Decal Works Presents Monday Gate Drop

Once again, this week’s Monday Gate Drop is brought to you by the fine hockey and motocross loving people at DeCal Works. As we enter into the second half of January 2016, now might be the perfect time to treat yourself to a brand new set of custom graphics. All you have to do is log onto www.decalmx.com and within minutes you can design and order your very own set. So please go and support a company that supports Canadian motocross.

Well, I really hate to have to begin yet another 2016 Monday Gate Drop with some sad news. However, as most of you might have heard last week, the owner of the Paisley RAT Track in Ontario Ewald Rothmaier passed away after a battle with cancer. For anyone that knew Ewald, you were well aware of his passion and love for the sport of motocross, and the amount of work that he put into the RAT Track each and every year.

Ewald Rothmaier sure loved working on race tracks. He will definitely be missed!

The first time I went to the Rothmaier Family track was the fall of 1991 and it was one of the very first CMRC races. I remember being very surprised with how good the dirt was and how difficult the layout was back in those days. It was basically an outdoor supercross track with a lot of jumps, a long set of whoops and a few small elevation changes, from the moment I started practice that day I thought the track was fun to ride. Even though I ended up getting taken out by one of my more aggressive competitors, I had a great time and couldn’t wait to come back. I also remember that the RAT track was the only Ontario track at the time who used a stop-light system for the start. There was no referee with a 30 second board, just some lights that started red, then went to yellow and then to green I believe, when they went green it was the time to look at the gate as it was about to drop.

Through the 1990’s the RAT track always hosted to final round of the Ontario Provincial Series in early August and even though it was the middle of summer, Ewald always had the track prepared perfectly and the racing was always great. One of the most interesting things I remember about Ewald was that even if the track wasn’t ready to go for a certain moto, he was the only track owner who could get away with grooming the track during a moto. Ewald had the very uncanny ability of not only grooming the track mid-moto, but he also knew exactly when to get off the track before the racers came around. I’m sure there was some close calls over the years, but he was good at what he did and this technique certainly kept the day moving along.

Another thing I remember about Ewald was that during the 1990’s he was one of the few track owners that would go out of his way to greet you and thank-you for attending his event. He definitely appreciated when a lot of pro riders showed up as I’m sure it improved his spectator attendance numbers from nearby Paisley, Ontario. He was a gentleman and he will be missed by everyone that knew him. RIP Ewald and thank you for all you did for Ontario Motocross!

Petco Park in downtown San Diego is a perfect spot for supercross. Photo by Frank Hoppen

So as we sadly say good-bye to yet another member of our tight knit Canadian motocross family, our sport still goes on and the gate dropped on round 2 of the Monster Energy Supercross Series in San Diego. I’m sure by now all of you know what happened at Petco Field on Saturday night so there’s no need for me to go into specifics. However, even though we already know what went down, I want to talk about some of the things that I saw during the television broadcast.

The first thing I noticed again this week was how off the announcing trio of Jeff Emig, Ricky Carmichael and Ralph Sheheen seem to be. Normally I don’t mind this broadcasting team, but for some reason this year their timing appears to be off. For instance, whenever they cut to RC for an on track report, what in depth stuff does he really tell us? RC is the GOAT, he knows everything about this sport and that includes what the riders are thinking under their helmets. On Saturday night, at the end of his segment of describing how bad the whoop section was getting chewed up, Ralph asked him what line he would take if he was still racing? RC replied with an obvious intent of humour, “none of them”. Now I know that RC was just being funny, but I actually would’ve like to hear what line RC would take and why he would take it. Maybe we get spoiled in Canada with the high quality of commentators they use for NHL games, I mean how good are Glen Healy and Mike Johnson when they’re between the benches during the games? They describe with the perfect amount of humour and detail what is going on during the game. Anyway, I’m not trying to knit pick as I certainly couldn’t do their job, but so far in two rounds of SX something doesn’t seem right.

Cooper Webb celebrates his second win in a row in style at round 2 of the Monster Energy SX Series. Photo by Frank Hoppen

On the track in San Diego, it was hard to see exactly what happened to Cole Thompson in the opening laps of the 250SX main event? He obviously got off to another bad start and was forced for the second week in a row to make a charge from behind. After his early troubles though he appeared to ride very well and worked his way up to 12th by the end. Andy White was actually at the race on Saturday night and he told me this morning that Cole was riding very well as he charged through the pack. Andy also made the astute observation that with a good start, Cole could probably finish in the top six or seven in his class. Finally, Andy told me that the track in San Diego was pretty easy for the riders and that made passing very tough. This made Cole’s charge even more impressive as he was able to find multiple passing spots on the one lined track. I think after two rounds Cole is in a good spot, he’s been riding great and his confidence to battle for a top ten finish must be growing. I’m predicting that by the time the West series takes a break after San Diego 2 on February 13th, Cole will be not only be top ten in the points standings, but also battling for some top five finishes. Cole’s results will no doubt improve as he gets even more comfortable with his bike and his new mechanic, Scott Donkersgoed. This new Canadian ’dream team’ will be fun to cheer for in the coming weeks.

Ryan Dungey rode very smooth on Saturday night and took home his very first win of the season. So far two of trainer’s Aldon Baker riders have taken both wins in the 2016 Monster Energy SX Series. Photo by Frank Hoppen

As we all watched Cole Thompson race on Saturday night, there was actually another Canadian KTM rider who was racing in San Diego. Young Dexter Seitz from Alberta competing in the very awesome KJSC race. After qualifying in 3rd, Dexter went down early in the short 3 lap main event and then just like Cole Thompson, he was forced to come from behind. By all accounts, Dexter never stopped charging and when the chequered flag came out, Dexter had worked himself up to an incredible 8th place finish.

The racing in San Diego definitely made me feel like a very proud Canadian. With the series returning to Anaheim this weekend for round 3, the racing should once again be great as Cooper Webb, Ryan Dungey, Jason Anderson and even Chad Reed are proving that they are the riders that appear ready to win. Finally, I want to send out a big congratulations to Iain Hayden who took the victory at yesterday’s opening round of the 2016 CSRA Snowcross Championships in Quebec. I hope everyone has a great week and since winter in here in all parts of this Country, please travel safe and get out and try and enjoy winter.

So far Chad Reed has looked incredible in the opening rounds of Supercross. I hope he can find a way to both challenge for wins and stay healthy in 2016. Photo by Frank Hoppen