Frid’Eh Update #14 | Ryan Dowd | Presented by Race Tech
By Billy Rainford
Hello and welcome to Week #14 of the DMX Frid’Eh Update this week presented by Race Tech. As we creep closer and closer to the start of the 2021 Canadian Triple Crown Series, we’ve gone under our 3rd lockdown here in Ontario. It’s a province-wide ‘stay at home’ order that even got an emergency alert to all of our cell phones on Thursday.
With these latest lockdown measures in place, many facilities and practice tracks have had to either adjust the way they do business or close their doors altogether for the time being. It’s a terrible situation and we’re all crossing our fingers that it doesn’t affect the Pro Nationals this summer.
Ryan Dowd is the rider who holds the #14 for the 2021 season. We didn’t see him in 2020 due to the COVID-19 border situation as well as because of the fact that he went in a different direction last year, and we’ll talk to him about that.
Last time we saw Ryan, the 2019 season, he was #46. He did the entire series and earned himself a career number.
We got in touch with him this week to find out what he’s been up to and what his plans are for the future.
Direct Motocross: Hello, Ryan. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen you up in these parts. Did you know you were carrying the #14 over into the 2021 season?
Ryan Dowd: Hey, Billy! I know, I feel like I haven’t talked much with anyone from up north. Haha. Yeah, I’m aware of the #14. I chose it for my career number in 2019 after I did the full season and was super excited to run it, but never really got the chance yet!
We talked about it after the 2019 season, but could you tell everyone again how that series went for you up here? You travelled across the whole country for the first time, right?
Yeah, I decided to commit to the series for the first time ever, so I hopped in the family motorhome with a close friend and drove all the way out west for the first three rounds. It was awesome to see some new tracks and make some long-lasting memories!
I had some decent luck out there. The first round was rough and was actually the worst I finished all season, I believe, but other than that I was riding good and had some good races.
The east was good to me again, aside from Gopher Dunes 🙄 I had two first-turn crashes but still managed some top 12s and I got my best career finish at my favorite track in Deschambault! I ended the series in 7th overall, so I was more than happy.
What was your favourite part of Canada?
My favorite part is probably just the atmosphere of the Canadian nationals. It’s so relaxed and fun oriented. It makes the races that much easier and it makes the weekend an awesome experience. Also, shout out to the end year party. That was awesome! You Canadians are animals! Hahaha.
But you never made it back to Canada for the 2020 season. I think you said you were finished racing seriously before the pandemic even happened, didn’t you? What brought you to this conclusion? I saw that you were down south and it looked like you were getting ready.
Yeah, I never made it back up there, sadly. I was actually down south riding all winter once again with my friend, getting ready for the upcoming season. We stayed right up until COVID started hitting the US. By then it was mid-March and the knee I had surgery on was starting to really bother me again and I started having problems with gastritis once again. It was a tough time and I was struggling to train hard. But for some reason around that time I just lost the fire in me. I don’t know why but when I left Florida to come home I just didn’t want to ride or train anymore. It was a hard thing to deal with.
So what did you get up to last summer? What are you doing for work?
Last summer I was just basically working. Part of the reason I gave up racing was because I have a really good opportunity to have a career in the union being a lineman so I’ve been pursuing that.
Hey, maybe tell us a little bit about your racing trip to Sweden back in 2017? How was that experience?
Sweden was AWESOME. I loved Sweden and I wish I could’ve gone back while I was racing and training hard like in 2018 and 2019. I loved everything about it – the people, the food, the hospitality and of course the track!
It was a sand track, so that was cool. But it was one of the gnarliest I think I’ve ever ridden. It had this double step up section after a massive straight away and the faces of both the step ups were completely rutted up. And this one section had a seriously steep step down into an immediate left-hander. The track was tough as hell. I wasn’t in the greatest shape in 2017 but I still had fun over there. Also, I pulled the sickest holeshot of my life in the second moto, which was super cool.
What have you been up to this winter?
I worked most of the winter. I got laid off recently in February, but I worked full time for about 6 months then the work slowed down huge up here. So I’m currently on the books waiting for a company that needs me!
Will we ever see you back on a track up here (or anywhere) again?
Of course you will! I may have given up racing full time, but I haven’t given it up completely. I’m actually planning on coming up this year! I have to score some points this year to keep my career number, and I haven’t even gotten a chance to run it yet, so I figured it would be the perfect opportunity this year!
Also, to please the fans and to just make it a little more fun, I’m gonna run the 250 2-stroke in the 450 class! Super excited and I’m sure people will love it.
I can’t wait to hear it! How is your dad doing since his accident?
He’s doing very well! He’s back to work, not full time yet because he’s still not 100%, but he’s back working. He’s been doing some projects around the house and at our 3-family apartment a few towns over. I don’t think he’ll resume his excavation work until he’s 100% though.
That was a rough accident. It could’ve been a lot worse and I’m thankful it wasn’t but he said, hands down, that was the worst injury he’s ever had and definitely the worst I’ve ever seen him look.
Now I see that you bought yourself a pit bike. What’s up with that?
Haha yeah, why not?! I used to ride pit bikes literally every day after school and I’ve always had some clapped out 125 with the frame welded together from me breaking it. Hahaha. I knew I always wanted to get a new one some day, and I saw those Thumpstars at a dealer nearby (Monty’s Motorsports) that has sold my old bikes before, and they gave me an awesome deal on it! So I had the money and it was kinda just an impulse but I figured why not. I just kinda went and bought it. Haha.
What do you miss most about racing?
The competition. The adrenaline. I miss getting a bad start and coming through the pack. I miss battling back and forth with someone the same speed as you and laying it down as hard as you possibly can racing knobby to knobby. Man, I miss those feelings so much. There’s nothing like the rush of a motocross race.
What don’t you miss about racing?
The training, hands down. I’ve ALWAYS hated training. I loved being in shape but I hated putting in the work. I think that’s part of what made me give it up. I knew you have to dedicate your life to this sport and give 100% and be in it 100%, and I knew I hated training so much that I could never make it a full-time job.
But it is what it is. I’m living life now making money and eating and drinking what I want when I want and I’m just doing my own thing. Dirt bikes will always be there to ride!
Well, good luck with the future and please say hello to John for us up here in Canada. I look forward to seeing you in Deschambault. Would you like to thank anyone before we let you go?
Thanks man, and you will see him up at Deschambault. I’m sure he will tag along with me. I just want to thank everybody that’s played a part in getting me to where I’ve gotten in my motocross career. All my sponsors and special people that have helped me in some way, I don’t know if they’ll ever realize how much of an impact they’ve made on me and my career. And everyone up there in the Triple Crown Series, you guys are awesome! Forever my favorite series to race. Kyle (Thompson), Daryl (Murphy), and Paul (Kingsley), you guys have always made me feel at home when I show up to a National, and I’m truly grateful for it! Thank you!
Supercross is Back this Week!
That was only two weeks?! It definitely felt much longer. We’re back in action at the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series this week in Atlanta. I know everyone hates the term “residency,” so I won’t say it…oops.
After the longest two weeks of the year, we’ll be going Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday out at Atlanta Motor Speedway just south of the city.
Here’s a look at the first track:
In case you forgot, here’s a look at the current point standings:
Everyone who was hoping that #300 Casey Keast was going to be able to make a miraculous recovery from the bone break in his hand and the mild concussion he suffered in the accident on the drive back to California will be disappointed.
Casey is not on the entry list and will not be racing this weekend.
Tyler Medaglia Signs On with Cob Mountain Sports and Gas Gas Canada
We knew it was coming, and now it’s official, Cobequid Mountain Sports out of Collingwood Corner, Nova Scotia, and Gas Gas Canada are behind #5 Tyler Medaglia and his 2-wheel adventures.
Tyler announced he was leaving the Canadian Triple Crown Series as a full-time competitor to move on to races and events that are on his bucket list. In his words, he wants to go after these goals while he’s still young and strong enough to do them at the level he expects out of himself.
We did a podcast interview a few weeks back with the father of 3 out of Brookfield, NS and he’s looking forward to this mew chapter in his racing life.
You can listen to that podcast HERE.
When the world gets back to normal, his plans include such races as Erzberg, Romaniacs, ISDE, Weston Super Mare Beach Race (I may have added that one), GNCC, Canadian Triple Crown, and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross, to name a few.
Here’s the Press Release from Cob Mountain Sports:
Good luck to everyone and, like we said in the Instagram post, this is going to be fun to watch!
Send Us Your Instagram Post
If you are a track in Canada and you have an update on your facility’s operations in these COVID times, please send us a link to your update and we’ll be happy to repost it on our Instagram page. We all need to work together to keep riders on their bikes.
You can either tag us in your Instagram post or send us a link at info@directmotocross.com
Motopark in Chatsworth, Ontario, has just updated their hours for this coming weekend. The good news is that there actually ARE hours!
Thor Kawasaki Pro Circuit Full Team Announcement
We are pleased to announce our riders for the 2021 season.
MARSHAL WELTIN
DARIAN SANAYEI
DYLAN REMPEL
MARSHAL WELTIN – KX 450
Mechanic: Justin Roney
After successfully winning the 250 Triple Crown Series in 2020, Marshal will now move to the 450 class. He will take over the role of team leader, he also earned career #2 number and is looking forward to success on the new KX450.
DARIAN SANAYEI- KX250
Mechanic: Jadon Brown
After multiple seasons of racing MXGP, Darian returned to the US in 2020 competing in the USA Supercross Series. He then was a fill-in rider for the USA Pro Circuit motocross team before a shoulder injury ended his season early. We look forward to Darian’s vast experience as he competes in the Triple Crown Series for 2021.
DYLAN REMPEL- KX 85/100
Mechanic: Christian Huber
New for 2021 is the support from Canadian Kawasaki Motors for Dylan to compete in Canadian Triple Crown Series. Huber Motorsports will also support Dylan as he competes at Walton TransCan along with the E-Can amateur events. The effort from Canadian Kawasaki Motors along with each of our marketing partners believe that Dylan represents the future of Canadian Motocross.
Kawasaki Motor Corp and the entire staff at Canadian Kawasaki Motors have been major supporters for years and the 2021 season we will support Dylan Rempel as a full race team member. Having Dylan aboard the Thor/Kawasaki/Pro Circuit KX85 and KX100 will bridge that gap for those riders who are working with there families and local Kawasaki dealers as they grow into the professional series.
Canadian Kawasaki Motors and the local dealer network across Canada will continue supporting multiple Team Green riders. Huber Motorsports race program will be available for trackside support and guidance at each race weekend and will host a Team Green dinner at the Walton TransCan for all those who can attend with Covid-19 restrictions.
In 2021, Thor/Kawasaki/Pro Circuit will also offer mentoring and trackside support to some of Team Green’s rising talent. Those riders will receive mentorship from HMS staff.
The Team Green riders chosen for our Rising Talent program are:
Team Green LEVEL UP Support Riders:
BC
30| Devyn Smith – Intermediate
MAPLE RIDGE MOTORSPORTS
https://www.instagram.com/devyn_smith30/
41| Luke Heppner – 85cc 12-16
BIG TOP POWERSPORTS
https://www.instagram.com/heppnermx/
42 | Jake Heppner – 85cc 12-16
BIG TOP POWERSPORTS
https://www.instagram.com/heppnermx/
39 | Rian Heppner – 85cc 7-11
BIG TOP POWERSPORTS
https://www.instagram.com/heppnermx/
21 | Graeme Laybourn – 85cc 12-16
BIG TOP POWERSPORTS
ALBERTA
226 | Sterling Lofthouse – Intermediate
BLACKFOOT MOTOSPORTS https://www.instagram.com/sterling_lofthouse226/
MANITOBA
27 | BRODY SCHURE – 85cc 12-16
TRANSCANADA MOTORSPORTS SUPPLY
https://www.instagram.com/brodykx_27/
ONTARIO
164 | Wyatt Kerr – Intermediate
INGLIS CYCLE CENTRE
https://www.instagram.com/wyattkerr164/
292 | Payton Morningstar – Intermediate
942 | Preston Masciangelo – Intermediate
https://www.instagram.com/prestonmasciangelo_942/
QUEBEC
148 | Felix Ouellet – Intermediate
Roger Pelletier /PRMX
198 | Antoine Poirier – Junior (2020 Team Green grand prize winner)
Equipements Les Chutes
https://www.instagram.com/antoinepoirier198/
Please visit our media sites
@thorkawasakiprocircuit
Podcast | Quinn Amyotte Talks about His Manluk Rock River Yamaha Merge Racing Deal
#19 Quinn Amyotte from Burketon, Ontario, talks about his new deal with the Manluk Rock River Yamaha Merge Racing team for 2021.
Spotify:
iTunes:
Stitcher:
Google Podcasts:
SUBSCRIBE to Direct Motocross on your favourite supplier and be notified when a new podcast interview goes up.
It was a bit of a slow week around here at DMX, and I apologize for that. It looks like I’ll be dusting off the Jeff McConkey Yamaha YZ 250 2-stroke this weekend with my high school buddy, Jamie Ruddock.
Well, that’s if Jamie is still talking to me:
I’ve got some Leatt gear to try out, so be sure to say hello from an acceptable social distance if you see the #739 creeping around the track.
Have a great weekend, everyone.
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