Moto X Hunter's Nanaimo Experience
JUNE 16, 2005

Story and Photos: Billy Rainford

Moto X Hunter found some Fan of the Week material. I think she thought Nanaimo was going to be another mudder.

As the Nationals made their way west—huh? to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, I awoke to an overcast but rain-free sky. The temperature was going to be perfect for some fast-paced racing and so I was able to dress a little less like the villain fisherman from a Scooby Doo episode. I had to catch the first ferry of the morning at if I was going to catch all the pre-race stuff I enjoy so much. There were already people out on the golf course as I passed and several fishing boats out on the water—I think I saw Relic from The Beachcombers!  I saw quite a few motocross t-shirts, a couple of Racer X Canada stickers and some very nice camera lenses on the ferry heading over for the action.

 

 

I hopped back on my trusty BW scooter and off the ferry at I hit the nearest greasy spoon for some well-needed breakfast and a belly full of coffee. They didn’t have any “Moto Muffins” like I used to get back at Moto Park, but it was OK nonetheless. Then it was back on my loaded down scoot and onto the

Island Highway
, to hold up some traffic. I barely made it to a gas station where it nearly cost me $3.00 to fill up—these gas prices have got to settle down! I passed the penitentiary, the campground, and the gravel pit to the entrance of the Wastelands where I again groveled about my credentials for entry.

 

 

Man, it’s great how our sport is progressing. The pits again looked great and there were at least three camera crews getting all the action for local, national and international television stations. The crowd is always great here too and the rumours of a beer garden proved to be true. They love to cheer on their local heroes like Dusty Klatt and Darcy Lange. I didn’t see Darcy anywhere but his Championship Arenacross 250 two-stroke was up on a stand for sale. I didn’t even bother asking the price; as the old saying goes, “if you have to ask…”

Darcy Lange's championship bike was up for grabs. It probably hasn't been ridden too hard.

 

Anyway, enough about me; I know you’re all here to see if I got some better video footage of this one. With the perfect weather, I definitely got more. You can be the judge as to its compared quality to the muddy Mission movie—enjoy. Unfortunately, this is as far as my coverage goes as I have a hard time getting my scooter through the mountain passes of the Rockies and my half-million dollar motor home is still at the dealership!

 

 

Iowa's Teddy Maier may have to add a ten to that if he hopes to catch Dusty Klatt.

 

Good luck in Calgary everyone.

 

 

 

To watch the Moto X Hunter's video click on the link below:

 http://www.motoxlive.com/~racermedia/05_nanaimo_nat.wmv