Frid’Eh Update #8 Presented by FLY Racing

Happy Friday to everyone from the bustling metropolis of Springfield, ON where I sit in the deep freeze that is south-western Ontario. Not gonna lie, I’m seeing Facebook photos of cherry trees in bloom and people eating on patios in Vancouver and I am kind of jealous. Don’t get me wrong, I love winter but…I’m over it. Oh, and nice planning on the trip south there Billy. I’m sure you’ll rub it in. Bring on moto season!

First off, I have a little sad news to report that we are hoping will turn around a bit this weekend. On Monday afternoon we had a rider down and he’s going through a big fight right now. John Sparks is a moto dad and a very familiar name to those in the MMRS club. He was down with his family at County Line track in Fountain, Florida, riding when he crashed. He was found at the bottom of a jump, unconscious. He was airlifted to hospital in Panama, Florida, where he underwent emergency surgery, put on a ventilator and a shunt was put in to drain fluid from his head. He was listed in critical condition and was sedated to allow his body to heal. He has been showing some progress over the course of the week and sedation has been reduced to nil and there are hopes they will be able to remove the ventilator today.

We never like to hear news like that. John, you are in our thoughts and we are all pulling for you here. We would also like to extend our support to his wife Sarah and family as they work through this extremely tough week. We will keep you posted on John’s condition as we learn more. Heal up soon, John!

Switching gears here, I am just posting a reminder to anyone wishing to go to the Halstead MX Season Fundraiser next Saturday night in Brantford, Ontario. They have collected a large number of items for the auction table and some of the items include a signed Colton Facciotti jersey, signed Dusty Klatt jersey, Don Cherry signed book with Wendel Clark signed stick, 5-day stay in trailer in Ohio that is 20 minutes from Cedar Point, sled package including 2 helmets, clothing and gloves, and there are around 25 baskets valued between $25 and $100.

They have also got things hooked up so us moto peeps won’t be out in the cold on the Supercross footage. There will be live Supercross broadcast right there at the hall. Here are the details: Navy Club — 54 Wadsworth St., Brantford, ON, March 7 from 7pm to 1am. See you guys there!

Hey, guys. It’s another cold day here in Southern Ontario. We have seen some nasty cold weather, but slowly and surely the days have been getting longer. I, myself, am counting down the days until MX season. Thank God for the fantastic racing in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series to tide us over. The season is at the halfway point and it’s still a little early to pick a winner. Ryan Dungey has been consistent like always, but something is different this year. He seems to have a little edge to him and he is making moves sooner than later, and he isn’t settling in. I don’t think he is the fastest, but at this point, he is the best all around rider for sure. I believe Trey Canard has the most speed, but his poor starts may cost him the title. Young Ken Roczen looked to be the man early on in the season but has faltered lately. Those are most likely the only riders with a shot at the 450 crown.

In 250 West action, Cooper Webb is in full control and looks to be on his way to his first professional title. Marvin Musquin looked to be the favourite after round 1, but Jeremy Martin served notice at round 2 that he wants to add East Coast Champion to his resume. No matter what happens, I am very thankful for the great racing that will hold us over until spring time.

The MXGP series starts up this weekend and big news is that American Ryan Villopoto will be lining up trying to dethrone Antonio Cairoli. Cairoli is pretty much the G.O.A.T. of Europe, and just seems to get better each and every year. All eyes will be on these two superstars and whether or not RV2 will continue his winning ways. My personal opinion, is that nobody can match Ryan’s speed or determination. He’s not going to win every moto, but I am willing to bet some warm beers that he podiums every round. In 250 action, it will once again be the Jeffrey Herlings show (yawn).

This past Monday, we received some bad news in the moto community. Southern Ontario racer Christian Sparks’ father John had a bad crash in Florida and had to be flown to Panama Hospital. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers. You never like to hear about any crashes involving fellow riders and racers, so I’m urging all of you lucky riders heading south to ride…please take it easy and slowly ease yourselves back into it. Being from the Great White North, we don’t have the luxury of riding year round. I, personally, know the feeling – it’s a new year, possibly new class, new bike and gear and you feel ready to kill it. You hit the track and you instantly feel great. Your speed is there and you want to push. But, realistically, you aren’t in riding or race shape and accidents happen. So, please be safe and make it back home unscathed.

Well that is it for me this week. I am on my way to Montreal to visit the great people at KTM Canada this weekend. I wish I could tell you what for, but I am afraid KTM’s Clody Lapointe could kick my ass in a fight. Just kidding, Clody. Anyways, watch for a report on my weekend trip here on DMX and if you haven’t checked it out already, be sure to read my Out Of The Blue with Vanessa Paquette, my On the Radar with Duncan MacLeod, and a great interview with double-classer Jared Petruska.

Before I go, A big Happy Birthday to Canada’s G.O.A.T JSR, and women’s racer Kennedy Lutz.  Have a great week and don’t forget to pray for John Sparks and family, and always #smileforBC! 

Thanks, guys. That’s awful news about John Sparks. We’re all thinking about you, John. Get well soon. We’re into week #8 and the weather where I live has been unrelenting. Seriously, this cold snap has pretty much beaten the life out of everyone in Ontario. It sounds like only the far left coast is enjoying seasonal temperatures. Like I said last week, we’re actually breaking records in these parts! And not good ones.

I’m on my way south as you read this (Check that. I am right beside the Georgia Dome now) and the jet stream better have found its way back north to its usual home before I get to Georgia (It’s 10 degrees) and Florida. Nothing worse than driving all the way to Florida and having to wear pants and a jacket (how many of you just thought of the Blink 182 album (yes, album) just then?). The forecast looks promising, but I won’t hold my breath.

If you’re down at GPF riding next week, be sure to keep those elbows up (Colton Facciotti excluded) and ride like someone might be taking pictures or shooting video. I’m going to keep my portion shorter than my usual War and Peace-like novel as I don’t like the looks of some of the riff raff in this roadside cafe and we still have some miles to go before we hit the Georgia Dome.

MXGP’S OPENING PRESS CONFERENCE

LOSAIL (Qatar), 26 February 2015 – Seven of MXGP’s fastest factory riders joined some of the official names associated with the organization and promotion of MXGP of Qatar, Youthstream President Mr. Giuseppe Luongo, FIM Europe President Dr. Wolfgang Srb, FIM/CMS Director Mr. Tony Skillington and the President of the QMMF Mr. Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah, for MXGP 2015’s opening press conference which took place in the outstanding media center here at the circuit of Losail earlier this afternoon. Leading the conference Youthstream’s Director of Communication and Marketing Services Marionna Leiva explained to the room of national and international media representatives and a ton of other factory riders and their teams, some of the official statistics from MXGP’s television broadcast and media service success.Some of the topics touched before handing the word over to Mr. Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah, who started the series of speeches, was the continuation of MXGP’s extensive television coverage on national and international television networks as well as online at www.mxgp-tv.com, and the huge rise in MXGP fans that have accumulated via social media and other media outlets.

QMMF President Mr. Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah said, “On behalf of the QMMF, I would like to welcome you all here to enjoy this weekend. We hope to make a good start to the season. I would like to congratulate Youthstream on what they have achieved with their media success and we are very proud to have the first GP again. It is amazing for us.”

Youthstream President Mr. Giuseppe Luongo continued, returning the thanks, “I am very happy we are here and it’s thanks to the QMMF and how hard they work that we can have such a great opening Grand Prix. I would also like to thank all of the teams and all of the riders involved and of course the media too, because without them we wouldn’t be here. I also want to say that I am proud of what we, MXGP, have achieved. We have managed to make motocross a worldwide sport. We have also managed to receive worldwide television coverage which is very important. I feel we are on the right path and that this season, MXGP 2015, will make a huge impact on the world. It will be the greatest season ever, I am sure.”

Dr. Wolfgang Srb also shared his appreciation, “What Mr. Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah and the QMMF do here in Qatar is simply incredible. Their determination and their round-the-clock commitment to this GP is amazing and for that, we have to say thanks. I also want to say thanks to Youthstream, it has been great to work together pushing motocross to a level which we couldn’t dream of. It has been because of the great success with the media, with Facebook, Twitter, and the Internet which has made us so successful and made us realize the sky is the limit.”

Mr. Tony Skillington also said a few words before handing it over to the riders, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Antonio Cairoli, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Ryan Villopoto, Yamaha Factory Racing Yamalube’s Jeremy Van Horebeek, Team HRC’s Gautier Paulin, Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Max Nagl, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MXGP’s Clement Desalle and TM Racing Factory Team’s Davide Guarneri, who also shared their excitement and willingness to win this season.

To put a wrap on all the exciting things happening today, after the press conference all of the riders ventured out to the track where they unveiled the all-new CCTV System, a system made up of 16 CCTV cameras that cover the entire circuit. The CCTV system is the first one in history to be installed around a motocross track and is connected to race control where the racing will be viewed on a series of monitors and allows officials the ability to assess any incidents that may occur. The QMMF also supports the Ride Green campaign and today along with some riders, planted some tree’s in favour.TIMETABLE:

Friday: WMX Free Practice 16:45; MX2 Free Practice 17:15; MXGP Free Practice 17:45; WMX Time Practice 18:15; MX2 Time Practice 19:15; MXGP Time Practice 20:00; MX2 Qualifying Race 22:00; MXGP Qualifying Race 22:50.

Saturday: WMX Warm up 16:30; MX2 Warm up 16:50; MXGP Warm up 17:10; WMX Race 1 18:15; MX2 Race 1 19:15; MXGP Race 1 20:15; WMX Race 2 21:10; MX2 Race 2 22:10; MXGP Race 2 23:10.

We mentioned a while back that Washington State native and almost-Canadian Brad Nauditt crashed early in the season while practicing for Supercross. Well, we got in touch with Brad today to get the latest on his condition. He mentioned a few things off the record when we last spoke and he was able to confirm what he thought – he cracked a bone in his back. L5, to be exact. He also slipped a total of 6 or 7 discs (1 upper, 1 mid, and at least 1 in his lower back)

This laundry list of injuries means Brad will be off the bike, but not nearly as long as you may think. He mentioned he hopes to be back on the bike and getting back up to speed for outdoors in around a week.

In the meantime, he’s been busy at his place in California getting his new clothing brand up and running smoothly. Relax Attire is the name of his clothing company and he was in the middle of launching their new line of beanies on the site. Be sure to check them out.

As far as his summer plans are concerned, he is still hoping to seal a deal with GA Checkpoint Yamaha to race the Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals starting in Kamloops, BC. Whether or not the deal gets inked, we will still see Brad at the first 4 western rounds at least. Hopefully, they can get a deal put in place that will see Brad take a run at the championship that he has proven can be in contention for.

Brad wanted to thank his sponsors: GA Checkpoint, Fly Racing, Bell Helmets, Motosport.com, FMF, Mika, Cycra, Fusion Graphix, Dunlop, Sunstar, Ride Engineering, Moto Stuff, Works Connection, Image Tech, Ryno Power, Mica Sport, and Relax Attire.

Good luck with your rehab, Brad. Since you won’t be at any more Supercross races this season (he doesn’t think), we’ll see you at Round 1 at Whispering Pines, May 31st.

Congratulations, Dad!

From Doug Dehaan‘s Facebook page:

Davi Millsaps AMA Amateur Championship Spring Classic – AKA The Millcreek Amateur National

Running from February 23-27, this event is in its 5th year of existence. The weather has been a little touch and go (like it was when I was there in 2011) but it looks like it has cleared up and racing is going on as you read this. You can watch the LIVE feed over on the RPM Sports Online website. Here is the embedded live feed:

 

As Jeff mentioned, there will be more eyes on the first round of the MXGP over in Qatar than there may have been on all of the rounds combined last year! You can’t help but get all caught up in the RV vs. AC bench racing. Who is your money on? I’ve had the opportunity to see both riders race many times and, say what you want, Antonio Cairoli doesn’t really know how to lose. I don’t think Ryan Villopoto is going to go over there and lap the field like a lot of people think he might. Whatever happens, be sure to get online and watch all the action Saturday!

Daniel Thibault sent over the poster for this year’s ECAN:

OK, I’m currently on my way down to Atlanta for the 2nd of two races there (I’m actually here). We’ll have to cut this one short so we don’t end up arriving in downtown Atlanta at 5 o’clock on a Friday afternoon (Got here at 2:30). DMX will be at the Atlanta SX, then GPF for a couple days, then Daytona for the Pro and Amateur SX, maybe some GNCC, and then Club MX on the way back north. Lots of stuff in the works for the site, so be sure to check in often over the coming weeks.

It’s been a long 14 1/2-hour drive, so I’m off to take a nap. Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend. I’m wearing shorts, Canada! Watch for lots of coverage from Atlanta this weekend.