at the final round of that series. Cole on the Slaton Racing KTM bike had a great qualifier at the opener but had a few hiccups in the main event. Getting that first round out of the way in one piece in my eyes is a huge victory for Thompson. I also spoke with Cole last week and he is very confident right now with where he is at and his current abilities on the motorcycle. Adding the man he trusts and gets along well with to his personal alchemy will have Canadian race fans cheering loud and proud as early as this weekend in San Diego. I am as stoked as an elephant wrapped in peanut packaging to be heading south to spend six weeks in the California Sunshine taking in some action first hand. Good luck to our boy Cole and everyone else lined up this weekend at Petro Park
Wherever you go or whatever your busy twisting your passion on this weekend friends do your best to stay safe, until next Friday …….. ‘Airmail Out’
