Frid'Eh Update:Presented by Royal Distributing
NOVEMBER 23, 2007By Danny Brault

What is happening to the message boards lately? From Mototalk to MXforum, no one seems to be getting along and it’s leading to guys like Larry Brooks and Steve Bruhn saying to heck with the internet (actually, Bruhn is more active than ever, but has left mototalk). Maybe it’s the lack of racing and news that’s making everyone angry, or maybe we’re just realizing that when you create a forum for anyone to say whatever they want, things are bound to get out of control. Somehow, my name was even thrown into the mix—along with my good buddy Steve Matthes—and I don’t recall doing anything wrong, other than trying to give Canadian motocross fans something to read while we’re singing the winter blues.

At any rate, one meaningful thread is running on MXforum that everyone needs to read and support: Don't Fence Me In. It’s nothing new, we’ve been losing tracks and riding areas ever since the first throttle was blipped, but right now the Burnt River Off-Road Riding Facility is under pressure from their local councilors which could lead to the extinction of their business.

Here’s what Marie Shaw posted:

Dear Citizens of the City of Kawartha Lakes (CoKL);

The times are hard; businesses are closing. There are approximately 16,000 people in CoKL who have to use the area’s food banks. So why are there several councilors trying to close down a viable business which brings income to the area; because of a fencing issue, a fence which in the professional opinion of Director of Planning, Mr. Danziger, is unnecessary as the area involved is inaccessible to motocross bikes and ATV’s.

The area is a sharp escarpment, swamp, and dense bush. The Burnt River Off-Road Facility Ltd is located on 875 acres bordering on Ledgehill Rd. The 470- zoned acres is 400 acres away from three dwellings. The facility operates as per strict noise guidelines set out by the M.O.E. They have been in business for three years with no infractions. They employ 15 people per event. Connie and Robert Greenlaw are community minded people who sponsor charity rides and food drives at the facility. They have two young children and have a 25-year business plan. Burnt River is their home!

Three years ago, when the council at the time passed the zoning they stipulated that a license to operate must be purchased and the guidelines set out must be followed. This license is reviewed yearly. Some of the stipulations are: a) Police clearance letter confirming that Greenlaws and the facility are not involved in any criminal activities.
b) The zoned area must be fenced in order to keep bikers and ATV’s in. In the three years of operation not one complaint has been filed about riders escaping. If the fence is not completed by February 2009 the license to operate will be revoked.

The Greenlaws have tried to follow the fencing demands. 4700 feet along Ledgehill Rd., the only area remotely accessible from unauthorized entry or exit, has been fenced. The cost of the fence to date is $35,000. Approximate cost of remaining fence required by council is $126,000. To do the inaccessible area that council demands, will be impossible financially.

Upon request, council ordered a review of the area which was completed by Director Danziger. At the Nov. 13th council meeting, he advised that no further fencing is required, as the area is inaccessible. But, these same councilors opposed his expert decision! Why? What is their agenda? Do they like wasting taxpayer’s money? Do they want more unemployment by discouraging new business?

There is a similar facility in Councilor Lloyd Robertson’s ward 1(who opposes the Burnt River facility). This facility in ward 1 applied to the CoKL on two separate occasions, 2006 and 2007 for zoning amendments; these zoning amendments were passed without any concerns, nor noise requirements as per M.O.E guidelines or fencing requirements. “Something smells fishy.”

Please help the Greenlaw family keep their business, their livelihood and that of their employees is on the line. Voice your opinion to Mayor Mr. McGee 705-324-9411 or the Greenlaws. Email mxtrack@bellnet.ca or 705-454-1009.

I personally have never ridden at or seen the Burnt River facility, but I know a lot of riders who visit Burnt River regularly and it’s one of the only public riding areas in Kawartha Lakes. If you’re a local rider, or even just want to help keep another track from closing down, please call Kawartha Lakes at the number listed above, or email Mayor Ric McGee at rmcgee@city.kawarthalakes.on.ca. Let them know how important the facility is to riders, the community, and to the Greenlaw family and their employees.

Remember, we’re not gaining any tracks—we’re only losing them so do what you can to help.

We received this entertaining photo through electronic mail. It's Brent "Sureshot" Shury with what looks to be an ancient helmet cam: "We made a documentary at the Saskatoon stadium race in 1984. That was a film camera too!" explains Shury of the photo.

Anyone out there who loves motocross and has some money to invest, listen to what Nathan Wright has to say …

Dear, Racer X Canada;

My Name is Nate and I want to build the largest indoor MX/SX/ATV facility in Canada, in or near the City of Calgary, AB. I have quit my job to pursue the possibility of this dream to its final conclusion.

During the next few months I will be knocking on every door and calling every name I can find to help me better understand the dirt craving Canadians that this project will serve. Once I have determined whether or not this dream has a sustainable market I will begin the process.

Like most things in life, this dirt dream is not going to move an inch without a well researched evaluation of the marketable use of said facility, and an accurate and sexy business proposal! I will be investing a large sum of my own money and everything I can borrow to get this thing off the ground. I have received amazing support from all those I have approached already—but that won't get it done!

Everyone is going to have to play a part if this is going to happen. I will hit up every dirt related dealer, manufacturer, supplier, and supporter for sponsorship or support. This facility is for you, Canada. If you want it, let me know. I will also be traveling all over North America to seek out those who have built similar facilities to add to my understanding of the challenges I will undoubtedly face.

I look forward to updating you on this colossal and epic undertaking!

Nathan Wright
mxnext@hotmail.com

Flawless photog Roddy MacLeod posted a cool link to some of his best photos from the 2007 Bercy Supercross. Check it out here.

I caught up with arenacross/training/roommates Kyle Beaton and Johnny Montes this week for an online edition of 2 Tribes. The two shared some funny info on each other, most of which involves Montes, and, apparently, they are involved in a new movie that is being shot in Cloverdale, BC.

“You remember Supercross: The Movie,” said Montes. “Well, this one is kinda like that, I think it’s going to be called Freestyle. Beaton, Colton [Facciotti], and I are going to be stunt doubles for the actors; we’ll do all of the riding scenes.”

"Oh, no!" was my first response when I heard this news. “We’re not rock stars anymore—we’re movie stars!” added Montes with a laugh. Ryan Lockhart will be joining the film crew as well as an extra, which he seems pissed about. With Montes' new job, he will now be flying first class back to New Brunswick. He is a movie star, afterall.

Lockhart still hasn’t nailed anything down for the 2008 Canadian Nationals. He says that he doesn’t need any money or salary, just some decent performance incentives, and support for either the MX2 or MX1 class.

With the 2008 AMA Supercross Series opener in Anaheim nearing, I asked Beaton if he’s received the official word that he can race in the Supercross Lites class. “I shouldn’t say it’s 100 percent, but Steve [Matthes] says it’s a go,” says Beaton. “But the 2008 sign up sheets just came out. I’m hoping it’s not going to be a problem; it shouldn’t be a problem.”

However, even if Beaton gets the okay, it might not be until Round 2 or 3 of the West Coast series that we see him in action because A1 falls on a round of the Canadian AX series. “We’ll see what the bosses [at Yamaha Canada] say about the situation,” Beaton says. “They’re putting a lot of support into the Canadian Arenacross Series so it’s important to them and Clearbrook Yamaha that I’m racing in Chilliwack.”

Hopefully everything works out and Beaton can finally show what he can do in the AMA series. I believe that his fifth-place and his lap times in Vancouver last year were no fluke.

The Canadian winter has hit us hard, especially throughout Ontario. That means our riding days are numbered, unless you’re an ice racer or snocrosser. Fortunately, there are two options for those of us in Ontario and Quebec. The Tillsonburg Indoor track and Val-Des-Monts Indoor track are ready for riding. Both have been open for some time now, so be sure to check them out.

For info on Tillsonburg, go to www.chesterman.ca. For info on Yan Gendron’s track in Val-Des-Monts, email him at axdm@hotmail.com or call (613) 282-5713. Both are fun and safe riding facilities. Kyle Keast, Johnny Silegren, and I are actually heading to Quebec tomorrow. (I just put that in there since I figured the readers are dying to know what Danny Bro is doing this weekend. In case you're wondering, I’m not sure what Steve Matthes is up to, but I’m guessing it involves Ketchup chips, Cooperalls, a Tim Ferry replica toy, and the DVD World’s Greatest Supercross Races.)

A solid lineup of Canadian amateurs are doing battle at the Mini O’s in Gainesville, FL. The supercross results are in and Team Green’s Dean Wilson has set the bar with a third-place in 125 B Stock and 250 B Mod, along with an eighth in 125 B Mod and fifth in 250 B Stock. Cole Thompson put in some good motos as well, with a 10th in 85 Stock, seventh in Mod and a ninth in Supermini.

Check out www.vurbmoto.com for results, videos and race reports. You will also see Canucks Steve Shore, Kade Walker, John Pauk, Dylan Kaelin, Ricky Beaton, Dan Beaton, and Davey Fraser in the mix. I noticed that Peterborough, Ontario’s Billy Mullen is racing again, this time on a Honda. It’s good to see Mullen back as he went through a back injury a year ago.

Go to www.racerxfilms.com for video recaps from the Mini O's.

Klatt is pumped to be back on a 450.

Allison Kennedy photo

 

Here’s your weekly update on Dusty Klatt. This time, Allison Kennedy checked in with the Monster Energy/ Cernic’s Kawasaki rider after he’s spent some time on his KX450F.

Things have been pretty quiet from the Klatt camp these days so we decided to give Dusty a quick call and see what’s up in California. We caught him on his way back from the Kawasaki test track, to Thanksgiving dinner at Uncle Mike’s.

RXC: Hey, Dusty. Where were you riding?
Dusty Klatt: It was my third day on the Kawi test track. It’s going pretty good.  I’m just slowly making the transition to supercross from riding outdoors. I was riding at Perris and Elsinore before that.

How are you liking the Kawi?
The bike is good. I feel better on it, it feels a bit more like my Honda, and it handles a bit better and feels like it wants to stay on two wheels better anyway [laughs]. I’m pretty pumped and it feels good to be back on a big bike again. It seems to be a pretty solid bike.

When was the last time you rode a Kawi?
Back in ‘02 for Richmond and I did a few arenacrosses on them in ’03 so it’s been a while.

So is it pretty much just you and your mechanic working together or do you see the team?
The shop is super close to where I live, only twenty minutes away so that’s really good. I see my mechanic, Glen, every day, and I see Derek Sorenson quite a bit too. Jeff [Gibson] is coming out next week for our photo shoot and then we are all going to Billy Whitley’s house in Texas for a week. Paul [Carpenter] had a track built there so we are going to camp out and ride there for a bit.

You still have some time, but are you looking forward to Anaheim?
If I’m not looking forward to it, I shouldn’t be down here. [Laughs] I’m feeling pretty good. I’m just trying to get back into supercross. I bought a mountain bike and I’m feeling really good cardio wise.

Canadians always want to know if you’re riding with James at the test track?
Ha, no one can even ride there when James is there. He’s coming in next week so we can’t ride there at all next week. Whenever he’s in town, he gets the track all to himself.

So, overall you’re feeling good on the bike then?
Realistically, I’m starting supercross at the same time I did last year. I just wanted to feel more comfortable with the bike and stuff before I jumped back into it. Just being back on the big bike is so much nicer, I can do the rhythm sections and stuff already and not frigging hold my breath and hold it tapped and hope I make the section. I know I’ve got the power to get over it. We’ve just been testing right now, trying to get stuff all set up to my liking. Should be good, another month and a bit. I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a tough year for sure though. There are going to be no slow guys in the main.

Canada is a long way off but already people up here are building up this big Klatt/Facciotti showdown for the title …
[Laughs] That’s okay. I mean, the funny thing is, people kind of thought I’d be sitting like seventh place when I came back. At least that’s what they were saying anyway, before Walton, that everyone would be kicking my butt. I came there, never been on that Yamaha 450, I had one, which I rode for one week, but to hop on one with 12 more horsepower and a totally different bike, and to still go set the fastest lap time in practice before I crashed … you have to give me a little credit. This time around, I’ll be on a bike that I’m comfortable on, all winter long and all summer. I’m feeling more than confident coming back. I’m ready.

Matthes wrote in his Obs from Red Dog’s that Troy Adams is seeking employment in Canada for the summer. Adams has a supercross-only deal with the Hart and Huntington team, but doesn’t have anything lined up for outdoors. I’ve heard that Morgan Racing has shown interest, and KTM has yet to sign their final MX1 rider, but nothing is set in stone yet.

Congratulations to our U.S. counterparts down south, Racer Productions, on being honoured for their efforts with the GNCC series and ATVA events. Read the full PR here.

The Canadian Nationals must be getting some quality time on the tube in South Africa, as they could be sending us three riders next summer, Selwyn Momberg tells us. Kerim Fitzgerald, who stayed at Momberg’s home in Barrie this summer and rode a Machine Racing Yamaha to eighth overall in the MX2 East this year, is hoping to return to Canada in `08, along with Liam O’Farrell, the current MX1 and MX2 South African champion, and former MX1 champ Richard Van Der Westhuizen.

Riders walk the endurocross course inside Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Bobby Prochnau made it down for the event with the help of RTR Performance.

Cory Graffunder (25) had his first taste of the factory life in Vegas.

photos: Craig Fortune

The final round of the Maxxis Endurocross wrapped up last weekend in Las Vegas at Orleans Arena. After winning the first two rounds, Factory KTM’s David Knight was the favourite heading into Vegas, but it was not to be. On the last lap, Polish KTM rider Taddy Blazusiak passed Knight and went on for the win. Following the checkers, Knighter ghosted his bike in disgust as the loss cost him $50,000. For the full scoop, read Jason Weigandt’s Kawasaki Race Report.

Three Canadians made the trip down to Vegas for the Endurocross. Dustin Eliason, Bobby Prochnau, and Cory Graffunder all represented RTR Performance at the event. Graffunder actually lined up support and a bike from the factory team, after meeting them at a GNCC in Ohio three weeks ago. RTR’s Craig Fortune says that Graffunder rode well, making the night show, but he might have been a little nervous and tight being under the factory rig, which is understandable. With only ten spots on the gate, top riders such as John Dowd, Knighter, Destry Abbott in the mix, and the challenging track, simply making the program was an accomplishment

“It’s pretty wild,” says Graffunder on the course. “It’s hard to ride around the whole thing without falling down [laughs]. Even the big logs, if you ride over them normal, you’ll go over the bars. They just drop off so you have to hit them hard enough to keep on riding. There was this one log double out of corner—it was easy on Friday—but they put a bump in front of it on Saturday. So you had to exit the turn, go over the dirt hump, and pin it to make this log double!”

Look for Graffunder to rebound at the Red Bull Last Man Standing event on December 7-8. He rode to an incredible fourth-place finish at the LMS last year.

If you’re in the Cobourg area tomorrow, and have a racer on your Christmas list, stop by Orange Motorsports for their Christmas Sale event. It begins at 11 and runs until 3.

While surfing the web this week, we came across this Doug Hoover Team Canada jersey on Ebay. We can’t figure out where this piece of Canadian moto-memorbilia came from (although we assume it's from the 1985 MXdN), so if you have any ideas, please shoot us an email at letters@racerxcanada.com.

Our Quebec correspondant, Bruno Menard, is always quick to correct my facts. This week, he noticed that a few Updates ago I was wrong when I wrote that Blair Morgan and Marco Dubé were the only Canadians to race the U.S. Open of Supercross.

''For the first time ever, a Canadian was included in the Rockstar Energy Drink US Open in Las Vegas this October. (Marco Dubé and Blair Morgan both rode the event ... but that was the support class).'' Says Danny B.
 
''Bullshit!” protests Bruno Menard. “Roy was there in 1998-2001?-2002. DeHaan was there in 2001. Lange has been there a few times since 2001.”

Thanks for the correction, Bruno! Now, let's work on your cursing. Remember, you're a team manager now...
 
Women’s racing continues to move forward in Canada. I’m hearing that we may see two more women join factory camps in 2008. Ladies national champ Heidi Cooke is speaking with Monster Energy/ Cernic’s Kawasaki about pitting with them next year during the women’s national rounds, and another former Walton winner may be parked out of a big rig too …

Canadian off-road crusader and organizer of the World Enduro Championships in Parry Sound, Lawrence Hacking, just returned from the Baja 1000. Hacking raced a portion of the race in a pro truck and actually has a story coming out in this week’s Wheels section of the Toronto Star.

Buddy Ford (98) is a winner.

CMRC Quebec’s Buddy Ford had a big win at Troy Lee’s Supermoto Mayhem at The Morongo in Cabazon, California two weeks ago.

“I went last year to the Duel at the Docks Long Beach race and got fifth in the 250 class and eigth in the Vet class aboard a 250F,” says Ford. “This year I went back with one goal: winning. I wasn't sure I could pull it off though; I haven't been training much.  I had one of Doug Dubach's fast 450's.  They gridded me 18th in the heat race (last place) and I qualified fifth which gave me a second row start in the main.  From there, I pulled the holeshot. After leading a few laps, I got passed by the fastest rider and followed him for a few laps.  Every corner I was screaming at him to fall or screw up and it worked; he spun out in the dirt section, which gave me the lead.  I had a freight train in back of me. I was very nervous, but I held on for the win in the Vet class.  Biggest win of my life—even at 46 I still get very excited to win!”

 That’s all for this week, folks. Thanks for reading!