Thomas Rendall Race Report

Just like a lot of other Canadian Motocross racers, I was lucky enough to get some seat time in March in Florida; it turned out to be three weeks! I was there the whole time training with MX101 speedsters Dylan Wright and Rory Clarke. We had a blast riding at Mesa Park (Fellsmere, FL), Thundercross (Okeechobee, FL), East Bay (Tampa, FL) and Bithlo (Orlando, FL). We went to watch the Daytona Supercross and visited my sponsor, Nihilo Concepts (Stuart, FL), so we were really busy.

As you can see I was very relaxed on my trip to Florida.

I spent a lot of time at Bithlo with my sister Karen who was also riding. She’s had a little TT-R 50 for a few years, but was always more of a supporter of mine than a rider! She had a great time riding at Thundercross and then Bithlo. She has now moved up to a TT-R 110 and we had a blast riding 110s together on the mini track and corner tracks when I wasn’t on the big track. She’s been around MX and has pretty good technique and speed. I will have to watch out or maybe she will take one of my KTM 65 SXSs one day. A highlight for Karen was meeting 2008 CMRC Women’s Champion, Jacqueline Ross, at Mesa and Bithlo. Karen has had her autographed poster on her wall for years. Jacqueline is training some racers down in Florida and gave me a few tips and made Karen her helper. She made Karen’s day when she handed a gift to her. It was Jacqueline’s championship autographed jersey. Keep an eye out for Jacqueline – she might be up at the Walton ANQ in May!

Then I was home for a week and we loaded up and went to Pennsylvania for the Dublin Gap Lorretta Qualifier. We were only taking the truck so we had to be creative. We stretch wrapped my bike on the rear rack to keep the salt off it, since we just got 10cm of snow in Ottawa before we left.

Former Canadian Champion Jacqueline Ross made my sister Karen’s day on our trip to Florida.

 I raced 65 LTD (Stock) and 85 LTD (Stock) on Saturday. In 65 LTD I got a great start then spaced out on jumping and fell back a few spots; I crossed the line in 5th. In 85 LTD I was off the pace and took 18th. I need a little more seat time on it. I refocused for Moto two and had to step it up.

Welcome to Pennsylvania! The weather was great up until 5 minutes before the start of 65 Moto two. Dad says that rain and mud are the ultimate equalizer! So I smiled and said, “There is no riding like mud riding” and loaded up my Oakleys with Tear Offs. I didn’t get the start I wanted but was determined to push hard to 3rd. Then I slid out in a corner, picked it up and said, “Relax and ride like Kevin Windham (smooth and relaxed)”. I found good lines on the muddy track and took 4th and rode off with a smile and 4th overall. Since I qualified for the Northeastern Regional in 65 LTD. I decided to sit out 85 moto two and prepare for Sunday’s Mod classes. Well, it rained harder than they expected overnight – 1.5 inches – and the creeks were now rivers on the way to the track. We looked at the track and decided that it was in no condition to race little bikes on; we will have to try to qualify at another race. Despite the weather we had great racing and all the hard work in Florida seemed to pay off.

Racing looks pretty good in Canada, new Pro riders, new Pro series sponsor, and new excitement! I’m really looking forward to another fun race season and all the adventures it will bring.

Ride Safe! Ride Smart! Have Fun!

Thomas Rendall 494

KTM Canada / ATLAS Brace Technologies / Matrix Concepts / OAKLEY Canada / MXP Magazine / Factory Connection / Wheelsport / Nihilo Concepts / First Place Trailers / R4 Racing

Canadians have to be very inventive when they to travel to a race during the winter.