Frid'Eh Update:Presented by Royal Distributing
SEPTEMBER 14, 2007By Danny Brault


Where are we?!? That’s what Ryan Lockhart and I kept asking during our stay in Newfoundland last weekend. We were in town, along with Mitch Cooke and two Cape Bretoners, Daniel and Steve (aka Nick Evennou), for the Brian House Memorial Race on Bell Island. A little background on the event: House was the fastest Newfie two years ago, but he passed away in an unfortunate accident at the River Glade national in Moncton in 2005. In honour of Brian and his family, his friends hold a race each fall on Bell Island to maintain the memories of their fallen friend.

St. John's is home to Signal Point, the reception point of the first transatlantic wireless communication.

photo: Danny Brault

While the race itself was the main reason I traveled to the “Rock,” it was also a chance to explore a new region of Canada—one of the most beautiful, in my opinion. I honestly didn’t have much knowledge of NFLD or what the province is all about, but it wasn’t long before I learned the Newfie ways. First off, Newfies are the friendliest people I’ve ever met. Rod, Greg, Craig, Blair, and the whole crew made sure everyone had warm beds, hot showers, cold beers, and bikes to ride all weekend. I can’t thank them enough for their hospitality and generosity.

Here are a few examples of their kindness: Sunday morning before the first moto, a fellow named Bill brought us fresh cut fries and sausage for breakfast—and me a hot turkey sandwich! (You can’t race without scarfing down fries, gravy and turkey.) Then that night, when Lockhart, Cooke, and I returned from Bell Island, we were starving and Rod’s neighbors brought us over a whole plate of meat, potatoes and veggies—and we didn’t even know them! Where are we?!?

Secondly, I’ve never met people that can give’er so hard. Somehow, the Newfies could bench race into the wee, wee hours of the night (every night) and still be able to get up and give’er full throttle in the morning. Thursday and Friday night, a crowd gathered in the official “Blackfoot East” race shop at Rod Snelgrove’s before heading down to the infamous George Street in St. John’s. I had no idea that St. John’s was known for such a great downtown core—and beautiful women! While I’m sure most of the readers would enjoy the full story, I think it’s best that we end it right here.

(Actually, after viewing the new Shift ad with Broc Hepler and his limo girls, it’s probably considered PG.)

Other than George Street and Rod’s garage, we were treated to all of the sights and sounds of NFLD, including Cape Spear, Signal Point, and of course, Dick’s Fish and Chips on Bell Island. To read the full story, be sure to pick up either the January or March issue of Racer X Canada.

One quick inside joke here: Mitch Cooke thinks we're still in Grade 9!

Lockhart couldn't stop giving credit to the Newfies devotion to motocross. Every race, over 100 racers take the ferry across from St. John's to Bell Island and back. If you think driving over three hours home from a race is annoying, think of waiting in a lineup to catch a ferry for three hours!

Once you dock at Bell Island, you can take your shirt off and grab something to eat at Dick's Fish and Chips, as Lockhart demonstrates.

Mitch Cooke presents our tour guide, Rod Snelgrove, with his trophy for second place in the Vet class.

photos: Danny Brault

Things have been relatively quiet on the Canadian motocross front lately, but with the CMRC making the MX2 series a full nine rounds—not split into East and West—it’s created some noise. The CMRC believes that the MX2 class, which was intended to be a development class, is now just as competitive as MX1; entries, manufacturer support, factory teams, and privateer participation show that it’s time for a true national series, it says in their press release.

This has created quite the debate. Some believe it’s what the MX2 class needs, as a four round series is too short and one DNF, injury or mechanical failure can end a racer’s season quickly. Others disagree, they believe that by running a nine round series from coast-to-coast, it will become much more costly for privateers and up-and-coming pros or intermediates who just can’t afford to travel all over the country. With the original East/ West schedule, it gave racers an opportunity to compete at a national level without breaking the bank.

It’s obviously a huge change to the Canadian Nationals and it wasn’t long before readers started sending in their thoughts.

Should be a good plan. I hope the factories still field two riders for the series and not just one. It will cost more money for sure but the riders will get a lot more experience against hopefully more riders. Sure some won’t be able to run the whole series, but that happens in the MX1 class as well. Can’t wait to see some of those great MX2 riders out west next year. Prediction: Kyle Beaton will be the first Canadian MX2 champion!

Brent Martin


This is Darren Tait from Countryside Motor Sports. This year we had the opportunity to take a young amateur rider, Kyle McGlynn, to all the rounds of the Western national series. The way the new format is setup, having 9 races across Canada, would have made that very difficult to do the whole series. The way I see it the series will be missing out on the excitement of seeing a lot of young up and coming riders trying to make it. There will likely be fewer dealership-oriented teams as well. The end result, I feel, will be less riders trying to qualify for more than just their local national. Less riders would mean less of a show, lets face it: the show is not just about who is winning but all the competition through out the pack. I believe the MX2 classes have progressed so much over the last several years because the lower cost of running the complete east or west series has allowed more riders and teams, with potential, to be involved. Therefore creating a larger competition base for a rider to get the experience to make the step to MX1 in a positive way. The series should stay as it is!

Sincerely,
 Darren Tait

I was chatting with Machine Racing’s John Nelson this week and he seemed into the series change.

“It’s going to be a real championship, but I don’t know how many guys will actively pursue it,” he says. “It will make a difference. I think the 125 series is too short; it’s not really a series.”

I’m not sure where I stand on the nine round MX2 series. I do like the idea of having a longer series—four rounds is awfully short for a “national” series. But considering the amount of privateers and intermediates that make up the starting gate on each coast (I counted around 16 intermediates in Nanaimo), I can’t envision many racers following the entire series. Also, scanning through the MX1 results from this year, less than 10 privateer riders followed the entire series. In fact, only Kyle Keast, Pierce Chamberlain, Julian Cerny, Johnny Montes, Davey Fraser, Howie Spencer, and Josh Snider made it from Ste-Julie to Nanaimo and back to Walton. And I know a few of those riders have said that they probably won’t race the full series again, because it was too expensive and they didn’t get enough return.

Another thing to consider, along with travel expenses, is that the MX1 guys are on big, reliable 450 motorcycles, not high revving 250Fs which require a lot of work to be competitive with the likes of Blackfoot, OTSFF, KTM and Cernic’s. But, hey, it’s something new, something different, so we’ll have to wait and see how it all unfolds.

Kyle Keast's been working hard for a top 10 number these last two years. He finally earned it in `07 and he wasn't shy to replace his #30 just days after Walton.

photo: Allison Kennedy

I asked a few of the factory team managers their thoughts on the nine round MX2 series …

I'm excited about the change to give a better opportunity to capture a win, but on the flip side, I have a lot of consideration and concern of what it will take for all the privateers to follow this complete program with costs.  I was thinking of assisting in transportation by lending our 44 foot Gooseneck for any group of privateers from east and West for MX2; it could hold 5 riders and their equipment.
Suzuki OTSFF’s Andre Laurin

My take: I am 50/50 on MX 2 being a 9 round series instead of east /west. If CMRC is going to invest in Canadian racing and make things bigger and better it needs to be a true championship (9 rounds). This will also ease the financial burden on the teams that compete in the MX1 class ( less parts, riders, bikes, etc..). But this is not the greatest idea for Canadian racers. This will cut the job positions and make it almost impossible for some of the privateer guys (and teams) to compete. 
Monster Energy/ Cernic’s Kawasaki’s Billy Whitley

And here’s a quote from the man with the steel pen, Steve Matthes:

"I think that making the MX2 series is a good one, as long as they let anyone race it. The extra competition will make it better for everyone and make both classes deeper like the AMA series. It doesn't really matter anyways because my guy Beets [Kyle Beaton] is going to run away with it!”

To answer your question on rider eligibility, Steve, CMRC president, Mark Stallybrass, says the rules will not change. No former Canadian National champs or U.S. riders who have earned a top 30 number will be allowed to the race new MX2 series. Sorry, Steve, your buddy Eric Sorby still can’t race a 250F in Canada.

If you have any thoughts on the new MX2 series, please send them in to letters@racerxcanada.com.

It’s been a big week for birthdays in the industry. Here’s a shout out to “The Deputy” Darcy Lange who celebrates his special day today; new national #16 holder, Mitch Cooke, is one year older on, guess what, the 16th! Grand Canyon Jumper, Jolene Van Vugt, starts a new beginning on the 17th and Fruit Booter, Jeff Williams, will no doubt have a couple of drinks on the 20th!

Mitch Cooke turns 24 this Sunday. Happy Birthday, Mitch!

photo: Danny Brault

Allison Kennedy came across this cool video on www.transworldmotocross.com, featuring super fast teenage girl, Ashley Fiolek. The Honda/ Red Bull rider says she would like to try qualifying for a Canadian—and American—national next summer. How’s that for some bench racing ammo!

While Fiolek is on her way up, here is a video of a girl who is quickly moving her way down. Actually, I shouldn’t use the word “quick” since she can barely climb up a set of stairs without assistance from her backup dancers. It’s Britney Spears performance from the MTV Music Awards. Seriously, I’m sure that Larry the Cable Guy could move across the stage with more grace than Britney. It appears that someone filled her butt and shoes with cement.

One show that is fast approaching, which will be more entertaining than watching Britney flop around like a walrus, is the Montreal Supercross on September 29. To get everyone amp’d up for the Big O, we’re posting an online Montreal SX feature each week. AK47 posted an interview with four-time winner, JSR, last week and this week, we posted “Memories from the Montreal Supercross.” We spoke to various members of the industry to get their best (and worst) memories from the thirty-year-old event.

KTM will once again run their Mini-Stars program at Montreal, with 15 kids racing the same track as their heroes on identically prepared KTM 50 SXs and brand new gear. Below are the 15 lucky kids who will be racing in front of 50,000 screaming fans in Montreal:

1. Vincent Perreault, Laval (QC)
2. Alexand re Bilod eau, Chibougam au (QC)
3. Raphael Lemieux, Mascouche (QC)
4. Isaac Fazackerley, Shelburne (ON)
5. Michael Swabey ,Calgary (AB)
6. Eve Brodeur, Laval (QC)
7. Nicolas Persoons, Pont-R ouge (QC)
8. Kieran Doherty, Barrie (ON)
9. Meagan Buchanan, Grand Prairie (AB)
10. Carter Joel Nad krynechny, Grand Prairie (AB)
11. Brad Williams, Windsor (ON)
12. Vincent Ringuette, St-Basile (NB)
13. Jeremy Beauvais,Val-Senneville (QC)
14. Ismael Fortier, Sainte-Claire (QC)
15. Noah James France, Oakville (ON)

Jeremy Medaglia tried out the `08 KTM machines last Friday at Sand Del Lee. By the way he's carving this berm here, I'm guessing he felt pretty comfortable on the orange bikes.

photo courtesy of KTM Canada

 

Montreal will also see the possible return of Morgan Racing, as Chris Morgan is just waiting on bikes before he can commit his LMG.ca Honda Team for the event. Doug DeHaan will be riding a Morgan Honda, but it’s unsure who will join him, if they do race.

Danny Bailey sent us link to some photos he shot at the Gopher Dunes Mud Bog. You can view them at http://www.tillsonburg.com/MudBog/.

Speaking of mud bogs, Mitch Cooke is holding one this Sunday at Pleasant Valley in Brookfield, Nova Scotia. The show starts at 12:30 PM, be there and take in all the thrills and spills of the baddest trucks on the east coast!

We received this press release from Chris Lee. It appears that reality TV is coming to small town of Walton …

The Adrenaline Project is a Canadian reality TV show premiering September 29, 2007 on YTV’s Get Real! block on Saturday nights, along with FOX’s 4Kids TV , on Saturday mornings. The show, similar to Fear Factor, has teenage contestants compete in crazy challenges to advance to the thrilling main event. The show is hosted by former MuchMoreMusic VJ Richard Cazeau, and also features Boomer Phillips.

How does Walton and motocross tie into all of this? Well, Matt Lee taught three teenage girls at Walton and then had them compete against each other. Check out http://www.theadrenalineproject.com/ for more info.

Like we’ve seen too many times before, a track and race was shut down this week. The Lakeshore Dirt Riders Motorcycle Club was preparing for their annual Charity Race this weekend at the Kawartha Downs facility in Peterborough, Ontario, but apparently, the town council axed the event and race due to zoning issues. I’m going to dig a little further into this case, since the town has compromised funds being raised for the Sick Kids Hospital Foundation. Fortunately, LDRMC has found another track for the event at Cochrane’s in Brighton. The track is located just minutes off the big apple exit on the 401, and then south 500m to HWY 2 and turn left. The track is approx. 10 km down Cochrane Road. Visit www.ldrmc.org for more info.

I thought this photo was cool from Alessi Weekly. This is Mike Alessi and Grant Langston at Glen Helen in 2002.

photo courtesy Alessi Weekly

Fast forward to 2007: Alessi is all grown up and chasing down Langston for the Motocross title.

photo courtesy of Alessi Weekly

Grant Langston won his first AMA Motocross title last weekend in Glen Helen after battling through one of the most exciting seasons ever, while Monster Energy’s Ryan Villopoto successfully defended his Motocross Lites title over his New Zealand teammate, Ben Townley. Look for a great battle between Villopoto, Townley and World MX2 champ, Antonio Cairoli at the MXdN next weekend at Budds Creek.

To see how everything went down at Glen Helen—or other rounds of the AMA nationals—just go to www.motocross.com and click on the Racer X Motocross Show.

Also, if you want to know what really went down, read Steve Matthes Obs from GH.

The Des Nations is now just around the corner. I personally cannot wait to go crazy on the sidelines as Team Canada does battle with the world’s best on the Budds Creek track in Maryland. How will JSR, Morgan and Facciotti finish? Let us know by clicking on the Machine Racing Poll to the left.

Our Ebay auction, featuring each rider’s Blackfoot jersey, has been going well. So far, we’ve raised $212. 50 USD from a JSR jersey and an impressive $400 US for Morgan’s. This week, you can bid on Facciotti’s #10 Blackfoot Yamaha jersey and tonight, two final items: a second Blair Morgan jersey and a Facciotti helmet will be added.  Just click here.



Allison Kennedy checked in with Vince Goodeve, who has once again brushed up Team Canada lids. Check them out here.

Team Canada's lids underwent the Vince Goodeve treatment.

photo: Allison Kennedy

 

JTG sent this tale of MXDN inspiration our way as well:

Mike Harnden was in London today and wanted to send along some motivation for Team Canada for the upcoming MXdN.  He sent along this screen capture showing his 5th place finish in the MX1 class in the 1985 MXdN.  "It wasn't any easier back then I tell you," said Harnden.  "In practise I lined up beside a guy with on a factory Cagiva 125.  It was a nice flat grass start and he pulled me on my borrowed 250 all the way to the first corner.  That little 125 sounded like an F1 car."

Somehow, Harnden managed to pull off a fifth place finish for Team Canada on a well used stock bike that had a fresh top end put in it about a month before the race. "I was hungry, we were all hungry back then.  We showed up with nothing and we wanted to win.  We gave her everything we had.  Looking back at what I had to work with, I think I'll lose it if some lame excuse about clutch problems this year." [ed. note: Harnden meant that in the most motivational way possible.]

Also, while you’re scanning the website, check out our Fan of the Week, Bubbles. The talented Atlantic designer continues to come up with cool new RXC wear—and she’s a knockout!

Walton held the third annual Vet National Championships last weekend. The big winner was our very own Rob McCullough, who swept the Vet Master, Plus 35 and Plus 40 classes; Chuck Mesley is the Plus 25 champ; Justin Fraser won 125 Junior; Neil Pearson won Plus 40 B; Colin Irving is the Super Vet title holder; and Tracey Rowan won the Ladies class. For a full list of results, go to www.cmrcracing.com.

That’s all for this week, folks!

Lockhart, Steve (Nick Evennou), and Daniel hold up their Brian House Memorial Awards.