Monday Gate Drop v1

With that we’re down to one! One round that is of the 2013 Monster Energy Motocross Nationals. I don’t think I’m alone in my thinking that this year has produced some of the best racing we’ve seen in a while (it would have been even better with Colton Facciotti) in both the MX1 and MX2 classes. Although I didn’t attend Moncton this past weekend, from all the reports I’ve heard and read on Twitter, the racing was awesome and the Maritime hospitality lived up to its billing.

First off we have to give a huge congratulations to Monster Energy Leading Edge Parts Canada Kawasaki rider Brett Metcalfe as he is now our 2013 MX1 Canadian Champion. Yesterday, in spectacular Brett Metcalfe fashion, he clinched the coveted title with one round to go in two weeks at Walton. I’ve made no secret this summer for my admiration of Metcalfe’s riding; his approach to racing seems meticulous. Once the gate drops his racing intelligence is very evident.

One of the cool things about Metcalfe winning the championship in 2013 is just how he did it. It’s not like he pulled every holeshot and lead every lap. On the contrary, his starts have been mediocre and his charges from behind at almost every round have been epic. I have not kept track, maybe Ryan Lockhart who is the 100% Goggle guy in Canada knows this stat, but I am willing to bet that Metcalfe has used more tear-offs than any other MX1 Champion in Canadian history. I will call the Newf today and get back to you later in the week via Twitter.

I also think that having a rider like Brett Metcalfe up here this year has made all the riders around him better. Every single rider wants to beat him each weekend and I think we have seen guys like Tyler Medaglia, Jeremy Medaglia, Kiniry, Maier and recently Cole Thompson ride better than they ever have. I looked at the lap times from yesterday – in both MX1 motos Metcalfe didn’t have the fastest lap time. That honour went to Teddy Maier and Jeremy Medaglia. So all of these guys have raised the bar and that is what has helped make the racing so good this year. Although no longer can anyone catch Metcalfe for the championship, the battle behind him for second, third and fourth has made the upcoming final round at Walton Raceway a must see.

As the Pro Nationals take a well-deserved two week break, the spotlight now switches to our Amateurs and the upcoming 2013 Parts Canada TranCan, which begins in one week. I was at Walton Raceway this past Thursday and the facility is coming along nicely. The track has a couple of changes to it that I know everyone will like and the event itself is going to be better than ever. I can only speak for myself but I am super excited to hear the first bike start up for practice next Wednesday. I can speak for my five year-old son’s level of excitement who is racing Walton for the first time. He has started his countdown and has watched the track map video about twenty times. I guess you could say it’s Christmas in August for young Palms. Look for interviews, TransCan stories and info on the event all week.

I will leave you this week with a Loretta Lynn’s update from Jake Tricco’s Mom, Wendy. The entire Tricco family was at Loretta’s and by all accounts they had a great time. So please enjoy your week and as I mentioned, we’re only eight days away from the 2013 Parts Canada TransCan. Here is the Jake Tricco update.

Jake and his Dad await one of the 65cc moto’s at Loretta Lynn’s last week.

“Jake had a great experience at Loretta Lynn’s this year. We’re so glad we made the journey to Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. We were amongst a few Canadian riders who made the trek to Loretta’s this year. We were fortunate that we didn’t have to endure the heat that is typical of Loretta’s. The temps were cooler than normal and a lot more rain fell this year. Fortunately for Jake, he’s great in the mud and his best results came on the muddiest day. Jake finished 17th overall in the 85 9-11 Limited class with 22-14-23 moto scores. Great job! His 65 10-11 Limited class results were a 17-27-28 for a 24th place finish overall. Now back to Motopark for more training for the next stop at the Parts Canada Trans Can. We’ll definitely try to qualify again next year and return for another awesome experience ”

Yes Loretta, the Tricco Family will see you next year.