Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
Well, here we are on the eve of the 2019 Walton TransCan, an event that will crown both our Canadian Amateur National Champions as well as our MXTour Pro Champions on Saturday. This iconic Canadian race has been going strong for almost three decades and with riders expected this year from all Canadian Provinces as well as neighbouring US States, the 2019 Walton TransCan should be another success. With riders and families set to arrive on Sunday and Monday, here is what you can expect from the moment you set foot on the grounds of Walton Raceway.
If you’re a lucky enough to be arriving on Sunday this will most certainly give you the opportunity to not only get to know your fellow Walton campers but you will also be the first to get a look at the Walton Raceway track. For weeks, the track crew has been getting the track just right, and I always refer to the pre-race Walton track as a sleeping giant, simply because the crew has the track sealed tight as they wait for Tuesday’s practice day. However, if it’s your first time at Walton, don’t be fooled! Underneath the dry crust is a deep layer of moist, dark clay that will rut up faster than you can say ‘Walton.” Each year the track crew will wait until the early hours of Tuesday morning to rip the track open and let it breath for practice. With Tuesday’s forecast calling for a little rain, the crew may let practice take place without ripping it up, which will be ensure the soil is in the best possible condition for the afternoon motos.
Race Schedule and Social Schedule:
By Monday afternoon everyone will be inside the Walton gates and it will be time to register as well as walk the track – if you haven’t already. If you’re going to be racing a KTM next week, Tanner Ward, Eve Brodeur and myself will be conducting a track walk at 5:30pm on Monday beginning at the starting line. Once that is complete then the long anticipated opening ceremonies will take place at the main stage at 7:00pm sharp. At that point the 2019 Walton TransCan will have officially begun.
After a good night’s sleep, we will all wake up on Tuesday morning to the sound of the famous Walton TransCan Rooster, the sound of Dave Bell’s voice, and then the sound of bikes taking to the track. All riders get at least two practice sessions before it concludes at 1:15pm with the final 50cc practice. Once practice is complete, there will be a short break for some much-needed track work, and then the very first moto of the week leaves the gate. As it has been for years, the MX2 Intermediate class will break bread as the opening moto of the Walton TransCan. There are actually ten motos on Tuesday so a bunch of riders will get their first moto over with on Tuesday. Also, all of the Rockstar Energy Triple Crown MXTour Series Factory Teams will be set up all week to provide support to the amateur riders. So, if you need some bike work done, some advice, or if you just want some really cool people to talk to, head over to the pro paddock.
From there, the TransCan will move along fast with both the racing on the track, as well as the social events off the track. With a little assistance from Mother Nature, the week will be about the racing on the track as well as the good times in the paddock. However, regardless of the weather, the only thing that will match the audible level of the bikes on the Walton Raceway track will be the laughter in the pits. We at MXP Magazine will be composing a large feature story on the 2019 Walton TransCan in our next issue, so if you have any cool stories from your week at Walton Raceway, please email me at chris@mxpmag.com or track me down next week and let’s share some stories. Have a great week and good luck!
