Frid'Eh Update:Presented by Royal Distributing
AUGUST 31, 2007

By Danny Brault


I’m feeling a little bored at the moment. I have no bike, no place to ride and no races to go. I imagine it’s what the Maple Leafs must have felt like last spring when they failed to make the playoffs—and just like the Leafs, I’m going golfing this weekend!

My boredom isn’t going to last long, however, as I fly out to Newfoundland next Thursday for the Brian House Memorial race on Bell’s Island; two weeks later is the Motocross des Nations in Budds Creek on September 22-23, which I’m heading down to with good buddy Derek Schuster; and then the following weekend I’m heading to Olympic Stadium to celebrate the 30th birthday of the Montreal Supercross.

There are still six days left to bid on JSR's jersey, but don't worry, there are still a few items left, like this Blair Morgan jersey.

photo: James Lissimore

I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, but I am really, really, really excited for the MXdN; we’re going to have a great team (JSR, Morgan, Facciotti), proper equipment, and awesome support. Remember, there is still plenty of time left to raise financial support for the team by either purchasing your official Team Canada shirt from www.blackfootdirect.com or bidding on cool moto-memorabilia on our Ebay auction. We’ll posting new items every week—right now you can bid on a signed JSR Fox jersey. The bid is up to $209 CDN, but there are still six days left.

Here is all of the banking info you need, if you wish to make donations to Team Canada:


Donations to this years team can be made at any branch of the Bank of Montreal by mail or credit card by phoning 519 794-2434 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday Eastern Time.

BANKING INFORMATION MAILING ADDRESS
Name of Account: Motocross of Nations Fund Motocross of Nations Fund
Bank of Montreal 622794 MotoPark Rd.
899-2nd Ave. East Chatsworth, Ontario, Canada
Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada N0H 1G0
N4K 5P3 Tel. 519 794-2434
Transit Number 00322 info@motoparkracing.com
Account # 1040-134
ABA for U.S. transfers only www.motoparkracing.com
026007760

If you need any info on tickets, directions or further details on the Des Nations at Budds Creek, Maryland, just log on to www.buddscreek.com.

Like pretty much every year, Team USA is the favourite for the win, but it is a team event and anything can happen. In the current issue of Racer X Illustrated, Davey Coombs wrote a feature, Invasion of the Trophy Snatchers, which focuses on the contenders for the Peter (not Pierce) Chamberlain trophy and opinions from journalists and professional bench racers from around the globe. With names like Townley, Coppins, Cairoli, Philipaerts, Reed, Ramon, Pourcel, Langston, Rattray, Mackenzie, Searle, and of course, Carmichael, Villopoto, and Ferry in the mix, we’re guaranteed a great race--no matter who wins.

While DC fails to mention the Canuck squad (I don’t think we even had our team picked by the time the issue went to print), considering our results from `04 when JSR, Morgan, and Klatt flew over to Holland with good equipment and the support of the Blackfoot team—just like this year—we should be contenders for a top five overall finish. Also, in `04, while most racers had moved to 450 four-strokes, JSR and Morgan were still rockin’ out 250 two-strokers, but that didn’t stop them and Klatt from coming home with Canada’s best ever finish, an eighth overall. At Budds Creek, the entire Canadian team will pilot competitive Blackfoot Yamaha four-strokes (Colton on the 250F), and this time it will be the Euros flying into the race with their luggage full of parts and gear and jetlag. Not to put pressure on the riders or team, but if Canada makes it mark at the “Olympics of MX” this is our year to do it.

Michael Willard finished 15-19 for 18th overall in the Lites class at Steel City.

photo: Dan Stenning

Facciotti says he’s been riding a 250F all summer long to keep up his aggressiveness on the big 450, and he’s headed to Whispering Pines Raceway in Kamloops, BC this weekend for the Motovan.com Provincial for additional time on the bike. So if you’re in the area, be sure to stop by and wish good luck to one of our troops. Here are a few more details on the event:

2007 Motovan.com BC’s Provincial Championships in Kamloops

Friday August 31, 2007
Sign up 6:00-8:00 pm
Saturday Sept 1, 2007
Morning Sign-in
Practice and Motos
Pit bike race last moto on Saturday, trophies to third and no entry fee!

Saturday night Rock and Roll band playing (weather permitting) no
charge admission!

Sunday Sept 2, 2007

“IRONMAN RACE” last moto on Sunday, $20.00 entry, one 40-minute Moto 100 percent payback and trophies to third. Large wheel bikes only (must qualify to ride MX2 or larger)

Final Motos followed by Trophies and Prizes.

Please visit website for more information: www.gkma.ca

If you’re in Southwestern Ontario this weekend and are looking to race, stop by the beautiful Auburn Hills track in Auburn on Sunday for Tom Bitz’s annual long weekend event. Bitzy has some additional heavy equipment on hand this weekend, so look for “The best track in Canada” to be even better. Info and directions can be found on www.cmrcracing.com.

If you’re in Eastern Ontario, you must attend the annual John Parker Memorial two-day event at Sand Del Lee. Unfortunately, I haven’t made it out in two years now, but the JP Memorial is always a good time; the track is now of one of the best in Canada and MX101 always hands out special awards and prizes at this event. Go to www.mx101.ca for more info.

One of SDL’s students, Tyler Medaglia, made the eight-hour drive down to Steel City, PA, last weekend for the third last round of Toyota AMA Motocross Championships. Initially, I figured Medglia would be racing his RM-Z250, like he did at Southwick and Red Bud, but no; I spoke with him on Friday, and he said he was competing on his 450. With the way he’s been riding the big bike at the Canadian Nationals, its no wonder he chose to race the Motocross class. So how did things go? Not too bad, he went 23-19 for 24th overall. We caught up with TM for this week’s Five Minutes with …

The OTSFF Suzuki rider wasn’t the only Canadian on the line in SC: his female teammate, Jolene Van Vugt, and Women’s champ, Heidi Cooke, were signed up for the final round of the WMA series. Van Vugt and Cooke were arguably the fastest women in Canada in `07, with Cooke taking the Women’s National championship and Van Vugt winning her first Walton TransCan title after a drag out battle with Missy Hackett. Cooke was the top Canadian finisher at SC, going 5-11 for eighth overall and Van Vugt finished 8-13 for 11th overall. The two were also featured in this WMA Photo Report on www.racerxill.com.

After reading interviews, race reports, and forum gossip, I must admit I’m impressed with the trio of young guns, Trey Canard, Nico Izzi, and Austin Stroupe. These three have put in amazing races in their first pro nationals, especially Stroupe who holeshot the first Lites moto at SC, cleaning out his Pro Circuit Kawasaki teammates, Villopoto and Townley, in the process. I don’t think it’s impressive that he knocked down those riders, but I do like how these kids aren’t afraid to go for it. Imagine if everyone on the starting gate rode like these kids?

Seeing these kids’ results, I couldn’t help but draw the comparison to our amateurs up north. Jeremy Medaglia, Kyle McGlynn, and Shane Wiebe have also made quite the impact on the pro scene as intermediates. Why are the kids getting faster and faster every year? If you know, please tell us at letters@racerxcanada.com.

Is it because they’re skipping school to ride/ race? Is it because the bikes are easier to ride? Is it because the veterans are getting too comfortable?

For a full—and very entertaining—report from SC, please read Jason Weigandt’s Obs from Steel City. He filled in for Steve Matthes who was busy at a Parts Unlimited something or other.

Since the TransCan started just when DeHaan was beginning his pro career, he never had an opportunity to claim a title. After turning 30 this year, DeHaan entered the Vet Master class and brought home his first #1 plate from Walton.

photo: Dan Stenning

One Canadian who wasn’t at SC—or Millville—was Doug DeHaan. After three years with the BTO Sports/ Butler Brothers Honda Team, DeHaan and the team had some “differences” in the last half of the MX season and the team told Doug to stay home for the Millville round. So Doug did just that; he raced the Walton TransCan for the first time, winning the Vet Master championship, and then he joined Chris Morgan’s LMG Honda Team at the final Canadian National in Walton, where he finished DNF-11. (He had some fuel issues in the first moto.) DeHaan says he had a great time with the Butler Brothers team, but now it’s time to move on. He’s planning to make his annual trip over to Europe and Germany for SX this winter and then we’ll probably see him on the national tour next year. It’s not certain who he will ride for, but he will be racing for Morgan’s Honda team at the Montreal SX.

DeHaan will race the final two rounds of the AMA nationals, Texas and Glen Helen.

Have you seen the 2008 KTM XC-W models yet? You can, right here.  

Speaking of KTM, any kids interested in signing up for the KTM Mini-Stars race at the Montreal Supercross can sign up now, just download this pdf and follow the directions for being part of the biggest race in Canada.

Bruce Prochnavy sent along this update to Allison Kennedy:

Hello,

So I’m am back and Married!!! I flew down to Cali, got married on Aug 11 and then went to Mexico for a week which was very fun and relaxing.

After the honeymoon we flew back and I was able to ride for a little bit on Thursday only and then raced on Sunday in Alix, which is Round 7 of the Alberta Provincial Series.

Matt, Christi and I left 5am Sunday morning to head to the race. It rained all the way to the track that made it tempting to turn around but who really wants to miss a race? About 15 minutes from the track the rain stopped and the track was mint in practice. The weather was a little cold and I tensed up a bit.

In the first moto, off the start, I had a bad jump on the gate and I believe I was sitting about two inches too far back on my seat but I had a really good power feed. Down the start straight I passed the person next to me and still ended up with a bad start around 13th. It started raining lightly and the track was really smooth with one good line around the whole track. I immediately started to attack, knowing that it was going to be hard to pass once everyone got settled. Around the half way mark, I was 8th and catching 7th, when I started to get a little arm pump. I came around a corner and spun sideways almost falling and got passed by two people. I battled a little trying to work my way back up and then on the last lap I went off the track into the trees a little and got passed by a whack of people and I believe I ended in 13th.

After the first moto they ended up canceling all the 2nd motos from the rain.

Now I’m home a hopefully it doesn’t rain that much this week so that I can ride.

Bruce Prochnavy

Bruce Prochnavy and his wife, Christi.

Congrats, Bruce! Any girl who will put up with the lifestyle of a motocrosser--for life--is definitely something special! 

Steve Matthes only wishes he could have been this guy’s man friend:

It’s hard to believe, but Racer X Canada reached its third anniversary this summer. We’ve now had 19 covers and a Canadian has graced every single one. We’re proud of our success so far, but we’re still striving to make each issue better than the last. But our devotion to Canadian motocross doesn’t end with the written word; our editor and founder of RXC, Jason T. Griffiths’ tells the whole story right here—http://www.racerxcanada.com/totaldevotionstory/

I may lose some respect from readers if they found this out, but I wear Crocs. That’s right, I succumbed to the goofiest looking footwear back at Morden—only because they’re really comfortable. When I made the purchase, I accepted the fact that I would take some criticism and my sexuality would be challenged, but that’s okay, I can take it. After all, have you seen the latest dress code at the motocross races? Every time I’m at the track, I think I’m in the next 50-Cent video.

So, here’s the latest teasing I’ve taken from our production manager Christa McCall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ6qdxN883w

 That’s all for this week. Everyone have a safe and fun Labour Day weekend

Chuck Mesley and Ryan Gauld eye up "The Moaner's" footwear.

I miss the motocross races ...

... a lot!!