By Dylan Wright
Photos by James Lissimore
Wright Out of the Gate: Choices. Chances. Changes
Well … it’s official. I have now joined the Honda Canada GDR Fox Racing Team. It was one of the most difficult decisions I ever had to make. I had two good offers on the table, received from two reputable race teams, both with solid racing programs, who both wanted to help me get to the next level. I was flattered and very lucky, for sure!
The decision making process involved a long, hard look at where I’ve been and what I’ve achieved so far, as well as a realistic look ahead into the future at my motocross racing career.
All in all, 2016 was a pretty great year. I realize that getting to this point is a result of lots of hard work on my part, but also because of the support and opportunities I received from sponsors, friends and family.
In my opinion, my progress to date, and my continued improvement going forward, has and will continue to involve three key things: Choices. Chances. Changes. With any luck, all these combined will lead to a Championship.
Dylan Wright and his new boss Derek Schuster are ready to win races in 2017.
Choices
While motocross involves a bunch of split-second decisions on the track throughout a race, deciding on which contract to sign made me think long and hard before I put my signature on the dotted line.
I had the choice of sticking to what I knew and accepting a contract with the MX101 Yamaha FXR Racing Team. I was very happy there. This choice meant continuing to work with great people, great bikes and a strong support structure that has allowed me to get to where I am today. I would forever be grateful to them, no matter what decision I made.
Or, I could accept the Honda Canada GDR Fox Racing Team offer. This meant getting out of my comfort zone and trying something new with a team that has built a great reputation for itself. A new team and a new brand means being exposed to different ideas, new approaches and riding on different equipment. It means broadening my horizons and adding to the knowledge and experience I have accumulated so far.
Chances
Motocross is an extreme sport. So every time I straddle a dirt bike and hit the track, I am taking chances. With the right equipment, gear and training, these are calculated risks, but risks just the same and risks that I gladly accept to take.
But reaching the professional level in motocross also involves being given chances. I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to receive the support and encouragement of the MX101 Yamaha FXR Racing Team in the past and to now have the vote of confidence of the
Honda Canada GDR Fox Racing Team. Thanks to them, I am given the chance to earn a living doing what I love: race dirt bikes. I’m proud to compete in the Canadian Rockstar Energy Drink Motocross Nationals. And, let’s face it, for many riders like myself, participating in the cross-Canada motocross circuit would not be possible without the products and financial support provided by race teams and their sponsors.
Lewis Carroll once said, “In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.” So I have taken a leap of faith, and believe I have left one positive experience and will be landing in another positive, albeit different, environment.
Some will argue that I’m taking a big chance by moving to the Honda Canada GDR Fox Racing Team. To those of you who believe that this means that I’m taking a big risk, I say that change can be a very good thing. To those of you who believe this means that I’m seizing a great opportunity, I wholeheartedly agree with you and say that change can be a very good thing.
Dylan has the perfect combination of old school grit, and new school style. Judging by this photo, he is already feeling very comfortable on his new 2017 Honda Racing Fox GDR CRF250.
Changes
So I guess what I’m trying to say is that I agree with Leon Brown (a great American Major League baseball player). “You cannot grow unless you are willing to change.” I realize I have come a long way but I also realize that I still have lots to learn.
With the Honda Canada GDR Fox Racing Team, my teammate will be Colton Facciotti, a four-time Canadian MX1 Champion. What an unbelievable opportunity for me to be able to pit under the tent with an accomplished racer who has so much experience and has achieved so much success.
I believe that sharing the pit with a 450 rider rather than fellow competitors will be a very big change. Don’t get me wrong! The dynamics under the MX101 tent was great with Jess Pettis and Hayden Halstead last year, as well as with Jimmy Decotis or Jesse Wentland in the years before that. But I have to admit that sharing the pit with a more seasoned rider you are not competing against must create a very different vibe. I’m looking forward to finding out what that will be like. I believe I have found a great mentor in Colton Facciotti. He has already travelled the road to becoming a champion and I believe I can learn a lot from him.
At the end of the day, I’m 19-years-old and have dreams of winning championships both in Canada and the United States. To get there, I realize I still have a lot to learn. So my contract decision could not strictly be a financial one, but one that involved adopting the best overall approach to achieve my goals, make a living, and pursue a career as a motocross racer.
I have made my choice, I have opted to take a chance and embrace change. I am proud of this decision and am truly convinced that this is the right choice for me. I believe that doing so will help me grow as a racer. I’m grateful to Derek Schuster and Honda Canada for this opportunity and am really looking forward to seeing what my future with the Honda Canada GDR Fox Racing Team will bring.