JUNE 10, 2005
Photos and story by Allison Kennedy
Well a week after the mudfest at Mission, the series has rolled
into Nanaimo, BC. While the forecast has consisted largely of the
classic mixed bag weather icon...you know the sun/cloud/rain/lightning
bolt icon that ensures there will be some kind of weather
tomorrow...the island locals are promising a good weekend. Despite a
week of on and off rain in BC, the Wastelands track was actually
slightly dusty by the time amateur day wrapped up Friday. Many of the
riders spent the week in BC, practicing at the Pemberton track north of
Whistler and in Campbell River.
There were a few rumours around the Nanaimo pits, so I took a few
minutes to chase down the answers. First I knocked on the door of the
Swanson Racing Yamaha team. Crew chief Ty Cranmore answered with cell
phone in hand. Cranmore was on the phone trying to track down Josh
Demuth's race bike for the weekend. While the team had originally
planned for Demuth's debut in Calgary, Josh called up Thursday saying
he was ready to lineup in Nanaimo.
The other rumour circulating was that Kawasaki's Darcy Lange would
race the hometown event. Lange was riding in Campbell River on Thursday
and reportedly putting in some impressive lap times. Richmond Racing
team manager Billy Whitley said that after watching the Mission
national from the sidelines, Lange decided he wanted to race.
However, the team collectively decided against it, not wanting to send
Lange out anything but totally ready and deciding against a
last-minute entry. Whitley says we won't see Lange line up at any
Canadian nationals this summer.
After spending some practice time at the Pemberton track this
week, KTM's Jimmy Nelson has decided to ride both the MX1 and MX2
classes this week. Team manager Andy White said Nelson was flying at
the Pemberton track and decided to give the MX1 class a try. The 450
was already in the KTM truck, waiting for Marco Dubé to ride it
next weekend in Calgary. The only downside says White is what to do if
Nelson excels in the MX1 class, the team might be needing another bike
come Calgary. White also said Guy Giroux will ride for the team in
Calgary while Michael Willard will make an appearance in the MX1 class
in Regina.
