Regional News With Daryl Murphy

As Most of you may already know, the first gate drop in Saskatchewan will not happen until May 8th in Swift Current, and not again until a month later on June 5th in Weyburn. The schedule this year is one of the most interesting, yet well planned out that I have seen! As most of us can remember, seeing three to four races in May alone, June with a couple, July and August with one a piece, to then finish off in September with two and a year-end banquet to boot. So why does 2016 look different? Was there a problem with past schedules? What about weather conditions like the Swift Current or Yorkton races of 2015? What Saskatchewan Official in their right mind would continue with those races?

As I chuckle about the last question, there are reasons why we have had a lot of races in May before, to currently why we might not see as many in Saskatchewan this year. First, there was the want from most of our affiliated clubs to host a race early in the season due to moisture or volunteer help. Concerns for dry, dusty conditions would obviously create a want to get your race in an early spot on the schedule to better your chances of being successful. Who could blame any track or club that has the desire to be successful and put on a great race? Sometimes our hands were tied as some clubs could only host in a specific time frame or not have a race at all. Not wanting to lose any tracks for that reason, the SMA and the clubs would do the best they could with what was on the table. With that being said, that many races in such a short time period at the beginning of a season, not to mention all of which were southern races, made it hard on those to the North. The travel expenses incurred almost every weekend in May with maybe one weekend reprieve with fuel prices that high would no doubt put a strain on the wallet, and probably the passion they have for the sport, in my opinion.

Daryl Murphy is definitely ready for the 2016 racing season to finally get underway in Saskatchewan.

Another critical cause for concern being in Saskatchewan at that time of year would be how much seat time riders would be able to get prior to the start of the season. Some riders more than others, dependent on their geographical location, and not to mention how quick weather can change in a moments time, from sunny skies, to snow the next morning and negative temperatures for a first race like Swift Current, which by the way turned out great in the end. What about the middle of the season that had hardly any races? This was also another critical cause for concern and safety of our riders. When you have a month break or more without competitively racing, it’s almost as if you are starting a whole other season again. Summer gets in the way, you may not practice as much, and you get into different things in your life. We felt this needed to be addressed, as we should have the middle of our season filled with some more races to fulfill the needs of our members, so that they have something to look forward to in July and August. Motocross season in summer is camping season too, which kills two birds with one stone sort of speak. With only one race in May, that leaves three in June, two in July, four in August, and three in September! WOW, what a season we will have. Bring on the Summer Racing!

Make sure to check out www.saskmotocross.com for any schedule changes or updates!

Daryl Murphy @MurphMX