Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
Future West Moto has regrettably had to cancel this weekend round of the Canadian Kawasaki CMRC South Series that was scheduled for the Green River Motocross Park in Pemberton due to the wildfire situation. This event will be given reconsideration for possibly scheduling a later date. On a positive note, round one of the true BC Championship series starts next weekend in Quesnel, BC. The Quesnel race track is very demanding and is predominantly sand based. This series then moves on to Campbell River on Vancouver Island and then concludes at the Kelowna Dirt Bike Club in September. Purses for the top level riders including the age classes have been bolstered considerably. Also, anyone who wins a provincial championship title this year will be entitled to run a progressive Red number one plate the following season. Future West Moto is also currently pursuing sponsorship and have some incredible valuable opportunities for partnership. Future West Moto has always gone over and above to provide a circus-like environment and atmosphere, providing entertainment beyond imagination on and off the race track for all. When I say there is something for everyone I mean it, this series will be so much fun to be a part of. The gate drops for round one in Armstrong, BC October 2nd. Make your plans now.
The WCAN wrapped up on Saturday and I had the pleasure of being there right from the very first gate drop until the final trophy was awarded on Sunday night. I would like to extend a huge thanks to Trevor Unger from Ryno Power Sports Supplements and Donny Ellis from Pro Action Suspension for bringing me to the event in Raymond, Alberta. I will get into the awards in a minute but first off I would like to silence any potential critics and give my take on what I saw there. These amateur nationals, and yes there are three in this country, are of the utmost importance to continuing to develop and enhance our current bumper crop of amateur level talent. The track was well prepared and not overwatered, and dust was never an issue. Each and every member of the Lethbridge Club and more knew exactly what their job was and did it well. The track was not easy to ride and some who pushed when they should not have paid the price. I may be wrong but I do not think there was as much as a race related incident that no one likes to see or talk about. As far as the numbers go, yes they were a little low behind the gates but only in some classes. The bulk of the competition and anyone who was anyone, as far as movers and shakers coming up through the ranks in the West, were there. Three motos on a rough, gnarly race track in 35 plus degree heat. Yes, they earned those podium positions, each and everyone of you. Congratulations!
I mentioned awards earlier, and I will highlight on a few as I believe that a few of these riders are not only making a mark for themselves but will be heard from a lot in the future. In case you missed it, I was approached by the Lethbridge Club at day’s end on Saturday and asked if I would host the awards ceremony. Even though I was physically done, I would never turn down an opportunity to do what I absolutely love to do and that is interact with this sport’s present and future with a microphone in my hand. It was very rewarding to see each and every one of the riders come up in all classes and beam with pride when they accepted their hardware. They knew what it took to get into that position, and trust me, in Raymond this past week a good result was no easy feat.
The Kermax Silver Sprocket went to Ryno Power Sports Supplements Junior class rider Tyler Unger, and yes, he too justifiably beamed with pride and had a huge smile on his face when I presented the Sprocket to him. Let me back this up a little bit and put a couple of things in perspective for you. Tyler, up until four days before this event, rode a YZ125 two-stroke. His dad, Trevor, got him a YZ 250 two-stroke only four days prior. With a little extra help from Donny Ellis at Pro Action Suspension and Pro rider Jared Stock, that is what Tyler lined up on and absolutely killed it. After two days Tyler was a perfect 6 for 6 and was tied with Moose Jaw Saskatchewan’s Kyle Biro for the top overall award of the Yamaha Factory Ride. More on Kyle Biro in a moment. Tyler was on the losing end of the first of his three motos on the final day of the event and it set the tone for his day. Tyler did, however, win the MX2 and MX3 Junior overall titles and was just shy of the win in the MX1 class. Nice work Tyler! Folks, he’s on my radar and I would recommend putting Tyler Unger on yours.
The Yamaha Factory ride was presented to Kyle Biro, and let me tell you this kid is the real deal. He laid down an absolutely flawless performance. Kyle Brio went a perfect 9-9 with 8 Holeshots, and trust me that is where you wanted to be on this year’s Raymond layout. A Pro rider, who won the overall in that class, Rylan Pozdnekoff, did an amazing job of keeping the track in tip top shape, and there were a few new sections that he added this year. Most classes got 6 lap motos, and if you were not in the top 5 early, making up the kind of ground needed to overcome a deficit was difficult. Kyle Biro is also a Ryno Power Sports Supplements athlete and displayed an incredible amount of focus, speed, talent and discipline throughout the three day event. Nice work Kyle, you earned that family vacation to the lake this week. We will see you at the Parts Canada Walton Trans Can.
Before I move on I would like to mention that my friends from Southwestern Ontario, Steven Anderson and his son Steven, made the trek all the way out to WCAN. When we bumped into each other at the gas station the day after the event, as we both had our rigs pointed in opposite directions home, I asked him what he thought about the event. He, like myself, was a little disappointed that more people had not supported this year’s WCAN. He also said it was a great experience for them, and the club did a good job. Nice to hear someone else’s perspective, especially after make the long commute commitment. See you at Gopher Dunes Steve.
Staying with the amateur scene as it is really amping up right now as we have some major events just around the corner that will culminate at the Parts Canada Walton Trans Can, August 12th. Yes, there are still some spots available behind the gate. Get over to Waltontranscan.ca to secure yours. I spoke with Marco Canella yesterday as he and his parents will be headed to Spain on Tuesday along with the Moto Park crew and Jake Tricco to compete in the World Junior Motocross Championship. Marco was putting some last minute touches on things with the Moto Park crew when I spoke to him and was absolutely elated about this opportunity. I asked him what it meant and he said it was a dream come true. He also cited that when our Canadians went to the last MX of Nations that he dreamed of one day being in a position to represent his country. I believe with Carl Bastedo, Iain Hayden, Zeb Dennis and the Moto Park Crew making this happen, it will definitely pay itself forward to you, Jake Tricco and our international efforts on many, many levels. In my opinion, it is imperative that we as Canadians send teams to compete at international events like this and the Motocross of Nations. Motocross of Nations next year? I don’t know about you but I sure hope so. Canella, upon returning home, will head to Loretta Lynn’s where he will also ride a 125cc two-stroke in the Schoolboy class. Once again, I think this high level of compete for Marco Canella on the two-stroke coming up through the ranks much like Kyle Biro, this year’s WCAN winner, will prove it’s value and worth beyond words at the top level. Marco then will be at the Parts Canada Walton Trans Can to continue his march towards getting his name and photo on the highly coveted Walton Shrine, which is the fabled start line wall of fame. Good luck Marco and Jake, your country is behind you.
I am about to board a plane here momentarily for Toronto as I will touchdown in Courtland, Ontario this afternoon to take in the full two days of action scheduled for Round Five of the Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals presented by Motovan. I will be teamed up with Bill Petro and the Legends Of Canadian Motocross to help keep that great iconic project of preserving this sport’s rich and vibrant history. Stop by the tent if you are there; always lots to talk about. I know that Bill and I would love to share a little more about the Legends Project with you. Round one of the CMRC Eastern Canadian Women’s Nationals also kicks off this weekend at Gopher Dunes along with the Eastern version of the KTM Super Mini Nationals. Amateur Motocross Ontario Reloaded is also racing the Dunes circuit on Saturday. The racing at the Dunes is always of the best anywhere, in my opinion. With this year’s changes to the track, it looks to me like there will be a little more flow to enhance the racing product even more. Who will win? Who are you pulling for? I am just a race fan because it does not really matter who wins. I will add, however, that based on who I know that will be lined up, I feel like the real winner. Right now it is safe to say the compete level in Canadian Pro Motocross is at an all time high. Do yourself a favour race fans, get out to Gopher Dunes. Frank and his family go over and above to make this one of the best stops the series has. I assure you, you will not be disappointed.
Wherever you get to this weekend friends, do your best to start safe and I hope to see you at a race soon.
Lets Go Racing. Until next ‘Friday Flight,‘Airmail’ out………………….
