Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
Future West Moto, the high energy, rapidly growing, family oriented motocross movement in the West is once again very proud to bring you this week’s Friday Flight. Future West Moto is actively seeking partners for the upcoming Future West Moto Canadian Arenacross Series. This highly competitive series, fun for all ages and members of the family, kicks off in Armstrong, BC in October and will cover five weekends. We would love to have you on our broad and all inclusive winning team. For partnership opportunities, contact Stuart McQueen fwmstu@hotmail.com.
Once again the weekend is upon us and the Friday Flight is set to help you get ready for what promises to be another great weekend of racing in Canada and beyond. Before I get to the anticipation of what we can expect this weekend at Ulverton for Round 9 of the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals presented by Motovan, let me catch my breath. Yes, it has been a pretty amazing ride so far in 2015 and it will continue right down until the conclusion of the Future West Arenacross Series in Chilliwack on December 5th. We will take a quick three day detour Oct. 18th to the Monster Energy Cup, and do a sit-in with Steve Matthes on the Pulp MX Show.
These two legends put on quite a show last weekend.
Thanks to my friend Lonnie Shevkenek from the Peace Motocross Association. I spent the better part of yesterday buying some U.S. coin (ouch) and booking a five week road trip through the West Coast Supercross rounds of Jan-Feb. No, I did not win the lottery. Even though the Canadian Moto Show is doing very well to keep all those paying the bills happy, I most likely will spend the first half of 2016 paying for it. I am not sure if it is a result of aging or surviving a near death experience but I truly believe that this gift of life given is no dress rehearsal. Today is what matters, and if I make it a good day I will always be content and happy because the last time I checked, it was always today. Simple rule for a simple fool, but hey, it’s working.
I spent five days this past weekend on beautiful Vancouver Island as Campbell River, BC was the home to Round 2 of the Canadian Kawasaki all inclusive BC Championship Series. This series, encompassing three very different geographical locations of our vast province, has been a much needed step in a positive direction. I had never been that far North on Vancouver Island but after 10 hours in my van, including a ride on the archaic BC Ferry system, we were in our happy place, ‘at the races.’ The Campbell River Club and Vancouver Island MX did an amazing job. The track was fun, safe and even though it was smoking hot, dust was never a problem. When I showed up to the track on Saturday for practice I was happy to see Campbell River native and multi-time National Champion Dusty Klatt on the track spinning some laps. I immediately thought back to the question put to me earlier in the week by Ryan Lockhart; “Do you think Dusty will race on Sunday.” Hmmm. I immediately told Ryan no! Why? I am not really sure but I just figured that Dusty was done with racing and wanted to save what he has left in his knee for his new career and amazing young family. Even when I left the track on Saturday night I had no idea until I got back to the hotel room and saw Dusty’s Instagram post that validated the fact that the Blackfoot Direct Husqvarna would indeed be lined up Sunday. Why not, the Pro Purse was $2,500 for two motos of work; great money, for sure. Vancouver Island MX and Gas ‘N Go put up the coin. This movement will continue to grow as at the finale at the Bear Creek track in Kelowna on September 6th it is hoped the purse will be $3,000.
Dusty Klatt, wearing the big number ‘2,’ would bust out a Moto 1 holeshot on his Blackfoot Direct Husky and led the race through the first four laps. As expected, with no race time of any kind since Riverglade in 2013, arm pump was an issue for the Campbell River folk hero. Ryan Lockhart, on a a brand new 2016 Maple Ridge Motorsports Kawasaki, looked as poised and focussed as I have seen him all season taking the win at the top level. As a race fan in the tower, amidst the onlooking crowd gathered around the fences, it had me pretty amped up on the mic. To me this was truly a feel good moment for Canadian Motocross as both of these riders have talents and accomplishments that need no introductions and have collectively had to fight through more physical despair than your average bears. Lockhart would holeshot Moto 2 and win in front end fashion, and Klatt would run solid second fiddle and would receive a decent chunk of change for his efforts. I am sure there are other ways these guys could make that kind of money but to see these riders justly rewarded for their sacrifice, commitment, risk and plain simple love of Motocross is great to see. I would like to mention that Quesnel, BC rider Jackson Nickolet, who is fast and very talented, had a solid weekend in Campbell River and earned the final podium spot in the Pro AM open. Dusty Klatt is also hosting a Motocross School Sunday, August 16th at the Nanaimo track from 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM for $150. 80cc and up with a limit of 12 riders. Reserve by calling 250-204-2400 or email dkr144@hotmail.com
For most of us in the West this race weekend would mark the last until after the Parts Canada Walton Trans Can. I fly out on Wednesday and know that Lockhart was already making efforts on our holiday BC Monday to have his stuff ready to ship out with the Piccolo family. I am not exactly sure what the numbers are of Western based riders making the trek but I believe we will be well represented as always. I spoke with Mark Perrin last week and there are still some spots available in some of the age classes. That reminds me, Ryan Lockhart I have John Dowd’s number in front of me. I best call him and see if he’s in, right? In all seriousness, if John shows up, great for a couple of reasons. First off I believe that racing is best when we have the best racers possible lined up, and secondly, I believe Ryan would rise to the challenge and it would make for some great racing. Whatever happens is still to be written, and these are great, once in a lifetime experiences to participate in and witness firsthand. Do yourself a favour, get out there and support this sport. If you are still reading this by this point you obviously love it. If you cannot I will do my best to give you the best play by play imaginable of all the ‘Live’ action as it unfolds on Championship Saturday as the Trans Can crew is hosting a first ever, much needed broadcast.
This past weekend the top level action was at what I like to call the second of the two bookend rounds of this true coast to coast Canadian National series in Riverglade. I do have ‘The Glade’ on my bucket list, but because of my commitments out West it looks like there will only be two Eastern rounds for me this year. As always, the Moncton faithful showed up in droves and got their money’s worth. I don’t think there has been a round yet in this series that has not left people talking for days. Look, it’s Friday and I am still talking about it. Okay, back to better behaviour; congratulations to the man I like to call ‘The Champ,’ Colton Facciotti, and his Honda Canada GDR connections with the overall victory. Series leader Rockstar OTSFF rider Matt Goerke did an amazing job of damage control by salvaging what he could in Moto 1 as well as taking the overall victory. Brett Metcalfe – huge bummer for him and his Monster Leading Edge Kawasaki connections as it looks like the title is out of reach. I will add with four motos remaining, mathematically anything is still possible.
Royal Distributing Fox KTM, Fox rider Kaven Benoit…you are currently the man bros! Everyone loves a winner and right now in the MX2 class Kaven is the real deal on and off the race track. If you have not been to a race yet or experienced it first hand, grab a dictionary and look up ‘Motocross Class Act.’ There would probably be a picture of Kaven Benoit. Maybe a little extra love for Kaven, yes, but hey, everyone loves a winner. Speaking of winners, congratulations to Duroy KTM Motovan rider Eve Brodeur as she lined up with the big boys and held her own nicely. Eve is set to repeat as the Eastern Canadian Women’s National Champion this weekend in Ulverton. I know there are two motos left but I have to think the smart money is on Eve.
Rumour has it that Jessica Patterson will be lined up on Sunday as well; should be interesting. The final round of the KT Super Mini Nationals also goes this Saturday in Ulverton on the demanding, natural terrain race track. Will Tanner Ward keep doing his connections proud and get the victory? What about Nick Cryer who he exchanged motos with in Ottawa? Should be a great battle. At the top level I am sure the title sponsor team with the Red Plate in the MX1 class as well as their MX2 rider who won there last year, Shawn Maffenbier, who has been on the gas big time lately, are ready for Ulverton. Kyle Chisholm also won for them there last year on the big bike for the team. What about Brian House Award winner from last weekend at Riverglade, Tyler Medaglia? Tyler won a moto last year at Ulverton and after his solid effort at his second home race of the year is brimming with confidence. Good luck to Tyler and all racers who are lined up, staring up at that long uphill drag race start. Whatever writes itself this weekend it should be a great read as Quebec races historically have provided some of the best and worst drama imaginable. Okay, I will leave last year where it belongs, in the history books. Two rounds left, do yourself a favour friends, get out to the races if you can and I will see you all next week at The Parts Canada Walton Trans Can.
Let’s Go Racing friends! Until next Friday Flight, Airmail out………………….
