Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
MXP: We’re just over a week from the opening round of the 2023 AMO AX Championships. What can everyone expect from this new version of this long-running AX Series?
RL: I mean, at the end of the day, it’s still an AX race. The awesome part is Chilliwack Heritage Park is the ultimate place for indoor racing. It has an indoor paddock area and a huge floor for the track, and it is really convenient for people to get to. We have changed the format and returned to the traditional Friday and Saturday format. We switched up a few of the amateur classes and have gone to a triple crown format for the pros. We will also have the beer garden back for this year, so that’s a nice bonus for the spectators coming in to watch. Overall, I think we have a great plan in place, and it should turn out good for everyone involved.
MXP: The opening round of the Monster Energy Supercross Series is fast approaching, and after taking October off, the top riders are back at now. Don’t you just love this time of the year?
RL: Absolutely!! I love watching all the preseason vids and vlogs. It builds the hype for A1, which is coming up quickly. The extra bonus is seeing some guys switch teams as well. When you are super fans of the sport, and we love to just geek out on this stuff. The off-season races add a bit of spice to it, and we will get a chance to see several of the top riders racing the Paris SX this weekend.
MXP: Recently, it was announced that Jess Pettis has re-signed with the KTM Canada Red Bull Race Team for 2024. This is great news for everyone involved, including the Triple Crown Series. In your opinion, what does Pettis need to do to take home the 450 title in 2024?
RL: We have talked about this a lot in the past, as Jess had a couple of years that he would like to forget. Last year was a big year for Jess as far as building a base again. He remained healthy and did exactly what he needed to do. At times, he challenged Dylan when he felt comfortable, and when he didn’t, he kept his KTM on two wheels. For 2024, his mindset needs to be much of the same. Stay out of trouble and capitalize on mistakes when they are presented to him. I will still go with Dylan Wright to have more raw speed and the willingness to hang it out, but Jess needs to be right there so he can capitalize and go for some moto wins.
