Honda Racing Canada Presents MXP Chatter With Ryan Lockhart

 

Ryan Lockhart has been in our industry for a long time now. The Nova Scotia native first came onto the scene as a young, fast rider who wasn’t afraid to travel in search of motocross and supercross glory. Throughout the 2000s, Lockhart, or “Newf” as he’s called by pretty much everyone, enjoyed a lot of success as he rode for almost every factory team. Since those early days, Newf has since done it all in our sport, including mechanic, riding coach, race promoter and just about everything in between. Newf’s passion for motocross is unmatched, and today he’s a family man as well as the Brand Manager for Atlas Brace, 100%, Matrix Concepts, as well as their most recent acquisition, Strider Balance Bikes. There isn’t much Newf hasn’t seen and that is why we thought it would be great to give him a call to get his thoughts on what’s been happening in our sport. Here is our 30-minute conversation with Ryan Lockhart.

MXP: Newf, it’s hard to believe that we’re almost to February. With going to California over Christmas and most recently the Alberta Motorcycle Shows, you’ve been pretty busy.

RL: For sure Palms, my family and I went to California for Christmas and for Anaheim 1 so that was a lot of fun. As soon as we got back I had to head to Calgary for the first motorcycle show of the year, and then last weekend I was up in Edmonton for that show. So yes, it’s been a busy start to 2020.

How were the Calgary and Edmonton shows?

Both were pretty good. I think Calgary was a little better than the Edmonton show as far as attendance and the weather. Overall though, both shows were okay.

You mentioned that you went to Anaheim 1 a few weeks ago, are you heading to any more rounds of SX?

Actually, this weekend I’m going to Glendale to watch the SX and then on Monday I’m going to Vegas to be on the Pulpmx Show. So yes, the travel never stops.

I see that the Pulpmx Show uses video now as well, so you have to make sure you look good, not just sound good!

I know, right, before I could just sit there in the PJs and talk. Now I actually have to dress up and look like I know what I’m talking about.

Do you like doing those shows? I know they’re good for business and for your social status, but do you enjoy sitting there with so many opinions flying around?

Ya, they’re fun to do, and even though most of the people who go on have some strong opinions, it’s all in good fun. The hardest thing I find about it is when we’re talking to a rider or industry person that I don’t know. Obviously, Steve knows some of the guests better than I do, so it’s sometimes hard to contribute to the conversation. But overall, I enjoy going on the show and having some laughs with everyone.

If the video keeps improving then soon Steve is going to have to give you guys make-up. Okay, let’s talk about the Monster Energy Supercross Series. The first question I have for you is, overall what are your thoughts on the racing thus far?

Honestly, I think the series has been great so far. The racing, the battles, and the tracks have all be exciting. In the first three rounds, at least the series has nailed the track layouts. They’ve all been technical but not too technical; last weekend in Anaheim the two whoop sections were tough, but not crazy tough. I don’t know, in the 450SX class we’ve seen three different winners in three rounds, so it doesn’t get any better than that. In the 250SX West class…well, I think the action speaks for itself in that class.

That was actually my next question. What did you think of the Ferrandis pass on Craig last weekend?

Awe yes, the most asked question of the week. I don’t know Palms, other than both riders going down and Craig getting the worst of it, haven’t we seen those passes for decades in SX? Geez, in your day, riders did that to each other in the outdoor nationals all of the time. Other than Ferrandis getting a little impatient, I think you have to go for that pass every time. It was one of those passes where if you’re on the wrong end of it then you’re mad and you want to kill the guy. I’ve been there, you’ve been there, it either works for you or it doesn’t. In the end the riders will sort it out on the track. If Craig wants to get him back then he will at some point, that’s the way it works.

Were you surprised that Craig went wide after the finish line jump and left the door open? I know I was a little. Watching it live, as soon as they hit the dragon’s back before the finish line jump and I saw Craig drifting wide, I wondered what he was thinking. And then boom!

For sure, I think after practice they moved that Tuff block closer to the turn, so it went from being a straight-forward 90-degree corner to almost being a 110-degree corner. If they had left the Tuff block where it was during practice, then I think it would have given Craig some room to bail out. He might’ve still crashed or went off the track, but it wouldn’t have been so violent.

The fans in Anaheim sure voiced their opinion on who they thought was to blame.

That’s the part I don’t understand, like why turn on Ferrandis like that? He was just being aggressive and trying to win, usually fans love that stuff! Even after the race on Social Media some people were threatening Ferrandis’ life. What the hell is wrong people? It’s professional racing…these guys are getting paid to race and to win.

 I read this week that Ferrandis probably received around $75,000 for that win at Anaheim. If that’s my race win bonus, then that pass is happening.

You’ve done it with no bonus! The only thing I will say, and you’re in the same boat as I am, is how do we sit there with our kids watching the race and tell them that it’s not okay to race like that, but then say that we’d make the same type of pass to win? You know what I mean?

I know exactly what you mean, and you’re right, we sound like hypocrites. I think it’s like that with any professional sport, though. Look at the NHL for instance, our kids watch those games and they love when a player gets ‘mucked,’ but in their hockey they’re not even allowed to hit. I think the kids in our sport know the difference…at least I hope they do.

I hope so too. I guess we’ll find out next weekend in Chilliwack (laughs).

I was sitting in the stands watching practice last weekend in Anaheim and it still amazes how good the top riders are when they really lay down a good lap. For instance, during the third and final 450SX qualifying session, Tomac put in such a fast lap that I was blown away. His speed through the whoops was mind boggling. Do you ever feel like that when you watch these guys?

I know exactly what you mean, Palms! The top guys are so good it’s amazing. I have so much respect for all the riders out there. From the stands the tracks sometimes don’t look that difficult, but if you’re able to get close to the track or even walk it in the morning, these tracks are crazy difficult. These riders have such great timing and technique, it’s really fun to watch.

Also, how cool would it have been to watch Jess Pettis race SX this season? I think he would’ve been battling with a few riders for Top 5 finishes in these 250SX West races.

I agree, Pettis would’ve better this year and he definitely would’ve been fun to watch. Last year was so exciting, it’s too bad he got hurt. Hopefully he’ll be back next year so we can all cheer for him again.

Moving onto Canada and the 2020 Rockstar Energy Triple Crown Series, there have been some serious changes announced recently. What are you thoughts on the changes to the AX/SX Tour Series? Do you like the two main events and the B-Mains added?

Yes, I do. I think those changes are great and it’s really going to help the entire night show. Indoor racing is a tough sell in Canada as I think fans always compare it to SX in the States, and let’s face it, nothing compares to that. I think adding more main events is great for everyone; we all want to see more racing during the night show!

I agree with you, for sure, and I think after two years the indoor portion of the Triple Crown Series needed some fresh ideas. Okay, next question. Going back to Sunday Nationals this summer – your thoughts?

I was totally in favour of going back to Sundays for the pro races. Let’s face it, Saturday nationals were a tough sell in Canada and for whatever reason they just don’t work. People have to work and it’s easy to find something else to do on Saturdays. In Canada, Sunday Nationals work better, and I think you’re going to see a lot more fans at the races this summer, at least I hope we see more fans come out as we definitely need them back. Also, from an amateur point of view I think Saturday races work better for them. A few years ago, we had 450 entries at the opening round in Kamloops; that was huge for BC motocross. I used to love racing on Saturdays and then waking up and watching the pros on Sunday. I think it’s a great move by Jetwerx to go back to pro races on Sunday, and good on them for making the change.

Okay, we’re on a good roll here Newf. What about the most recent news and the shortening of the 450 motos from 30 minutes plus 2 laps to 25 minutes plus 2 laps? Do you think it will make much of a difference?

Honestly Palms, I don’t think it’s going to make any difference in the results or anything else. The winners are going to be the same guys, the races are still long enough that it’s going to take some incredible fitness to charge the entire time. I know a few of the top riders aren’t happy with this change as they are the hardest working riders in the paddock. They train hard and they want long motos, they thrive on it. However, the majority of the riders in the 450 class don’t race motocrosss as their living and if the moto being 5 minutes shorter helps them then I have no problem with this change.

I see your points and I agree with all of them, I just think that if it’s not going to make any difference with results or even with safety, then leave the length of the 450 motos where they were. I don’t buy into the thinking that the 250 motos are more exciting because they’re shorter. Those motos are sometimes more exciting to watch because the tracks are generally smoother, the bikes are different, and almost all the 250 riders are younger and sometimes more aggressive.

I agree! As I said, if shortening the 450 motos helps some of the riders and maybe even makes a few more want to ride a national because they now know the motos are 5 minutes shorter, then I’m all for that.

Good point! Well, there are definitely some changes for 2020, and regardless of whether you agree or not, the racing should be exciting. I haven’t asked you yet, how is work going?

Everything is good. Atlas is doing well, and the Strider Bikes are doing well, everything is good. In the next month or so, Spring will hopefully be here, and everyone will get excited about riding.

Hopefully Spring is right around the corner. Well Newf, as always, thanks for your time and enjoy Glendale this weekend. It should be another exciting round of SX.

Thanks Palms! It’s good to catch up and talk about moto. Say hi to your family and we’ll talk soon.