Five Minutes with … Shane Wiebe
JULY 4, 2007

Photo Report from WCAN Presented by Lethbridge Honda

 

Shane Wiebe won all three intermediate classes at the Western Canadian Amateur National.

By Danny Brault
Photos by James Lissimore

It’s going to be a war at the Walton TransCan in the intermediate class this August. And the top warrior from the west has to be the latest Gaerne Bronze Boot recipient, Shane Wiebe, from Abbotsford, BC. Heading into the Western Canadian Amateur National in Raymond, Alberta, last week, Wiebe and Manitoba’s Ryan Millar were the title favourites. After Millar and Wiebe traded the first two wins in the GP and 125 Intermediate classes, it looked as though the two would be dueling all week, but it never happened. Wiebe’s speed and starts on the 450 put him way out front in the GP and 250 classes and he never really made any mistakes other than a tip over in the first 125 race. His consistency earned him eight of the nine intermediate moto wins and the Bronze Boot. We sat down after the awards banquet to find out a little background on Wiebe.

RXC: Shane, congratulations on winning the Bronze Boot!
Shane Wiebe: Thanks a lot.

Other than watching you race with Luke Firth in the intermediate class in Raymond last year, I don’t really know too much about you. How did you get into motocross?
My dad used to ride trails and stuff and one year he bought me a bike for Christmas. I wasn’t too into it, but then one time we went camping and saw a bunch of people riding and then I decided I wanted to ride and I have ever since.

When did you start racing?
I started racing in 2002.

Wow, so you haven’t been at it for too long. What has helped you improve so quickly?
My dad built me a track in the mountains by my house and I used to ride with Kyle Beaton a lot the year I was in junior; that really helped me.

The Temple Hill track is known for how rough and tough it gets through the week, but you don’t seem to struggle too much. Why do you ride so well here?
The tracks I used to ride—my track—gets like this with a lot of off-cambers and stuff and I ride the Mission track, which is sandy, quite a bit.

Wiebe will be on the line at the Walton TransCan.

You raced a few MX2 West nationals last year, what was your best finish?
I never did so well; I fell at every national. My best was a 24th.

How old are you, Shane?
16.

I thought after doing well at Raymond last year, you might turn pro. What made you decide to stay in intermediate?
Shawn McDougall at Fox and Ed [Wagstaff] at Clearbrook Yamaha wanted me to stay in intermediate; they didn’t think I was ready to move to pro after riding for only four years.

I saw you on the line in Morden, too, how did you finish there?
I just tried to stay up [laughs] and I finished 24th; the same as last year.

Well, just finishing that race is an accomplishment.
Oh, yeah.

 Did you race Regina?
Yeah, I was in 15th in one moto and ended up 19th.

What do you think is the biggest difference between racing intermediate and the pro nationals?
There are a lot more riders.

Do you get nervous at all?
I did the Washougal regional for Loretta’s and they were a faster group of riders and that helped me with my nerves at the nationals. I won every moto at the area qualifier, but I crashed at my regional and got a concussion.

Are you coming to Walton this August?
Yep. It will be my first time there.

Do you have goals or expectations for the TransCan?
I would like to try and win it or I would be happy with top three.

Who do you figure will be the main guys you’re up against?
Kyle McGlynn; he’s been pretty fast this year. I think he will be the main guy.

What would you say are your strengths on the bike?
I like jumping and really rough straightaways.

Give a shout out to everyone that’s helping you this year, Shane.
My dad’s helped me out huge, Dan Tosh and Ed at Clearbrook Yamaha, and Shawn McDougall at Fox.