Big Steel Box Presents The Friday Flight With Brent Worrall

BigSteelBox has a vast network of stores and yards across Canada to help make moving and storage simple. Our moving service is less stressful than dealing with traditional moving companies and our mobile storage options can meet any residential, construction or commercial need.

BigSteelBox is committed to providing storage on demand. We bring the storage to you, when and where you need it. Contact us today to see how we can meet your moving and storage needs. Find a BigSteelBox location near you here www.bigsteelbox.com.

This week’s Friday Flight once again comes from the heart of Sin City. Yes, we are finally on our way back home after what has been a much needed and very action packed, six week vacation. I have been hunkered down here at a very cool place called Red Rock Canyon since Wednesday. I am somewhat looking forward to being back at work in my very own office in Vernon, B.C. by Monday. I must admit it was tough to pack up this past Tuesday and leave San Diego. The city, which is the birthplace of the U.S. Naval Air program that started there in 1911, is very dynamic and has so much to offer. I guess first and foremost and the reason we elected to spend the bulk of our vacation in San Diego was of course the sunshine. February saw record temperatures set in San Diego and minimal rainfall that broke records. The average temperature in the month of February was 74.5 degrees, and even though they claim it did rain one day, I never did see one drop. There is, however, a steep price to be paid in the form of a sunshine tax. It may not be something that is written or enforced by Uncle Sam himself but San Diego does come at a price. I spoke to a waiter at one of the restaurants that we dined at about rental prices in the city by the bay. He being a college student said that a standard one bedroom apartment started at about $1,900 per month. Ouch!!

This past week has flown by pretty quickly but we did manage to enjoy some racing action this past weekend. First off, before I get into the fun being a part of the California Gold Cup Series final at Glen Helen Raceway, I will speak a little on the Atlanta Supercross. With the new set of riders lined up in the 250 class to contest the East on the red Georgia clay, there was certain new interest. If I told you that I had Martin Davalos picked to win the opener, I would probably need a whole bottle of sunscreen to cover my nose here when I lather up today. No, I didn’t see it coming. I know it’s only one round, but I have to think that after Saturday night he and Husqvarna might already be thinking of the title. Why not, he rode great. Well here is why not. Martin Davalos has had some terrible luck over the years and has never been one to handle the pressure that well, in my opinion. Will this year be different? Maybe. I did like how Malcom Stewart looked on the Geico Honda and thought he rode great. Malcolm, too, could have had better fortune but proved he had the speed to be the winner at round one. Malcolm is another that has had ups and downs but it looks like he is now the family’s best chance for a top step performance. There are many others in this class that struggled at the opener that will be heard from as early as Daytona. This series will be a beauty and I believe it will go right down to the wire in Vegas. Aaron Plessinger, Jeremy Martin, Justin Hill and a few others did not leave Atlanta with the results they had hoped for. They did, however, leave there with maybe some more motivation than they had prior. How about Justin Hill going from 21st to 5th? Daytona will be a good one, for sure.

In the 450 class, what an epic battle it was up front. Marvin Musquin and Ryan Dungey battling on the Red Bull KTMs was certainly fun to watch. I did feel bad for Marvin as he looked poised to win his first ever premier class Supercross. Dungey cashed in on the miscue and was very fortunate not to get tangled up with his teammate. In this sport you have to be lucky sometimes and I don’t think either of them will argue that they were just that last Saturday night. For a veteran race fan, it was cool to see the old guard, Chad Reed, back on track and running in the top three. I guess he took the motivation out of last week’s Friday Flight. Once again, you’re welcome Chad. After this weekend’s action and seeing Ryan Dungey with a 33 point lead, my question is now this – How hard does Ryan Dungey push as we inch towards the back half of the series? For me a couple of things come to mind. First off, this is a new and improved Ryan Dungey. You’re probably thinking to yourself, what are you talking about? He is a proven winner! Well, the fact is that Ryan has a new breakaway intensity that he uses early and no longer waits for the race to come to him. We saw it in Arlington and again this past weekend in Atlanta. Now that this has become the new normal for the Red Plate holder, what happens if he gets cautious? I can think of too many times in my racing days that when I told myself I was going to back it down, things went sideways. If you’re a racer you probably know what I am talking about. Sometimes the best way to succeed is to press on doing what is comfortable to you; caution can breed mistakes. Who can argue that Ryan Dungey does not look comfortable on the Red Bull Racing KTM? Certainly not me. I can say for certain that two riders that did not look comfortable leaving the track were Andrew Short and Will Hahn. I was pretty bummed to see two of the most likeable guys who have had to overcome more than their share, have another setback. Get well quick Shorty and Wilbur.

After the racing ended on Saturday night I quickly hopped into bed and set my alarm for 4:00 AM. Dylan Wright, who I had met up with at Milestone on Tuesday, was planning to race the Gold Cup Series finale at Glen Helen on Sunday. We had been texting back and forth and once it was clear that he would be there to race, I offered to support him any way I could. I was awakened by the noise of the Gaslamp District partiers exiting the clubs on the streets below my condo at 3:00am, so I did not need the 4:00am alarm. On the positive side, the best way to beat Southern California traffic is to hit the highway early. The trek to Glen Helen from San Diego took just under two hours. Upon arriving at the famous circuit, Dylan had a space beside his van blocked off and we were set for a day of gate drops and fun. With the sun out we would see temperatures get into the low 90s. This California Gold Cup Series has lost a lot of its might in recent years. I spoke with the track announcer at day’s end, and in the event’s 18 year history they have seen ridership dwindle from 500 to about 200. As for our Canadian boy, MX-101’s Dylan Wright, he was all smiles, and like my wife and I, was ready for the day’s action. I mention my wife Gisela because she did for Dylan what she often did for me when I raced. That is hold the bike at the line when it was time to prep the gate. Nice work Gisela, your pit crew game is still strong.

Practice went well and Dylan’s only real complaint was the fact that they were not using the whole track. There were a couple of the hilled sections that were omitted to accommodate all levels and sizes of bikes. Dylan’s first race was the 250 Pro class. How did I know that? I asked him. We went to the line and there was a mixed bag of bikes and riders. I recognized Austin Howell and Dylan pointed out that Geico Honda’s Tristan Charboneau was another one. Tristan was on a pretty cool looking 250F. After I wished Dylan luck, I started my long uphill wheel through the tunnel to the infield for the start of the race. The gate dropped and Dylan fought hard to catch and stay with Howell and Charbonneau, who were the early frontrunners. After the Moto where Dylan finished a solid third, I headed back to the pits. The first thing he said was that was the 450 class and not the 250. After the race had ended he went over and confirmed with Austin Howell that it indeed was the 450 class. No wonder the California veteran was so hard to keep in your sites on those long uphills Dylan. The 250 was now warm and ready to go as there was only one race between the 450 and 250 Pro gate drops. I was a little perplexed that the schedule was not that well laid out for the top level guys. Well, I guess that answers my question as to why many of them only rode the one class. In the 250 class, Dylan won Moto one by about 20 seconds. He looked good asserting himself to the front early.

The second 450 Moto saw Dylan Wright and Gisela head to the line with the 450 and me sitting on the infield with an umbrella overhead feeling like the Sultan of Glen Helen. When the gate dropped, Dylan battled bar to bar in turn two with Howell. He overtook him heading up the big uphill step-up jump. A couple of turns later at the bottom he made short work of Tristan Charbonneau. He headed to the backside out of sight with the lead. As the riders surfaced it was Charbonneau first and then Howell. Where was Dylan Wright? My heart sunk as I quickly started to hope it was a mechanical. About a full minute after the whole field surfaced, I finally saw the bright FXR Racing Yellow gear of Wright upright and riding off the track very slowly. Still not sure what his problem was, I bolted as fast as I could back to the pits. Once there Dylan was a little bit shaken and told me about the get off. He hit a spot that had been over watered and went down pretty hard. After speaking with him I could see he was in pretty good condition, thankfully. The bike showed some evidence of the impact as did his chin and forearm. The next question to him was if he felt like he should ride the 250 as the Moto was up next. He assured me he was fine and wanted to end the day on a positive note. That is exactly what the kid from just outside Ottawa did. He got a decent jump and busted a quick move to the front and never looked back. Nice work Dylan.

The experience at Glen Helen last week, being able to help out a youngster that has a bright future, was a great way to finish up our trip in California. Even though the gates were not full and the Motos were not national caliber length, I know Dylan got a lot out of this experience. Quite simply, the best way to learn about racing is to get those gate drops in and go racing. In my opinion, the variables that Dylan confronted and overcame this past Sunday are only going to help him perfect his race craft. Having the passion I have for this sport and the lengths I go to satisfy it allow me many great opportunities. This was definitely one of them. It also allows me to get a good read on who people are and what they are made of. I can tell all of you out there back home that Dylan Wright is not only a great motorcycle rider, but more importantly an all-around hard working and appreciative good guy. Those who have teamed up with him to make his Moto dreams possible are getting much more than just results with their investment. Thanks for allowing us the opportunity to share that day at Glen Helen with you Dylan. For those of you who missed it, here is the edit I put together of the day’s events. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_IRO8PO0Hs

In closing, I hope you are getting as excited about racing on Canadian soil as I am. If you are fortunate enough to get to the Toronto Supercross, it should be a beauty. The outdoor schedule in this country is not as far off as one may think. I have gone over my calendar and have marked no less than 20 race weekends on for the season. In the West much like Ontario there are a couple of different options. Wherever you do decide to line up friends, do your best to be safe and let’s make 2016 our best season yet.

One more item before we touch down for landing. Read this post and Canadian Women’s MX needs our help.

Hey Friends WMX Racers (Women’s Pro National) Are in need of our help. Please take a minute to read this and share it with your friends.

They need your help to make sure their top shelf series and riders get rewarded appropriately for their efforts. Leah Clarke in the East and now Sierra Roth in the West, need support in any way shape or form they can get it.

Each year they have a prize table set up for the competitors to chose from. There are also special awards i.e. Holeshot – Hard Charger – Podium Awards and things like that still need support.

This is your chance to team up with a winning effort that has the sole focus every spectator and media member on race day. I have been involved with this series in the East and the West for the last two years and will continue.

These girls have done so much for the sport in Canada. These races are of the best you will see in 2016.

I am personally going to pledge out of my own pocket $100. to the East & the West. I challenge any and all of you, be it industry or race fan to do the same!

THIS SERIES NEEDS YOU – Please contact Sierra Roth (West) & Leah Clarke (East)
Contact the at www.cdnwmx.com with your support.

Until next Friday’s Flight, ‘Airmail Out’………………………………….