Decal Works Presents Monday Gate Drop

This week’s Monday Gate Drop is brought to you by the awesome people at DeCal Works. These days everyone wants to look good and nothing says style like a new set of custom graphics. All you have to do is log on to www.decalmx.com and within minutes you can design and order your very own set of graphics. Thanks to Decal Works for all of their support and their continuing commitment to Canadian motocross.

As I sit here in a large amount of pain and stiffness from my long week at Walton Raceway, it’s with bitter sweet emotions that I announce that the summer of 2015 is almost over. I know this because this past weekend we put a wrap on the 2015 Parts Canada TransCan and the 2015 Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals; both events were incredible to watch. While one only lasted five days and the other three months, we got watch this country’s best racers compete at the pro and amateur levels. Let’s begin with the week that was for the 24th annual Parts Canada TransCan.

Walton Raceway was in perfect condition for the 2015 Parts Canada TransCan and the final round of the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals. photo by James Lissimore

Yes, it’s hard to believe that it’s been 24 years of this awesome event. For almost a quarter century the top amateur racers from Canada and the USA have ascended on the unassuming grounds of Walton Raceway for a chance to be crowned a National Champion. Over the years we’ve seen famous names in our sport like Nick Wey, Travis Pastrana and Dean Wilson all take home first place trophies from Walton and then go on to have great professional careers. For amateurs, the Parts Canada TransCan has all of the elements that they need to learn if they want to be successful pro riders. All week the TransCan participants have to deal with the immense pressure of a three moto format, a very challenging track, a few off track distractions and of course, whatever Mother Nature decides to throw at them. Actually, this past week Mother Nature was very kind as it only rained for a few minutes on one of the days so the track stayed in great condition all week. My point is that to win a TransCan title is never an easy thing to do; there are always some bumps and huddles along the way and that is exactly what it takes to win a pro title as well.

Marco Cannella showed up at the TransCan fresh off his 2015 Loretta Lynn’s title only a few short weeks ago. The likeable Ontario kid was fast all week and took home multiple titles and the coveted Yamaha Factory Ride Award. photo by James Lissimore

As always, we saw tremendous battles all week in almost every class. With record entries and riders from almost every Province, the 2015 Parts Canada had it all. We saw great victories from riders like Sebastien Racine, Jake Tricco, Austin Watling, Marco Cannella, Ryan Lockhart and Joey Crown (just to name a few). Whether you were racing or just watching the action, there was never a dull a moment from the beginning of practice on Wednesday to the final chequered flag on Saturday. As I mentioned before, for 24 years now Walton Raceway has become the place where champions are crowned at the amateur level and at the pro level. Nowhere else in the World can a young rider win an Amateur National Championship, and then show up a few years later and be crowned a pro champion at the same track. It only happens at Walton and we should all be proud of that.

So after all of the TransCan champions were crowned on Saturday evening, everyone woke up Sunday morning to watch the pro riders take to the track. With the MX2 Championship already decided last weekend, all eyes were focused on the MX1 class and the battle between Matt Goerke and Colton Facciotti. With only 13 points separating the two riders as they headed into the opening moto, everyone in attendance knew that anything could still happen. Things would get even more interesting when Colton Facciotti went and dominated the first MX1 moto, Goerke also rode a very smart opening moto and finished in second. This would set up exactly what everyone came to see, a final moto showdown between the two riders that have really owned the MX1 series since round five at Gopher Dunes.

After three months and twenty hard fought motos, Matt Goerke took home the 2015 MX1 Championship. photo by James Lissimore

When the gate dropped for Moto 2 it was Brett Metcalfe who grabbed a very strong holeshot and was leading the pack as they disappeared over the first tunnel jump and into turn 2. Since the starting line was moved a few years back there has always been a lot of action in turn 2 at Walton Raceway. As the riders crest over the tunnel and dive down the hill into multiple ruts and then the tight left hand corner, this section of the track is one of the best and very few really good passing spots. Well, obviously Colton Facciotti agrees with me as he decided to make a very bold and aggressive move on his championship rival Matt Goerke and the two riders went down. Whether Colton thought he had a little more room than he did or it was a blatant move to help make the final moto a little more interesting, we’ll never know. Colton has never been a dirty rider or even an overly aggressive rider so I doubt his plan was to take Goerke out. I’m sure he saw a gap and decided to go for it, and when that gap quickly disappeared, Colton was already committed and contact was made. Whatever happened, the fans loved it and they loved it even more when the two championship contenders remounted and began carving their way through the pack at a feverish pace. In just five laps Colton and Goerke not only cracked the top ten but Colton was in 5th and Goerke wasn’t far behind.

In the end, Brett Metcalfe took home his first moto win since Sand Del Lee, Colton caught up to an incredible third place and Goerke rode to a very safe 6th place, and with that finish he secured the 2015 MX1 Championship. It was a very exciting conclusion to what I believe was the most exciting summer of racing we’ve ever seen in Canada. From coast to coast all of these riders showed mind boggling speed and sheer determination in their quest for Canadian motocross glory. Congratulations to Matt Goerke and Kaven Benoit on their 2015 titles, you’re both very deserving champions.

This is what the Parts Canada TransCan is all about and why it’s become such a huge part of Canadian Motocross. photo by James Lissimore

I guess that is really what makes the week at Walton so special. As I eluded to before, thanks to the original dream that Chris Lee and Mark Stallybrass had to create this event, and now through the continuing efforts of Brett Lee and Mark Perrin. For the past 24 years it has become the place where champions old and new gather to celebrate everything that is great in Canadian motocross. For instance, to see a rider like Joey Crown, who has won multiple titles over the years as a young rider, graduate to the pro class on Sunday and win the second MX2 moto. That’s pretty special stuff regardless of what sport you follow. These are the types of storylines that come out of the week at Walton Raceway each and every year.

I know that I’m not the only person that is feeling a little slow today after their visit to Walton. Don’t get me wrong, I love Walton and all the people there, but it’s kind of like going to Las Vegas; I can’t wait get there, and then I can’t wait to leave as I’m usually exhausted. I hope everyone had a great week and I hope it was a fun conclusion to your summer of motocross. I also hope my fellow plus 40 competitor and good friend Dan Tricco heals up quick and feels better real soon. Dan, you represent everything that a vet rider and a moto dad should be, so get better and we’ll see you soon at the track!! That’s it for me this week, all the best and I hope everyone enjoyed their week at Walton.

I was very impressed with Jake and Luke Tricco this week as they not only rode very well, but also how they also how maintained focus after their Dad’s hard get off on Thursday. Heal up Danny!! photo by James Lissimore