The 3’Q With Ryan Lockhart Presented By Matrix Concepts Canada

MXP: You mentioned a few weeks ago that you were planning on driving out east for the ECAN and Walton TransCan. When are you leaving and are you looking forward to the trip?

RL: I’m leaving next Wednesday. Braxton Zeitner’s dad and I are convoying together to Ottawa where on Sunday we will pick up the rest of our families. I’m thinking if all goes well I might even get to hit up the AMO race on Sunday and get some laps in which would be cool. Yes, I’m really looking forward to the trip. We enjoyed ourselves last year at the ECAN as I felt like it was a well-organized event and of course, the Walton TransCan is always a special time in Canadian Moto. I also look forward to being at those events as Atlas sponsors both and we are entering our 3rd year of presenting the “Atlas Top Mini Rider” award at the TransCan.

MXP: You were at Gopher Dunes last weekend helping take care of the GDR Honda Team. What are your thoughts on Round 5?

RL: Gopher is always a good one there is no question. We get the toughest track of the year and we get to see who has done their homework. Of course, Derek Schuster and the entire Gopher Dunes crew had the place looking great and I thought the track shaped up well for the races. The weather was pretty much perfect for racing but I’m sure some were wishing it was a little cooler (laughs). We will get into the 250 class in the next question but I thought the 450 was decent to watch. The Maffenbeier/Tdags battle was good to watch in moto 1 and then Dylan was kind of off in Moto 2 and had to work to get by Tyler after he crashed. Overall I thought it was one of the better Gopher Dunes Nationals. The track wasn’t as gnarly as years past so the boys were still able to keep a good pace throughout the moto’s. I thought the spectator turn out was really good as well.

MXP: The 250 class points are really heating up. Harrison still leads but he had an off weekend at Gopher Dunes. McNabb moved closer to the lead and Piccolo is also there. Who do you think is going to be good this coming weekend at SDL between these three, and also add in Natzke and possibly Racine who rides the SDL track well?

RL: As mentioned last week this 250 class is just incredible. You can’t predict what’s going to happen. Natzke is the real deal and was on a different level this past weekend I really think he’s only going to get better. Piccolo and Harrison had issues and McNabb was super solid and had to work his butt off for every single minute of both moto’s. However, he did exactly what he needed to do in the points chase. Piccolo, McNabb, Cannella and Racine are all very good at SDL. I can’t see why Harrison and Amyotte would be any different and even throw Tyler Gibbs into the mix as his starts are good and SDL is a harder track to pass on than most and a start is very important. Honestly, SDL is going to be key for the top 3 as we are down to eight moto’s to go. This could be the best round of the year as far as the title fight goes.