Frid'Eh Update:Presented by Royal Distributing
JANUARY 26, 2007
By Danny Brault
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The publicity didn’t come around in the way he probably wanted it to. In fact, he didn’t even have to podium or at least make a main event to get the whole moto-world taking about the eighteen-year-old racer. In an unfortunate chain of events, Sheren is now off the upstart Wonder Warthog Racing team and will race the remaining West Coast rounds for Ryan Clark’s Team Solitaire program.
Early reports indicated that WWR had basically fired Brady, and left him without support for this weekend’s race in San Francisco, but after we spoke with Scott Kandel and Dana Kellstrom from WWR, we learned that wasn’t the case. In a nutshell, according to WWR, Sheren didn’t live up to the expectations he set forth before the series kicked off in Anaheim, and with a few of the Hog Haven riders (basically the “B” squad of the WWR program) qualifying for main events and Brady not doing the same, the team managers decided to drop the Canadian kid down to Hog Haven and give other riders who were showing results, a chance on the “A” team.
“He didn’t do anything wrong; he didn’t do anything bad. He just isn’t performing to the level he set forth, and what he sold the team," said Kellstrom in an interview on www.racerxcanada.com. "If Brady was on the other side of the track, he would be the first guy saying, ‘Hey, Dana, see my results? Put me on the front side.’ I know Brady, and his dad would be calling me saying, Brady made the main, move him up,”
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Brady Sheren is no longer couch surfing in the WWR rig. |
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photo: Allison Kennedy |
Kellstrom added that they would have still had a bike (although I had not been lined up prior to his demotion) and support for Sheren in SF, and that they would still be paying his entry fees and allowing him access to the test tracks. Before Sheren agreed, however, he made a few phone calls and landed a spot with Team Solitaire to race a CRF250.
There has been a lot of criticism from the forums, saying that WWR isn’t living up to their promise to support privateers, but from their point of view, their decision is understandable. Like Kandel said: “As a first year program, we were working out a framework and obviously, you need to make some tweaks along the way.”
We all know that, in motocross, sponsors play a huge role in a rider's and team’s success, and if they aren’t happy, it’s going to be tough to keep them interested in a future deal. I still applaud WWR for their contributions so far, and I hope their program continues to refine itself. And the more I think about the situation, the more I think how factory teams or even support teams could learn from it. Maybe Monster Energy Kawasaki or Factory Connection or Makita Suzuki—whoever—could incorporate a farm system, similar to Wonder Warthog and have a few backup riders just in case their “A” riders aren’t performing on a consistent basis. That could keep riders in check, letting them know that if they’re not reaching their potential or putting in the effort, they can be replaced. It’s done everyday in hockey, baseball and many other sports, so why not SX/MX? I know it’s more complicated than that, but I’m just sharing some thoughts. I like to bench race too.
Early this morning WWR posted a press release saying that their Hog Haven rider, Adam Chatfield, who has qualified for two main events so far, will take Sheren's spot on the front side of the rig. Actually, the team's claim of Chatfield qualifying for two main events is incorrect. Chatfield qualified for the main at A1 with an 8th in his heat (14th in the main), while he did not make the night program in Phoenix (42nd fastest time and two seconds off Brady's pace) and finished 20th in his LCQ at A2. With that in mind, Sheren and Chatfield seem to be of similar speed and Sheren should have been given a few more rounds to prove himself given the amount of time he has had on the team's bikes. Keep in mind that Blackfoot Racing is testing now for a series that will start in May!
While we’re touching on the subject of hockey, did anyone catch the 55th NHL All-Star game at the American Airlines Centre in Dallas? I sure did. The Western Conference downed the East 12-9 in the always high-scoring, low-hitting game. While all eyes were on the new faces of the NHL, Sidney Crosby and Washington’s Alexander Ovechkin, it was actually Sabres’ Daniel Briere who stole the show with one goal and four assists to earn MVP and the keys to a new Dodge Nitro.
"I've come a long way. I was once waived a few years ago and nobody even picked me up. This night is very special,” said Briere in a post-game press conference. Read between the lines, young Brady Sheren.
Another brain wave came to me while watching the All-Star Skills Competition: wouldn’t it be interesting to have a skills competition in motocross? I guess they did something like that at the JMI and U.S. Open in October, with the fastest lap competition, but what about also adding in a tricky rhythm section and time each rider through it? You could have a holeshot contest, a timed cornering course, or maybe even a mile long whoop section—we all love whoops! You could even include the mechanics with a tire-changing contest, valve replacement or for Todd Kuli—sparkplug and seat bolt tightening! (Sorry, Todd. That was flat-out mean.) And just like the NHL, we could have fans vote in the riders. Just some more food for thought….
Okay, let’s take a look back at last weekend’s action at the third round of the AMA Supercross Series in Anaheim. Nothing too groundbreaking went down; it was another Kawasaki sweep with James Stewart taking the win in the 450 class and Ryan Villopoto adding to his points lead in the Lites class. Temporary French import, Christophe Pourcel, suffered a foot injury in the Lites main event and has now returned to France to begin recuperating for the GP circuit.
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While most riders were resting up from A2, Klatt was back out at the test track Sunday morning. |
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photo: Allison Kennedy |
Dusty Klatt had a decent weekend, qualifying in 7th and finishing 15th in the main, but if you compare it the first two races—crash and burn and crash and J-Law—it was a great weekend. However, after showing his potential in Phoenix, Klatt wasn’t happy with his ride at A2.
Has anyone else noticed how short the races have been through the first three rounds? A1 wasn’t too bad, average lap times were around 59 seconds, then at Phoenix, Stewart, RC and Reed were nearly breaking the 40-second mark! If you add it up, the 450 main event ended after only 14 minutes—less than half of one outdoor moto! And the Lites main, which is 15 laps, was over in just 10 minutes. Then if you average it out for a six-lap qualifier, it’s only a 4 minute race. No wonder Jason Lawrence looks so good this year.
We need to give the fans a better, longer show for their buck and a longer race to test the riders’ physical stamina. How about 25-minute 450 main events and 20-minute 250F mains (regardless of the number of laps)? Maybe Bubba will make a mistake; maybe Klatt can come through the pack; or, better yet, we can give the guys a chance to race.
We would like to hear your thoughts on this topic, so please send in any solutions or ideas you might have to letters@racerxcanada.com. We’ll publish a few of them in next week’s Update.
And, while you're thinking of supercross, be sure to tune into the Lites race from Phoenix Sunday at 4:00 p.m. EST on Speed and the Lites action from A2 right after. If you’ve been missing any of the races or just want to revisit them, log on to www.speedtv.com. At the top of the page, type in YAMAHA into the search box and then follow the directions for a free login to access past SX rounds.
RXC's Senior Editor, Allison Kennedy just sent me a note from her time spent out west with Dusty, Brady, Dougie D, James and the rest of the Canuck clan:
Well, after weeks of hearing how hard James Lissimore was working down in SoCal, I decided to go and see for myself. I discovered that between visits to Juice it Up and dinners at Akina, Lissimore is actually busting his chops to get some prime photos of the Canadians down south. I flew in Wednesday and out Monday and it was a whirlwind California experience. But it was just long enough for me to get a glimpse of the SX life Dusty Klatt, Brady Sheren and Doug DeHaan are living. We got to spend a few afternoons with Dusty at the Yamaha track and it was a real eye opener for me, seeing Klatt share the track with Chad Reed and Nathan Ramsey.
Dusty has had a rough beginning at supercross, with those nasty A1 burns and that nasty takeout in Phoenix. And while he could have found some sense of progress in his A2 finish, that's not what champions do, he's looking for more. It's a lot to take in, and there have been a lot of big changes for Klatt: a new bike, a new team, a new class, but one thing you won't get from #344 are excuses. He was back at the test track Sunday morning, trying to put things together for San Francisco. Just remember: no one has higher expectations for Dusty than himself.
As for this week's biggest newsmaker, Brady Sheren, we checked in with him Saturday at Anaheim 2 and got the ten-cent tour of the Warthog rig. While Brady admitted he's been struggling, we didn't see any obvious signs that his Warthog career would end so abruptly just one day later. Sheren said he's been feeling better and better on the bike during the week, but come race day, putting it all together has been happening slower than he'd like. With his move to Team Solitaire, he'll again have to adjust to a new bike (albeit a more familiar Honda) and he's sure to be under the microscope after all of this week's press. Again it's a lot to take in, and hopefully Brady can make some more progress alongside Ryan Clark.
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Dougie D's BTO Sports/ Butler Brother's teammate, Jason Thomas, lost his points and purse money for running illegal fuel at A2. Check out the AMA's press release and the Butler Brother's response to the Breaking News to the left. |
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photo: James Lissimore |
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James Stewart and Jeff Emig's Kawasakis sit at Pole Position Raceway. |
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photo: Allison Kennedy |
As for Doug DeHaan, he looked solid in his practice session on Saturday and he said he felt like himself for the first time this season. It looked like Anaheim 2 would be his night, but a poor start in his heat sent him to the LCQ, where he got stuck in the gate with about four other riders.
"I am sort of over this place," said DeHaan about Anaheim, "Maybe San Fran will bring me some better luck." We sent Dougie home with a can of imported Tim Horton's coffee, which will undoubtedly be a factor in the holeshot he's going to pull this weekend.
At any rate, it was awesome to see everyone, including a huge contingent of Canadians down south working and training: Kyle Beaton, Kris Foster, Brock Hoyer, Spencer Knowles, Mike Smith, Howie Spencer, Dave Gowland, Dean Wilson, Kelly and honourary Canucks, Billy Whitley and Michael Willard ... the list goes on.
We also got a chance to spin some laps at the infamous Pole Position Raceway, the go-kart track that Jeremy McGrath is part owner of. If you ever have a chance to check it out, it's well worth the trip. The place is packed with memorabilia and on Anaheim weekends, you may just run into some familiar SX faces. Tommy Hahn and Kevin Windham were both on the list of the week's fastest times. Howie Spencer managed to kick butt out of our trio, but I was pretty pumped to say that I bested five guys in our 12-man heat. Woohoo! All in all, it was a good trip, and I can't wait to see how it stacks up to the ice racing adventure Giver and I have planned for next week.
Thanks for the update, Allison.
You read right, Allison and I are going to spend next weekend checking out the Quebec Ice Racing scene in Lavaltrie. Buddy Ford has been very generous and has actually hooked me up with a bike and gear, so I can try the sport first hand. With my history of trying new things and borrowing bikes (and sleds), there will surely be something to write about. There also won’t be a shortage of talent on hand, with Kaven Benoit (motocrosser), Pascal Picotte (road racer), Dominic Beaule (supermoto), Andrew Ranger (auto racer), Kevin Lacombe (road racer), and Buddy’s son, Shawn, all signed up to race in the pro classes on Sunday. Be sure to pick up the May issue for a full feature on our winter adventure.
This weekend Ice Speedway is visiting Copps Coliseum in Hamilton. From bikes to ATVs to go-karts, just about every form of motorsport will take to ice at Copps.
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Andrew Ranger (27), leads Kaven Benoit (626) and Dominic Beaule (1) at an ice race in Quebec. |
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photo: Heidi MacDonald |
Back to the dirt….
Arenacross returns to Chilliwack, BC this weekend. Colton Facciotti, Ryan Lockhart, Eric Nye and Cory Graffunder will be headlining the pro class. Facciotti will be making his debut on his Blackfoot Yamahas at Chilliwack Heritage Park.
I caught up with Colt this week to find out how things are going. I asked him now that he’s on the winningest team in Canada with the best rider in Canada, what else he needs to work on to be that next-big-thing, to which he replied: “I just have to work my fitness and get my head on straight here.”
Click here to watch a cool little YouTube video from Chilliwack, shot by John and Jamie Hellam.
Gates open at 8:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, AX schools take place from shortly after until 10:30 a.m. Race sign up is between 9-10:30 a.m., practice and qualifying goes on until 4:00 and then the pros begin practice at 4:30 p.m. with the main events beginning at 7:00. For more info, go to www.arenacross.ca
Following the Chilliwack race, the Newf will head east to Alberta for the 13th annual Lethbridge Arenacross Championships. It wasn’t something Lockhart planned to hit, but since the whole Alberta crew is putting on a big push to raise money and support for Chris Bonneau, the Atlantic rider marked it on his schedule.
“That’s basically why I am going,” said Lockhart. “Chris was a big help to me in 2004 when I was out there racing arenacross; he was my mechanic at the races and we won seven out of eight main events that year.”
Chuck Mesley is healed up from a broken foot suffered at the Toronto WSXGP, and will be flying out to Alberta too.
And I see our correspondent from the land of milk and honey (more like Monster Energy and silicone), James Lissimore has some news for us:
Benoit Milot is staying down in Lake Elsinore for the winter working on his new movie, Invasion 3. Director Felix Trepanier is in town this week to get some fresh footage for the new flick so check back next week for some behind the scenes shots of the filming of the new DVD.
BC pro Howie Spencer (who hasn’t kicked me out of his apartment yet ... thanks Howie) finally got his motor back this week after being without it for the past month. He then proceeded to head to Elsinore and bust a bunch of spokes trying to jump the same rhythm section that Brock Hoyer broke his foot on last week. Howie is in SoCal training and preparing for the Canadian Nationals and select U.S. Nationals. I guess a summer spent wrenching for Brady Sheren convinced Saltspring Island’s finest that he needs to be back behind the throttle, not lubing it.
Speaking of the infamous Lake Elsinore rhythm section, it also claimed the bottom of Kyle Beaton’s feet on Monday after some serious metal on metal casing. Nothing a little bit of ice couldn’t take care of.
Oh, and speaking of Beaton, an interesting development came this week in his quest for Supercross eligibility. It seams that his roommate, Washington State’s Kevin Urquhart, was granted a SX endorsement on his license based on his results in the BooKoo AX and the Vancouver SX. Interesting, due to the fact that Kyle has finished better than him in almost every race the two have competed against each other in. Somehow, Urquhart’s 10th at Vancouver better qualifies him than Beaton’s 5th. So now, Kyle is doing everything in his power to get that elusive Supercross endorsement on his license. Stay tuned to see how things pan out.
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Lance Rickard is riding himself back into shape. Check out his old Morgan Racing chest protector. |
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Kyle Beaton busts big at Lake Elsinore. |
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Pete DeGraaf lost a few spokes after a hard landing at Glen Helen. |
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photos: James Lissimore |
Spotted out and about lately has been former Blackfoot and Morgan Racing rider, Lance “Romance” Rickard. Rickard has been in California since Anaheim 1 and I ran into him today at Glen Helen where he was attempting to put in some hard laps. He may be slightly (ok, severely, to his admission) out of shape but he can still put in a fast lap. I’m sure he’ll be back up to speed in no time.
Also at Glen Helen today was Canadian vet legend, Pete DeGraaf who joined Howie in the busted wheel club with a doozie of a slap down, after landing over the finish line jump. DeGraaf has been keeping his truck and trailer down here and flying back and forth to get some riding in when he has some down-time at home.
That’s about it for this week. Dusty and his Dad are picking up Howie and I today to make the trip up to San Francisco. We’ve managed to stuff a couch into Dusty’s Sprinter van so it should be interesting. Dusty was going to fly but he’s bringing his practice bike to the race in case the rain that’s being forecasted becomes a reality. Road trips are always more fun anyways.
That's it from James...
Want a copy of the Invasion 2 DVD? I have two copies sitting right here on my desk. All you have to do is send a retro MX photo—doesn’t have to be of yourself, just something with an interesting story to it—along with a brief caption telling us who it is, where’s it from, etc. We know there are tons out there, as several goodies have been posted on www.mxforum.com lately. We may even pick a few of best photos and stories for the next issue. You can send them into letters@racerxcanada.com.
Mitch Cooke is kicking ass in the Middle East! No, the H.A.F. racer didn't join the U.S. Troops; he joined the Dubai racing series, click here.
Racer X Illustrated’s Billy Ursic passed along this interesting piece of editorial from ESPN The Magazine of our snocross/ motocross hero, Blair Morgan:
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The FIM World Snocross Championships opens this weekend in Switzerland at Veysonnaz. Canadian Jérôme Gerber is looking for a top five finish.
Okay, that about sums up the crazy world of Canadian motocross. I’m taking off now to get ready for The Tragically Hip concert this Monday in Peterborough, whoohoo!
