Frid'Eh Update:Presented by Royal Distributing
APRIL 13, 2007

By Danny Brault

I apologize for this week’s Frid’Eh Update coming so late (not that it’s been the only one), but every five minutes, a new e-mail pops into my Inbox with the latest rumour. Unfortunately, I can’t share all of them until they are “official,” which means not until the riders are sitting in staging at Ste-Julie.

However, I can share a few snippets with everyone. It looks like 2007 Winter X Snocross champ Tucker Hibbert will be racing the MX2 West series (although which colour bike is still up for debate), with backing from long time sponsor Monster Energy. Hibbert told Allison Kennedy that the main reason for returning to Canada (he raced here in 2002 and `03) was to help promote the green claw slash in the north.

“My goal is to win the championship,” states Minnesota’s Hibbert. “I haven’t raced there for a few years, so I don’t know how much it’s changed. I know Jimmy Nelson is going to be the guy to beat, but that’s my goal is to go there and win the championship, and I think it’s definitely realistic.”

Those expectations aren’t unrealistic, since Hibbert has been turning in some brilliant results and lap times in the Eastern Region Lites series. With one round to go in Detroit next weekend, Hibbert sits 16th in points, has finished 10th at the last two rounds, and even picked up a heat race win at the last East round in Texas.

New Zealand's Mason Phillips is racing the MX1 class in Canada.

photo: Jason T. Griffiths

New Zealander Mason Phillips caught the attention of Atlantic fans last year when he finished 5th overall in the MX1 class at River Glade. That result earned him a ride for the final two rounds at Sand Del Lee and Walton (he won the Youth class at the TransCan) with Richmond Racing Kawasaki. Oddly, his results only got worse after dumping his privateer Honda 450 for a factory bike.

Phillips raced a few AMA Outdoor Nationals last year as well, including High Point, Southwick, Unadilla, Steel City, and Glen Helen. His best finish came at Steel City where he went 16-10 for 12th overall in the 450 class.

Now it looks like he will return to Canada to race a KTM 450 SXF for Orange Motorsports in the East and and RTR Performance in the West with some support from KTM Canada, Factory Connection Canada and Shift Racing.

“He’s flying over on the first week of May; he’s got an apartment in the New England area near John Dowd, “ says KTM’s race director Andy White.

What else did I hear this week …, oh, Robbie Reynard and Chad Johnson won’t be coming to Canada to race Suzukis. Suzuki OTSFF’s Ron Ashley said no way; he has three faster kids in mind, one of which is Jaredd Browne who is a top A rider down in the States right now. He wouldn’t release the other two names until some details are finalized. Nico Izzi, maybe? Stay tuned to www.racerxcanada.com for the official word in the next few weeks.

This one I’m sure everyone has already read in breaking news: Heidi Cooke will be racing Kawasakis for Freedom Cycle in Halifax. The five-time Ladies champ will race the entire Canadian Women’s Motocross Series and a few WMA rounds in the U.S.

Cooke spent a few weeks training over in Dubai with her brother, Mitch, and word has it that she is more determined than ever. For all you ladies racers: get your butt to the gym and start training!

Heidi Cooke is now on Team Green.

photo: Brett Dailey

I caught up with fellow women’s racer Jessica Foster yesterday. The Blackfoot rider has been busy snowboarding and putting in long hours as the new purchaser for Blackfoot Motorsports. Foster earned national #3 the first Women’s National series last year, and she said that support has improved for `07.

“Totally, Suzuki has really stepped it up this year,” Foster says. “I wouldn’t be able to do this year without Suzuki and Blackfoot’s help. The event promoters, everyone—the magazines—have been awesome. It’s definitely an advantage for us [to grow women’s racing].”

Another Atlantic rider turning green this year is Johnny Montes. You might recall the “Spanish Fly” running the #64 on his KX250F and KX250 back in 2004. With his strong organizational and managerial skills, Montes will actually be running and racing for the JNR Motorsports Kawasaki Team. Intermediate riders Brandon Wyman and Rob Whynott will also be under the JNR tent. The team has 50-foot trailer, which they'll be taking to all of the Eastern Nationals. Montes is still working on logistics for the Western MX1 rounds.

Now all JNR needs is a babysitter for the babysitter. Just hassling you Johnny...

There’s been a little industry moving and shaking going on as well.

All Sport Dynamics’ Trevor Greaves is now the Canadian dealer for the Leatt Brace. He can be reached at asdcanada@shaw.ca or (204) 797-7411.

Chances are if you’re a male, you’ve probably stopped and stared at the ads in the U.S. moto mags featuring a woman’s glistening chest with the words, “Sometimes hot and SWEATY is good. Just not in here.” No, it’s not an ad for the new Girls Gone Wild video featuring Flava Flav; rather, it’s for the new ScorpionExo off-road helmet.

Scorpion specializes in helmets for road racing, motocross, and snowmobiling. Terri Gorrell, who looks after media relations for the company informed us that Scott Webb is now heading up Scorpion here in Canada. Check out www.scorpionusa.com to view their complete lineup.

Destroyer Films is at it again. This time, they’re over in Richmond, BC checking out Rampion Enterprises. Click the link below for their video that features Ogio’s Jeff Williams taking us through the history of the bag company. Check out Jolene Van Vugt’s M2R jersey in the background and Spencer Knowles’ plaque on Williams’ desk!

Watch the video here.

The racing season kicked off last weekend at the CMA SixSixOne BC Championships in Mission, BC. Denny’s/ Holeshot Racing Kawasaki’s Brady Sheren won all four motos in the MX1 and MX2 classes over Milo Christie, Lee Coutts, Brad McLean and several other quick local BC pros.

Click here for full results and visit www.dirtbikephoto.com for photos from the event.

Kyle Keast will be on the line at Gopher Dunes this weekend.

photo: Danny Brault

The Ontario racing season kicks off this Sunday at Gopher Dunes. While the weather can’t decide what it wants to do—one day it’s rain, then sun—you can guarantee Frank and Derek Schuster and crew will have that track in pristine condition.

In some unfortunate Ontario news, Zeb Dennis was injured in a car crash earlier this week. I spoke to MotoPark’s Carl Bastedo today, and he said Zeb and some friends were driving along when they lost control and buried the car down in a ditch full of water. Zeb suffered the worst injuries with a broken femur and lower leg, right elbow and arm. It’s likely he will miss the entire season. Get well soon, Zeb!

I received this anonymous letter and photo on Tuesday. I really have no idea who it came from, but I think he should get some help for his obvious Tim Ferry man crush.

Dear Danny,

I read that you are looking for spring riding pictures and last week you asked for pics of bikes.  Well here is my entry into your contest.  That’s my Monster Energy KX450F and I have it all done up like my favorite rider, Tim Ferry.  He is a great rider and I am a big fan of his.  I am sure that a lot of his success is due to the mechanics that he has had.  They are really his backbone, if you ask me.
 
Now here I am in action on that bike railing a turn the other day, I did change the numbers so no one will think I am Tim Ferry; I look a lot like him when I ride and I didn't want to be bothered by fans.  As you can see, my form is impeccable and I am charging hard.
 
Please include me in your contest and tell Steve Matthes that he is a great writer!

Spot the Shield?

Matthes charging hard.

Just one more week to go before the 2007 Eastern Region Lites SX Championship is decided at Ford Field in Detroit. Will Darcy Lange be the first Canadian to win an AMA SX championship? Will he finally get that elusive victory? Will team tactics come into play? It’s going to be good.

Racer X Canada/ Racer X Illustrated readers have the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets through the internet for Detroit by logging onto www.ticketmaster.com and entering in the password: RACERX.

This just in from Live Nation’s Denny Hartwig:

Just a heads up on a great deal for hotel accommodations for the Amp'd Mobile Supercross finals in Las Vegas.
 
Our room block at the Planet Hollywood (formerly Aladdin) is only $209 a night and we still have a few rooms left, plus you will be staying where all the stars and industry will be at.  (I don't think anyone will come near a rate that good on Cinco De Mayo and a fight weekend.)

If anyone wants to get in on it, send an email to webmaster@supercrossonline.com with Planet Hollywood in the subject and we'll get you hooked up!
 
All right, thanks for reading everyone and enjoy the weekend!