Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
Hello friends, Brent Worrall here to check with a report on the action that came to a conclusion at the Future West Arenacross Series in Chilliwack. This past weekend marked the end to what has been very fun to be a part of, a successful year for this series and Canadian Moto in general. For the second consecutive week the stage was set at the Heritage Park facility just an hour East of Vancouver, B.C. in Chilliwack. The finale would see demons conquered, champions crowned, personal bests set and fun had by most. Before the action got underway Friday night on the Kyle Beaton designed and built race track, the Future West Motocross Schools growing legacy continued. This past weekend added into the mix of seasoned veteran mentors, Kyle Beaton and Ryan Lockhart was none other than 4-time MX1 CMRC Canadian National Champion Colton Facciotti. I am not really sure how long this had been planned, if at all, or if it just came together out of Colton’s willingness to pay homage to his roots of Arenacross and give back. However, none of that really seemed to matter as the schools filled quickly and the indoor tutorial riders of all ages received from these legends was incredible.
Colton Facciotti was not the only big name to make an appearance this past weekend in Chilliwack or be a side bar to the on-track excitement. There were so many things, in fact, that had I turned around halfway there on the snow battered ‘white out’ conditions of the Coquihala Highway, as I was tempted to, I would have missed out, big time. The race results in most cases are what racers and fans are after, and don’t get me wrong, the racing was great at all levels. This weekend there just seemed to be a lot more going on and it came in many forms. First off on Friday night as we set up for the ‘Live’ Canadian Moto Show broadcast of the event, Kevin Tyler made his way up to greet us. It was very cool to have the smiling, friendly MX101 Team Manager in the house to cheer on his rider Jess Pettis. Before we get into what happened with Jess on his way to both titles (and trust me there were a couple of moments that I am sure that without me bringing up they would both likely rather forget), lket’s get back to a couple of the sidebar stories.
It was great to welcome Kevin Tyler and Shelby Turner to the final round in Chilliwack.
Multi-time winner and former Future West Arenacross Champion Spencer Knowles was back at the race track this week for the first time in three years. Wow, does time ever fly! Spencer shared a bike with Kyle Beaton and put some laps in the building he has made many memories in. He also sat in with me to help broadcast the first two Lites qualifiers on Friday night. Knowles beamed with a childlike excitement as he was fixated on the entertaining and always inebriating top level action. I asked Spencer, who is now a father, if this resurgence would have him in a comeback mode of sorts. Before I had a chance to get my hopes up, Knowles downplayed any chances of a top level return to the sport. He did however say something about wishing to spin some more indoor laps in the future. You never know friends Spencer is only 24.
I would also like to add how in my report last week that I wrote on how we would likely see the best Ross Johnson of this series on the final weekend. Well, it turns out I knew a little more than the average bear and can now publicly write about it. I was privy to a little secret whispered my way that the final rounds would mark the end of Ross Johnson’s storied career. He did not disappoint race fans or his Cycle North connections as he was back in podium form and took home a Valley Moto Sport Husqvarna Dash for Cash on Friday night. Ross was also honoured with an emotional video tribute on Saturday night with many of his good friends, supporters and family in attendance. Ross was also kind enough to sign a race worn jersey for me, which will be a cherished piece of this series’ history. Ross would have a solid weekend on the race track where he was back where he was accustomed to being and that is on the podium. His finishes would see him end his indoor career with 3rd overall in the Open class and 4th in the Lites. Nice work Ross, and all the best to you and your family moving forward.
Cycle North Honda rider Ross Johnson (#1) battles for the holeshot in his final Canadian AX. Photo by James Lissimore
Getting to the brass tax of the championships on the line, would be able to derail the runaway train in the series, Jess Pettis. Pettis, who started off this series a perfect four for four at the opener in Armstrong, still had some work to do to close out the titles. He had more of an advantage in the Open class but in a discipline of racing where things can go bad in a heartbeat, these titles were far from settled. On Friday night the whoops that were deep enough to facilitate a ‘homeless camp’ if they had a tarp over them would be a major separator. Before the gate even dropped on Friday night and riders were introduced in opening ceremonies, they were even problematic on the introduction lap. Shawn Maffenbeier, who was only 6 shorts behind Pettis, would get squirrely on his intro lap and be forced to make a great save. The save Maffenbeier made was only bested by the ‘Look at that time moment’ that Pettis had. Jess got sketchy and made one of the best front wheel heavy saves you could imagine after he got buck wild stopping just six inches shy of a steel fence. When the gate dropped Pettis would put the somewhat comical mishap in its place by taking the Lites class win. Spokane native Noah McConahy would finish second ahead of his JMC Husky teammate Chris Howell. RTR’s Maffenbeier would crash at the end of the daunting whoop section in the Friday Lites night main and it would be bad enough to send him to the hospital. Fortunately for Shawn, who came into Friday night on the heels of one of the most convincing scores the series had seen in the Pro Open the week before, nothing was broken. The setback would see Shawn’s 2016 series come to an abrupt halt. Thanks Shawn for sitting in Saturday night for well over an hour to help with the ‘Live’ broadcast, I know you were in a lot of pain my friend. The Pro Open Friday would see Pettis get the victory over the same two second and third place finishers, McConahy and Howell.
RTR Performance KTM rider Shawn Maffenbeier was also in Chilliwack and gave me a hand in the booth.
With no real track changes to note with the exception of the intimidating whoops section being a little bit tamer, we were ready for Saturday’s final rounds of action. Would Pettis be able to continue to do what he has done all season, or would someone else steal the titles from under him? I must say, even before the gate dropped I talked to Jess on Saturday and noted something very new to his growing repertoire. Confidence, and no not just regular confidence either. Not just, yup I’m good, I can do it, I know what I have to do type confidence, but Jess has something more right now. He is very focussed and it seems that there is a method to every single thing he does and says. It just seems that his thought process is far ahead of his actions. I never called him out on it or mentioned it, but I definitely noticed it. He just seems to be doing everything that is right for him, and is somewhat unfazed by any or would be distractions. Saturday night when the gate dropped in the Lites class it was McConahy who led early in front of his stablemate Howell. A few laps in on the east portion of the race track, which saw riders reach their highest speeds, Jess Pettis had a very scary moment. I am not sure exactly what prompted it but out of the corner of my eye all I could see were his feet in the air high over the back of the motorcycle. The next fraction of a second seemed eternal as his forward progress in a Bob Hannah-like ‘Rag Doll Break Dance’ fashion was blocked out by the huge in-house screen monitor. When Jess surfaced on the other side on the motorcycle, let’s just say I was pleasantly amazed. I have no idea how he saved that tank slapper but thank the Moto gods he did. That was a moment that had it gone the other way could have been a huge setback!
Canadian AX legend Kyle Beaton not only built the Chilliwack track, but he also raced the pro class. Photo by James Lissimore
With Jess running third, how would he react? Would he be content to ride along and let that moment be inside his head? Not a chance, that newborn confident aura that is as strong, positive and fun to be around as my better half, took over! He moved forward as if nothing had happened. Race leader Noah McConahy, who I might add was riding as well as he had all series, would not be stopped in this one. Pettis did get by Chris Howell, who made a mistake going down in a left hander. The Lites podium Saturday would write as Noah McConahy, Jess Pettis and Ross Johnson. The Dash for Cash Saturday would also go to Noah McConahy who would bag $1120 for his efforts in that alone! The big question to me when the gate dropped on Saturday night’s Pro Open was, how would Jess Pettis respond after the near miss in the LItes class knowing this overall title was on the line? Would the pressure be a factor? Was there any? No chance friends. When the gate dropped it was Pettis busting out a holeshot like the boss he has become. Jess would go on to win a convincing final Pro Open Moto of the series over Noah McConahy and Ross Johnson. After that final flag waved, I must admit that even though I am not related by blood, it sure felt good to see the Prince George native, who is like family to me, win his first Pro title. Nice job by Jess, congratulations to you, your family and the MX101 support crew. Good luck with your efforts building up towards this year’s Supercross series and beyond. I am very much looking forward to having both you and Kevin Tyler on this Wednesday night’s Canadian Moto Show.
To all other riders who hit their marks and achieved personal bests in this series, congratulations. I believe that Arenacross in this country is mandatory to have to see riders like Jess and others get the type of opportunity that is just around the corner for him. Friends, I wish you all a very safe and happy holiday.
Merry Christmas – Brent ‘Airmail’ Worrall
Congratulations to Jess Pettis and his MX101 Yamaha boss Kevin Tyler on their 2016 Future West AX Championship. Photo by James Lissimore
