--press release--

Toronto's Ricoh Coliseum played host to rounds 1 and 2 of the Thor Parts Canada Canadian Arenacross Championships this past weekend. Although a disappointing small crowd, Canada's top indoor riders made the trip to Toronto and did not disappoint. Bar banging was the understatement of the weekend as the series kicked off.

Coming into this weekend the question was "Could anyone dethrone Canada's #1 indoor rider Richmond Kawasaki's, Darcy Lange?" Lange, who recently committed to the series would make his return to racing after an 8-month lay-off to recoup from last years American Arenacross Championships.

Friday Night:

In AX 2 final action Friday night, young Richmond Kawasaki hotshot and BC native, Colton Facciotti, fresh off of his win at the Montreal Supercross grabbed the holeshot in AX2 Pro final Friday night with Quebec's KTM mounted Marco Dube and Lange in tow. Nova Scotia's Ryan Lockhart who signed to ride OTSFF Suzuki's for the series and Yamaha Canada's Kyle Beaton had to regroup after a first corner crash on the tight technical circuit. By the end of lap one veteran KTM Canada pilot Dube would be out front with Lange and US rider Mike Willard hot on his tail. Facciotti made his move early in the race passing Willard and Lange and set his sights on Dube who had started to pull away. Back in the pack Beaton put on a huge charge after his first corner crash. Beaton came through the pack and charged passed American Willard and started reeling in Lange in third when he once again went down. Beaton would be done for the race and pulled off. The story of the race however would be Nova Scotia's Ryan Lockhart, Lockhart who looked set to make a serious run at the Championship would re-injure a nagging knee problem which has unfortunately ended the indoor season before it really began for the promising young talent from the East coast. Dube would roll to the win ahead of Facciotti and Richmond teammate Lange.

Fridays Open main would be a Richmond romp. The start would go to KTM's Mike Willard which was short lived as Lange would jump past into first with Facciotti in tow. Willard would drop back to fourth after a small bobble. Ontario's Justin Thompson took advantage and moved up into third. Lange out front was starting to feel his Richmond teammate Facciotti breathing down his neck. Facciotti would make the move to the front of the pack with Lange settling in for second spot. Facciotti would take the win with Lange third and Willard regaining third. KTM's Dube after a fall in turn one would make his way back up to fourth position.

Saturday Night:

After a great start to the series on Friday the riders started to feel more comfortable on the familiar tight indoor circuit.

As the gate dropped for the most exciting race of the weekend, the AX2 final, Lange would jump out to the early lead, Dube would tag on to Darcy, with Willard and Beaton battling side by side for 1 lap, behind Beaton and Willard, Facciotti sat back in fourth waiting for an opportunity to get by. Willard feeling the pressure from Beaton would go down. With Willard out of the way Beaton set his sights on the Orange rear fender of Dube. Kyle riding his heart would push just a little too hard, going down and leaving Colton a clear track to jump into battle with Dube and Lange. Dube started to pressure Lange, side by side coming down the whoop section, Dube would make his move inside on Darcy leaving him no where to go. Lange would go down. Dube concerning himself with Lange would leave a gaping hole on the inside of the corner. Facciotti who had sat back patiently waiting for the Dube and Lange battle to go down would dive to the inside moving from third to first. Facciotti showing incredible wisdom would ride to the win with Dube just holding off KTM teammate Willard. Beaton would manage to stay on two wheels and find his rhythm settling for a solid fourth spot. An apologetic Dube would say there was nothing he could do but Lange was left with a bitter taste in his mouth setting up and exciting weekend in Winnipeg.

The AX Open final of the weekend would be a Western affair with three BC riders taking to the podium. Clearbrook - Morgan Racing Yamaha rider Kyle Beaton would get the start he was looking for, taking the holeshot and leading wire to wire in a dominant win. Richmond's Facciotti would make an early challenge on Beaton but settled in to second. Back in third spot an ever improving Lange and Dube would battle once again right down to the final corner with Lange holding off a hard charging Marco Dube and Mike Willard

With the Winnipeg event fast approaching it is sure to be an exciting weekend of racing. Beaton will be looking to continue on from his win in the AX Open final Saturday night. Facciotti will also be looking to continue his consistency. The main event to keep an eye on this weekend will be the Kawasaki of Lange and the KTM of Marco Dube, look for both riders to be up front and battling hard once again. All in all an amazing weekend of racing coming to the MTS Centre, Friday and Saturday night. For tickets for the THOR PARTS CANADA CANADIAN ARENACROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS at Winnipeg's MTS Centre call 204 780-3333 or visit www.ticketmaster.ca For more information on the series log on to www.arenacross.ca

FUTURE WEST - RACING INTO THE FUTURE