Greetings and welcome to the first Monday Gate Drop of November. This is always an interesting month as we unfortunately, start to see real change in the weather patterns right across the country. In some parts of Canada, they experience their first snowfall, in others it begins to rain everyday as the atmosphere in North America begins its winter cool down. In other words it means our riding season is slowly coming to an end, and it’s rather sad. However, the positive thing is that we all need a reset when it comes to riding, travelling to races, and trying to realign our pocketbooks. So, sit back, put your feet up, and try and enjoy the off-season.
Over in California the off-season had to be put on hold for a few of our fast Vet riders as they took on the Dubya World Vet Championship at Glen Helen Raceway. For those who have had the honour of spinning some laps at this iconic track, you know just how challenging it can be. I’ve been there a few times over the years for various media events, most recently last November for the 2024 KX450 launch. That day the overcast skies quickly turned to rain and by noon the Glen Helen track was a full Mudder. Riding up and down the steep hills was more than challenging in the wet conditions, but thankfully I survived. For Team Canada this past weekend, they were able to achieve what no other Canadian team has before, and that is winning a Gold Medal in the team event on Sunday. Led by Canadian Vet legends like Julien Cerny, Jim Frederickson, Shane Cuthbertson, Brock Hoyer, Todd Minnie, and Marc Dionne (just to name a few), our boys rode great all weekend against riders from all over the world, as well as some fast locals who ride the Glen Helen track almost on a weekly basis. Congratulations to Team Canada as they certainly did us proud this past weekend in California.
Moving on from California to Australia and Round 3 of the Australian SX Series. Cole Thompson, who was fresh off his podium finish last weekend in Vancouver, continued his solid riding aboard his Fire Power Honda this past weekend in Australia. In the three main event format at Round 3, Cole would go 2-6-2 for third overall in the SX2 class, and now sits second overall in the points standing, just seven points behind his teammate Shane McElrath. Cole struggled in the main event #2, and that cost him any chance at the win. Now the series will take a weekend off before resuming in Adelaide for Round 4. As Cole mentioned last week in an interview he did with me, the next month is a busy one for him while he competes in both the remaining rounds of the Australian SX Series, as well as the final three rounds of the 2024 WSX Championships in Australia, and Abu Dhabi. Cole seems to be like a fine wine, as he’s just getting better with age. In the SX1 class at Round 3, Joey Savetgy beat out his teammate Dean Wilson to take the overall win. Aaron Tanti, who could be coming back to Canada next summer aboard a green machine, finished on the podium in two of the three SX1 main events, but his poor finish in main event #2 cost him a shot at an overall podium result. The Australian SX Series looks solid with cool tracks, nice venues, as well as good attendance.
So, as I mentioned above, we are into the long off-season here in Canada, and I think this week in particular, we’re going to have some big announcements as far as riders signing with new teams. For almost a month now we’ve heard the Dylan Rempel to GDR Honda rumour, but nothing has formally been announced by either party. However, on Friday Dylan posted on Social Media that he was extremely grateful for his time with the PRMX Kawasaki Team, thus thanking them for everything. I’m assuming with that post, the time has now come for him and GDR Honda to formally announce their partnership for 2025. If this indeed happens, I like this deal for both parties as GDR Honda needs a rider like Dylan for their 250 program, and I think Dylan is ready to not have to share the space under the tent with any other 250 class riders. During the past few seasons Dylan has been steadily improving his results in the 250 Pro/Am class, while also doing some racing in the USA. This kid is a hard worker who appears to also be extremely focused on the task at hand. He’s also a good natural starter who can adapt well to varying track conditions. This past summer, Dylan had some solid results in the Triple Crown Series, and I believe he’s ready to take the next step. The GDR Honda program under the watchful eye of Derek Schuster, Ryan Lockhart, Colton Facciotti, and Dylan Wright, will certainly give Dylan the structure and direction he needs to grow as a rider, and eventually challenge for the 250 class Triple Crown Series Championship. Also, the WLTN Kawasaki Team are very close to finalizing their rider line-up for 2025, so we look forward to that news. I would also look for some other massive news to drop this week, but I’ll wait for the official announcement before even hinting at that. In some Triple Crown Series news, it sounds like Whispering Pines Raceway could be back on the schedule next year as one of the Western rounds, as well as possibly hosting the 2025 WCAN. This track has always produced some great racing at the national level, so it would be great to see it back in 2025. We shall wait and see if this track is back next year, as I’m hearing the 2025 Triple Crown Series schedule should be out in the next few weeks.
One of our former Triple Crown Series Champions Ryder McNabb, is now back on the bike and training in California. As you may remember, McNabb was forced to pull out of the 2024 Pro Motocross Championships with some serious health issues. That, coupled with a wrist injury that sidelined him for the Supercross Futures Series, definitely ruined his first full season in the USA. Thankfully for Ryder, he has recovered and is now getting ready for 2025. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I wish Ryder all the best moving forward. Here’s hoping he has a great 2025 season in the USA, and then he will be available to represent Canada at the 2025 MXON at Ironman Raceway.
Last week, it was also announced that longtime Team Green and Pro Circuit Kawasaki rider Austin Forkner, will join Jordon Smith, Stilez Robertson, and Jalek Swoll on the Triumph Factory Race Team in 2025. For the past few seasons Forkner has been one of the fastest 250 riders on the planet, but the injury bug always seems to derail his title hopes. Hopefully, this change of scenery is just what the doctor ordered for Forkner. This deal not only means a change of bikes, but also a massive lifestyle change as he and his pregnant wife, have moved from California to Georgia. I am heading to the Triumph training facility in Georgia next week for their all new 450 media launch, so hopefully I will be able to catch up with Austin, and watch him ride his new Triumph.
Well, that is it for me this week. I hope everyone has a great opening week to November. The weather is supposed to remain decent here in Southern Ontario during the early part of the week, so hopefully we can get out riding a few more times. Finally, it was announced last week that registration is now open for the AMO Arenacross Championships out in Chilliwack, BC. The 2024 AX Series will take place on back-to-back weekends later this month, so if you’re planning on racing, now is the time to secure your entry. Please have a great week and thank you for reading this week’s Yamaha Motor Canada Monday Gate Drop. If you have any questions or comments, please email me at editor@mxpmag.com.
