--press release--

It was another stellar weekend for Team Honda Canada Blackfoot Fox Racing at Round 7 of the CMRC Canadian Motocross Championships in Moncton, NB on Sunday. Team riders Jean Sebastien Roy and Damon Huffman mounted the MX1 podium with 1-3 overalls respectively – Mitch Cooke took to the MX2 podium with 2nd overall on the strength of 4-1 motos. It was Cooke’s first ever MX2 East moto win.

JSR, who was hampered by knee problems last week, came back with a vengeance in Atlantic Canada to card his fifth clean sweep of the season. Huffman, despite riding with a bruised tailbone, claimed 5-2 motos. Dusty Klatt, meanwhile, fell victim to a front flat tire halfway through the second MX1 moto that saw him fade from 6th to 16th place at the checkered. Coupled with his first moto 7th place, he carded 12th overall for the day.

“We’re really excited with everyone’s accomplishments this weekend. JSR never ceases to amaze. Huffy rode great as usual even though he was injured and Dusty showed what he is made of riding half a moto on a flat tire and never giving up. Last but not least we’re especially ecstatic with Mitch winning his first ever MX2 moto. We knew he had it in him all along and has what it takes to become a true champion. He has been working so hard and deserves this win.” said team coordinator Dean Thompson.

Although it took JSR a few laps to work his way into the lead of the first moto, he was in control of the second moto within half a lap. Once in command, he kept a comfortable enough gap between himself and Kawasaki’s Evan Laughridge in Moto 1, and Huffy in Moto 2, to never be challenged for position. The four-time defending champion’s perfect weekend saw him stretch his lead in the series to a solid 84 points over teammate Huffman, who holds down second spot, nine points ahead of Yamaha’s Craig Decker.

Even though it was a physically painful weekend for Huffman, he rose to the occasion by rocketing out of the gate on his CRF450R to claim the holeshot of both MX1 motos. Although he could not hold the lead in the first moto, in Moto 2 he stayed up to speed to follow JSR across the finish line, registering a 1-2 punch for Team Honda Blackfoot. Laughridge’s 3rd place finish in Moto 2 saw him mount the podium along JSR and Huffy in 2nd overall.

“I was a little off on Saturday and didn’t really practice that hard today because I was trying to save myself for the two motos. All in all I’m pretty happy with my results, especially in the second moto. Now I’ve got a couple of weeks to heal up so I should be fine for the next round,” said Huffman.

In the MX2 Eastpoints chase, Mitch Cooke carded his second consecutive 2nd overall to come within seven points of series leader Kyle Chisholm. The Kawi rider finished the day in 3rd overall on the strength of 2-3 motos. KTM’s Michael Willard snared top podium, thanks to 1-2 motos. Although Cooke got a mid-pack start in Moto 1, the Nova Scotian, urged on by a roaring Atlantic Canada crowd, charged his way into a noteworthy 4th place by the time the checkered flew right behind new team member Chad Charbonneau. In Moto 2, he was fourth out of the gate and put on an epic charge to the front of the pack which had the fans on their feet and screaming in support of their local hero.

Cooke then took his up front position and started pulling a gap all the way to the finish line, much to the deafening approval of the fans.

“I finally got a good start and that’s all I needed. It all worked out perfectly for me. The crowd cheered me on in both motos and that was a real boost,” said Cooke. “But I couldn’t have done this without the team’s support. I can’t say enough about the guys in the paddock.” While defending MX2 Champion Donnie McGourty was still unable to race for Team Honda Blackfoot due to lingering problems with his wrist, American privateer Chad Charbonneau joined the team for the remaining rounds of the title hunt. Charbonneau, who won the opening round at Gopher Dunes, carded an impressive 3rd place finish in Moto 1. Unfortunately, a hard crash took him out of action in the second moto. Along with teammate Cooke, Charbonneau, currently fourth in the rankings, is poised for a great series finish at Ste-Julie, QC, August 14, 2005.

On a sad note, the entire motocross community was shocked by the tragic loss of Newfoundland pro Brian House, who succumbed to injuries sustained during practice on Saturday. Everyone at Team Honda Canada Blackfoot Fox Racing extends their sincerest condolences to the House family at this difficult time and our thoughts are with them.