Faces at the Races | 2026 FIM Arenacross Toronto

By Billy Rainford

Rounds 4 and 5 of the AMA FIM Arenacross Championship came to Canada this past weekend. We spend Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the International Centre near Pearson International Airport as part of the North American Motorcycle Supershow. I think by all accounts the event was a raving success. I’m told there were 3 times the usual number of amateur racers and the bleachers were full for both Pro nights and even some on amateur day.

Let’s have a look at the people under the helmets in this edition of Faces at the Races.

So, I’m standing there minding my own business when I hear my name called out. I turn to look and it’s none other than Sam Cannella! If you look closely, you can see Sally Cannella doing her best to hide from me. I miss the Cannella years.
Brandon Dean from Vision Built Tracks is the man in charge of the track build and maintenance.
Brad ‘You Can Call Me Stephen’ Nemeth is the guy on the track holding the camera for the broadcast. He wasn’t very busy Friday night… Too soon?
Ron Cameron is the man in charge of the medical team…and slow nods.
And Jay Thompson is the man in charge of…what was he doing there again?
I saw him pretending to work for the Public Utilities Company.
Nahh, we got him.
Here are a few track walk shots. That’s the Love family getting ready for what became a very memorable weekend for them and young #818 Karson Love.
The dirt came from a local foundation dig. There were a few ruts but it held up nicely.
Donny T with Lilly Turner. Donald raced Sunday while Lilly killed it all weekend.
I was told Tony Alessi now has 5 new children, 4 girls and a boy. The future has “Alessi” written all over it.
“The Underdog” #581 Kyle Bitterman.
Apparently, he’s not “For Hire” any longer. Phil has filled that space.
No idea how this 2002 photo of ‘Rupert the Wonder Dog’ walking on the roof in Vancouver got in this collection, but here he is.
Liam Dodds and his dad, Chris, made the drive from Revelstoke, BC.
Austin Politelli looked to have the advantage with all the drama between Ryan Breece and Cole Thompson.
Do I get to use my ‘Better Off Dead’ reference again here? “Go that way really fast. If something gets in your way…turn.”
That’s AMA Ray from the deep south with Darryl Murphy wearing the classic CMA logo on his shirt.
Points leader and odds-on favourite for this title #200 Ryan Breece walking with his Canadian mechanic Caden Lee.
There Chris is now! And he’s with Dusty Rocks MX team owner Travis Deglow.
I told him to get ready to see a lot more of me, but how can you prepare for this?! Just always keep your elbows up and out! To quote the immortal words of Peter Brady, “Expect it when you least expect it.” Oh, and “Pork chops and apple sauce...” And we have our first “Google it, Bowker!”
Speaking of “For Hire,” #500 Julien Benek sure made his presence know this weekend! We better not see the summer of 2026 go by without him under an awning somewhere.
#5 Zac Phifer getting an egg sandwich in before the races.
If you look up “Cheshire cat smile” in the dictionary, you get this shot of Breece. You there, Bowker?!
And of course, a big race in Ontario means Chris Blackmer made the trip from Michigan.
“All Over” Benek was in town with Julien. Sorry, Oliver, I heard this one over the weekend.
Lindsey Bradley was part of the medic team.
Making sure they could get Cole Thompson’s Holeshot Device working. Chris Elliott was yelling at me all weekend, and I’m still not sure if he was serious or not.
Cole doing a little stretching before a race, but he would be in this exact position for other reasons later on.
What a time Caden is having. He’s seen more of the world this past year than all the others combined!
This is what the indoor pits looked like.
I was typing a caption for Quinn Amyotte here when I noticed the pained look on his face. Hmm…
Hey, there’s Chris. And I think that’s Melania in the background?
Taking care of business, trackside.
Payton Morningstar was home for a stint but he’ll be heading back down south to continue training.
Kyle Snelgrove from OG’s tried to back out of this photo, but we got him back in it.
Dodds and Politelli with track announcer Zac Herrin.
Look out, Austin Powers, there’s a roller headed straight for you!
What a cool dog this is.
Most people needed a bike stand to do this, but not Julien.
The foulest stench is in the air
The funk of forty thousand years
And grisly ghouls from every tomb
Are closing in to seal your doom
And though you fight to stay alive
Your body starts to shiver
For no mere mortal can resist
The evil of The Thriller
Probably something to do with the Roughriders…
Before the racing started Saturday night there was a pit party that was very well attended.
Seth Hughes, Brandon Rodwell, and Pedro Areias.
The buck stops with Shawn at the AX races. And that’s Scott Tokley on the right.
Ask me about my banquet table story from back in my university days…
That’s Dane Morales.
Quinn.
Julien.
Liam.
Payton.
Cole.
Kyle.
#470 Ethan Day from Michigan.
Brayden McNeil took a break from selling all the cars to support the event both days.
One eye on Toronto and the other on A1.
Quick Sears photo shoot of Dave Bell and Terry Cameron.
I was literally just telling someone Cole needed to talk to Steve Beattie about dirt oval riding the first turn and there he was with his family. #145 too. Thanks for the tribute…
“Surprise, it’s a boy!” Still a classic line from Kristen Banks, except it was a girl.
The Morningstars are a very dedicated moto family.
Steve Mages used to race our Arenacross series back in the day.
More and more of our top riders are parents these days.
I give out “Stud Status” to 250 Junior winners at some of the bigger races, but we’ll give Christian Plasse real life status with Amelie Croteau.
Hey, I snapped 2 shots and this one WAS the good one!
Still funny.
Justin Roney as the Maytag Repair Man from the old commercials. Did you know it was Mr. Carlson from WKRP who did the original? Bowker?
Always good to see Dusty Heacock. I stood with Blair Sharpless and Jordan Szoke for a while on Friday evening and Blair told me some amazing Ross Pederson and Jim Holley stories. Dusty could tell a few too.
I think she was in charge of getting the results posted at the track, I’m not sure, but she smiled while doing it, whatever it was.
I really wanted to know what this eccentric character’s story was, but I never saw him again. You see him too, right?
It’s my contention that wider angle shots are what we’re going to enjoy looking back at in the future. I guess time will tell…
Yes, that is my contention…
Still looking.
Quinn sucking up to the Toronto crowd.
It’s been a while since Austin was in the area.
Julien got pretty close to 12 o’clock.
The crowd gave a big cheer for Cole.
Julien messed up his thumb and Ron did what he could to get him back out there.
You do the splits in the bleachers, you get in these columns.
THis one reminds me of the old Warren Miller videos: “You want your skis? Go get ’em...”
That’s Corey Brault. Did you know his brother, Danny Brault, was one of the ones who actually started Direct Motocross?
This is where it all starts nowadays for mini parents. Even before the PW stage!
That’s Jensen Amyotte who is in charge of our ‘Out of the Blue’ WMX weekly column brought to you by Schrader’s.
The 2 MCR riders are going to be difficult to beat in this championship.
After some troubles, Benek had to start in row 2, so why not go for it on the inside behind Breece?
Canadian content. That’s Benek, Dodds, and Morningstar. Where were the rest of the local Pros?
Oh snap, there’s one now! Sebastien Racine was there with his new SSR Kawasaki team but said he doesn’t have enough time on the 450 to be lining up to race.
We have to take these opportunities when we can because they can’t last forever.
Yes, I was just joking earlier. That’s Chloe Thompson all bundled up. I had to tell her it was actually freakishly warm for these parts on Friday!
Just some more CanCon.
No matter how long you race, pre-race nerves should always be a thing.
That’s Billy Mullin on the right. Sorry, I didn’t catch the other fella’s name.
Go ahead and caption this one yourself!
I grab these ones when I can for Brett and Mel.
Probably checking to see if they’re on DMX IG yet…
Ryan Breece is!
Chris Pomeroy just walking around chewing gum.
This is from the post-race press conference Friday night. The body language says it all. Breece didn’t look to his left once.
This is a huge deal for these young riders and their parents!
Getting to ride this event is something they’ll remember their entire lives.
Kolton Love got interviewed on the broadcast in front of a huge crowd. What a night! We’ll let him say it to end this one: “See you at the races...”