Frid'Eh Update #16 Presented by Hindle Offroad

Sponsored by: 

By: Kyle Carruthers, Steve Matthes, Allison Kennedy and Steve Shannon

Photos: James Lissimore, Brent Martin and Sean Bowker 

Welcome already to the 16^th edition of the DMX Frid’Eh Update right here on www.directmotocross.com. The place where you get up to date Canadian motocross news, first.  What an awesome week it has been in Ontario for riding. Gopher dunes kicked off last week with the first CMRC organized practice day and conditions were great. This weekend they will be open once again for the CMRC season opener. If you’re not afraid of a little sand and looking for some good competition then Gopher is the place to go.

I have been lucky enough to dust off the old cobwebs since Florida and get out for some good riding this week with DMX man Richard Dance as well as Yamaha’s Danny Brault. There is nothing quite like going for the first ride of the year to remind yourself why you love this sport so much after a very long winter. Luckily we have had some great SX to keep us entertained and with the series coming down to the last 3 rounds it is still mathematically anyone’s championship. Well almost anyone’s. If you haven’t heard already Trey Carnard is out with a fractured femur and will be out for at least 8 weeks.  I am sure Matthes will have more on the Honda situation for us later.

I have had some very great people help me get to the track this year and I couldn’t have done it without them thanks to Kermaxx, Factory Connection, Clarington Cycle, Asselstines Yamaha and Suzuki, C4MX and Hindle Exhaust. I still remember my first dirt bike ride ever. I bought a 2001 KTM 125 and boy was it ever clapped out, having had 4 owners before me. I had never ridden a bike before but was always fascinated by the sport after seeing my friends do it and watching it on TV. I proceeded to let the clutch out one early spring day and went up the street and down a back dirt road. Well before I knew it I was shifting through the gears and trying to hang on to the beast. I hit the shaded part in the road and of course there was a nice patch of ice and snow there and I hit it harder than anyone ever hit that corner in dry conditions. Of course I hit the ground and the bike slid another 30 feet. I got up, and I remember grinning from ear to ear and got right back on that thing and kept going. I knew from that day on, I was hooked.

This week’s update is brought to you by the great people at Hindle Exhaust. This week myself and press pressed productions video man Mason Wrozyna got a full tour of the plant and how they make the pipes. We will have a full video on it for you guys next week and it was definitely interesting to see the operation they run. A big thanks to the whole Hindle crew for being such great hosts to DMX. If you haven’t already, check out www.hindle.com and read up on the history of the brand. They have some very cool stuff on their right back to when Lang Hindle started the business that continues to be family run today. Also make you sure you check out their face book page and like them on twitter as they are twitter freaks just like us @HindleExhaust!

www.hindle.com

It's update #16 which means this one goes out to Alberta boy Jared Allison (insert Paul Brandt song here). Jared had an amazing break out year riding his BlackfootDirect.com/TLD Yamaha to some very strong results including his first ever podium at Ste.Julie. It was a great race for sure, after breaking the Monster Leading Edge Kawasaki Holeshot streak, losing one of his fork caps half way through the moto and having oil sprayed all over him, he still hung on to take 3^rd overall on the day. This year Jared and Parker will be racing in the MX1 class aboard Yamalube/BlackfootDirect.com/Troy Lee Designs Yamaha 450’s and both are looking for top ten national numbers. I wouldn’t count them out on some top five finishes either. They will be joined by younger brother Bryton who will take on the MX2 class as an intermediate.

Here is a picture of Jared when he raced the second moto at Walton last year and went top ten on an unfamiliar bike and suspension. Look for him to work hard for a top ten number in 2011. photo: James Lissimore

Jared also sent us over this email to let us know how he has been doing.

Hey Kyle,
Parker and I just got done classes as of Thursday so we are just studying and preparing for finals. School has been going great. It will be nice to be done finals so we can just focus mostly on training and riding. I have been out on my new Yamaha 450 a few times and I love it.
Once we are out of school we will be hitting up some local races and doing riding schools around Central Alberta. Dean Thompson from blackfootdirect.com has been setting up riding schools for us so that really helps us out and it helps out the new up and comers of Alberta.
We have been training lots with Drew from Evolved. I didn't know that yoga could kick my butt so bad! I feel physically great and I am so pumped to have my first year in the "big boy" class haha.

See ya'll at round 1!

JA16

Here is a photo DMX reader Brent Martin wanted to share of Jared! The Allison Family has some sweet style! photo: Brent Martin

As we have been saying the last couple weeks, we are now accepting donations for Japan. This program has been set up with Mike from Factory Connection, Scott-Sports, DMX and MPI Sport Management. Please follow this link to see how you can help out. We have prizes including a signed Blake Wharton Jersey to the person making the highest donation (that amount will remain anonymous). Please folks, help a country that has a huge impact on our industry.

Stuff is starting to happen for the Monster Energy Leading Edge team. Pat O’Connor is now in Kamloops and working on race bikes to start getting ready for the fast approaching season. The team is still looking for a fill in rider for Kyle Beaton. Some names have been tossed around but nothing is confirmed yet. I also talked to our friend KD Beats and he is already bored at home but is out and working trying to make some money. Kyle is hoping to get some good moto schools going so if your interested in having him teach or help you out at your track shoot me an email kyle@directmotocross.com and we will get you in touch with him.

Pat has been working hard lately. Leading Edge is going for championships and won't settle for less. photo: James Lissimore

DMX along with other motocross media had the chance to participate in a great Race fuel test a couple weeks ago organized by Sean at Renegade fuels. It was a great experience with Klotz, Renegade and VP fuels tested on Bondi’s dyno in some Orange Motorsports bikes. Check it out right here as we feel it’s a great read. If you want to see more of this tech stuff right here on DMX shoot us an email as were loving learning new things!

A lot is happening over at MXRanking.com. They are open now for free memberships for everyone. Check out their site and see everything they are offering and become part of something cool and new.

Now let’s get this over to are off road man Steve Shannon.

Hey guys,

Well, the Desert 100 is in the books for another year.  After injuring himself at the race in 2010, Bobby Prochnau sought redemption in 2011, and that’s exactly what he got.  Prochnau grabbed the lead early on and never looked back, taking a convincing win in his second race of the year.  That’s two races and two wins this year.  If you’re an off road pro, it’s not looking good for getting a win this year with the way Prochnau is riding. 

Out in Alberta, the CMA Provincial Hare Scramble series kicked off with the Cactus Coulee Hare Scramble near Lethbridge.  Honda’s Jason Schrage took a convincing win over CGRT’s Shane Cuthbertson in second and Husqvarna’s Marty Halmazna in third.  It sounds like a great event and I’m glad to see winter has finally released its grip on our prairie neighbours.

This weekend was supposed to be another round of the PNWMA series: the Cat Scratch Hare Scrambles in Squamish, BC.  Unfortunately, the snow is refusing to leave out here in BC and it’s been postponed to a later date.  This is a real bummer, since the Cat Scratch is known for being a really tough, yet fun event.  It got left off the schedule last year, so hopefully it will return later in the year and give racers a good kick in the butt!  The PNWMA series will resume next weekend in Kamloops with the Big Kahuna Hare Scrambles.  This race is held at the Whispering Pines motocross facility and is more of a GP than a traditional hare scramble.  It features the motocross track, plus some wide open fast stuff through the woods around the property.  They’re also holding two days of motocross racing on the Friday and Saturday, so all in all it looks like a great weekend.  For more info, check the PN site at www.pnwma.com or the Greater Kamloops Motorcycle Club at www.gkma.ca.

If you are itching to ride this weekend and want to improve your skills, BCORMA in conjunction with the SODBC is hosting a rider clinic and fun ride in Okanagan Falls, BC.  Mark Cahill, Jamie Skinner and Mike Fetterer will be helping riders of all skill levels improve, then they can test out their new skills on Sunday at the SODBC’s Creaky Bones fun ride at the same location!  For more information, check out http://bcorma.geovisionenvironmental.com/node/217.

Well, that about wraps things up for this week.  I hope everyone gets out for a ride and enjoys the spring weather!

Thanks Steve and with the snow starting to melt in the woods here in Ontario and other parts of the country Offroad will be out in full force. I know the WEC is gearing up for the year as well as Offroad Ontario who’s first event will take place on April 24^th. Check out their website at www.offroadontario.ca for more details.

Now let’s get this over to Matthes!

This weekend’s Seattle SX gets me excited for a few reasons. One is that the series has been terrific so far and I have no clue what is going to happen and two is that I love the Pacific Northwest and being up here is cool. Even though it’s sprinkling right now (imagine that?). As I drove to my hotel from the airport this morning, I saw the sign on the I-5 that said “Vancouver, BC” and contemplated just heading north to catch the Canucks game tonight.

By sadly, I couldn’t as I’m paid to be at this race and I didn’t have my green card on me which would probably equal trouble when I tried to get back into the US of A. So I’m stuck here in what hopefully isn’t the pouring rain and right now, the weather seems like it’s going to cooperate with the race. But then again, having spent a fair amount of time in Victoria, I know that the weather can change quickly.

My Room with a view in Seattle!

As far as who is a favorite, I have no clue. Ryan Villopoto is from the area and won a couple of years ago so he could be instilled as the chosen one but then again, James Stewart has run really good in some treacherous conditions only a few years ago. Then there is Chad Reed who won San Diego in the (sort of) mud. We know Ryan Dungey can go fast so like I was saying, who knows?

One thing we do know is that Trey Canard won’t be on the line because of a broken leg suffered while he was doing some outdoor testing. Bummer for Trey but he’s had a terrific season and I’m sure when he comes back, he’ll pick up where he left off.

The west region picks up with Josh Hansen leading the points by the slimmest margins over his teammate Broc Tickle. Coming on strong when we last saw this coast was Eli Tomac but the interesting thing right now is all three guys are coming in with recent injuries. Hansen hurt his hand, Tickle broke his collarbone and Tomac knocked himself silly while riding in the hills. So these three are all coming in with some challenges and it’s wise to remember that last year, Tickle smoked them in the ruts and mud in Seattle. Whatever happens, it should be exciting.

So what is the deal with Leading Edge Kawasaki? Did owner Jason Hughes walk under a ladder? Did manager Patty O’Connor’s luck of the Irish finally run out? First it’s 450 hope Matt Georke wadding himself up at Jacksonville, then it’s MX2 hope Kyle Beaton tearing up his knee and then, with talks going on with Georke’s teammate Matt Boni about possibly filling the 450 spot, he goes out and breaks his leg in Dallas.

Man the team is getting hit hard! Anyways one guy that is looking to come up to Canada is Hart & Huntington’s Chris Blose so I’m officially throwing his name into the ring. Blose hasn’t ridden outdoors for a couple of years but when he was last at it, he had some good placings. He’s already on a Kawasaki, maybe that would work out for the Leading Edge guys.

Hey did you see that Manitoba Motocross School going on with David Pingree?  Should be a good time to come out and ride the perfectly prepped Morden national track and learn a few tricks about riding a dirt bike. Probably get a few laughs in as well. It’s May 21^st and we’re capping it at 30 students and right now, we have about half the class already full. Get on it!

Learn from the real #101 right on Canadian Soil!

Thanks Steve and that is pretty cool that Ping is coming to Canada to do a school!

If your in Ontario and aren't hitting up the Dunes, MMRS is holding an open practice at Cochranes on Saturday and Sunday. Check out www.mmrs.ca for details. Also CMX is holding another test and tune day before thier season opener next week. The practice will be at Motopark this weekend. Check out www.cmxracing.ca for more details on that.

Asselstines Yamaha and Suzuki will be holding their annual motocross Swap meet tomorrow starting at 9 a.m. Everything in the store will be on sale, and many people will be selling their used stuff. Bring a table and set up inside and get rid of some of that old gear you never wear any more! The event will happen rain or shine, along with a charity BBQ.

Now lets have Allison wrap this up ...

Nicky Beatty at last weekend's Gopher Dunes practice. Rocking the typical SWO pre-season hoody, pet peeve of moto photographers everywhere.

Sean Bowker photo

Hello all. Well there is not a lot new in the North Country but bossman Kyle Carruther's did hand me down some phone numbers of promising Ontario riders to call up this week. I got to chat with Nicky Beatty and you can read his interview right here. To be honest, I had forgotten how much I love talking to up and coming riders. First, they are actually excited to talk to you. I know, I know, you are asking, isn't everyone excited to talk to you? Well, I can attest that back in the day when I called Darcy Lange after every US Arenacross, that no, not everyone is as super pumped as you might expect. I am quite sure I caught Lange using a power drill during a conversation and called him on it. Not so with the ultra enthusiastic and polite Nicky Beatty. This kid left his lunch midway to chat.. Thanks Nicky! Anyway, it sounds like the Beatty family has a long history of racing Canadian motocross... his dad even trained and raced with The Rollerball (collect yourself now, Matthes) and the whole family is now eager to get behind young Nicky as he chases his MX dreams. I wish I had more time in the day to tell you all the stories like this in Canadian moto because I guarantee that behind every rider on the line, from 50s to the pro class, there is one dedicated moto family working together to make it happen. Watch for an interview with Suzuki rider Mitch McColl after he kicks some butt at the Dunes this weekend (no pressure Mitch). 

Best of luck to everyone racing this weekend at Gopher and across this great nation...and in Seattle too I suppose. Oh, and go Bobby! To read more about that click here. 

Thanks everyone and have an awesome weekend! 

Thanks Allison! Of course the Josh Damery AX is once again happening this weekend and DMX will be bringing you coverage from Paul Jordan and also Larry McCaw who just sent us over this update ...

 Greetings to all from a sodden East coast! As riders across this vast region impatiently wait for water levels to drop outdoors, they are, once again, hypnotically drawn toward a ray of sunshine indoors. Although it’s a helluva way to shake off the winter cobwebs, there is no place Atlantic riders would rather be this weekend than a tiny town on the NB/NS border. It may be sleepy little Sackville 363 days out of every year, but for two earth trembling days annually it explodes with the pent up energy stored up over a very long winter

This will be the 4th season at the Veterans Memorial Civic Centre.

While the 2010 version of the Josh Damery Memorial showcased a veritable “who’s-who”, with the likes of Keast, Nye, Medaglia and Blair bringing their game to the gate, the 2011 version may be, in contrast, more like a veritable “who’s-that”?

Actually, almost all of the faces behind the goggles this year will be instantaneously recognizable by followers of MX in the Atlantic region. Unfortunately, it’s the unfamiliar faces will be in short supply. Thanks to the huge sponsorship commitment of Rick Archibald and Maritime Cash in 2010, the Veterans Memorial in Sackville NB played host to an all-star show. With Maritime Cash unfortunately not returning for ’11, fans can look forward to a slightly more “home grown” Pro line-up.

That in no way means the action in the arena will be some kind of lay-back Maritime affair, far from it in fact. There is certainly no shortage of competitive animosity between Pros Davey Fraser, and Johnny Montes any time they line up, indoors or out. Seed the start gate with a handful of newly minted Pros including Brad Lockhart, along with a smattering of potent Pro-Am talent, including some newbies, and there may not be enough room on one track for that much aggression.

The Spanish Fly (Johnny Montes) is out of hibernation.

“Lining up for the first race/social event of the year”

How could a kid not love racing for RAT Racing (Remote Access Technologies).

The countdown has begun!

Thanks Larry and we wish everyone the best of luck racing this weekend in Sackville or any where else you may be! Till next time, thanks for reading DMX!