Frid'Eh Update:Presented by Royal Distributing
NOVEMBER 9, 2007
[Using AMA supercross announcer, Terry Boyd’s voice] “Chilliwack, are you ready for Arenacross?!?” Actually, we should say Canada, since there isn’t any other racing going on. And yes, we are ready for arenacross so we have something to talk about.
The Canadian Arenacross Championships, led by Jamie Hellam and Tony Cording of Nex-Trax, kicks off this weekend at Chilliwack Heritage Park in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Ryan Lockhart, Kyle Beaton, Colton Facciotti, Shane Wiebe, Broc Hoyer, Kirk Haws, Ryan Millar, and Kris Foster are just a few of the top guns signed up for this weekend’s opening round. Who will take the win? You can vote to your right on this week’s Machine Racing Poll.
Yamaha Canada, Toyota Canada, Fox Racing Canada, SixSixOne, and many other sponsors and local dealers have offered their support to the series, so look for pros and amateurs alike to walk away with cash prizes, gear, and other cool products. For full info on this weekend’s racing, and the series, just go to www.arenacross.ca.
Even though the series has yet to begin, there is already some trash-talking going on. Lockhart and Johnny Montes, the East Coast flavour of the series, are both saying they’re going to be #1. As they say, when the gate drops, the BS stops!
If you’re in the area, be sure to stop by Chilliwack Heritage Park. AX always offers great racing and lots of rubbing.
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JSR's lid for his European SX races. |
Without trying to get anyone too excited, we might see some arenacross racing in the future here in Ontario. Tillsonburg Indoor Track owner, Dave Chesterman, sent around an email this week saying that’s he currently down in California seeing how they run indoor races. I think he may be just hiding out from these cool temperatures that have hit Ontario! Actually, they are holding indoor races in Tillsonburg—pitbike races that is. The first race is on November 24th. Go here for more info.
While the Loonie continues to rise, the subscription to Racer X Canada/ Racer X Illustrated drops. That’s right, RXC has never been more affordable. Canadian readers can now purchase a one-year subscription for $29.98 USD, which translates to about $28 Canadian! When we started Racer X Canada in 2004, a one-year subscription cost about $38 Canadian. We've also heard that Walmart is selling the magazine at the U.S. cover price.
A one-year subscription includes 12 issues of Racer X Illustrated and 6 issues of Racer X Canada and, if you subscribe or renew now, Racer X will include a FREE 2008 calendar featuring some of Simon Cudby’s best photos from the year! Keep track of all your important dates along with the 2008 race schedule all in one place.
Click here to subscribe or renew today! An excellent Christmas gift idea for under $30.
I caught up with KTM Canada’s race director Andy White this week, and he hasn’t signed (or he says he hasn’t) a second 450 rider yet. He admitted that Jeff Northrop is testing out a KTM 450 as we speak, between his testing role for the factory Kawasaki team, but nothing is confirmed. He did say we might see Michael Sleeter race a few rounds on either a 250 or 450, depending on his schedule, but not the full series. I also asked who White and KTM are bringing in for the World Supercross GP round in Toronto in March, but it doesn’t sound like they will support anyone. Why? Well, Tim Tremblay is racing snocross and won’t have time to train or prepare for Toronto (same with Iain Hayden), Mason Phillips is racing at home in New Zealand and it doesn’t make sense to fly him over for one supercross race, and Eric Nye is tied up testing outdoors setups for the MDK/ KTM Team in the US.
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The 2008 KTM 144 SX |
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Jason Burke spun a few laps at the RXC Shootout on the 2008 KTM 144 SX. For you two-stroke lovers out there, remember, this bike is legal for the MX2 class now. |
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Speaking of KTM, their Marketing Communications Manager, Florian Burguet, brought out the 2008 KTM 144 SX to the RXC Shootout two weeks ago for us to test. I, unfortunately, didn’t have a chance to ride the all-new two-smoker, but pro test rider Jason Burke did and here are his thoughts:
“Yes, I am the Champion of the World!” said Jay after beating Rob McCullough on the KTM 144 SX; Rob rode the CRF250. “I loved that bike. As many witnessed, the motor was great. Not only did it get me the holeshot, it won the race for me. It pulls as hard, if not better than Rob's Honda 250F. You can only imagine a four stroke handling this well; the turning was just unbelievable, on a dime. But I can’t say much for the vibrations. Yes, the bike definitely has a fast motor, but I can't see it being too competitive against the 250Fs because the effort required to go fast is so much greater. I was working my ass off to beat an old fart. Coming off an 80, you are used to a two-stroke so it might be a good option for those riders. It’s personal preference, but those guys have to ride four strokes eventually so why not learn right away.”
I’m actually surprised to hear the compliments on the motor, considering Jay weighs in around 175 lbs. Imagine what the bike could do in the hands of, say, Spencer Knowles, who is racing the 144 this weekend at Chilliwack?
Our editor Jason T. Griffiths shot some video towards the end of the shootout, which includes an introduction to the KTM 144 from Burguet and some riding clips of Burke and McCullough’s “Champion of the World” race.
To check out the 144’s toughest competitors in the MX2/ Lites class, be sure to read the 2008 Racer X Canada 250 Shootout right here. It wasn’t easy picking a winner, as every bike has their strengths. Next week, we’ll post the pros thoughts on the 250 four-strokes.
Happy Birthday to Trever Hall! The Machine Racing Yamaha rider turns the big 1-9 today. How did I know that? Facebook! Oh, thank God for Facebook, where would we be without it? Probably talking to humans rather than typing to them. Did you know that Hall earned his lowest national number yet, 39, this season? Well, he did, thanks to some top five finishes in MX2 East and a ninth overall series finish.
Hall will no doubt enjoy his 19th birthday like most of us do, but tomorrow morning he better be back on the treadmill. I know Trever pretty well; he’s a good kid, a good rider and definitely isn’t afraid to stick a wheel in there. I can remember back in 2003, when he was racing against my younger brother, Corey, and I in the 125 Intermediate class and he cleaned out Corey for second-place in the final corner at Gopher Dunes. The only chink in Hall’s armour is his confidence. He’s told me before that he sometimes struggles with the mental aspect of racing. Well, you and anyone else needing some head help should read this week’s Virtual Trainer.
Last weekend a few Canadians took in the Sheffield Supercross in England. Thanks to Brett Lee, who is helping out John Hellam with the overseas indoor events, we were able to post updates from Sheffield all weekend. JSR led the Canadian charge with a second in the Lites main event behind Tommy Searle. Lockhart actually had an incident with Searle in practice when the Englishman landed down the side of the Newf. Lockhart wasn’t too happy and showed his emotions with the old hand in the air, what the hell are doing gesture. That would be the last Lockhart and Searle got together however, as Newf struggled to keep it on two wheels, finishing 10th in Lites and 9th in the Open main event.
Here’s a cool video of the event: http://video.mpora.com/watch/6hGl5qCmn/
Colton Facciotti put in two good rides, with a fourth in the Lites main after coming back from dead last. This kid has found his heart ... watch out. He then finished third behind Jeff Alessi and Mike Brown in the Open class. Photographer Stefan Paetow was kind enough to follow our Canadian riders and he sent along these interviews with the Canucks—and one with 2005 Montreal SX winner, Jason Thomas.
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Lockhart will also race the Liverpool and London events this season. |
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Stefan Paetow photo |
Ryan Lockhart:
RXC: Is this your first time in England?
Ryan Lockhart: No, it's my second time. I was here before, in 2003.
Have things changed in the last couple of years since you've been here?
Yeah, the tracks have gotten better. Dirt Wurx is doing a good job with the track and the competition is very stiff. All the English guys have stepped it up. The last time I was here it was the Americans and a couple of Canadians who were at the top, but the British guys have stepped it up. It was fun, it was a good weekend and I'm looking forward to Liverpool.
So you plan to do Liverpool and London, or just Liverpool?
Yeah, I plan on doing both.
What are the plans in the future from here on?
I'm racing the Arenacross series back home, it starts next weekend, so this was actually a good warm up because I haven't been riding at home a whole lot, so it's just getting back into the swing of things. After I do the races back home and come back to Liverpool I hope to be 100 percent and have the bike dialed in a little bit better and be ready to go for the podium.
What are your plans for next year?
I don't have anything lined up right now, I don't have a ride for next year, so it's kinda up in the air. I have a winter deal all planned out, but as far as the summer goes, I don't know. I might have to get a job [laughs].
So you enjoyed the weekend?
Yeah, I did. It's a bit far to travel for one night's racing, but hopefully next time we'll be a little bit more prepared.
Doug Dehaan:
RXC: Is this your first time at the Sheffield Supercross?
Doug DeHaan: No, I believe I was here ten years ago, I can barely remember. But this is kind of like a first time.
So, how did things go tonight?
Things tonight were pretty much a disaster, a total train wreck right from the beginning. In the first one I got run over, in the second one I got taken out. I broke the clutch lever off the third time out, and finally I made it through to the LCQ in the Pro Open final and I think I finished mid-pack. It wasn't one of my better nights, and I think I've got to stay away from the 250F for a while. I'll be happy to be on the 450 next weekend.
So what is the plan for next weekend?
Stuttgart in Germany, that's where Meyer Honda is and those guys help me out.
What are your plans for the winter after Stuttgart?
I'm staying over here for now, doing a few races then and head back to Canada in the spring, or head down to the U.S. to get ready for the Canadian Nationals. No U.S. supercrosses for me this year. I'll take a little time off this winter, more so than any other year I've ever done, so I'll take a good break and get ready for the Canadian Nationals.
So have you got something lined up for the Nationals yet?
Uh, no, I'm talking to a couple of teams right now. It takes a while for them to sort things out right now, so I hope we can get something done before December.
Jason Thomas:
RXC: This is definitely not your first time here. What is it? Third time? How did you find tonight?
Jason Thomas: Actually it's my second time. It was good, but I kinda struggled all day. I didn't feel comfortable, it just wasn't coming together. I was not fast in practice and struggled in my qualifier to find a pace. I crashed on the start of the main event and I was way back, and then started to ride really well in the main event. My result wasn't so great; I got fourth. But the upside is that I finally started riding okay. It could have been worse, but it's a good start to the Europe season. I just have to build on it.
Your plans from here on are what? Stuttgart obviously and then what?
Yeah, Stuttgart is next weekend, and after that I'm working on some stuff. I will definitely be at Geneva on December 1st, but I'm working on some of the other races like Barcelona. I'm going to probably do three more at the most, and then I'll spend my time at home trying to get ready for supercross. I raced so much last year that I suffered in the U.S. series. I wasn't prepared, spent too much time in planes and other countries that I didn't put the work in I needed to at home, so I'm going to try and do that and come out swinging at Anaheim next year.
Are you still with Butler Bros Racing next year?
Yep, I'm with them again. I'm real excited, I'm happy there; it's a really good fit for me.
And that's just for supercross?
Yeah, that's for supercross. We're only going to do a few Nationals, and I'm working on a few things, maybe some of the British Championship outdoors, maybe the Australian Supercross Championship. I don't know yet.
That would be good to see you do some of the Nationals in England... They'll be tough.
Yeah, I'm talking about that right now, so... we'll see if that works out. I'm sure it's going to be tough, I don't underestimate them. I just need to find something to make money, and if I can find the right deal to come to England, I'll be there.
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JSR will be on the line at Bercy this weekend. |
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Stefan Paetow photo |
Jean-Sebastien Roy:
RXC: This is not your first time at Sheffield is it?
JSR: The first time was in 03 or `04...
That was with Marco Dube, Ivan Tedesco and those guys, right?
Yes, that's right. Preston was there that time, and the Australian guy, Byrne. I think I got fourth that time. It was quite fun but it was tough to ride both classes to be honest, I was a bit tired for the second moto. I also got a bad start, got banged by a couple of guys, but I'm happy with the podium [second] in the first final. I might be back for one more, maybe Liverpool, and be a little bit more prepared for it. I've been slacking off on training a little bit since the season is over. I've been busy working on the house. But no, the evening was fine, the people are super nice around here and they are clean-racing people, not all that serious about it. We're all here to have a bit of fun. The track was pretty safe, a bit technical but on the safe side. I was surprised by how many pro riders showed up.
That's this weekend over, what are your plans for the near future, for the winter?
I'm flying to France [tomorrow] and will spend the week in France for Bercy, and then I fly back home after that. Then maybe I'll go to Mexico on the last weekend of November, that's not sure yet but pretty much a done deal. Then I fly to Geneva for the race there, then hopefully Dortmund, maybe Liverpool, and if I get any other invitations, I'm open to other races. I'm having fun over here, so...
And the money is good too, considering the exchange rates at the moment.
Yeah, yeah, absolutely. It's a good experience and it's fun too. We're going to the United States this winter to train and the strong Canadian dollar makes things easier for our budget for sure.
What are your plans for the summer?
Probably the same thing as this year, probably the Canadian Nationals, and working a lot closer together with Blackfoot Yamaha, like helping out the other riders and start doing a bit more riding schools, or clinics as I would say, a complete programme for kids. I'll get a bit more busy with that than racing, but I'll try to do the Nationals. That's the plan.
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Facciotti was arguably the fastest rider at Sheffield. Will he win at Chilliwack this weekend? |
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Stefan Paetow photo |
Colton Facciotti:
RXC: How was tonight then?
Colton Facciotti: It was okay, I kind of got some bad starts but I worked my way up the pack and I think I was one of the fastest guys out there, but couldn't really put it all together. I had fun, the track was good, the fans were good, everything was just good.
And compared to some of the previous years that you've been over here?
Dirt Wurx builds the tracks really good, and perhaps the track this year was a bit tougher than years past, and it was a little bit more slippery out there, but it was good.
Are you going back for Liverpool?
Yeah, I'm going back for the next two rounds in Liverpool for John [Hellam]. I've been doing that the last few years, so I'm looking forward to the next two.
And what are your winter plans?
Uh, I'm really not too sure yet. Probably just really the next two races in Liverpool and then some local Arenacrosses, maybe some U.S. stuff, I'm just not sure yet. I'll just keep riding and keep my speed up.
And for the summer, what have you got lined up, if any?
I have another year planned with Blackfoot Yamaha. I'm pretty excited for that, this year went awesome. I'm just looking forward to next year.
Wow, thanks for all of those interviews, Stefan! It definitely helps us out!
As JSR mentioned, he will be in Bercy this weekend. Our art designer Dawn McClintock just passed along the lap times from the second practice:
1 Langston 42.579
2 Reed 42.978
3 Short 44.388
4 Grant 44.998
5 Pourcel 45.680
6 Sorby 45.725
7 Aubin 45.740
8 Mc Grath 45.915
9 Brayton 45.927
10 Renet 46.291
11 Roy 47.052
12 V Horebeek 48.335
Stay tuned to these links for results, lap times and updates from Bercy. Go JSR!
http://www.orion-timing.com/0011/20071108/
http://www.motorcrosslive.com/
And now a few words from Merge Racing’s newest employee, Steve Matthes …
Thanks, Danny, and I know you wanted to keep the "Vegas shirt incident" under wraps but you have made the new Racer X Illustrated Noise section when The Weege got kicked out of the casino because his shirt was ripped open. See Danny, your actions DO affect many people! You can read this now if you sign up for a digital sub at racerxill.com.
Last week, as some of you know from my Observations column right here, I went down and raced the Glen Helen World Vet Championships last weekend. The best part of the weekend was my buddies from the 'Peg coming down and just hanging out with them all weekend. I really didn't care about how I did, just the fact that all of us have been riding and racing together for 20 years is a cool fact. Next time you and your buddies are all sitting around talking about how you almost won the "C" class, take a moment and appreciate the time you have together. Because I don't have that anymore and when it does happen, I sure as hell appreciate it.
I'm not going to get into the race itself, my feelings are expressed in the column, but I did get these emails from actual readers.
Gentlemen;
Steve Matthes must have been at a different race then me. This was my 6th White Bros. World Veterans Race at Glen Helen. I thought overall, it was managed well. They had too many bikes on the track at practice on Friday and on Sunday they over-watered a downhill in Race 1 causing some crashes in the first moto only, but they corrected this thereafter. The track criticism is ridiculous and untrue. There were high Santa Ana winds that constantly dry out the track. When this happens it falls apart. The management did rework the uphills and downhills and constantly watered the track to keep this from happening. They did a great job under the circumstances. The track was rough as usual. That is why I like to race there. It is a real motocross challenge. I am tired of racing on extremely manicured MX tracks like we have here in LA. That is why we drive 29 hours to race there each year. When you go to LL or an AMA Regional, the tracks get rough so you better be ready. There was no cheating I saw, except for Steve Matthes running the C class. He should be ashamed. They try to weed out sandbaggers and do an effective job. This was a record rider entry year and they had an extremely large turnout with guys from all over the world. I did not see many not make it up the hills like Steve said. It was not easy, but 99 percent of all the riders had no problems and made it. I got to race with Canada's Peter De Graaf, who is a great rider in the Pro and the 50 plus expert class. He was not complaining. I raced with Chuck Sun and some European riders in the 50 Expert class, even though the others were faster, I am not a sandbagger, and I find you are only as fast as the people you race with. I had a great time. I also raced at the FIM World Veterans MX in Namur and Donington Park this year. I enjoyed the Glen Helen event just as much, and now due to a FIM rule change with age limits of 55, it is the only World Vet Championship for all of us over 55 left. If Steve Matthes wants to see really rough tracks, go race at Namur or Donington. The MX2 class at both events had over 5 DNF's per race in a gate of 30 riders. If your suspension is stock or not set up right, yes the track will beat you to death, but that is the challenge of Glen Helen and why we come each year. Tell Steve to change to mountain bike racing in Alberta or a shopping mall or something if he needs to whine so much.
This is a great event for Vet riders. It does not deserve to be trashed. Usually there are over 70 Canadian Vet and Women riders at Glen Helen each year, so they must disagree with Steve Matthes.
Glenn C. McGovern
Glenn and I have been exchanging emails over the event, I figured you guys might want to read somebody who thinks I'm all wrong. If you like it when people call me out for sandbagging and being a whiner, I have some more emails for you! I disagree with Glenn, but so what? That’s what makes the world such a great place.
Matthes,
Outstanding Glen Helen Observations. I almost peed myself when you pulled out the Lawrence Hamm, Bill Stork Fargo Arenacross reference. You had the photo of him that brought back flashbacks of the West Fargo Arena—then you actually mentioned it!! That was a long ass time ago. I think the last time I was there was when Donny Schmit was there riding the #9. Must have been 89? Anyway, just so you know, somebody got your Hamm/Stork/Matthes reference.
Jon
Thanks Jon, if you only knew the abuse that "LHR" took at dinner each and every night. He was a good sport about it and laughed along with us as we made fun of his battles with the Storkster. It was in '89 that Schmidt showed up and waxed everyone both nights. I went to about 14 of those arenacrosses; if I close my eyes I can still feel them stinging with the fumes of the non-ventilated arena. Whenever I do something dumb at home (which is a lot) I just tell my wife it’s the lack of brain cells from the Fargo Agri-Dome racing.
As some of you know, I recently got a job! My new gig is with Merge Technologies and I will be working with race teams and dealers across the country promoting MT products. I'm excited about it, for sure, and can't wait to represent Merge as well as keeping you guys up to speed on the racing scene.
Tomorrow I am off to Florida to visit a certain Kawasaki rider wearing O’Neal gear and running #15. I'm going to spend a week there working on his practice bike, writing a story and basically hanging out. He wants to go to a Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game one night so I look forward to explaining once again to him how offside works. Should be fun, I will try to check in with some updates during the week as well. He also promised that he would give me one of those mini-Monster fridges for my Java Monsters but has yet to send it out. I'm sure that will be one of my jobs there, to send out my own gift to myself!
Thanks, Steven. Have fun in Florida and tell Timmy and Evie, again I’m sorry. Tim is a good guy and he is certainly mature. I will be sure to send them some Tim Horton’s Tim Bits and coffee for Christmas.
Thanks again for reading, folks!
