JUNE 7, 2005
By: Danny Brault
Photos: Jolene Van Vugt
Ryan McLellan has shown signs of speed this year, such as his win in the second Youth moto at the Auburn provincial. He finished ahead of Jason Burke, Kyle Snelgrove, Kyle Thompson, Trever Hall and Johnny Silegren.
Ryan McLellan didn’t start racing the competitive CMRC races until just a few years ago, but that hasn’t stunted his growth. The 19-year-old Mount Bridges native won the GP Beginner class at Walton in 2000, finished second in the 250 Intermediate provincial series in 2003 and placed top 20 in the 125 pro class at Walton last year. For 2005, however, McLellan has been struggling with support and each weekend he’s had to borrow a bike from friends. But thanks to Racer X
Ryan, I see you finally got a bike and some support.
Yeah I got one for the rest of the provincials and if things go well, I think they will help me out for the east nationals too.
Tell us about the deal you received and how did it come about?
It was through Brett Dailey, he was talking to Pat Cyr from Kemptville Motorsports (KMS) and Pat came down, gave me a shout and said he’d hook me up with a bike to ride for the provincials.
You did well at the Wheatley provincial last weekend.
Yeah the first moto I got a third, then I hurt my hand. So I got off to good start in the second moto, but landed hard off a jump and hurt my wrist. I think I ended up seventh.
Do you like the Wheatley track?
Wheatley’s a pretty cool track, but I like Walton a lot, for sure.
Who has been helping you before KMS came along?
John Rownie from Xtreme Toys has been helping me out for awhile; he’s always been there. Then a bunch of my friends have been lending me bikes and stuff. Last year Inglis Cycle helped me out but that fell through this year.
What are your goals for the remaining provincials and 125 East nationals?
For the provincials to get as many top fives as I can, and for the nationals top ten.
Did you race the eastern nationals last year?
No, I didn’t have enough money to get out there. I did RJ’s and blew my bike up there, and then Walton. I did all right at Walton, I had a 17th in the 125 class.
You didn’t really come on to the scene until 2003 when you raced the intermediate classes. Where did you race before that?
Yeah I never really raced too much CMRC, I raced TVR [Thamesford Valley Racing]. Then I got racing CMRC in junior and moved up to intermediate.
Do your parents make it out to many races?
No my dad’s sick and my mom works at home—she’s a hairdresser and she can never make it out to the races. I usually go with the Gysbers’ family to the races.
Are you working right now?
I did have a full-time job, but I quit. Well I didn’t quit but I’m just working part-time.
Well Ryan, good luck with KMS, the provincials and the east nationals this year.
Thanks, talk to you later.
