Good morning and welcome to this final Gate Drop of November. Wow, I can’t believe I’m saying that! Also, it’s hard to fathom that we’re almost exactly a month away from Christmas of 2014! Soon it will be time for Santa to arrive, then we’ll be turning the calendar to 2015, and then it will be time for the moment this entire industry is waiting for, the beginning of the Supercross Series. Time is just flying by!
Speaking of Supercross, this past week, Kawasaki US announced the signing of seven-time supercross champion Jeremy McGrath as a brand ambassador. This deal certainly came as a surprise in the industry as few people knew that it was in the works. After many years of working for American Honda, McGrath now takes his knowledge and experience over to Team Green and back to the place where it all started for him. I remember lining up with him in 1990 at the Toronto SX and he was riding a Kawasaki then. If my memory serves me correctly, I think he finished third that night at the SkyDome (I could be wrong though) proving that even then he had some pretty good SX skills. I guess it was a sign of things to come. With Ryan Villopoto heading to Europe for 2015 it frees up Kawasaki USA from not only a lot of salary (and bonuses) but also of the big #2, obviously McGrath’s original branded number. This looks like a great deal for both parties involved as I’m sure both will benefit greatly from it.
Now to news about one of our Kings…well maybe Princes. One of this country’s favourite 30 year-old riders, Ryan Lockhart, finally popped the big question to his long time sweetheart, Randi Ormond, this past weekend. Congratulations to the future Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart as they now prepare to plan for the big day and the next chapter in their lives. As one of the older guys in this sport it’s cool to see these young kids grow up. I remember the first time I met Newf. It was in the spring of 2000 and we were both riding for the Two Wheel Kawasaki Team. Since he was living in Fergus, Ontario and too young to drive, team owner Ron Ashley commandeered me to come and pick up Newf each day to go riding. Being eleven years senior to Newf, I remember how much fun it was to hang out with him and get a younger perspective of life and riding. Now Newf and all these kids are growing up and getting married, and some are becoming fathers. Life just keeps on rolling along.
With his engagement this weekend to Randi Ormond, Ryan Lockhart will soon be waving good-bye to bachelor life.
This news comes at a great time as I will get to congratulate the royal couple in person this coming weekend. First thing Friday morning, Mark Stallybrass and I are boarding a plane to Vancouver to take in rounds five and six of the 2014 Future West Canadian AX Championship in Chilliwack, BC. I can’t wait to see the racing up close and personal as it has sounded great so far. Last year I travelled out for one of the Chilliwack rounds and the racing and the people were great. I actually got to race the BC Legends class while I was there so that definitely added to the enjoyment of my trip in 2013. This time I don’t think I’ll be racing as I will probably just stick to reporting.
With just two weekends left to go in the series, this is no doubt crunch time for the riders. This will be the time to make hay and get those four consistent main event finishes that has escaped almost all of the series regulars so far. Heritage Park will certainly provide the perfect stage for the final four rounds as it’s spacious confines will allow for the best racing we’ve seen yet. There are also rumours that the jack-of-all-trades people at Future West are building a very cool over/under bridge for this weekend. If you factor in all of those things and probably a few more, the fans and riders in BC are in for a great weekend of arenacross racing.
You may wonder why my travelling companion this coming weekend will be Mr. Stallybrass. Well, he is heading to BC to formally shake hands on the deal with Future West to welcome them to the CMRC family for 2015. I don’t know a lot about racing in BC, but due to the raw size of the province and the distance between the tracks there, getting everyone together on any given weekend is a real challenge. From the people that I have spoken to in the last few days, this deal will bring more riders together to help BC have a true provincial series. Not to keep patting Newf on the back, however, if he says that this is a good thing then I have to put my trust in his opinion. Here is Mark Stallybrass’ comment on the deal with Future West.
“CMRC is very pleased to establish a relationship with Future West. Motocross racing in Lower Mainland BC has been splintered for many years and it has hurt attendance, the health of clubs and the sport in general. The agreement we’ve reached with Future West will not only bring all motoocrossers together under one umbrella, but the marketing capabilities they have will help take racing in BC to a higher level. Now that every region within BC is working together under CMRC sanctioning, we’re now working to create a common provincial series that will be attractive to all riders in the province. This is the best news for BC Motocross in many years.”
This will be the scene on Friday as the 2014 Future West Canadian AX Championships heads to Chilliwack for rounds five and six.
Well, that’s it for me this week. Don’t forget, if you live in Ontario, round two of the Chesterman’s Indoor Series is this Saturday in Tillsonburg, Ontario. Sign-up starts at 1pm and practice begins at 3pm. Unfortunately the race is only open to either pit bikes or kids riding 85cc, 65cc or 50cc bikes. I hope everyone has a great week and be glad you weren’t living in Buffalo last week!