Frid'Eh Update:Presented by Royal Distributing
MAY 2, 2008
In last week’s Frid’Eh Update, I wrote down a list of teams and players that I knew were following the Monster Energy CMRC Motocross Nationals. Obviously, I didn’t know every single rider contesting the series, so I asked for readers to send in an email and let me know who else to watch for. Well, Rick Bradshaw, GM of Schrader’s Yamaha, sent an email confirming that 15-year-old Shawn Maffenbeier is racing the MX2 class, and Ladies national number 6 plate holder, Denaye Giroux, are competing in the Suzuki Canada Women’s National Series.

Swift Current’s Maffenbeier currently leads all three pro classes in the Saskatchewan series, and, last year, he scored three top-20 finishes in the MX2West series. Not bad for a rider that doesn’t have the most riding opportunities living in the endless plains of SK. I wonder if his favourite song is “Hundredth Meriden” by The Hip….

Giroux, meanwhile, is quickly becoming one of Canada’s top female racers. Denaye and her sister, Amber, both earned top-10 numbers, and will both be racing the five-round women’s series. Denaye currently leads the SK Ladies series. Amber lives in Red Deer, and finished third overall behind Karly Pozdnekoff and Jessica Foster at the opening AB race in Raymond.

Speaking of Foster and Alberta, the fast fem shot us a few photos from the Temple Hill race:

Parker Allison and his twin brother, Jared, were on the gas. Both will be following the MX2 national series this year.

Pete DeGraaf won Vet Master and Plus 40, and finished fifth overall in MX1 pro.

Roberts Salewich rode 250 Intermediate/GP Pro am. My boy! Fourth in the first 250 Intermediate moto, and seventh in the first GP Pro AM.

photo: Jessica Foster

I also failed to mention Team PerformX in my national player’s list as well. Todd Schumlick and Warren Barrow have spearheaded this new team that is focusing on the development of Grand Prairie’s Kyle McGlynn. KTM Canada and Countryside Motorsports have once again helped out McGlynn with bikes, and he will retain all of his previous sponsors from last year. Edge Agency’s Ted Morrissy has stepped up too, and is taking care of flights for most of the national rounds for McGlynn. Like a lot of racers, McGlynn has talent and speed, but never really had a solid program. From speaking with him, however, it sounds like he really took advantage of his time down in SoCal with Schumlick.

“With Todd, every single day was planned and structured,” says McGlynn. “We knew exactly what we were doing, day in, day out, and we were never slacking off; we weren’t flying by the seat of our pants, like a lot of people do down there. We didn’t ride or train every single, but we were focused on what we were doing and we didn’t even just ride around because it was fun; we based it on what was the best training.”

This got me thinking about something Tim Ferry told Steve Matthes once, that young riders need to figure out a consistent program, and if they don’t know how to train, eat, or take care of themselves, then hire someone who does. So kudos to McGlynn for building on his “program,” we can’t wait to see him race in Ste-Julie.

The journeyman, Doug DeHaan, is back in Canada and I caught up with him for a 5 mins with here. DeHaan has raced pretty much every weekend for what feels like forever, but he says it’s only been three years. After tying the knot with his Austrian sweetheart, Claudia, DeHaan flew back home to London, Ontario last Wednesday. This summer, Andy White and Lockhart’s Odyssey is helping out DeHaan with a KTM 450 SX-F for a few nationals and provincials.

“I came over and was looking around and I had been talking to the Morgan guys” says DeHaan. “I was trying to find a bike for three months. I was talking to Andy [White] back in the winter about racing the nationals, but I never took that deal because, at that time, I didn’t want to race the nationals. Then I called him back and let him know I wanted to hit up whatever races I can, in the area and some nationals, and he pulled through for me. That was awesome. He said it was no problem and said he would send me out a bike. I’m pretty happy about the whole deal.”

 It’s going to be a fairly laidback for Big D. Right now he’s working with Cole Varty, an 85cc rider from Alberta, and he plans to fly back to Austria in August, because that’s when Claudia is due with “Little Dee!” Congrats, guys!

I had heard rumours that Morgan Racing was returning to the scene this summer. I know Chuck Mesley was in talks with Chris Morgan, but nothing ever came of it, and South African Kerim Fitzgerald has been riding a Honda for Morgan’s Powerhouse of Milton dealership. “The only Nationals we might do are the ones in Ontario,” says Rick Rundberg. “As for Kerim, he is riding for the shop Team Honda Powerhouse of Milton. We are moving into the new building right now so we can’t even think about racing. We are also helping out Cassandra Green as well right now.”

Speaking of “The Mez” he finally secured a ride for the summer: his 2007 CRF450. With budgets being cut, Mesley was left without much support for 2008. So, his faithful supporter, John Nelson of Machine Racing, is loaning him his race bike from last year. It may not be the most competitive machine on the line, but knowing Mesley, he’ll find a way to make it work.

I feel bad for not giving enough press to Team Green’s Dean Wilson, who has been killing it in the B classes at the Oak Hill and Las Vegas amateur nationals, so I rang him up to see what’s up. Wilson’s success is somewhat surprising, considering he dislocated his hip only two months ago. I think that would hurt a lot and wouldn’t heal over night. Wilson had actually just returned from a Loretta Lynn’s area qualifier in Texas. Why so far from his SoCal home?

“That’s the Area [qualifier] for the Regional in Colorado, and there is an Area in Colorado in a few weeks but I’m getting my tonsils out,” says Wilson.

Following Wilson’s most recent results in Vegas, where he won two championships, the forums started a debate over whether or not the Alberta transplant could win a Canadian national.

“I don’t know,” says Wilson on winning a national. “You see a lot of fast guys from down here, get beaten, because it’s their [Canadians] home turf. I feel I have the speed to win, but I don’t know how I’d do at a Canadian national. The only way to find out is go up and race. It would be pretty cool to race Walton, but I’m not sure if it’s in the plans. I would like to go up and see my friends—and get some good old Tim Horton’s though!”

As DC wrote in a feature on Wilson two years, you can take the kid out of Canada, but you can’t take the Canada out of the kid! Stayed tuned for an interview with Wilson on racerxcanada.com shortly.

The opening round of the Royal Distributing CMRC Ontario Provincial Championships Presented by Motovan (try saying that three times over!) kicks off at the rough and tough Gopher Dunes track this weekend. Amateurs and pros alike will be out in full force. I can’t wait to watch the gate drop for the MX1 and MX2 pro classes; Keast, Chamberlain, Sheren, Hall, Gauld, DeHaan, Burke, Silegren, the Medaglia and Snelgrove brothers, Liam O’Farrell, Hamm, Burr, Clark, Chater, and Stephens will be in the mix. It’s like a prequel to the national series!

I don’t plan on signing up for the pro classes, so it will now be anyone’s race. I haven’t been riding much and don’t need any “It’s not my faults” to start the year off. However, I am excited to enter my first Plus 25 race, even though it’s basically a pro class, too, with Gauldy, Mesley, Clark, and Lord knows who else!

For complete details on the two-day event, visit cmrcracing.com or gopherdunes.com. I’m sure Barb Schuster has had the information up since Christmas.

Now a word from RXC’s Dan Stenning ducked out of work early yesterday to catch the Suzuki/OTSFF/Rockstar Team testing motors and doing their photo shoot at the Dunes….

There’s something about a freshly painted rig, bikes with all new graphics, trick parts, and eager riders on a perfectly groomed sand track that gets a guy (or girl) excited about the upcoming Monster Energy Motocross Nationals. Gopher Dunes was the site of this year’s OTSFF team photo shoot, and team owner Andre Laurin had all the team members fly in and had the OTSFF Rockstar Suzuki rig roll out for the shoot. 

Riding for the team are Ladies racer Missy Hackett (3), the Mad Dog brothers, Jeremy and Tyler Medaglia (34 and 13 respectively), RXC’s first digi-coverboy, Brady Sheren (32) and Dubai’s own, Mitch Cooke (16).  The whole team was relaxed and having fun with each other while they posed for the cameras off the bikes, but you knew they were having a lot more fun on them.  Frank Schuster was gracious enough to open the track for the shoot even though the track is prepped for this weekend’s CMRC Provincial ANQ. 

Mitch Cooke shows off his new Suzuki OTSFF RM-Z450. Did you know that 16 is lowest national number that Cooke's ever earned? Surprising, eh?

Nope, that's not the new cast for the Mickey Mouse club, that's your Suzuki/OTSFF/Rockstar Energy Drink rider lineup: Cooke, Jeremy Medaglia, Missy Hackett, Sheren, and Tyler Medaglia.

The blood and sweat of Team OTSFF

Derek Schuster's bunkmate, Bryan Bonney, released his "pet" on the OTSFF riders. Missy Hackett seemed pretty comfortable handling the slithery beast, while TM may need to replace his drawers!

The riders were asked to stay off the majority of the track, but asking a motocross rider to not ride around a track like that, and in that condition, is like asking Bigwave Billy not to take a picture of that girl's bum or asking Danny Brault not to … not to … well, there’s too many things that you can ask Danny Brault not to do.

Speaking of Frank Schuster, he came up with a great idea to reward the mechanics of these teams for their efforts with some Snap On swag.  At this year’s Gopher national the winning mechanics from the MX1 and MX2 classes will receive a brand new Snap On toolbox courtesy of Snap On Canada and Gopher Dunes.  So, mechanics, get those bikes running tip-top, fill those tanks up full and get your riders motivated, because if they win, you win. 

Back to the riders; all the riders looked good out on the track.  Brady and Tyler’s time in the U.S. racing the Monster Energy SX series has kept them on their game coming into the season.  Jeremy has also been in the U.S. but has been focusing on outdoor riding at practice facilities.  Nonetheless, he looks ready to go to battle.  Missy was on the gas as well, but the most impressive to me was Mitch Cooke.  While blasting through the photo shoot corner he was so smooth through it.  He was steady on the gas and blazing fast.  You can tell he has been riding the dunes of Dubai over the winter.

 The OTSFF squad is looking good for the 2008 series and I’m getting more and more excited the closer the first round gets.  Are you ready for Monster Energy Motocross?  One last note: Tyler Medaglia is afraid of snakes.  So is his mechanic Steve Sims.  And I think Cooke’s mechanic Stu may have a little fear of Jade, Bones’ pet Boa Constrictor, as well.  You know who isn’t afraid of snakes?  Mitch or Missy.  That’s it from me.  Back to Danny B!

See, Dan, that wasn’t too hard, was it? Great job, and thanks a lot for the flawless photos!

We received this note on Rawdon, Quebec’s Kade Walker’s progress down south, from his father, David:

“Just thought I'd update you on some of Kade's latest results. This is an article that was in the Tallahassee newspaper at the beginning of the week. It does not tell the whole story, of course. Kade placed first in the 65cc 10-11 Stock, first in the 65cc Open, first in the 85cc 10-11 Stock and fourth in the 85cc 10-11 Mod class. This week he is training with Les Smith at RC's place in Cairo, GA. Next races are Action Town, VA for the NE Area LL Qualifier, Crow Canyon, OH for the Mid-East area qualifier and Pleasure Valley, PA for the NE regional qualifier.”

Whether you love him, or hate him, you have to give Steve Matthes credit for the stellar job he’s been doing on his weekly Shift Racing Canada Podcasts. He’s had everyone from Chad Reed to PU’s Rob Buydos to Davey Doombs on his “little Racer X thing” and somehow his guests are relaxed enough to open up about some interesting events, topics, and stories. This week, Matthes welcomed Motocross legend-turned monster truck driver, Damon Bradshaw, onto the show. Take a listen here.

Ryan Gauld enjoyed it!

Hey, Matthes,
 
Just finished listening to the podcast with Damon Bradshaw. Fricken’ awesome stuff! That guy was my hero, for sure. His style in racing and attitude was the best to ever lay a leg over a bike. That guy is so straightforward; I could listen to him till he ran out of breath! It is so funny that he still hates “Chicken” Matiasevich [laughs]. That kind of hatred just is not in racing anymore. I think it needs it for sure. Bring Damon Back—he would be a great trainer. Although he would make kids today cry most likely [laughs]. ‘Mommy Damon yelled at me and called me a pussy! It would be funny.
 
Great podcast!
 
Gauldy
 
Thanks, Gauldy, for taking the time to write in; I'm sure you're really busy doing … stuff. I agree, I could go on and on with guys like Damon. The thing is I heard and read that most people only want to/have the time to listen for 30 minutes or so, so I try to keep them short. Damon was cool, though, he was just like he was when he raced: calling it like he sees it! This was my favorite one so far. Maybe the first Reed one and Bradshaw are tied?

Matthes

Don’t forget to relive all of the excitement of Seattle by reading Matthes’ Observations.

Supercross on TV:

A recap from the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series is on CBS tomorrow @ noon EST, and Lites action from Seattle is on Speed @ 9 PM EST.

Supercross action from the final round in Las Vegas blasts off the gate @ 6 PM EST on Sunday.

Ignition Racing’s Johnny Silegren has moved over to KTM for `08. He rode his 450 SX-F and 250 SX-F for the first time last night at a “secret” track in the Southwestern Ontario region. Roost Clothing caught up with him for an interview here.

The Xtremey Awards kicked off last weekend in Santa Ana, and French Canadians Felix Trepaniér and Ben Milot were apart of it for their Invasion filmwork. Trenapiér sent along this note and photos….

The Xtremey Awards ceremony was last Sunday at the OC Pavillion in Santa Ana, CA.  The whole thing was pretty cool, with a red carpet and limos (we got there in a F150...) but we still managed to look cool thanks to our new Oakley sunglasses!  Milot and I were really excited to be there.  I mean, we were up against Thrill Billies, Crusty 13 and On the Pipe 4, in the best FMX movie of the year so it was a big deal for us.  Even if we didn't win (Crusty did) we had a good time.  At the after party, we got to hang out with Renner and Metzger so that was fun too!

For a full list of winners from the Xtremey award, visit www.xtremey.com.

Milot, Trepaniér and Renner had a good time at the Xtremey Awards in Santa Ana, CA.

photo courtesy of Trepaniér

With this good weather, means even more great photos from our roaming photographer, James Lissimore. This week, Lissimore flew down to the Georgia Practice Facility for Team Toyota Yamaha/BlackfootDirect.com/Fox Racing’s photo shoot. Judging by Lissimore’s photos here, I’m sure Blackfoot’s posters will be the crème de la crème of the Canadian pits! Take it away, Liss….

Well, this has certainly been a busy week. It started off with a short two-hour drive down to Seattle for last weekend's Monster Energy AMA Supercross where I witnessed one of the greatest main events ever, not to mention the sweeping of the LCQ's by our own Canadian riders, Dusty Klatt and Kyle Beaton.

With that, I said goodbye to Supercross for the year and split back home in time to make it to the first round of the Six Six One BC Championships being held in Agassiz. With the Supercross the night before, the pro class was a little light, but there was still some good racing between Shane Wiebe, Milo Christie and Howie Spencer, with Wiebe coming out on top in both the MX1 and MX2 classes. It was definitely a good warm up for the three as Ste. Julie is rapidly approaching.

Speaking of Ste. Julie, after Agassiz, I came home and packed my bags and hopped on a jet headed for Atlanta. Now I'm typing this from the Georgia Practice Facility where I'm down shooting Blackfoot Yamaha's 2008 Posters. The shoot was originally scheduled for Calgary last week but with this crazy weather the West has been receiving lately, the shoot was cancelled due to snow and moved down here. I have to say, it's strange getting used to the numbers this year; I keep thinking Colt is JSR with his number 2; JSR reminds me of Blair from a few years ago when he ran 5; and Blair, well it's just plain weird to see him with the number 12. Everyone looks good and it should be interesting to see how everyone stacks up come the first round, especially Jimmy Nelson now that he's making the jump to MX1 after two straight MX2 championships.

Well, after I get back from Georgia I'm headed to Kamloops to shoot Leading Edge Kawasaki's posters and then hitting the road for Ste. Julie so I guess race season is here already!

Thanks, James. I agree, the Blackfoot riders’ new numbers are confusing, and I definitely can’t get used to seeing Blair with #12! However, I still have faith in “Superman” and believe he can still squeak in a moto win and podiums throughout the season.

Thanks for the help with this week’s Update, Matthes, Stenning, and Lissimore. It’s definitely been one of the best yet in 2008. I can’t wait until the nationals, and overall Canadian racing scene gets busier; we’ll be bringing you readers more news than ever.

Thanks for reading!

JSR gets a little stylie for Lissimore.

Colton Facciotti joins the Red Bull athlete team this year.

I think Jimmy should be just fine in the MX1 class....

Clearbrook Yamaha's Shane Wiebe swept all four pro motos at Agassiz and is feeling good heading into the first round of the MX2 Nationals.

Racer X Canada A-lister Howie Spencer made the short drive from his new hometown of Mission to take the win in +25 and second overall in MX1 Pro.

photos: James Lissimore

KTM Canada is entering the Canadian road racing scene this summer.

Rumour has it that Shawn "The Sugar" Mose (left) and Kevin "Lenny" Leonard (right) are piloting KTM's SuperDuke in the Thunder Series. Not sure about this move, as both have never ridden a two-wheeled machine with a motor, prefer Wendy's over GNC, and spend their nights playing playoff hockey on Pro Line rather than watching race tapes.