While everyone in Canada knows Brent Worrall’s brave story, in recent weeks he has began to do more in this sport that he loves so much. He now has his Wednesday radio show that is getting more and more popular each week and this past weekend at round one of the Kawasaki Canadian Arenacross Championships Brent handled all of the microphone duties. Well, lucky for us Brent found the time to write a report for MXP about what he witnessed on the weekend and we hope you enjoy it. Here is the Worrall Report from Chilliwack and if you want to hear more from him, please check out his Wednesday radio show:
I landed up in Chilliwack early Friday afternoon to a beautiful Fall afternoon, 10 degrees and sun shining. Kind of like a little kid anxiously awaiting the arrival of St. Nick I could not wait to enter the New Era of Arenacross under the Genta Bella Future West Umbrella via the doors of the Heritage Park! All the Hype all the Anticipation and all the Sacrifices of The Mud, The Blood, The Tears & Hard Work over the Many Many Years just a few short hours now til Gate Drop on the highly anticipated 2013/2014 season of indoor racing. Proudly wearing the Jersey of my recently retired Hero Kyle Beaton into the Barn of his namesake ‘The Barn That Beats Built’
Smiles were abundant and all of Future Wests Ducks and Decoys were aligned in a celestial manner. Entertainment for all was their hope and goal as they set out to target the entire Moto Community and their extended family members. Every square foot of the facility was used to facilitate live entertainment, RC Cars, BMX Ramps & Shows, Hair & Face Painting for Kids. That coupled with the added ambience of carnival style concessions we were inched ever closer to gate drop.
I was strategically positioned on chrome checker plated stage built by Chilliwack’s Elmer Niezen of Ironside Designs to accommodate my passionate calling of all the rounds on track action!
Opening ceremonies were a hit with the amped up spectators who had filled the bleachers to witness some of the best action that barn has seen. All riders and teams in quest of all that highly publicized Future West Champagne, Glory & Gold.
Amongst a passel of well established and upcoming pros the amateur and aged classes were also chomping to get the series underway. The anticipation coupled with the move indoors had already claimed a few casualties by race day. Walton Trans Can Minicycle winner Casey Keast’s name topped the list of riders familiar to that of Canadian Motocross Media.
When the gate dropped on the first Pro Lites main it was not a familiar name that set out with the early lead to steal the Lions share of the first bag of Future West Gold to be had. The name was that of Chris Howell from Spokane Washington who managed to abscond with and early lead and looked every bit the part doing it on his Suzuki. Over the course of the 15 lap main event we were treated to unbelievable on track action and everything that defines Arenacross Racing. Most notably and impressive was the surging and determination of former Arenacross Champ Brock ‘The Williams Lake Destroyer’ Hoyer. I know mine was not the only jaw to hit Barn Floor as he perfected the on off section at the finish line with the authority and finesse of the seasoned Arenacross Veteran that he is. Hoyer collected the first Pro Lites Main checkers followed by Kemptville Ontario Cycle North Honda mounted Jeremy Medaglia. Chris Howell would hang on to the last podium spot and defending Arenacross Champion Spencer Knowles would finish 4th.
The Pro Open Main was a beauty as well as all of those addicted to the smell of mixed fuel were going to get our much needed fix as Maple Ridge Motorsports KTM 250-2 Stroke mounted rider Tyler Medaglia would not disappoint. The Gate dropped and the start straightaway that used every inch of the Barns length would provide the launch pad for Tyler to perform his alchemy by turning his Steel Horse into a Golden Holeshot. Tyler would be pursued by Cycle North’s Ross Johnson who would by race end own the rights to the last step on the podium. Jeremy Medaglia would carve his way to the rear fender of Tyler by race end have to settle for being the second sharpest ‘MeDagger in The Barn Drawer’ This race was marred by probably the highest speed wheel to wheel crash the Heritage Park Barn has seen. Spencer Knowles managed to collect Brock Hoyer’s rear wheel as the two pursued their push to the podium. Both riders went down hard on the exit stage left turn after the Grand Stand Side Whoop Straightaway. Both riders landed in a heap and did get up very slowly right in front of the starting gate. Spencer would relinquish his challenge and take refuge in the pits while Hoyer Soldiered on in quest of what Championship Points he could salvage.
I spoke to both riders post race and neither were that impressed with the outcome of “The Racing Incident” but vowed that they were ok a little sore but looking forward to moving forward and happy to have the opportunity to do it again in round 2.
Friday Night’s Dash for Cash winner was KTM mounted Tyler Medaglia.
Gate drop saturday came highly anticipated on the heels of the drama and the notice that had been served by former champ Hoyer in his push to make noise early in this series. The Barn packed to the rafters for Saturday night’s action when the Gate dropped to the roar of all of those that were fortunate enough to saddle up a piece of the Barn’s Bleachers or ogle from the Beer Garden above. Legends abundant in the House with the likes of KD Beats, Darcy Lange, Wally Levy etc…..
Jeremy would grab a holeshot in the Pro-Am Lites race and the spin the momentum he built all night friday into a solid Gate to wire win. Tyler would fend of a surging Spencer Knowles on his KTM for the three podium positions. Former Arenacross Champ Knowles ended up bettering his foe Hoyer by one position. With the racing as close and as tight as it is and starts being money in Arenacross the 12 rounds of this series will most likely deal a little of ‘The Good The Bad & The Ugly’ to all who come to the table.
Saturday Night’s Dash for Cash was for a $1305. and won by a well deserving hard battling all weekend Ryan Lockhart on his Maple Ridge Motorsports Kawasaki 450. When Ryan reached my stage for his post dash interview he was elated and exhausted and said “I can’t believe I just did that” Ryan has been very enjoyable to watch as he is enjoying every moment of everything moto since his ordeal with everything caused by his 2009 knee injury.
The final Pro Open of the weekend would see last years arenacross champ G.A. Checkpoint sponsored Spencer Knowles get a great jump and proceed to ride a mistake free moto giving him a much needed boos to get him back in the hunt for this years title. Cycle North’s Ross Johnson got great starts all weekend and looked very very fast and smooth on his Cycle North Honda and would serve notice with his second place finish in the final pro race of the weekend that he was prepared for the rounds ahead. Tyler Medaglia would complete a very solid smart weekend of Arenacross competition by occupying the final space on the podium in the Pro Open Final. Brock Hoyer ran a hard charging 4th and Lockhart would collect 5th place points.
As we move into an off week of the series the track will be Re-Sculpted by Rich Winkler and Dave Heyller of Dirt Wurx and provide a whole new set of obstacles for a competitors and fans to enjoy come the 22nd and 23 of November. If you were not fortunate enough to make it out I would highly recommend doing everything in your power to do so as I have not seen this much entertainment value provided under one roof for a Motocross Race.
Friday Results
Pro Lites:
1. Brock Hoyer
2. Jeremy Medaglia
3. Chris Howell
4. Spencer Knowles
5. Ross Johnson
Pro Open:
1. Tyler Medaglia
2. Jeremy Medaglia
3. Ross Johnson
4. Ryan Lockhart
5. Chris Howell
Saturday Results
Pro Lites:
1. Jeremy Medaglia
2. Tyler Medaglia
3. Spencer Knowles
4. Brock Hoyer
5. Ross Johnson
Pro Open:
1. Spencer Knowles
2. Ross Johnson
3. Tyler Medaglia
4. Brock Hoyer
5. Ryan Lockhart