New
teams, an extra round and transponders highlight 2005
CMRC Nationals
May
12, 2005
--press
release--
 |
Photo: Brett
Dailey |
The 2005 CMRC
Canadian Motocross Championships are heating up to be
one of the most competitive and ground-breaking in the
sanctioning body's 15-year history. New class designations,
new teams, an extra round, plus the introduction of
transponders promise to further raise the level of Canadian
MX to new heights.
In keeping with the recently introduced worldwide classification
system, the 125cc class will now be known as MX2 East
and West, while the premier 250cc class will be designated
as MX1.
Among the new teams entering the fray are the American-based
Swanson Yamaha Racing and a Yamaha Motor Canada factory
team. Included on team Swanson Racing is two-time U.S.
Arenacross Champion Josh Demuth (MX1),
Chad Johnson (MX1-MX2 East), and Nathan
Tierney (MX1-MX2 West). Brad Hagseth
(MX1), Doug DeHaan (MX1-MX2 East) and
Simon Homans (MX1-MX2 East) will spearhead
the new Yamaha Canada team. Joining them will be up-and-comers
Kyle Beaton (MX1-MX2 West) and Johnny
Montes (MX1-MX2 East).
Long-time Suzuki Canada enforcer Morgan Racing is fielding
a new Yamaha team for 2005. Craig Decker
(MX1) and Erick Vallejo (MX1-MX2 West)
will spearhead the effort. Vallejo, who rode for Pacific
Yamaha last year, has been replaced on that two-time
MX2 West Championship winning team by Shane
Bess. With four major teams in the running,
Yamaha Canada is looking at reclaiming at least one
title this year.
Gavin Gracyk, runner-up in last year's
MX2 East, has left Richmond Racing Kawasaki to ride
for OTSFF Suzuki, which is now the official Suzuki Canada
team. In addition to contesting the MX2 East again,
Gracyk will be behind the gate in MX1 as well. Keith
Johnson (MX1) and Mike Treadwell
(MX1) are the other heavy hitters for OTSFF Suzuki.
Jimmy Lamastus, who rode the Canadian
Motocross Championships in 2000, is returning to the
fray to contest the MX2 West for Lethbridge Suzuki.
Evan Laughridge (MX1), Jeff
Northrop (MX2 West), Colton Facciotti
(MX1-MX2 West) and Brady Sheren (MX2
West) return to Richmond Racing Kawasaki for another
season. They will be joined by Teddy Maier
(MX2 West) and Ryan Lockhart (MX1-MX2
East). Conspicuous by his absence from Team Richmond
will be their top ace Darcy Lange,
who will not contest the Canadian MX National Tour this
year.
After contracting out their national effort for the
past five years, KTM Canada is fielding their own factory
team this year. It includes Pierce Chamberlain
(MX2 East), Chris Whitcraft (MX2 East),
Michael Willard (MX2 East), Matt
Barnes (MX2 East), Chris Kieffer
(MX2 West) and Jimmy Nelson (MX2 West).
Marco Dubé (MX1), who rode Honda
in 2004, will ride selected MX1 events with KTM factory
support.
Even though all the major factory and support teams
are stronger than ever, the question still remains,
as it has since 2001, who will be able to derail Blackfoot
Racing/Honda Canada as the dominant force in Canadian
motocross? With four-time defending champion Jean
Sebastien Roy (MX1) returning to the powerhouse
team for his fifth season, the conflict for No.1 in
MX1 will be a hotly contested affair. No one doubts
that the mighty JSR will again be the man to beat.
Damon Huffman (MX1), runner-up in the
MX1 for two consecutive years, is also back with Blackfoot
to help keep all comers at bay. Last year's breakthrough
sensation Dusty Klatt (MX1-MX2 West),
will be defending his 125 West title as well as shake
up the MX1 class. New to the Blackfoot line-up is Mitchell
Cooke (MX2 East-MX1) and defending MX2 East
Champion Donnie McGourty, who defected
from Richmond Racing.
As in 2000, the National Tour will consist of nine rounds
instead of eight. While the individual MX2 title chases
will stick to the four rounds format, the series will
culminate with an East-West Shootout at the final MX1
round in Walton, ON. The top ten riders from both series
will be seeded, with the remainder of the field composed
of riders who qualified for at least one round, either
in the east or west.
Media release
prepared by Bull's Eye Media Relations
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