Western Canada Amateur National Motocross Championships

Jul 9 2009 - 1:40pm - Dawn McClintock

Photos by Wendy Veldhuizen

The 12th annual CMRC Western Canada Amateur National Motocross Championships completed this past weekend, with approximately 650 entries from all over Western Canada battling at the famed track for motocross glory.

Good weather and strong racing for the long standing event was the high note for this years motocross championships. The track offered up the tough conditions that have been a trademark of Temple Hill. "It was pretty smooth event. All the kids who came rode hard and were respective to the staff here at Temple Hill. I always say it is the riders who make the show" said Western Amateur National Promoter Gerry Nelson.

#732 Jared Stock leads the pack,

#16 Will Veldhuizen Jr MX1 Intermediate.

#66 Dustin Hayes,

#66 Dustin Hayes takes the lead.

#50 Shelby Turner Super Mini Class. Tackling whatever is thrown her way.

The event big winner was Fort St John, BC's Trae Franklin. The 14 year old KTM rider dominated in the Supermini, Junior and GP Junior classes the entire week. Franklin won all 9 motos he entered, and took home the coveted Gaerne Bronze Boot award for the event's top rider. "Trae was as good as we have seen at Raymond in all the years we have done the event. He was the best rider here, and deserves the recognition" said Gerry Nelson, the WCAN's promoter.

A new annual award was introduced at the event, the Top End Promotions Inc. Heart Award. This year the award focused on racing families and the recipients were Trevor and Renee Turner's family from Barons, AB.

Heather Nelson said the success of the event was due to everyone who raced, worked and partipated in the event: "Each year we say thanks, and we want to say it again. Thanks to the riders, their families, the Lethbridge Motorcycle Club, the Over the Bars Club and all the people who helped make this race a special event for Canadian motocross, but maybe more importantly, Western Canada".

#45 Hansen Flying through the air.

A full list of results can be found at www.cmrcracing.com under the Alberta region results. The 2009 Western Amateur National Motocross Championships is promoted by Gerry and Heather Nelson of Top End Promotions. Event information can be found at http://www.cdnmx.com/

A new annual award was introduced at the event, the Top End Promotions Inc, Heart Award. This year the award focused on racingfamilies, and this years’ recipient is the Trevor and Renee Turner family from Barons, AB.

The presentation of the award this year is to acknowledge, not only the racing the family participates in but also the time, effort and dedication they give to the sport, in various aspects, including hosting events, participating in Clubs, their support at the provincial level and being ambassadors for the sport, regardless of the discipline. From racing in all disciplines, MX, HS, XC and EX, (Trevor, Renee, son Avery and daughter Shelby) the family owns and operates the Homestead track at Barons, AB that is home to the Endurocross National. Trevor and Renee are members of various motorcycle clubs and Renee is the off road director for the ADRA. Congratulations Turners!

The oldest rider in the event was Roy Handziuk, from Claresholm, AB, 65 years young and still givin’er. Roy’s daughter, Laura, who has faced many challenges in her life and used to race the ATV’s, sang the national anthems. Watch for them on Youtube.
If there was a Lady Byng trophy for the event, it should go to Riley Slimmon. Riley, a very talented ATV racer, who actually stopped during his ATV Sportsman moto to help a rider that went down and stayed with him until the first aid got there.
The Vintage class saw some excellent racing with the oldest bike being Jason Christensen’s 1977 Canal 250cc and the newest being Paul Jakober’s 1982 Yamaha and Jamie Christensen’s 1982 Can Am.
Runner up for the Bronze Boot was Jared Stock out of Medicine Hat, AB riding Yamaha.
A scavenger hunt entertained about 80 kids on Thursday night for a couple of hours, the Toonie pancake breakfast on Sunday morning was a big hit and the infamous Temple Hill water slide was back in operation on Saturday racing. A little carpet, a little poly, a little baby shampoo and a lot of cold water makes for a great on-track water slide, the perfect way to cool off in the Southern Alberta heat.
Shelby Turner, Barons, AB got 3rd overall in the 40 gate, 85cc 12-16 class, a few male egos were bruised.