Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
MXP: Hey Newf, we’re now through two weekends of the 2022 Future West AX Championships. Overall, are you happy with how the series has gone thus far?
RL: Yes, I’m very happy with how things have gone so far. We have had very few injuries which is always good, the tracks have been good, we’ve had a decent spectator turnout and overall, the racing has been exciting. The Amateur entries have been down compared to last year and I’m sure there are a few things that are responsible for that. The weather here in BC has been beautiful up until this week and it really hasn’t felt like AX season. Last weekend we had 14 pros show up which was awesome. With a month off in the series, it will give people time to put some money back in their bank account and also give people a little break. We are hoping for better when the series resumes in a few weeks.
MXP: As we spoke about last week Jess Pettis is back this weekend for the final round of the Triple Crown Series in Calgary. Then next week he’s headed overseas to race in the German SX Series. We’ve both been lucky enough to have raced in this series over the years. Can you give us your best German SX story?
RL: Well there are lots of stories from that 2006 winter in Germany. Some probably should never be talked about (laughs). The one round in Munich had a section of the track that went up into the grandstands and it was built out of scaffolding and wood. No dirt just all wood. So you would hit a step up and land on wood, do a 180-degree corner and step down back onto dirt into a death-defying double that had a freestyle ramp in the center but a dirt take-off on either side. It was super weird and sketchy as when you would land from the step up you could feel the whole thing shake. I’m not sure how safe it was but back then no one cared. I also had Kyle Patton over there with me for a few weeks so as you can imagine that was a story in itself. Too bad there was no such thing as a Vlog back then.
MXP: You’re currently preparing for the World Vet Championship at Glen Helen next weekend. How is your preparation going and are you looking forward to racing in this iconic event?
RL: Yes for sure. Last year was my first year doing this event and I had a lot of fun. It’s an event that I have always wanted to do since I turned 30 and I’m thankful that I’m able to get help from Steve Matthes (Pulpmx) and Kris Keefer (Keefer INC Testing). Last year I was able to win 30 plus Expert and I was on the cup team with Shane Cuthbertson and Derek Sorenson and we finished second. This year I will ride 35 plus expert and the cup race again along with Shane and Justyn McCabe. I have to give a big thanks to Ryan (Skippy) Mobbs for organizing everything for Team Canada once again this year. I don’t have a ton of prep as I have been busy with AX but I did ride more this summer than I have in years past so that will help for sure. Either way, it will be a good time, and I’m looking forward to being competitive.
