Yamaha Motor Canada Presents Style Check- 2019 Moto Park Cup

By the time I made my first visit to Moto Park in Chatsworth, Ontario, the famous motocross facility had already been going strong for almost a decade. The year was 1979 and my Dad and I made the hour drive to Moto Park from our home in Shelburne to take in a day of racing. I was 6-years-old at the time, and although I had been riding my Suzuki JR50 around our farm for a year, we weren’t going to Moto Park for me to race, we were going there to watch my cousin, Dean Woodcock, battle in the hotly contested 125 Junior class. I know that all of us have certain moments from our childhood that we recall so vividly that anytime we think of them it’s like we’re there again, regardless of the length of time that has gone by. One of those memories for me was the first time my Dad and I drove into the gates of Moto Park.

After traversing up the narrow road from Highway 6 (in those days the gravel road was about ten feet wide) and arriving at the track, the distinct smell of mega rich two-strokes dirt bikes seeped through the rudimentary venting system of our 1978 Dodge Dart. After paying the nice lady at the gate to get into the track, we drove straight ahead to the fence and parked. I was so excited that my door was open and my feet hit the ground before my Dad had even stopped the car. From there, we just stood at the fence watching whatever race was on the track at the time. To say that I was mesmerized by what I saw in front of me would be a gross understatement. The sight of multiple riders jumping in unison, the sound of 40 wide open bikes, and of course the smell of the worst jetted motorcycles on the planet was enough to instantly hook me to this incredible sport. In many ways, that first trip to Moto Park was more than just my first trip to a real track, it was my arrival to the sport that I’m still in love with to this day.

Fast forward through the years since that day of enlightening and there have certainly been more special moments at Moto Park for me and my family. There was my first ever race there in 1981, there was the World Grand Prix events a few years after that, the Canadian Amateur National in 1985 was exciting to be a part of, there was of course multiple pro races and practice days for me, and then in an instant it was my turn to take my son there for the first time.

With the Moto Park Cup events already being a year old, in 2013 we loaded up my son’s potent Yamaha PW-50 and headed to the nostalgic track. Watching his eyes light up as we drove through the gate quickly brought me back to 1979. My son was so excited to race that weekend that I knew we were opening yet another chapter in my journey through this sport. Since then, we’ve been at every Moto Park Cup event and this weekend we’re heading there once again. These events have become so much more than just a motocross race. It’s two days of hanging out with family, camping, BBQ’n, bench racing, and of course it’s all under the umbrella of competition. Regardless of how your weekend goes on the track, you will most certainly leave Moto Park excited with the memories you’ve created off of the track. This weekend the opening two rounds of the 2019 New Era MP Cup gets underway on Friday with an optional practice. On Saturday morning the racing begins with the first motos at 10am. For additional information please see their website: www.motoparkracing.com.

Here is all you need to know for this weekend at Moto Park:

2019 New Era MP Cup Round 1 and 2

The New Era Motopark Cup, #mpcup, takes place over four rounds. Round 1 May 18, Round 2 May 19, Round 3 June 29, and Round 4 June 30.

RECENT UPDATES

• Tykes will run on the mini track as the Four-Stroke Beginner Class. You can race the Tykes class if you’re a first-time racer, have training wheels or not, 8 and under, and on a 50cc. Riders on a bike without training wheels may be bumped up a class at the ref’s discretion.

• Saturday Night Whip Contest brought to you by Griffin Construction & Griffin Landscape Management Solutions.

RACE AWARDS AND PRIZES

• 300 New Era Cap Giveaway, June 29.

• Awards to 6th place (non-payback classes)

• 75% payback classes, Open Intermediate, 25+ A, 30+ A, 40+ A, 50+

• 200% payback MP CUP Open

• $50 holeshot awards on Saturday, May 18 and June 29, brought to you by Mike Jackson and Canadian Tire

• Series Prizes to 3rd for all classes

• Fox Super Mini helmet and series prize.

• OG google giveaway.

• Rockstar Giveaways.

PRACTICE

• Thursday prior to the event practice, open 10 am to 5 pm.

• Friday practice before each event, open 10 am to 4 pm.

• Monday practice after the event, open 10 am to 5 pm.

• The practice rate is $35. The membership fee is waived for MP CUP Racers on those days.

IMPORTANT NOTES

• TRANSPONDERS REQUIRED TO BE SCORED, MORE INFORMATION BELOW.

• THERE ARE 15 TRANSPONDERS AVAILABLE. FIRST COME FIRST SERVE.  $30 FOR ONE DAY OR $50 FOR TWO.

• NO RACING LICENSE REQUIRED, Motopark welcomes all racers to race the New Era Motopark Cup. No membership or licensing fees required to race.

CAMPING AND ADMISSION

All of Motopark’s serviced sites are booked. There’s lots of primitive camping available, no reservation required.

If you’re camping prior to Saturday and/or attending just one day you’re required to pay for the weekend. If you leave before 7:00 pm on Saturday night you’ll receive a refund at the front gate. GATE STAFF WILL REMOVE YOUR WRIST BAND AND ISSUE YOU YOUR REFUND. NO WRIST BAND, NO REFUND. No refunds will be issued after 7:00 pm on Saturday.

THE OFF-ROAD CAFÉ

The Off-Road Café will be serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Featuring a full menu including our most popular items, Moto Muffins and Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches. No need to stock the fridge when you come to Motopark. Hours below;

• Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm

• Saturday 7:15am – 7:00pm (Serving dinner from 6:00pm – 7:00pm)

• Sunday 7:15am – 5:00pm

• Monday 8:00am – 5:00pm