Five Minutes with … Brett Lee
APRIL 2, 2008

CMRC's race director (work horse) Brett Lee enjoyed being a normal fan during supercross weekend in Toronto. This week, however, it's back to business as they prepare for the CMRC practice this Sunday at Gopher Dunes.

photo: James Lissimore

By Danny Brault

Some pretty big news went down last Thursday at the Renassiance Hotel attached to the Rogers Centre. A press conference was held by the Motorcycle Confederation of Canada (MCC) which outlined their plans, along with several sanctioning bodies and promoters, to organize motorcycling in Canada, gain international recognition, and protect our motorcycle rights in Canada. We caught up with CMRC’s Brett Lee to explain this new deal, and what it means for us dirt bikers.


RXC: To make things simple, what actually happened last Thursday, Brett?
Brett Lee: A press conference was held by the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada (MCC), announcing the formation of a common group of industry leaders and players that will work together as one. Not since the beginning of the 80’s have all disciplines of motorcycle competition been represented by one organization. This was a big move for the industry.

I agree. What is the MCC?
MCC is a not-for-profit National Advocacy Organization. They represent the common interests of the motorcycling community throughout Canada. They are not a sanctioning body but they do embody all aspects of the motorcycling industry.

What does this mean for Canadian motocross?
To make things clear, CMRC will be carrying on business as usual with all regional and national motocross events. CMRC and all of the various sanctioned disciplines will be included within MCC’s structure. The benefit MCC could provide to the sport of motocross, for example, could include government relation issues such as land-use, which is becoming a bigger problem in communities across the country. In regards to the potential association with the FIM, CMRC’s intentions are to properly fund and manage a Motocross of Nations effort, as well as take a team to the World Junior Cup. The WJC is a program we would like to develop through the amateur nationals that are already in place. An immediate benefit to CMRC Pros (if and when FIM affiliation is in place) is their CMRC license would be all they would need to get an FIM or AMA license.

Does the CMRC or every sanctioning body under the MCC now have FIM affiliation? Or is that the ultimate goal?
The sanctioning body or promotional partner that is the national representative under the MCC would represent their respective discipline at the FIM level. As an example, for motocross it would be Mark Stallybrass (CMRC), roadracing Colin Fraser (PMP), and Enduros Lawrence Hacking (WEC). FIM affiliation is one of the goals—not the ultimate goal. The ultimate goal is to have the entire motorcycle industry and all sanctioning organizations, clubs, and riders represented by one common association. This goal is very close to being achieved. This working structure will be a first for Canada.

If the FIM accepts this proposal, what does this mean for our MXdN effort?
It will mean the CMRC will have a lot of work ahead of them! And we’re looking forward to that. We have been involved with the industry, riders, teams and sponsors every weekend for over fifteen years so it would only seem natural that we would participate and put out our best effort to take our riders to the world’s largest stage. I can see participation from not only CMRC’s head office but its riders, clubs and promoters from coast to coast too … the entire Canadian motocross community. The level of excitement surrounding this would be at its highest level.

 Anything exciting to report on the national series? Changes?                
You know, it has been very quiet, but I think the big change happened in the fall when we changed the format of the MX2 series. Until the last checkered flag falls at Walton, it will be pure speculation as to whether it was a success, failure or somewhere in between. I can say I am very surprised at the number of MX2 riders planning on doing the entire series. Of course, Edmonton as a new National has everyone talking as well. They are committed to making it into a great event, and it can be done.  So I am looking forward to that. For the most part it is pretty much the same, however, we are trying to improve on the year before.

What’s your take on the Toronto SX?
Rutted! Man, I had flash backs to when Mark [Stallybrass] and Pierre [Corbeil] tried to run the Toronto Supercross race there. It was early May, and the dirt was so soft, and contaminated with rocks and crap. That was a stressful event, and I was feeling for the Dirt Wurx team on Saturday. As for the event, I had a lot of fun.  I enjoyed myself at the Moose with you guys on Friday. Being able to just watch a motocross race with no responsibilities and enjoy the racing is a great night for me. Watching the best pro riders, whether they have a crappy track or not, is something that I respect.

Which Canadian impressed you the most?
To me, with the way the race was so tough, nobody jumped right out at me right away. I thought all the guys in their own rights were impressive. Davey Fraser looked great for having such little experience. I thought Kyle Beaton was fast enough to win, and Keaster showed he is in shape and still gets lame starts.  [Tyler] Medaglia and [Brady] Sheren looked very fast also, and you can really see that they have improved their supercross skills by riding the series and training down south. Those two will be tough to beat at Montreal this year in the Canadian MX2 main. Dusty [Klatt], for that matter,looked like he does have the skills, but he is just missing the aggression, and it has resulted in him not being as technically sound as I have seen him in the past. It has to be frustrating, because there are such small things that separate everyone. I just want to see him be aggressive and confident again. I want to see him scrub every jump, including the whoops, like he did in 2006!

Do you believe it's beneficial if a Canadian rider does well in Toronto? Can it open doors?
It doesn't hurt, but no I don't think it plays too much of a role in securing a ride. Toronto SX is late in the season, so there aren’t a lot of  “doors” to be opened. Most teams are already set. If [Simon] Homans and Beaton are without rides after winning Canadian Nationals, one good night at Toronto Supercross is not going to change a team’s roster. I don't think Canadian riders should have to go there for any other reason other than to compete on a great stage with some great riders.

Thanks, Brett.
No problem.