Frid’Eh Update #36 | Luke Fauser | Brought to You by Dirt Care

Frid’Eh Update #36 | Luke Fauser | Brought to You by Dirt Care

By Billy Rainford

Welcome to Week #36 of the DMX Frid’Eh Update brought to you by Dirt Care. We’re heading into round 1 of the SMX Playoffs Saturday at zMax Dragway in Charlotte, NC. I read somewhere someone calling the rest of the season the “regular season.” Now, I’m all for riders getting these new chances to make a lot more money, but I’m not ready to go all in on the stick and ball sports lingo. Nope, not gonna do it.

250 Entry ListEntries: 28
#	BRAND	RIDER	HOMETOWN	TEAM
1		Haiden Deegan	Temecula, CA	Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
16		Tom Vialle	Avignon, France	Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
19		Jordon Smith	Belmont, NC	Triumph Racing Factory Team
23		Julien Beaumer	Lake Havasu City, AZ	Redbull KTM Factory Racing
25		Ryder DiFrancesco	Bakersfield, CA	Rockstar Energy GASGAS Factory Racing
26		Ty Masterpool	Paradise, TX	Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
30		Jo Shimoda	Suzuka, Japan	Honda HRC Progressive
31		Max Anstie	United Kingdom	Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
34		Daxton Bennick	Morganton, NC	Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
36		Garrett Marchbanks	Coalville, UT	Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
41		Nate Thrasher	Livingston, TN	Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
44		Dilan Schwartz	Alpine, CA	Toyota Redlands BarX Yamaha
47		Levi Kitchen	Washougal, WA	Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
55		Henry Miller	Rochester, MN	MX6 Racing
56		Seth Hammaker	Bainbridge, PA	Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
59		Cullin Park	Clermont, FL	Phoenix Racing Honda
61	Kawasaki	Cole Thompson	Brigden, Canada	AEO Powersports KTM
63		Hunter Yoder	Menifee, CA	Partzilla Blaster Power PRMX Racing
65		Lux Turner	Gardnerville, NV	AEO Powersports KTM Racing Team
75		Gage Linville	Lake Park, GA	The Dirt Bike Depot
83		Austin Forkner	Richards, MO	Triumph Factory Racing
91		TJ Albright	Mt Marion, NY	Gizmo Mods Rock River Yamaha
92		Maximus Vohland	Temecula, CA	Muc-Off/FXR/ClubMX Yamaha
98		Drew Adams	Chattanooga Tennessee	Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki
100		Cole Davies	Waitoki, New Zealand	Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
125		Luke Neese	Concord	Neese Racing
148		Justin Rodbell	Prince Frederick, MD	Rodbell Racing
302		Parker Ross	Herald, CA	Toyota Redlands BarX Yamaha

450 Entry ListEntries: 28
#	BRAND	RIDER	HOMETOWN	TEAM
1		Jett Lawrence	Landsborough, Australia	Honda HRC Progressive
2		Cooper Webb	Newport, NC	Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha
3		Eli Tomac	Cortez, CO	Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing
4		Chase Sexton	La Moille, IL	Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
11		Kyle Chisholm	Valrico, FL	Twisted Tea HEP Suzuki
12		Shane McElrath	Oakland, FL	Quadlock Honda Racing
14		Dylan Ferrandis	Avignon, France	Phoenix Racing Honda
15		Dean Wilson	Glasgow, Scotland	Honda HRC Progressive
17		Joey Savatgy	Clermont, FL	Quadlock Honda Racing
24		R.J. Hampshire	Hudson, FL	Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
27		Malcolm Stewart	Haines City, FL	Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing
32		Justin Cooper	Cold Spring Harbor, NY	Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing
35		Marshal Weltin	Ubly, MI	MX6 Racing
37		Coty Schock	Dover, DE	Muc-Off/FXR/ClubMX Yamaha
42		Harri Kullas	Tallinn, Estonia	MRPSBR Husqvarna Racing
43		Grant Harlan	Murrieta, CA	Gizmo Mods RockRiver Yamaha
46		Justin Hill	Yoncalla, OR	Team Tedder Racing
49		Mitchell Oldenburg	Alvord, TX	Liqui Moly Beta Factory Racing
51		Justin Barcia	Monroe NY	Rockstar Energy GASGAS Factory Racing
53		Romain Pape	Morlaix, France	The McGinley Clinic Privateer Support Program
57		Benny Bloss	Oak Grove, MO	Factory Liqui Moly Beta Racing
68		Jeremy Hand	Mantua, OH	Valley Motorsports
80		Derek Drake	San Luis Obispo, CA	Toyota Redlands BarX Yamaha
86		Mitchell Harrison	Brighton, MI	Partzilla Blaster PRMX Racing
94		Ken Roczen	Mattstedt, Germany	Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki
96		Hunter Lawrence	Landsborough, Australia	Honda HRC Progressive
199		John Short IV	Pilot Point, TX	IQ Racing Team
992		Valentin Guillod	Motier, Switzerland	Gizmo Mods Rock River Yamaha Racing

I think I’ll head over to Gopher Dunes this evening to check out all the vet riders getting together for the BBQ dinner before a weekend of racing. Last time I was there, none other than Ross Pederson showed up to get honoured by all of us old folk. It was great to see him again after all these years. He really seemed to enjoy himself and it’s long overdo that he gets some praise for all he did when he was racing. He was an animal like no other we’ve seen here in Canada.

Luke Fauser from Pennsylvania is the rider who was #36 here in Canada for the 2024 season. We never saw him run it because he was busy racing south of the border at the Moto Combines and getting ready for the SMX Next finals.

Unfortunately, he was injured recently and will miss the finish to his SMX Next season. We talked about that in our interview this week, but we didn’t actually get the answer to what the exact injury is.

He’s been a rider we’ve all had our eyes on since he was on 50cc’s. I’d see him every time I went down to the Mini O’s in November, and he was always one of the “fast kids.”

He came to Canada to help get himself ready for the move up to the Pro ranks in the USA. He’s happy he did and says it’s something other riders should consider. Let’s have a look at his results from the 3 rounds he did in 2024:

I thought it was pretty cool when I heard he was showing up at Sand Del Lee, so I grabbed him for a quick interview:

Here’s what Luke had to say when we got in touch with him this week.

Direct Motocross: Hey Luke, long time no see! First off, let’s back things up all the way to the beginning and let people get to know you better. Can you tell us where you’re from, how old you are, and how you got into Motocross in the first place?

Luke Fauser: I’m from Midland, Pennsylvania. I’m 18 years old. I got into motocross when I was 3—my dad got me started. In 2014, we took our first shot at going to Loretta’s, made it in, and things took off from there.

Was it always Moto or did you play some other sports too?

For me it was always moto. I never really got into any other sports.

How about schooling? Were you a good student and did you go to public school or do online? How was it?

I went to public school until 8th grade, then switched to online school. I was an average student throughout. When I was in public school, I hated it—but now that I’m older, I kind of miss it. Online school was awesome, though. It gave me the chance to train and live at the tracks from a young age.

I have photos of you on 50’s and 65’s at the Mini O’s but I dropped that external hard drive and it’s at the shop! You hit every amateur race going back in the day. What was your best racing memory from those days?

No  way. Thanks billy! My favorite racing memory from back in the day was winning my first Loretta Lynn’s title in 2016 on a 50cc. It was my first big accomplishment after spending the previous years as a mid-to-back-of-the-pack rider.

And now you’re finally at the point where you’re about to turn full-time Pro down south. But first, you came to see us in Canada in 2024. What brought that decision on?

The decision to race in Canada last year came after an injury early in the season that took me out of Loretta’s. In a way, I was glad because that choice led to a lot of great racing and valuable experience throughout the summer.

Your best finish up here was a couple 8th places. How did your racing go up here for the 3 rounds you did?

My racing overall last year in Canada wasn’t great in my eyes, but I learned a lot from it.

You got to see one of our craziest battles ever between Dew Adams and Kaven Benoit from on the track. What did you think of the way that went? I think we all knew Drew was the fastest, but…

Yeah, that was pretty crazy. I was having one of my best rides of my time Canada and I was even able to hold off Drew for a lap and some. But yeah, the way things went down were crazy, but I’m all for it.

And now you’ve finished off your Moto Combine races. How did those go for you this summer?

The Moto Combines this year were great for me. The past few years I’ve been struggling outdoors, so to get a few podiums over the summer and put in some solid riding felt amazing.

Next up is the SMX Next (Futures) races for you. How and where have you been preparing for these?

I was down at Club MX preparing for these next two races and was feeling good—it’s always nice to get back on some Supercross after the summer. But I had a crash that’s going to put me out for those races.

Oh, sorry to hear that. So, what’s next for you? What does your winter and next season look like?

This winter/off-season, my focus will be on building the best base possible for next season and logging quality days on Supercross.

Let’s back up again for a second then. What would you say was the biggest gain you got from racing up here in Canada for those 3 rounds before continuing on your way down south?

I feel like I had a lot of lows while racing in Canada, but what I learned from that was how to work through those tough times and come out stronger.

Is that something you’d suggest others do to prepare as well?

Yes I would. You have to learn how to lose as much as winning. 

I like that. OK Luke, thanks for taking some time with us this week. Good luck getting back to 100% and who would you like to thank?

Ok, thanks, Billy! 

KTM 
Parents 
Monster Energy
Alpha Dynamics
Sam Hurley 

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Red Bull Outliers this Weekend!

I went to this event a couple years ago and all of us who were there tell the same story. We got there early to check out the course. We stood at one section in the middle and couldn’t figure out why there appeared to be course markers on a cliff to our left.

We all looked and said the same thing: “You sure can’t go UP that! You couldn’t even go DOWN it!“

We were all wrong. The top riders actually went up this sheer rock wall to the finish. And I’m talking about a 10-story rock face! It made no sense. You have to see it to believe it.

Red Bull Outliers Returns to the Alberta Badlands September 5–6, 2025

Unparalleled Hard Enduro Action

WHAT:
Red Bull Outliers, Canada’s premier hard enduro motorcycle competition, returns September 5–6, 2025. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Alberta Badlands, this event brings together some of the world’s best riders for two days of racing activity. With steep climbs, rocky descents, and dramatic landscapes, the course is built for incredible visuals—perfect for broadcast cameras, sports segments, and social media coverage.

WHEN:

• Friday, September 5 – Amateur Main Event
• Saturday, September 6 – Expert & Pro Main Events
• More info and schedule times: redbull.ca/outliers

WHERE:
Canadian Badlands, Alberta (outside Calgary in Steveville, AB)

Get ready to witness an unparalleled racing experience – Red Bull Outliers is back!

Red Bull Outliers is a multi-discipline, mass-start enduro competition for professional and amateur motocross athletes. Fans should get ready to witness an unparalleled racing experience as the Hard Enduro competition will feature a mass-start and multi-disciplinary format that promises to take your adrenaline levels to the max.

Brace yourself for an epic two-day event in the heart of the Canadian Badlands in Steveville, Alberta, where dramatic landscapes and rugged terrain set the stage for an unforgettable adventure.

It really has to be seen to be believed!

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Cole Thompson to Race SMX Playoffs on Kawasaki [SCREEEEECH] KTM

Canadian Cole Thompson will line up for the SMX Playoffs this weekend at zMax Dragway in Charlotte, NC. Cole has signed with the Bud Racing Kawasaki Team to race World Supercross this year and said he decided pretty last minute to head into the Playoffs as a wildcard entry. He sits 32nd in 250 points.

Here’s what he said on his Instagram:

“Return to racing next weekend for the smx playoffs, last minute decision but getting some parts for the kawi & going to give it my best effort.“

Side note: When Emily and I were over in France for the MXON a couple years ago, we got there early and cruised down to the surf areas in the southwest. We drove right past the Budd Racing facility and stopped in. Boy, did I take a beating online from people for making Emily stop in at a dirt bike track! People didn’t realize it was literally just off the highway so we stopped in for like 5 minutes total.

Is there a smoother rider out there right now???

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cole Thompson (@colethompson16)

Cancel that!

@aeopowersportsktmracing and @vitalmx have announced that Canadian @colethompson16 will now ride for the @aeopowersportsktmracing team for the SMX Playoffs.

He was set to race on his @fimwsx team @bud__racing Kawasaki but this offer came up and he’s taking it.

Here’s what they said:

🚨 Cole Thompson joins AEO Powersports KTM Racing for the SMX Playoffs.

📝 With Avery Long sitting out SMX to prioritize health and preparation heading into 2026, the team has drafted veteran racer Cole Thompson for Charlotte, St. Louis, and Las Vegas.

🗣️ Jeremy Scism, Team Manager & Owner: “As a team, we’re always looking at the big picture, and Avery stepping back now sets him up for an even bigger 2026 season. Bringing in Cole Thompson was a no-brainer – he’s a proven racer, he knows the KTM platform, and he’s hungry to compete. We couldn’t be more excited to give him this opportunity and see where this partnership can lead as we look toward the future.”

Cole Thompson (#61) added: “My plan was already to use the SuperMotocross Playoffs as a launchpad for my upcoming World Supercross races, but getting the call from AEO takes it to another level. To be back on KTM equipment with such a strong team behind me is incredible. I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got in these three rounds.”

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Guillaume St Cyr Headed to Estonia for Supercross

01.02.1998 / Montreal

Guillaume St-Cyr

Elukoht: Kanada
Klubi: BBL Plumping Motoextrem

Guillaume St Cyr from Victoriaville, Quebec, has been invited to Estonia to race their Supercross on November 15th. My Estonian is rusty, but you can get all the information HERE.

He’s also looking for sponsors for this upcoming season:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Guillaume St-Cyr (@guillaumestcyr55)

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SMX Playoffs Pre-Race Press Conference Video Archive

https://www.youtube.com/live/kTdHUYv9Lqk?si=S9a8RvmGDy6O-vcc

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OK, I’m going to head over to Gopher Dunes soon and see who we have there to sit down for a chat. Enjoy your weekend, everyone. Here’s how to watch the SMX Playoffs Round 1 from Charlotte on Saturday on the International Video Pass:

Saturday 9:30 a.m. ETlive – Race Day Live

Saturday 2:30 p.m. ETlive – Pre-Race

Saturday 3 p.m. ETlive– Gate Drop