Big Steel Box Presents The Friday Flight with Brent Worrall

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This week’s ‘Friday Flight’ comes to you from the heart of sunny downtown San Diego, California. What a ride the first nine days of this six and half week winter vacation has already been. I have been here in San Diego since Tuesday and right now, over my left shoulder only feet away, they are putting the final touches on the dirt for this weekend’s Monster Jam at Petco Park. Monster Jam is here this weekend but in a few short moments I will head over to my seventh state in nine days of this trip, Arizona, for Round 5 of the Supercross series Saturday night. The track there looks sick and the football stadium is a state of the art beauty. We are also very much looking forward to the series return right to our own backyard next weekend here at Petco Park – pinch me please!

I have pretty much had my foot on the gas pedal, wide open, since the fun all began last Wednesday. I drove 2200 kilometres to Vegas as we were there for five days as part of the sit in on the Pulp MX show on Monday night. I had known for some time that Mike Tyson was going to be appearing at the Venetian Casino Resort to do a paid signing. I wanted to go but was a little reluctant to have to shell out the kind of money they wanted and wait forever in a long line up. Not sure what to expect or what the procedure was, I called the manager and told him my situation and that I wanted to meet the Champ. After a good chat he promised me that he would take care of me if I was there early enough. Once again, not really knowing what to expect, I figured it was worth my effort to see Tyson who was one of my childhood idols. Let’s face it, Mike Tyson is an individual who has seen the highs and lows of his sport, and at times in life in general. I get that, I too have been there. Unlike Mike I was never one of the most feared men on the planet but I have the utmost respect, empathize to a degree and can relate to many of his issues. If you are not familiar with Mike’s story, his book is worth a read.

When I showed up about an hour and a half before the signing, many were already gathered. There were probably a couple of hundred early and the numbers grew quickly. After speaking with the manager I was pretty overwhelmed as he signed me up for what is called the VIP package. I was placed behind a curtain and would be the first in line of what would be easily over a thousand people there to see Mike. I was also told that I would be able to chat with him one on one for about 10 minutes! Are you kidding me? Once again, pinch me please. Am I dead yet?. Not really knowing what to expect I just did the best thing I knew how and that was be myself. Mike was very genuine and chatted candidly to my wife Gisela and I about many things. When I told him about being in town to sit in on the Pulp MX show I asked him what he knew about Motocross. He quickly made the association and mentioned Carey Hart as his hand motioned a back flip. At one point after losing my balance when he grabbed me, I suggested we should maybe have a ‘Go.’ Without hesitation, Tyson wrapped his arms around me in a headlock and started a flurry of uppercuts. Even though I knew he was only in play-like fashion, he unleashed some of his classic Mike Tyson fury! At that point I was struggling to break free and looked up to ask Gisela if the camera was rolling or if she had just been shooting pics. That’s when Tyson’s publicist, associate or whomever, stepped in and sternly said “No Video Allowed.” Mike Tyson quickly intervened and said “No, it’s okay.” Wow, how cool was that!? Yes, you guessed it, we were good as no one questioned ‘The Champ.’ This whole scenario was mind blowing. Here was one of the fiercest and feared men who has ever graced our planet and he was going out of his way to do something kind and genuine for me. He also had no problem plugging the Canadian Moto Show when asked on the short video I recorded. Bucket List – Check.

By the time Monday night rolled around it was time for the sit on the Pulp MX Show. Once again, I feel very blessed that I was given this opportunity by the Peace Motocross Association’s Lonnie Shevkenek and Steve Matthes. When I showed up I was greeted by Steve and his very hospitable wife, Pookie. I was anxious to give Steve a couple of t-shirts from Bill Petro’s Legends of Canadian Motocross project as a token of appreciation. Matthes reciprocated and filled my boots with some trick Pulp MX schwag. Thanks again Steve. For the show on Monday night, Nick Wey was in studio along with ‘Big Nasty,’ Mr. Mandingo Pickles himself. I am sure he has a name but when you get something like ‘Big Nasty’ in my head, the rest is an ‘ADHD derailment.’ I do know that he is currently wrenching for Gavin Faith in the Amsoil Arenacross Series. I guess that’s how I got through high school by remembering the important stuff. As for the show it was pretty amazing to see Steve in his element and true happy place. I know firsthand through doing my Canadian Moto Show that your success is directly proportional to the prep work put into it. Let me tell you, Matthes is an all-in, busy dude who logs countless hours and miles, and always manages to keep his stick on the ice!

Sitting in studio and watching Nick Wey and Big Nasty chat with Steve along with the likes of Ryan Villopoto and Will Hahn was great. Taking it all in while checking out some of the memorabilia on the wall from the years was pretty special too. Steve, who is a Canadian citizen, has many top level accomplishments from his days as a racer as well as a mechanic and a media man. Matthes is also doing hockey podcasts with former and current NHL players. Steve balances all of this with his workload at Racer X Magazine. Steve has a huge following and has embraced his passion of pursuing a career where not everyone showers you with praise, glory and accolades. Am I the only one old enough to remember the commercial that goes – “Some people like John McEnroe, while others………………..” I think it was Nick Wey who said it best on the show on Monday night by saying, “Steve, you are like a politically correct Weston Peick.” Not sure exactly what that meant but Steve did not seem to mind, and it brought smiles and laughter to all. Nick was honoured on the show for his Moto Talk Radio excellence and appearance as a top guest. Steve presented him with a plaque, t-shirt and a Pulp MX hat. Nick was beyond stoked. Have we seen the last of Nick Wey of the Moto Mafia Crew on the racetrack? Even though he is now retired, I sensed on Monday night that we may have not seen NIck’s last gate drop at the top level. It was cool to listen to him and Steve chat with Will Hahn and Ryan Villopotto about their current situations and other things. RV talked on his parking lot crash at the Washington State Arenacross a couple of weeks ago. Ryan also had the question of ‘comeback’ put to him by all. His responses are comical in nature, at times serious and definitely worth a listen again. Would I be pulling your leg if I told you that Ryan said he would race the Chilliwack Arenacross? Would he actually? Was he serious? The archive of Monday night’s show can be found at www.pulpmx.com – Show number 241.

I also had a chat on the show with my good friend Adam the ‘Seven Deuce Deuce’ Enticknap. It was cool to see Adam make the main event for the first time in 2016 on his new fill-in ride. Wearing the white Fly Racing kit, the 722 on the Rocky Mountain ATV Honda had a solid weekend in Oakland. He stamped his ticket by busting out a big holeshot in the LCQ and hung on for the last transfer spot. It was fitting redemption as the burly rapper had his season cut short in Northern California last year when he broke his wrist. Adam, who gives as much back to the sport and his race fans as anyone, needs be in main events. I have a feeling what we saw on Saturday is just the first of many more this season for the Seven Two Two and his Krew. As for the series leader in the 450 class, Ryan Dungey, what a machine he is. Over and above everyone he has had in his steady arsenal, he has now found new breakaway speed. Just another weapon to add to his winning formula and arsenal. Can anyone else win this title? Well, like the Lites class that Cooper Webb leads by 25 points going into last weekend’s action, it is still early enough that anything is possible. Webb, who suffered from the mechanical or vapour lock issue on Saturday, is now second in the standings. How fitting is it that he is two points behind the rider he made a significant single digit gesture to in timed qualifying at A-2? I have to think Webb will come out swinging in Arizona. When he rides with an edge his competition is in trouble. Without taking anything away from Joey Savatgy, who got Pro Circuit their first win since Dean Wilson, it should be some great racing.

That reminds me, I better get the bus loaded and head to Arizona for Round 5 of this great Supercross series. Before I do I would like to congratulate Kourtney Lloyd on being named the Manager of Canada’s 2016 Motocross of Nations team. I think I speak for many when I say it is a good day for Canadian Motocross knowing that we are going back to this event.

Until next Friday from Glendale, Arizona, ‘Airmail Out’………………………………….