Frid'Eh Update #14 Presented by Orange Motorsports

 

Hello and welcome to the DMX Frid’Eh Update #14! It’s been a wild ride the last few weeks, well actually 12 weeks. That’s how long the AMA supercross series has been going now and there hasn’t been a break in that until right now. Whew! Exhale…

So this update is coming to you from my couch in Las Vegas and I’m happy about that. It’s been a little nuts with the travel, typing and talking but for this weekend, it’s just going to be a bunch of R&R.

Welcome to our new sponsor of this column Orange Motorsports. Orange is pleased and proud to sponsor Jeremy Medaglia in his quest to capture the 2010 MX2 championship. Jer-Bear will be on one of those screaming KTM 250SXF’s and will hopefully provide Siert and Tina Wieringa with a boost in KTM sales as he chases Ontario provincial glory.

 

If you want to visit their showroom make your way down to 4723 Hwy 45 in Cobourg, Ontario or check them out on the web at orangemotorsports.ca for the latest deals.

This week they have a set of Xtreme gear for just $69.95, that’s pants and jersey for one low price and while supplies last. Please check them out and support those who support the sport.

Before we get too far into this thing, let’s celebrate the CMRC pro whose 2010 number coincides with this column. And that would be Aron Harvey who rode for the Blackfoot Yamaha team and was going to be, I and many other thought, a real contender for the 2010 MX2 title. As we all know, that didn’t happen as Aron’s season started off in spectacularly bad fashion with two bike-related DNF’s at Kamloops and that was it, he was starting out from a deficit each and every week.

 

 

A little while ago, I caught up to Aron for his take on what went wrong this past season as well as his thoughts about coming back to Canada for the 2010 season. He seemed to be a little perturbed at the way things ended and was saying that he was going to race a 450 in the AMA nationals. I thought that he might make a good hire for another Canadian team and I passed his name onto a couple of team managers that I thought might be interested. I know that one of them called him but I guess nothing happened from that.

Too bad, Aron was certainly fast in 2008 and he even won a national last year in an “off year” so he’s got the speed. Well Kamloops isn’t that far of a trek for him, maybe he shows up there and tests it out again.

I got a note this week from BBMX Suzuki's Lucas Crespi who is looking for a ride up north for this summer. Crespi is a rookie down south who rode the last few outdoor races last season. He managed to score points in almost every moto he rode in the highly competitive 250 class and is certainly a kid on the rise. His team isn't doing outdoors but Lucas wants to keep racing. He wouldn't need much at all, just a chance.

If any managers are reading this and want to get with Crespi to talk, email me at steve@directmotocross.com

As far as the news down here, well let’s just say that the term bombshell is not to be used lightly but I think we can all agree on Glen Helen losing its national and then immediately turning around and getting an FIM Grand Prix would qualify as one. I think that the Youthstream is sitting back there and just rubbing its hands together thinking that they snagged the date and the track away from MX Sports (who promotes the nationals in the USA) but I don’t see it as that way.

 

First of all, as I can attest to, American motocross fans care about American motocross racers. They pretty much think they are the best at motocross (and they are) and that the American motocross series is the most competitive and deepest series in the world (and it is). With that being said, I can’t see how the attendance is going to be anywhere near what the national was. The fans don’t care about Max Nagl and Marvin Musquin! I’m not saying those guys suck or anything as they absolutely haul ass but American fans just don’t care. Of course I’m generalizing here but you get my point.

Add in the fact that with the AMA national opener the week before and 11 races left to go, I don’t see the teams really supporting this event outside of L&M Yamaha (whose rider, James Stewart, will almost 100% be there as Red Bull would love it and they pay James a bazillion dollars a year to wear the colors). I know the managers I spoke to didn’t say they weren’t going to go but they didn’t say they were either. It was early in the decision making process but I know the American teams want less races, not more.

Add in the fact that the Euro teams now don’t get any help flying the riders and equipment over anymore and you’re going to have some upset European team managers who have to turn around seven days after Glen Helen and go to France.

For a unique take on this situation as well as a look at the upcoming GP season, check out THIS podcast I did with long-time GP veteran Josh Coppins. 

So having said that, I’ll be there to check it out and I’m also working on getting over to Spain the week before Hangtown to check out that GP. And with that, let's catch up with Kyle "Roost" Carruthers and see what he's up to:

 

Thanks Steve! Well it finally happened! Today I took my first ride on a dirt bike in over five months! Let me tell you it was a good one. I awoke to the sun shining and immediately headed down to the Private Carruthers Ranch MX facility. Down there I met up with the Keast family including Kyle, Crystal and their dad Jamey as well as Yamaha Canada’s Danny Brault and Bryan Hudgin and my buddies Richard Dance and Kurt and Dakota Yaskow. After spending a couple hours picking stones, tilling up the dirt and absolutely sinking the skid steer in a mud bog we made it all happen and the track was finally ready to get some laps spun on it.

Going on that thought I think it’s time for me to hit the gym and drop the college 15 because after 2 laps on the big 450 I was feeling it! Feeling it enough that old man Richard Dance was able to catch me and pass me and I wasn’t able to put up much of a fight. If I was Richard I wouldn’t get bragging yet because it’s going to be a long summer! Kyle Keast is looking good and is looking forward to tearing up Gopher Dunes on Sunday. So if you’re in Ontario make sure your hitting the Dunes this Easter Sunday because the Schuster family does an incredible job with track prep and with the way the weather is looking it’s going to be the perfect day to be at the track and spending Easter with great family and friends.

 

 

I was able to catch up with Jared Alison this week and it sounds like stuff is really booming over at ATF (Alison Training Facility) as the guys like to call it. Their having fun with their new water truck from World War two which is helping them keep the dust down well they pound out some motos. From what I gather Jared and Parker Alison have both picked up quite a bit of speed going into this year as well as their younger brother Bryton. I have no doubt that these guys will be going for top five each and every weekend aboard their Blackfoot Direct Yamaha’s with their new Troy Lee Designs gear deal. Be sure to keep your eyes on them when the season starts.

KTM rider Ryan Millar sent me a message and looks like things turned for the worst for the Manitoba rider as he swapped out and broke his wrist and separated his shoulder. Rumor has it he was ridding pretty well down south with the Newf spinning the wrenches. Hopefully Ryan will be 100% healthy by the time Kamloops rolls around. Heal up soon Buddy!

I also stopped into Machine Racing this week to say hello to none other than the man John Nelson himself. it Sounds like John has got his team finalized for this coming season and will be releasing a press release shortly letting you know who will be on it. It looks like Machine racing will have some strong riders representing them not only on the track but in the woods also!

 

I received a call from Craig Fortune this week at RTR performance. By the sounds of it everything is going good with the boys and gals over there in Kamloops. RTR won’t have as strong as presence this year as they have in years past on the Canadian nationals tour but they will be supporting local amateurs as well as top Off road Canadian Pro Bobby Procneau. Look for Bobby to some damage once again this year in any series he competes in!

 

If you're near Blackstock Ontario tomorrow make sure you check out the Asselstine’s Yamaha and Suzuki  Swap meet. Everything in the store is 15% off. Riders are also allowed to come and set up and sell any equipment or bikes that they want to get rid of. So if you’re in the area be sure to check it out and get a hamburger from the BBQ well you’re at it! I’ll be helping out the Asselstines crew tomorrow and be playing the role of Pit master behind the grill. Be sure to say hey if you stop by.

 

That’s all I have for this week folks. Have a great Easter and hopefully I’ll see some of you at the Dunes on Sunday! Back to you Steve.

Thanks KC! Let’s see what James Lissimore has to say this week:

 

Well it hasn't been a big news week for me this week but I've got a couple things to mention. First off, a big thanks to Dawn and Marty for adding my book, Canadian Motocross: A Photo Annual, to the DMX store. So if you haven't already grabbed a copy, click on the “Store” tab at the top of the page here to get a great keepsake for anyone who's a fan of Canadian motocross.

Also, I called up Teddy Maier yesterday to see what's new and how things are healing up for him after his nasty crash while at a supercross tryout for the Butler Bros Suzuki team in Georgia. For those that didn't hear, Maier went over the bars and not only broke the leg that he broke last winter, but the impact bent the rod that was already in there, forcing the doctors to yank it out and put a new one in. Ouch. Good news though, as he's back on his bike and feeling good. He's currently down in Texas working with trainer, Shannon Niday and seems excited to get to Kamloops and run his Number One plate. To check out the interview, here's the link: http://www.directmotocross.com/news/features/2010/04/catching-withteddy-maier

And while we're on the subject of the Monster Energy Leading Edge Motorsports team, a huge congrats to team owner Jason Hughes as his fiancée, Crystal, gave birth to their first child on Wednesday. They've now got a little girl named Serena and I'm sure he'll have her selling spark plugs at the shop in no time.

 

Ok, that's it for me this week. Hopefully the rain will hold off and we can get some riding in this weekend.

Thanks James and good job with the Teddy Maier interview, see? It’s not that hard. And now let’s get into Chris Pomeroy’s contribution of the week:

Carl Bastedo has been around Canadian Motocross for as long as anyone can remember. He has done it all, from racing to promoting, to holding Grand Prix’s, to taking charge of Canada’s Des Nations effort. Carl’s main job is running the day to day operations of Moto Park, probably the most famous track in Canada. With Easter weekend upon us, Moto Park will be open for business, the Moto Park Hotel is booked, the track is watered and the moto muffins are cooking. This is what Carl had to say about what we can expect in 2010.

DMX: Hey Carl, its Easter and Moto Park is set to open, how are things going?

Carl: Things are going great. The weather is beautiful and the track is ready, I don’t ever recall the weather being this nice for our opening weekend. The boys are out watering the track as we speak and even though it’s only Thursday, people are already starting to show up for camping.

Is the Moto Park hotel all booked up?

Yes it is as a matter of fact, it is booked all weekend. We expect a busy, busy weekend, we are already getting the moto muffins ready.

Moto Muffins!! Gotta love them, my mom still talks about them. How is your 2010 racing schedule shaping up. Will you be running a full schedule?

We will be running a four race schedule as well as our annual Amateur National. The races will be open to all license holders, whether it be CMX, CMRC, AMA, anything goes. The first race will be on the May long weekend.

 

 

That’s a great idea Carl. What about your very popular motocross camps, are they a go this summer?

Oh yes, for sure. We expect a lot of students again this year, from all over. We have been very fortunate over the years to have students from everywhere, Canada, the USA, Bermuda and overseas, they just keep coming back. As in the past, we will be running 10 weeks of summer camps here.

That is good to hear, will the instructors be the same this summer?

Pretty much yes. Iain Hayden, Zeb Denis and Nick Hill will handle the teaching duties for most of the Academy students, and Mike Mahoney will be working with the more beginner type riders. These guys all work very well together and the students love them.

How long have you been around Canadian Motocross?

A long, long time. I first got my CMA licence in 1960, I was 16 at the time and I was the youngest rider at the time to hold a CMA licence. My first race was that year at the old Copetown track near Hamilton, Ontario, so it has been a very long time. But, I’m proud of every moment.

You have obviously seen a lot good and bad. What keeps you going?

That’s a good question. It is tough sometimes but I’ve always done what I wanted to do and I have always wanted to be involved in the motorcycle industry. I done a lot of different things in the industry, whether it be riding dirt track, trials, the Six Days, I even went road racing once on a Yamaha Trial Boss. Then I evolved into the industry itself, first with Kawasaki then as a promoter with the Toronto SX. So it’s just been a bunch of different things over the years but it all has revolved around my desire to be in the industry.

Moto Park has been around a long time, what are you most proud of?

I would say first and foremost the type of facility that we have built here. It has taken a while to get Moto Park to the state it is now, it certainly hasn’t happen overnight. Also, all the people that have been involved with the track over the years. It has been amazing watching and teaching young riders who have gone on to do well in the sport. 

Well Carl, best of luck this year. I have always loved going to Moto Park so I’m sure I will be seeing you soon.

Sounds good Chris. Happy Easter to everyone. Be sure to check out www.motoparkracing.com for all updates and info on all we do here.

Thanks Chris and now this from our resident off-road guru, Dan “no roommates” Paris:

 

 

The big news is Jason Schrage being signed by Honda Canada/Troy Lee Designs to contest the Royal Distributing Canadian Enduro Championship, presented by Parts Canada, for the next THREE years! That kind of long-term contract is unheard of these days, and shows how seriously the big manufacturers are taking off-road racing. I did an interview with Schrage about his new ride, which you will be able to read here on DMX early next week.

 

 

Still not convinced the forest is the place to race in 2010? Try this on for size. Honda Canada has announced an excellent contingency plan for the CEC series. Go hang a skid plate and bush bashers on your CRF, right now!

 

2010 HONDA OFF ROAD CONTINGENCY

RED RIDER PROGRAM

W.E.C. ENDURO (Canadian Enduro Championship Series) -- OVERALL CLASS WINNERS

 

*Class                                   1st Place              2nd Place             3rd Place

Am C East                            $600                       $450                       $250

Am B East                            $600                       $450                       $250

Am A East                            $600                       $450                       $250

Am Spr Vet East                   $600                       $450                       $250

Am Vet East                         $600                       $450                       $250

Women East                         $600                       $450                       $250

E Vet East                           $900                       $550                       $300

Am C West                          $600                       $450                       $250

Am B West                          $600                       $450                       $250

Am A West                         $600                       $450                       $250

Am Spr Vet West               $600                       $450                       $250

Am Vet West                     $600                       $450                       $250

Women West                    $600                       $450                       $250

E Vet West                          $900                       $550                       $300

E3 National                         $2,200                   $1,500                   $800

E2 National                         $2,200                   $1,500                   $800

E1 National                         $2,200                   $1,500                   $800

 

Note: A $300 bonus will be paid if any East or West champion also wins the overall amateur National championship!

Here are a few notes for newcomers to the CEC series format. Competitors will not require expensive computer clocks or route sheet holders. Motorcycles do not require license plates or insurance. Competitors will not require a driver’s license, but there will be a minimum age requirement of 16. There will be a single paddock area, which means pit crews are not required to chase the rider. Special tests will again be located near the paddock to make for a spectator friendly event. Each CEC event is held on an off-road closed course. Entry Fees are as yet to be decided each weekend. To encourage racers to race the entire National series, any riders crossing the Ontario/Manitoba border to compete will have their entry fee waived. Riders will require a World Enduro Canada competition license.

Once again a bike transportation service for the CEC series will be provided by World Enduro Canada in cooperation with series sponsors Royal Distributing and Brian Kurtz trucking. This is a very cost and time effective way to have your motorcycle and gear shipped across the country. Rates for 2010 are $750 per motorcycle with a $200 deposit.

Guy Giroux, as always, loves to feed the rumour mill. With impeccable timing, he called me while I was pacing back and forth trying to shake off the hardest fall I’ve taken in years. “How’s my old Beemer working out?” he asked. “Umm…it’s lying upside down halfway up a hill right now with pissing gas out the overflow tube…”

Anyway, now that he is ‘Mr. Husqvarna’, Giroux tells me he will be switching from the TE250 four-stroke to a WR250 or maybe a WR300 two-stroke for the CEC series. That means he might be racing E2 or maybe E3. No doubt he’ll keep us guessing right up to the last minute.

Things are still coming together for the new Ontario Cross Country Series, which is a joint effort of the CMRC and World Enduro Canada. Being able to purchase a competition license online is the big thing for riders making the switch from the CMA. Current CMRC motocross license holders are already good to go for this exciting new series. CMRC’s Mark Stallybrass says the online licensing program will be available starting next week.

Just so you know, here are the number plate colours for the OCCS and CEC series:

Pro-White on Red

Int-Black on Yellow

Jr-Red on White

Vet Master (Int or Pro over 45) –Black on White

Vet Senior (45-54) –Black on White

Vet Junior (30-45) –Red on White

Super Senior (55+) –Black on White

Beginner-Red on White

Women-White on Blue

Mini Sr (12-16 85cc) –Red on White

Mini Jr (9-13 65cc) –Red on White

Pee Wee (6-8 50cc) –Red on White

 

 

Entries are still available for the Rally Connex 2010 Paris to Dacre Dual-Sport Challenge. Run from Paris to Dacre Ontario, the 750km ride is sort of like a taste of the real Dakar rally. Navigation, bike preparation, and teamwork are the keys to success. Entries must be in teams of three to five riders. More information can be found at www.rallyconnex.com 

 

 

That’s it for now, the sun is out and I want some!

 

Thanks Dan for that and I would just like to wish all of the readers out there a Merry Easter of whatever it is. Have fun spending time with your family and hunting for Easter Eggs and see you next week!