Monday Maniac #8
By: Ryan Gauld
Yes, I have already written this week’s blog but I’m actually one behind because of my trip to Jamaica for a holiday. I had so many great things to write about this Monday but got sidetracked with the explanations I had to provide, which were more than needed for the people that asked me to do so. So now that I got that out of the way I can update all readers on how the weekend went for Team Canada, MXP Leads the Way, and the Indy Trade show.
Canadians know how to roll in the hockey dressing rooms.
The biggest news to share is about the program MXP has come up with to help send three riders to the final round of the AMA Outdoor series at Steel City. We met with MX Sports this past weekend at the dealer show and had some great discussions. They are totally on board with our idea and are willing to help us in ways that will make lots of Canadians happy once that weekend is upon us. Big thanks to MX Sports for giving us the time to chat. The September 1st long weekend just got a little sweeter for Canadian race fans. The other great news I would like to share is in regards to the donation side of things. Originally we were going to give the riders all the money. Instead we will supply the $500 to each rider chosen as previously stated, but what we raise over and above that will go to the injured riders fund to support our fallen friends. I believe this is a way better way to use the donation money after we help the three riders give it a shot at Steel City. So at every race MXP or I attend, whether it be National or regional, hit us up with a donation to support the program. Thank you in advance to the people that have already donated.
Jeff Draves (Centre) was our MVP on night one. When the video comes out you get to see his top cheese goal to give us the game winner. You, just like all of us, will wonder who this “Steven Stamkos-like” player really is!! LOL
The best part of going to Indy is the hockey game. I played once back in 1997 when Chris Pomeroy invited me. I never went back till last year. The politics between Racer X Canada and MXP back in the day got in the way of our side ever doing it then. That seems to be all gone now and our staff got the invite the past two seasons. It’s such a good time. This year we had about 25 players come to enjoy a good skate with some competitive juices flowing. Canada has won this baby for like 18 years and counting. This year was no different. Hindle Exhaust and MXP stepped up as sponsors for the Canadian team and Racer X along with Dirt Rider Mag and Decal Works stepped up on the US side. Off the ice we are competing for ad dollars, mag or web presence, but when playing it is just boys being boys. Scott Wallenberg of Racer X is the man that has put this event together since day one I believe, and for a guy like me that just stands around for three days straight at the Indy show, the hockey game is a great way to break it up. So big thanks to Scotty for doing that for us Canadian clowns that love to play some puck. Game one saw the Canadians dominate with a 9-4 win. Jeff Draves took home the MVP honours with a two goal performance with one being the game winner. Game two saw the same outcome – a 9-5 win for Canada. Scott Wallenberg switched to a winning team and even scored a great goal. Just another epic time with good people. Thanks to all that supported and see ya next year.
Good old Dan O’Reilly. As Ron Joynt said, “The cops were out in full force cause someone stole Dan’s legs.” Hahahaah
The show was pretty good this year for MXP. Our booth was stacked all weekend long. I always feel that we’re three years behind the US in almost everything, it seems. Well, three years ago the economy was pretty bad in the US but now it seems to maybe starting to turn around again for them. Now Canada is getting the hit, but we’re surviving. People couldn’t stop coming by and watching our Canadian Nationals. The comments were, “They’re better than the US ones”, “We love the announcers”, “The tracks look amazing up there.” Needless to say it was cool be there for me because most saw my face on the show. Let’s deflate my head a little!! Hopefully we get back on US TV asap cause they miss us……..a lot.
A little look at what the room was like for the VIP SX crew to watch Texas. Already have it for next year. Boo Yaaa!
Saturday night was an amazing time watching SX. The owner of MXP, Charles Stancer, scored us a private VIP viewing room in the Indianapolis Grill in the downstairs of our hotel. It was the Indianapolis Colts owner’s room and he was eating dinner in there just before we got in. It was amazing: Four 60′ TVs, couches, food and our own waitress. CMRC, Matrix, Atlas, Scott, TCI, Motovan, MXP and a host of others enjoyed another epic race night from the Monster Energy Supercross racers. The highlight for the Canadian filled room was young Cole Thompson who grabbed 9th in the main of his very first race. This kid is going places and in a big way. This week I call it: he will cross the line in 7th in the Lites main. Last week I ran a little contest and of the 35 entries not one person picked 9th. Lots of 8ths and one 10th but no 9th place pick. Thanks for all that sent in an entry. Let’s do it again this week. The winner will win an MXP hat, T, Stickers and a special prize included in the pack. I’m going to add something to the rules. You must pick his heat and main finish to win. E-mail gauldy@mxpmag.com to enter.
Way to go Cole Thompson. Great start and now we’re all just along for the epic ride to your stardom.
Photo by Rich Shepherd
In the SX class Ryan Villopoto took control as the rest of his competition had rough nights. Chad Reed looked like he was just waiting to make his move on RV while running second. On lap 8 he went over the bars and crashed hard ending his SX season. James Stewart crashed and stalled leaving him to battle all the way back to sixth. Dungey seems to be the only rider capable of keeping it on two wheels and RV in sight. Atlanta this weekend is live on Speed once again. Let’s hope Cole can roll with another top 10 and someone can stop Villopoto in the SX class.
Poor Chad Reed. You can see pretty easily here why a SX comeback is unlikely. Get well soon CRTwoTwo
KTM Canada new Marketing guru Danny Brault responded to my Monday Maniac #7 and my opinions on the KTM 350:
Flyin’ Ryan,
Just finished reading your latest MM and I must respond to your discussion on the 350 SX-F.
First off, I appreciate you going into detail on why you voted the 350 SX-F as a “Biggest Disappointment” in 2011. Your original comments in the magazine were harsh on the bike and there needed to be some back-up as to why you felt the bike didn’t live up to expectations. Your explanation in the MM was a more positive read, but I still have to push back against your comments….
“…KTM to even take the chance and build such a bike for the MX1 class that is 100cc less than the competition it’s up against says that the company itself has the confidence to take a chance.”
I agree. KTM certainly deserves credit for stepping up and building the world’s first 350cc four-stroke MX bike. The idea had been floating around the pits for years, mainly because most riders felt a 450 was too fast and too big for their racing needs. KTM answered and produced the KTM 350 SX-F – now the #1 selling bike of the KTM family. Sure, it may not produce the power of a 450, but it’s very close and feels much lighter and forgiving on the track.
“On the pro side of the sport, this bike was not super competitive or a podium threat under the legs of the four riders I based my opinion on: Mason Phillips, Michael Willard, Mike Alessi and Andrew Short. I did not go off of anything that Antonio Cairoli did in the GPs. He has won two titles in a row on this machine so whatever they have done to that bike makes it work for him and it’s awesome to see. But again, I don’t follow the GPs nor do I really care what happens over there. I guess one could say my opinion has no merit since I didn’t look at all the facts. I will agree to that. Michael Willard did not to a good job on the machine for the company. Yes, he was not at the same level he was when he dominated and won two MX2 titles for KTM. Maybe he was not the guy that they should have hired to race that bike.”
Yes, you should look at all of the facts. As most of us know, no matter how great a bike is, ultimately it comes down to the rider turning the throttle. I believe the 350 didn’t get a fair chance at the pro level in Canada because Michael Willard was not prepared physically and mentally to challenge for wins or the podium (although, kudos to Michael for taking 3rd in a moto at the muddy Morden round). As for Mason Phillips, he finished 8th overall in MX1 and only 6 points back of 6th. This result is on par with Mason’s past results in MX1 when he raced a 450.
Mike Alessi – sure he didn’t win a championship on the 350, BUT, he did win a moto at the opening round of the 2010 AMA Nationals in Hangtown. This was against a stacked field of the best riders in the world (Villopoto, Reed, Dungey, etc). Maybe you don’t care about the World Championship series, but many do and it is the second most competitive MX series in the world (I think AMA is #1) and Cairoli has won the MX1 World Championship twice on the 350 – and no, it wasn’t on a 380 (although I’m sure it was very well equipped).
In the end, I think the real reason why the 350 didn’t produce the results you (and others) expected at the pro level is mainly due to the riders, not the bike.
Thanks for your time,
Thanks for reading DB and thanks for the letter. Lots of valid points right there.
Here is another response from MM#7:
Hey Gauldy,
I don’t think what you said about the situation with Honda was wrong. I’m a Honda guy, and I bleed red (haha…corny I know) but them not supporting the series in the form of a series sponsor or helping riders or team is absolutely ridiculous in my opinion. For a few years now I’ve been wondering what the hell is going on over at the Honda headquarters. I mean pulling out of racing and opening the “powerhouse” dealerships, which most of them have closed or aren’t doing well. I live here in Barrie and I’ve gone to the shop a few times and it’s been a total ghost town each time I’ve gone. But it doesn’t seem right that the other OEMs sponsor the series but Honda can’t. Seems like Honda’s priority up here in Canada is cars and they could really care less about the powersports divisions. Makes me wonder why I’m such a loyal Honda guy when in reality they give nothing back to the sport I’m so passionate about. Thanks for your time and keep up the good work
Jarid
Thanks for the letter Jarid. I hope Honda comes back. It sucks when things are out of our hands to make decisions as Canadians. Only time will tell how this all works out.