Frid'Eh Update:Presented by Royal Distributing
MAY 23, 2008By Danny Brault


As much as I love watching supercross, I love the great outdoors even more. You just can’t duplicate that same feeling of standing along the fence lines, cheering on your favourite rider, the sweet smell of race fuel, and watching 40 guys blast off the gate and into the first corner. We’ll get to experience that feeling this weekend in Ste-Julie, but if you can’t wait that long, watch these videos: one is the Destroyer Films This Is It teaser, and the other is a Racer X Film from pro practice at Milestone. Check them out!

Aw, the great outdoors!

photo: James Lissimore

Do you know why there is going to be good racing at the opening round of the Monster Energy CMRC Motocross Nationals in Ste-Julie, Quebec this weekend?  Because the riders are more fired up than ever. I know this because a few of them weren’t too impressed with our “Predictions” article two days ago. I will admit, there were a few questionable comments, but it was all meant for fun and we believe all of those guys on that list can win.

It’s good to see the guys are getting riled up; it means they’re taking Ste-Julie, and the series, seriously. And, as one person said to me, “You can think about it or you can use it as motivation and prove them wrong.”

On the topic of predictions, Royal Distributing/Thor/Riverside KTM Canada’s Jeff Northrop told me yesterday that Canadians are going to be pissed again this year, because an American is going to win. Good try, Jeff. I believe you’re wrong, but if you’re right, I owe you a donut.

Ryan Lockhart was another rider that caught our amusing column. He was happy with everyone’s comments about him, but didn’t understand what McCullough meant by the “tin man” remark. I think what Captain Freedom meant, was that Newf is trying to get his heart back. Newf’s response? “We’ll see what happens this weekend!”

Our readers' predictions ...

Matthes Mania was rampant this week. Boy, people sure do love his stuff. He definitely has a good imagination; wait until you read his next Pit Board column! This week started off with yours truly on his Shift Racing Podcast, an appearance on Canadian MX Radio with Travs and crew, a 5 mins with Beets, Predictions on Canada and the U.S. nationals, and, finally, the first three-way on his Podcast show. Keep up the good work, Steve.

It’s good to see Saskatchewan being represented better than ever at the nationals. We have Broc Shury on the Suzuki OTSFF B team, Denaye Giroux and Shawn Maffenbeier on Schrader’s Yamaha, and, the “Superman” himself, Blair Morgan. I noticed Maffenbeier last year, at first, because of his #114, I remember Damon Bradshaw running that number when he returned in `97 on a Yamaha. Then I noticed his results and saw that he finished in the top 20 four times and 21st in the series. He’s running his first national number this year, 85.

Did you hear that Chris Gosselaar is racing a Blackfoot Yamaha this weekend in MX2? I read that too and sent Blackfoot's Joe Skidd and Dean Thompson an email, asking to “confirm or deny?” Joe responded with, “Jeez, Danny, if it's on Hammertime's forum, it must be true. Heck, I go there all the time to find out how I should run my team.”

I’m pretty sure that means we’ll be seeing Aron Harvey in Quebec.

So who is going to win Ste-Julie? I’ve taken several cracks; each day I think it will be someone else. Like Norcal says, though, “That’s why the first one is always the best—because no one knows.”

Norcal’s right. We can make all of the predictions in the world, but, as my dad told me (every weekend), “When the gate drops, the bullshit stops.” However, if you still think you know who’s going to win, then try your hand at Motoleague; it’s free and it’s a great way to win some cool prizes from Maxima, Ogio, Troy Lee Designs, KTM, and other sponsors. Go sign up now if you haven't already.

What’s also great is that pretty much everyone is entering the series healthy. The same can’t be said for the Toyota AMA Motocross Championships, however, where we learned recently that Josh Grant, Broc Hepler, and Gavin Gracyk are out for a few rounds. Eric Sorby will replace Joe Gibbs Racing Yamaha’s Gracyk in the Motocross class. It’s also sad to see that Grant Langston won’t be able to fully defend his title from last year, as he’s on the injured reserve list too.

If you missed any of the action from last year’s series, check out this link that CMRC’s Brett Lee sent us.

Team Clearbrook Yamaha: Kyle Beaton (22) and Shane Wiebe (55).

photo: Lissimore

Somehow, some way, Kevin Urquhart is racing Ste-Julie this weekend, despite being involved in a horrific car accident last week. In case you missed it, Kevin and his mechanic, Aaron, were traveling from California to Kevin’s home in Washington, when they swerved to miss a car and ended up in the ditch. Well, from the story (and photos) we read on motonews, it was much more than ending up in a ditch. We’re happy to see Kevin is coming to Canada, and wish him luck!

One rider who, unfortunately, won’t be racing Ste-Julie—or Gopher Dunes—is Team PerformX Racing’s Kyle McGlynn. The KTM rider broke his collarbone three weeks ago while practicing near his home in Grand Prairie, AB. His trainer, Todd Schumlick, sent us this update:

“With a fractured clavicle (collarbone), Kyle is going to miss rounds 1 and 2 of the nationals, and we are planning on making round 3 (Morden) his first race. Currently, I’m in Grande Prairie with Kyle, doing all we can to heal and be prepared for Morden. I am flying out tomorrow to Ste. Julie to meet up with the other PerformX nerds (Facciotti, Morgan, Gibson, JSR, Hackett, H Cooke, Foster, Christie), and then flying back home to BC on Monday, where Kyle will spend time with me prior to Morden. We’ll do all we can to match/beat your prediction of top 7! We thought a bit of an announcement might be nice for sponsors and fans.”

That is unfortunate, but I’m glad to see Kyle’s taking the time to heal and recuperate as best as possible before racing. A lot of riders fail to take the time to recover fully and it often leads to further injuries or hindered results.

One more sleep!

photo: Lissimore

What the heck? I thought Grant Langston was hurt! Oh, wait, that's Fox Racing's Shawn McDougall. I sure hope you didn't do all of the driving, Shawn!

photo: Lissimore

James Lissimore arrived in Montreal early this week. He and Fox Racing’s Shawn McDougall drove the Clearbrook Yamaha truck and trailer all the way from BC. Lissimore has been keeping us updated on their travels in his blog. Check it out here. As he posted in Breaking News, they were right there for the birth of Jackie and J.C. Seitz’s son, Dexter. Congrats, guys!

Lissimore also sent us a shot of the Ste-Julie track. It looks a little dry right now, and barron, but just wait until Saturday—that place will be littered with banners, bikes, babes, beers, and the dirt will be ripped and wet.

Anyone interested in helping out a young American kid get to the Canadian nationals? We received an email from Maryland’s Stephen Stella (I wonder if he knows Nick Evennou?) who is looking for support to race in Canada. As far as I know, everyone’s booked up, but there’s no harm in asking. Stella raced five AMA nationals last year and qualified for four of them, so he’s no slouch. Check out Stella’s Privateer Profile here for more on this Kawasaki rider. You can also check out his MXResultz page.

We caught up with Blackfoot Suzuki rider and 2006 Women’s National champ, Jolene Van Vugt, for this 5 mins with. Van Vugt has had one hell of a ride in the last two years; she’s rode off into the Grand Canyon on a motorcycle with Travis Pastrana, traveled all over the world with the Nitro Circus Crew, won her first Walton TransCan, and finished second in the Women’s National series. Whether it’s racing or jumping off high things, she always has something on the go. Speaking of which, she was contacted by a local acting agency to star in a milk commercial. Take a read of her script that she shared with me:

“When I finished my first season, one of the guys came up and said maybe I should stick to dance class. I had three part time jobs to buy my bike and had my brother take me to the track every weekend. I got serious into my third or fourth season, and, today, I beat that guy who made the joke about me coming in last. So I asked him if he wanted to come to dance class with me. I told him he could lead, you know, just in case I went too fast.”

Does that sound like Jolene “The Backflipper” Van Vugt? I don’t think so and neither does she. Jolene was under the impression the producers wanted to focus on a real athlete rather than a made-for-TV hero. Hopefully she ends up getting the part in the commercial—I want to see her rocking the milk mustache!


Don’t forget to tune into Canadian Motocross Radio next Monday. Travs, Fabs and Golden will be hosting again. They will most likely feature some interesting industry wig and the race winners. Can I put in a request for a guest, guys? How about the top privateer, from either class?

I’m a fan of the privateer racer; they love racing and will do anything to get there. I wonder who will have a Cinderella season? Milo Christie? Marc-Antoine Genereux? An Allison brother? Howie Spencer? Pierce Chamberlain? Whether or not we see these guys and more following the entire series, you can bet a handful of fast locals will be attending the closer ones.

MX101’s Steve Dool did some research and sent us this list of Canadians racing the Loretta Lynn’s Northeast Regional qualifier at Pleasure Valley:

Nicolas and Nathan Cryer, Kyle Marr, Tanner Ward, Christopher Da Silva, Steve Anderson, Kade Walker, Cole Varty, Dylan Wright, Bradley Dool, Richard Grey, Paul Plewa, Matthew Ricard, Jason Benny, and Jessica Marr. Wow, 17 riders in total! Good luck, Canucks!

Well, surprisingly, that’s all I have for you fine folks this week. Stay tuned to racerxcanada.com all weekend for results and updates from Ste-Julie—and don’t forget to catch the first airing of the Racer X Canada/Destroyer Films Moto Show early next week!

See you at the races!

Come shake out that sand after Gopher Dunes next Sunday night at the Royal Tavern!

Well, little Buttermilk became the proud mother of three cute little kittens two weeks ago. Boy, they're cute and helpful - look how clean they got my helmet and boots! The black one is Randy (has has a little belly), the orange one is Snapjacks, and the orange/white guy is Grumpy Face ( he always has to be closest to mommy).

 

  You're not done yet! A free 2009 KTM 250 SX-F would be nice, wouldn't it? Check out www.royaldistributing.com to find out how you can win one!