We have now reached perhaps the most important weekend of the year, Mother’s Day weekend! Hopefully, you’re able to spend some time with mom and also maybe get out for a ride this weekend. We have also reached that time in the week when we sit down with Ryan Lockhart to ask him some more questions about current topics in our sport. As you know, Ryan has been in this industry for over twenty years and during that time he’s been a rider, a mechanic, a riding coach, and most recently the Brand Manager over at Matrix Concepts Canada. Ryan knows a lot about a lot of things and he’s always a great guy to talk to. Here are this week’s 3 Q’s with Ryan Lockhart presented by Matrix Concepts Canada.
MXP: Well Newf, the 2021 Monster Energy Supercross Series is now history. The Championships turned out the way you pretty much thought they would. Of the three champions (Webb, Nichols, Cooper) which rider impressed you the most this season?
RL: Any rider that wins a championship is impressive. The 250 champions for 21 had to stay healthy and that’s exactly what they did. I think it would be safe to say that there were riders who were capable of winning on either coast, but Nichols and Cooper stayed consistent and got the job done. Most impressive is Webb hands down. I have said it 10 times, the mental strength and how he could make things happen was unbelievable. There were so many times this season that Cooper Webb was not a podium rider but when the checkers flew he would be on the podium or taking the win. Seriously think about it, at the final round all he needed was 19th or better to win the title if Kenny won the main event. What does he do? He goes for the win, pushes Kenny around, and wins the race. That’s Ricky Carmichael-type stuff. Webb hates to lose almost as much as he loves to win.
Overall, from the opening round until the final round in SLC. What are your thoughts on the 2021 SX Series?
All in all, it was a great series. I can’t think of many rounds when the racing wasn’t good. I thought the tracks were better than in past years. I like the residencies and the weekday races. For a fan of the sport, those were awesome. The injuries in the 250SX classes were unfortunate but not much you can do about that. Also, it would’ve been great to watch Pettis compete in the entire series as I think he would’ve done well. I honestly hope for 2022 that they keep a similar type series with the addition of a few more cities.
On Wednesday night Jetwerx announced the updated 2021 Triple Crown Series Schedule. Unless we remain lockdown all summer it looks like this schedule will be the one they go with. What are your thoughts on the schedule as well as new things they’re trying? Do you like the three moto format at Walton two as well as the SX format for Gopher 1?
Is it perfect? Not even close but I believe this is the best they can do with what they have to work with. I get why they have to be in Ontario with 95% of the teams based out of there so it makes sense. It’s better than nothing with the current situation we are all dealing with. Honestly, if you had told me last summer that we’d still be dealing with all of the Covid-19 crap I would’ve said you were crazy. As far as some of the formats they are trying? I liked the three moto format spread over two days last year, but the three 15 minute motos at the opening weekend at Walton Raceway will be interesting. Looking back to Walton 1 last year Tyler Gibbs could have got a moto win in the mud if we were running that format. The three shorter motos are going to cater to the guys who are good starters that’s for sure and really piss off the guys who thrive at the end of motos. We are in different times, so why not mix it up? I’m still confused on what the Gopher format is as it’s pretty vague. I think they mean one moto Saturday and two on Sunday? I don’t know! Anyway, who cares let’s just get on with it.
