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Kimpex Canada Presents Famous Last Words With Palms- My 2024 Walton TransCan Adventure

As a featured story in this year’s Walton TransCan Program I went into some detail about my first 30 years of attending this iconic event. As I stated in that story, I first travelled to Walton Raceway to compete in 1994, that year it was part of the new CMRC Pro National Series. Unfortunately, it rained for two of the four days I was there in 1994, so much of the time was spent scrapping mud off my bike and getting acquainted with the thick and heavy Walton mud. For those of you that raced at the old Hully Gully track, the mud is very similar as the two tracks sit in fairly close proximity of each other. Since that week at the Lee Family Farm, I’ve thankfully had a lot more dry days than wet days, and Walton Raceway has become one of my favourite tracks.

One of the reasons I decided to race the 2024 Walton TransCan was my new 2025 CRF450R.

I suppose that the fondness I have for the track as well as the Walton TransCan is a big reason why I keep coming back to compete in one (or two) of the Vet classes each year. To me, there is just something special about lining up against some of the best riders in the Country, and heading out on a track that you know is going to test every part of your mental and physical being. I’ve also been extremely fortunate over the past decade to find some success in the form of Walton TransCan Titles, so to be perfectly honest, the process of winning and trying to win each year really taps into my inner drive as an aging athlete. The feeling of training and riding with a purpose throughout the summer, as well as the irreplaceable feeling of waking up at Walton Raceway and knowing it’s Raceday, are both that I haven’t found a way to let go of yet. But, with each passing year it becomes more challenging to find time to prepare properly for the Walton TransCan. Real life things get in the way, and my son’s racing gets busier and busier as he progresses up through the ranks. Also, what complicated the process even more this summer was an illness I picked up after a trip to France in June. I’m not sure what it was exactly but my physician referred to as an upper respiratory illness, and she cautioned that it could last all summer. Well, she wasn’t far off as I’ve been battling chest congestion as well as a nagging cough for two months now, and that obviously made riding and working out difficult. However, despite my poor health I was determined to compete at the 2024 Walton TransCan and try and win my 7th title there. Also, motivating me to the starting line was the chance to race that all-new 2025 CRF450R. This new bike just arrived at dealers a few days before the TransCan and Honda Canada and Sturgess Cycle presented me with an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. So, while I wasn’t quite as prepared as I wanted to be, or needed to be, the stage was set for a wonderful week at the most famous track in Canada, Walton Raceway.

With the new Chassis the 2025 CRF450R handled the Walton Raceway corners very well. Photo by James Lissimore

We arrived at Walton Raceway on Tuesday to get our paddock set up, walk the track, and take in the opening ceremonies and rider’s meeting. For those who haven’t had the chance to attend a Walton TransCan, I can tell you that each day of the week has a different vibe to it. Tuesday feels like the calm before the storm kind of day, everyone is busy getting ready, and there is a real sense of anticipation in the air. It was no different for my son and I as we both had our opening motos on Wednesday. I also noticed that people were excited to check out my new 2025 CRF450R, as most hadn’t seen one up close. With Hunter Lawrence also planning on debuting this new Honda five hours south of Walton Raceway at Unadilla, there was certainly a plethora of excitement surrounding the CRF450R. As the sun set on day one of the 2024 Walton TransCan, we retired to our hotel to get some rest before a very busy Wednesday.

The hardest wins are always the sweetest. Photo by James Lissimore

Again, for those of you who haven’t been to a Walton TransCan before, practice starts early on Wednesday so there is no time to sleep in. Bikes are on the track at 8am sharp, and other than a few breaks during the day for track maintenance, things don’t stop until after dinner. Practice gives everyone an opportunity to not only learn the track, but also to fine tune your bike’s set up in order to deal with the sticky and rutted soil that makes up Walton Raceway. You see, Walton Raceway is unlike any other track in Canada, and it takes some laps to adapt to the conditions there. I found out pretty quickly that the new 2025 CRF450R with its new chassis and ECU map settings was very well suited to the Walton Raceway circuit. With the firm and predictable feel that the new frame gives its riders, I felt very connected to the track. Also, as mentioned, the new map settings on the ECU gave the super smooth throttle control that I needed as I navigated the deep, rutted corners. I completed my practice sessions and felt confident heading into my opening moto later that day.

My battles all week with Marc Dionne were epic! Photo by James Lissimore

My opening Vet 50 moto was fairly uneventful, although it would serve a sign of things to come for the rest of the week. After taking the lead in the second corner, Marc Dionne (a talented and fit Vet rider from Quebec), stuck to my back wheel for the entire length of the moto. However, as stressful as it was to have another rider right behind me, ready to pounce if I made any kind of error, my new Honda provided me with a bike that allowed me to remain smooth and consistent on the challenging Walton Raceway track. It was a satisfying win, but I knew from that point on that my remaining two motos were going to be a dog fight to the finish.

As I mentioned above, my second two motos consisted of some great battling between Marc and I. He came close to passing me on a few occasions, but I was able to reach into my deep bag of tricks to hold him at bay. I put up with a lot of pressure in each moto, but I was proud that I didn’t succumb to it, and honestly, that task was made easier with the new 2025 CRF450R. Even in stock form, the bike tracked well through the ruts and gave me a balanced feel throughout all three motos. It was a determined effort on my part, and I think Marc and I put on a great show for everyone watching. I don’t think there was another class this year that provided three moto finishes with less than two seconds separating the leaders.

Congratulations to my son on winning the Wiseco Performance Most Improved Rider Award at the TransCan.

In the end, I managed to come out on top in all three motos, bringing home my 7th Walton TransCan Title. With my lack of proper preparation, an illness that won’t seem to go away, as well as a very tenacious opponent, my 2024 Walton TransCan experience certainly wasn’t an easy one. However, it was made easier by the new and improved 2025 CRF450R, as well as all of the love and support I received from my friends and family. I want to thank Honda Canada, Sturgess Cycle, Fox Racing Canada, as well as the entire Walton TransCan crew for all of their help. It was great week, and when I wasn’t racing myself, I was able to sit back and watch some of the best Amateur riders in Canada compete on the same track. Finally, it was also an incredibly proud moment to watch my son Ayrton come of age at this year’s Walton TransCan. Prior to this year, the best he’d finished in a moto was third back in 2022. This year, he won two motos and finished third overall in both Junior classes. Ayrton also was the recipient of the 2024 Wiseco Performance Most Improved Rider Award, so it was safe to say that my wife and I were very proud parents last week. Overall, it was an unforgettable Walton TransCan and one that I would like to dedicate to my Father, who passed away in December. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without him, and he certainly would’ve been proud of his Son’s and Grandson’s performances at Walton Raceway. Until next year, please ride safe and we’ll see everyone at the 2025 Walton TransCan!

Chris Pomeroy

1989 Rookie-of-the-year and former nationally ranked pro racer who turned into a dirt oriented scribe

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