Hello MXP Readers,
This is the first of my bi-weekly columns on mxpmag.com so I hope you enjoy reading it. Walton was another great experience, it’s always been one of my favourite weeks of the year. I’m bummed I won’t be returning to the Transcan to fight for amateur titles ever again. Even though the pro day at the end of the week didn’t go the greatest for me, I still went to Walton to accomplish the more important goals of wrapping up my last amateur national championships. After four days of the amateur program I’ll admit I was a bit burnt out since the last time I’d ridden that many days in a row was back in California in the Spring. In saying that, I’m more confident next year I’ll perform like I know I’m capable of because I plan on working really hard this winter to have a break out season next year. I haven’t got any plans completely figured out yet; we’re talking to Neil and Mitchell Bradbury to see if I can tag along with them down to GPF this winter and get some essential preseason seat time and training.
This past summer Casey Keast raced his final Parts Canada TransCan as an amateur. He said good-bye to the Intermediate class with two national championships. Photo by James Lissimore
The most training that I’ve ever done before is road biking on occasion. I know everyone in the motocross community will see this as nonsense, and that I’m not trying hard enough to be better. But, throughout my entire career I’ve never had to try hard to be better. I’m not saying I have an ego or anything, I just didn’t see the point in training when I barely broke a sweat on the race track. Whenever a bigger challenge came upon me I got more comfortable overcoming them without any more extra effort. To sum it up, if I was racing someone faster than me, I learn to go faster just by watching someone else in front, I would come out the next time I rode with the thought of being beaten by that speed and it fuelled me to be smoother and faster.
This past season on big bikes racing pro nationals as an amateur really opened my eyes to what I have to do if I want to hit the podium and succeed in Canadian moto. I know I have the speed to run up front and battle possibly for race wins, but I’m really seeking some direction and advise on what resources I need that could help me to become a champion. I’m willing to do what it takes, and financially I need some sort of light at the end of the tunnel because I’m in my last year of school and don’t see myself going into post-secondary to try to succeed in a different “real” career. I want to race dirt bikes for a living for anyone who believes and knows what I’m capable of. Give me a chance and you won’t regret it. Until next time, thanks for reading and keep on having fun.