MXP Chatter: Kyle Beaton

Kyle Beaton is no stranger to Canadian motocross fans, in fact he is one of the most popular riders this country has ever produced. Since being injured in a violent crash last summer, Kyle decided to take a hiatus from racing to focus on work and teaching the next generation of potential BC champions. We caught up with Kyle to get his thoughts on the opening round of the Kawasaki Canadian Arenacross Championships and on how he thinks this sport is doing.

Kyle Beaton has successfully moved from racer to motocross instructor since his injury last summer.

Q: Hey Beets, what is going on this morning? Did I catch you on your way to work?

A: Yes, I’m just on my way into work. With all the rain we’re having today I get to go in a little bit later today.

Q: How has the transition been for you from being a Pro motocross rider to a working man?

A: It hasn’t been too bad. I hate getting up early to be at work for 7am but that’s about it. I know one thing, it is nice getting a pay cheque every two weeks and seeing your bank account grow instead of disappear.

Q: How is the leg doing these days?

A: It’s doing okay. It kind of stayed the same for a long time, but recently I’ve began to get more strength and have seen some improvement. One of the issues I had was that when the doctors repaired it they had to remove some of my calf muscle because it was damaged so badly. When you have to build up the muscle and not all of it’s there, it obviously makes it more difficult, but it’s slowly coming around. I mean it will never be right or like it was before the crash, but I think it still can be better than it is now.

Q: Do you miss racing and being in the spotlight?

A: I’d be lying if I said no, especially now with the arenacross series starting. This series was always something I competed in and did really well at so this past weekend I was kind of missing it. This last year I haven’t missed it. The sport is such a grind at the top level and there really isn’t any money in it. These guys are putting everything on the line for very little return. I definitely don’t miss that.

Just a few short years ago Beaton was consistently making main events in the Monster Energy Supercross Series. Today he is passing those experiences on to his students.

Q: You attended all of the western nationals this summer. What is your take on the series?

A: I think it’s as good as it’s ever been, I mean it really hasn’t changed for a while. The racing was great as it always is, a few names have changed but the battles were fun to watch, the teams look great and Monster did a great job as usual. The only thing that bugged me is the same thing that bugged me when I raced. I just don’t like the lack of preparation of some of the tracks. You show up on Friday or Saturday and the track is a joke. I know it usually ends up being good for Sunday, but it’s so hard to show up and see the track not prepared. Other than that, everything seemed good to me.

Q: I know what you mean, that always bothered me as well, especially towards the end of my racing career when I was a grumpy old man (laughs), but it always ended up being great on race day so maybe it’s just us. So let’s talk about this past weekend. Since you’re the arenacross guru of BC, I wanted to get your thoughts on how you think it went.

A: I think the opening weekend was great, the racing was good and the atmosphere was pretty exciting. The track was good; it was nice and wide and made for good racing. I would’ve like to see a harder track but I guess it’s just round one. The jumps were all pretty easy and I think that made riders from all levels try to jump everything. There were a few crashes but nothing too serious, I don’t think.

Q: Did any rider or riders surprise you with their speed?

A: I was pretty impressed with everyone. If I had to pick one guy I would say that Brock Hoyer really surprised me with how fast he was going. He was on it. In one of the mains he came from behind and was passing some good riders like they were standing still, so he was really fast. I think that crash he had with Spencer slowed him down a little bit, but that stuff happens.

Q: You’re reading my mind Beets. What happened with that crash?

A: It was just one of those moves that you try – as soon as you commit to it, you just know it’s a bad idea. I mean, there was no way Hoyer was coming out of that move in one piece. He was either going down himself or taking them both down, and he took them both down. They’re both Pros though; Spenny was pissed off but he’ll be okay. He knows it is arenacross racing and sometimes you make contact. However, I hope Hoyer doesn’t get too upset when the payback comes…it always does. (laughs)

During his racing career Beaton was at his best indoors.

Q: I don’t think anyone who has raced arenacross hasn’t taken someone out or been taken out themselves, so yes it’s just racing. Were there any riders that you thought might do better than they did?

A: Not really, all the top guys had their share of time at the front of the pack. I thought that Jake Ansett would finish better but he never really got a decent start. If he can get a good start in two weeks he may do better. The pace at the front was really good and you needed to get a good start, especially with how easy the track was.

Q: How about our buddy Newf? How did he look?

A: Newf looked awesome. That guy just keeps getting better and better. His speed through the whoops was better than anyone. He was staying out of the main rut and just skipping across them, he was really flying. I think with better starts he might have been on the podium. We’ll see how he does at round two because I know he’s feeling pretty confident right now.

Q: Well I’m glad everything went well at the opening round. I can’t wait to see everything myself in two weeks. Before I let you go, tell me how your teaching is going. I’m hearing great things about your instructing.

A: Thanks Palms, it’s going really well. I really enjoy it and I hope the kids enjoy it also. Like everyone who teaches, I have some kids that have trouble listening sometimes but I have a few real good ones that really seem to listen to what I’m saying. I have also recently started training some kids off the bike as well. With the help of Drew Robertson, I set up a small gym at my house and we do the workouts there. Drew tells me what I should be doing with the kids and then we go through the workouts. So far it’s going really well.

Q: Well Kyle, good work with the teaching and thanks for all your help this summer with the MX2 stores in the magazine. Have a good day at work and I’ll see you soon.

A: For sure, can’t wait to get you out here. Thanks for calling.

Even though he’s not racing anymore, Monster Energy has stuck by Beaton with their support.