Frid'Eh Update #49 Presented by RMR Suspensions

Sponsored by: 

By Kyle Carruthers and Billy Rainford

It seems like the weeks are going faster here, this time of year. We hit update #49 this week dedicated to #49 Josh Snider and that means we are a mere 3-and-a-half weeks from the New Year. 2013 is going to be a year of change in Canadian motocross. Hopefully, most of it will be for the benefit of the sport as well, including new sanctioning bodies, current series stepping up their programs, pro riders to new teams and new events across the country. We can’t wait!

RMR Suspension's new site is live!

This week’s update is brought to you by RMR Suspension out of Abbortsford, BC. RMR Suspension is a familiar name in our industry. Rod Matechuk and his crew are some of the most respected people in the industry when it comes to the services they offer. RMR is also the distributor for Fox Shox in Canada alongside their sister company H2R Distributing, but it doesn’t stop there. They carry a huge selection of products and brands that will help make your bike perform at its best and to back it up they sponsor some of BC’s top riders like Brock Hoyer and Ryan Lockhart.

They also launched their new website this week which you can visit at www.rmrsuspensions.com to see all the products and services they offer. Take a few minutes to explore it and check it out to learn more about this great company and, most of all, check it out weekly as they will be  updating it regularly with some great stuff!

Josh Snider is the man behind the Redemption Racing Team. Bigwave photo

This week’s update is also dedicated to national #49 Josh Snider. Josh is the owner of the Redemption Racing team and was forced to sit out this year due to injury and take up the management roll instead to riders Gavin Gracyk and Eric Jeffery. We caught up with Josh this week and this is what he had to say:

Hi Kyle,

My 2012 season was not like any I've had in the past. Traveling to all the national rounds and not throwing a leg over a bike was different, but I enjoyed my summer as Team Manager/Mechanic/Chaplin. I was forced into the decision to sit out racing this summer due to a bulging disc in my lower back from the previous race season. Many doctors and specialists told me it would take a year or more to recover from it and that I was not a candidate for surgery due to a few reasons; the disc wasn't actually 'herniated' and that I was both, in too good of shape and too young. It was a very long healing process that I never want to experience again but it has been about a year and a half now and my back is 100% normal again!!! 

The season went well for Redemption Racing, despite having things for the team come together only a short 3 weeks before round 1. It was a blessing to have Gavin and Shena Gracyk join us for the summer. They were a great addition to the team both in Ministry and racing. Gavin had not been on a bike for a year and with only 3 weeks prep his results improved with every round, showing everyone that he has what it takes to run up front. We really believe that if we can get a program together early in the pre-season with enough support, that we could definitely be a championship contender in the series. I've been working on creating a promo package for the team to generate more outside sponsorships. So far my success in that department has been similar to banging your head against a cement wall... :)  Regardless of these challenges, we already have several wonderful sponsors who are committed to seeing the ministry of Redemption Racing continue at the races regardless of how we finish.

After the nationals were over this year, I got married to my wife, Melissa, in September, and enjoyed a two-week honeymoon vacation in Vegas, California and Mexico. I'm currently living in London, Ontario and working as a diesel mechanic for my brother-in-law but will soon return to my usual job on the oil rigs in Alberta starting January 1st.    

We are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for Redemption Racing this coming season. Redemption racing wishes that this Christmas season brings you much joy and happiness as you gather with family and friends. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Congrats on your marriage, Josh, and to your great 2012 season. If you’re at a national, make sure you cruise by the Redemption Racing pits and say hi. Josh, his family and team are some of the nicest people you will ever meet and their hospitality and after race meals were much appreciated by most of the pits this season.

Motorcycle Show coming to a place near you soon.

This weekend is also the Toronto Motorcycle Show at the Toronto Metro Convention Center. From what we hear, there will be more motocross stuff this year than ever before. This show, like many across the country, has gotten smaller over the years, but it is always a great time to see the new products, bump into old friends and industry people and check out some of the cool displays.

There are a few things you should do if you go to the show and here are some things to keep you busy:

1. Jordon Zsoke and Dan Thompson will be there doing a trials demonstration for the crowd, so be sure to check them out. It’s pretty cool to see these guys in action and their talent on the trials bikes are pretty impressive.

2. Stop by Yamaha Canada see Bobby Kiniry’s bike, get a picture on it, and tag the Direct Motocross Facebook page in it and we will post it up! Check out the 2013 Yamaha motocross line-up as well and if you're bringing your son or daughter check out the Yamaha riding academy to try out a new Yamaha TT-R.

3. Hit the KTM corporate booth to see Facciotti’s bike, get a picture on it, and tweet it to @directmx for a retweet to our 5100 plus followers and sign up for the Orange Crush adventure ride next fall.  Also, make sure to tell Danny Brault his booth is nice and that he’s missing his surfboard bike stands.

4. Take a pit stop, grab a slice of pizza have a cold beverage.

5. Wander over to Honda Canada and say hi to the Gopher Dunes crew You might even get a Tyler Medaglia poster!

6. Go check out the Walton Transcan display, marvel at the new 2013 Scott gear in it, and ask them about their discount code for Toronto Supercross tickets.

7. Make sure you hit the Parts Canada display in conjuction with Brampton Cycle. Always cool products from this great company.

8. Go over to Motovan and say hi to lovely Alison Hindle and her brother and exhaust master mind Lee Hindle. Tell them DMX sent you!

9. Grab another cold beverage!

10. Track Andy White at KTM down and ask him who his third rider is for 2013. I am sure he will be happy to let you guys know!

The show is open Friday 12 PM – 10 PM, Saturday 10 AM – 8 PM and Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM. See you all there.

We got word that Canadian Motocross and Snowcross legend, Blair Morgan, will be inducted into the Snowmobile Hall of Fame on February 16^th 2013. Blair Morgan changed the sport of Snowcross with his riding style and helped dictate the way the design platform of snowmobiles have gone today. This is a huge honour for a Canadian rider and no one is more deserving than Blair. You can see the full article on it here.

This weekend in the Ottawa Valley is the first CSRA Snocross event of the season. You can go to www.snowcross.com to get more info on it if you’re interested in going and see the likes of Iain Hayden and his OTSFF Rockstar Polaris lay it down for the crowd. If you haven’t been to a CSRA event, we strongly recommend you check one out!

We have gotten some great updates on Johnny Montes. Johnny is now awake and talking a little. He is also moving his legs, arms and hands and showing facial expressions. This is great news! Johnny has a long recovery ahead of him, but we all know he is a fighter! Hang in there, buddy!

Prepare to be "Brucified!" Bruce Cook photo

We would also like to welcome our newest columnist here at DMX. FMX rider, Bruce Cook, will be writing a column for us called 'Bruceified: My World of Adrenaline, Hard Work and FUN.' He posted his first one today to introduce himself ,so check it out here. He has some great stories to share with you guys in the future and it is going to be entertaining for sure, so make sure you check it out.

Now over to Billy.

Thanks, as always, Kyle. First off, since it's week #49 and that belongs to, arguably, the nicest guy in motocross, I had to throw this photo in here. Josh and I always laugh that it seems I'm somehow able to always catch his 'finer' moments with either my camera or video camera. I had lots to choose from, but let's go with this fall in Morden, MB from a couple years ago. Sorry, Josh. Are we still on for coffee Sunday?

He actually did this TWICE in front of me on this day! Bigwave photo

In last week’s Update we posted an interview done with Future West Promotions/BC Motocross’s John Hellam. It looked to be a cut-and-dry issue of a new idea going forward to create a BC series without sanctioning body fees. Well, the column hadn’t been up more than a couple hours when my email started buzzing. I heard from Shaun Greenway from the Green River Motocross Park in Pemberton, BC and he was pretty quick to inform me that not everything is as clear as originally reported.

The last thing I want to do is cause anyone any problems trying to move the sport forward in Canada, but I feel it is important to show all sides of the issues that present themselves. Mr. Greenway pointed out that the final decisions have not been made as to which series to get involved with. He admitted that conversations took place with the Hellams' group, but that there were still issues that needed to be sorted out before anything got written in ink. Here are a few excerpts from our conversation:

“I read your interview or Q&A on the Future West BC Series and that they have a commitment from GRMX. To clarify, John from Future West called me last week to discuss the potential of hosting a round and if I would be interested in promoting it. I suggested we (I) may be interested but I would need the support from the track and most importantly the tracks approval before any commitment could be made. I enjoyed FW's energy and ideas and wish them all the best. However, I have also been contacted by the Acheson's and their CIMX Series. I do know the Acheson's well from my past involvement with the CMRC, as we both served on the board of the BCMA, when it was re-created a few years ago and I was the inaugural president . I stepped down after the first year and focused my efforts on our local track for the next year. Since my injury a year and half ago, I have had some desire to get back involved in racing in some capacity but I am somewhat reluctant to if there should be any losses and it cost me money from my pocket. Since my discussions with CIMX and FW, I reached out to my good buddy Paul Rak to see if he would be keen on running this as joint-venture with me. He has some very good ideas, but also has the same reservations and basic concerns as I. Except he is still riding, so he wants it for the better of the track and I don't ride and want it for the better of our sport. Neither one of us are interested in losing money over it. If we are to promote an event and if we are to align ourselves with a series it would be in our best interest to go with the concensous of the other tracks to ensure success for the sport and our event. Alternatively, we also may look to promote our own one-off race/event, a "Classic" if you will, with no points, no license, just good times and lots of cash payouts, trophies and swag for all. We both feel it is very important to ensure success will be obtained before we move ahead with any promotion of any sort.”

The Hellams are very close to restoring some cohesion on the west coast. Bigwave photo

Ok, so things are close but not quite finalized. I also saw on Facebook that the Popkum Motorsports Park is in the middle of a questionnaire trying to get a pulse on what its many members would like to do. I hate just copy/pasting things from Facebook, but this seems important enough to do just that. Have a look at what’s going on:

“Do you want MX races at Popkum Motor Park in 2013? Give us your input!

Popkum Motor Park needs your help in making a decision as to which sanctioning body to support in regards to hosting a Motocross event/race at Popkum Motor Park this 2013 season. Or would you rather have Popkum Motor Park continue to operate as a “practice” facility just as we did in 2012?

There are basically 4 sanctioning bodies or organizers here in BC; BCMA (CMRC), CIMX, CMA and Future West Productions. CIMX and Future West are trying to organize a southern series here in the province. Would you support both series or would you prefer to only have one series?

Our question to you is: Who would you support to put on an event at Popkum Motor Park in 2013? You may already have experience with one or more of these organizers or you may already be a member of one these 4 (BCMA (CMRC), CIMX, CMA and Future West Productions) please note; not all require a membership or fee. We want your input, this is your chance to have a say as to what direction Popkum Motor Park goes moving into the 2013 season.

You as a member of Popkum Motor Park have a chance for your opinion to be heard. Don’t let this opportunity pass without making your voice heard.

Send your opinion to:

ride@popkummotorpark.com

Please send us your input by Dec. 10th 2012 so we have a chance to look over the responses and make a decision as to what direction to go before the New Year.”

Here is the link to their Facebook Page.

They are not alone in trying to get their province sorted out. There are things going on in just about every province that will have serious impact on what happens with our sport. Stay tuned for more information over the next little while. I plan on asking everyone involved for their opinions on what’s needed for Canadian motocross to progress. No sleep ‘til Brooklyn!

And now it's time to update what's going on in the so-called 'Silly Season.'

There are a few top riders without deals inked for the 2013 season. Here is a list of the top 10 in both MX1 and MX2. Let’s have a look at what we know:

MX2:

1. Teddy Maier: Back with Monster Energy Leading Edge Kawasaki but will move back up to the MX1 class.

Teddy Maier running the #1 plate a couple years ago. Bigwave photo

2. Jeremy Medaglia: “I am currently racing RC cars full-time with Kevin T from MX101 and working on my deal for 2013.” We’ll have to wait and see what’s up for Jeremy in 2013.

3. Topher Ingalls: Wants to come back to Canada with support from a team. He will be competing in the westcoast SX series.

4. Jared Allison: TLD Blackfootdirect.com Hindle in MX2 probably on Yamahas with Yamalube again.

5. Brad Nauditt: On his way to California and trying to get things sorted out for Summer 2013. Would love to do complete MX2 series again, but will just commit to western rounds unless something comes up or he’s doing really well. He plans to compete in the rest of the KTM Canadian Arenacross Championships.

With some solid support, #620 Brad Nauditt would be a title contender, no doubt. Bigwave photo

6. Kaven Benoit: Can I say yet???

7. Parker Allison: TLD Blackfootdirect.com Hindle in MX2 probably on Yamahas with Yamalube again.

8. Spencer Knowles: At this time, it looks like it will be a similar deal as least year with the GA Checkpoint Yamaha team. I was unable to get in touch with Spencer.

9. Richard Grey: Back with Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha Team in MX2.

10. Dylan Kaelin: Still trying to work out his deal.

Dylan Kaelin is another rider deserving of a solid ride for 2013. Bigwave photo

MX1:

1. Matt Goerke: Racing the AMA Supercross and Motocross for BTO KTM Team in 2013.

2. Bobby Kiniry: Back with Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha Team in MX1.

3. Dusty Klatt: Back with Red Bull Royal Distributing Fox KTM Canada in MX1.

Dusty Klatt may not be around much longer and says he would love to grab one more of these beauties! Bigwave photo

4. Gavin Gracyk: Waiting to hear what is in the plans for the Redemption Racing Team.

5. Tyler Villopoto: Back with Monster Energy Leading Edge Kawasaki Team in MX2. Check out this video of Tyler whipping his 450 at Riverglade. Imagine what he'll do to his 250F!

6. Morgan Burger: I know he was just overseas racing supercross but haven’t heard from him about summer 2013 yet.

7. Tyler Medaglia: Back with the Red Bull TLD GDR Team in MX1.

Tyler Medaglia would also love to pull this jersey over his head again! Bigwave photo

8. Jay Burke: I saw that he just got himself a 2103 Honda CRF450, so I'm going to assume he will be on the same plan as last year, but I was unable to get in touch with him as of this Update..

9. Colton Facciotti: Back with the Red Bull Royal Distributing Fox KTM Canada Team in MX1.

I bet Facciotti will have something to say to anyone going after this plate in 2013. Bigwave photo

10. Shawn Maffenbeier: Has a deal almost inked for either MX1 or MX2 that will allow him to do select AMA races too. We should have a Press Release soon.

Looking at that list, it makes you realize that, although motocross looks to be on its way back, we still have a long way to go to get to the point where those deserving of support have an easier time getting it. Keep working hard, everyone. Your perseverance will pay off!

I saw this on Kyle Beaton’s Facebook Feed last night:

“Well, decent Dr. check -up. Didn’t get the ok to start walking or weighting my leg yet but they are happy with how the graph looks. Another month and hopefully the bone has started to heal so I don’t have to get a bone graph.”

Wow, this has now been 4 months since Kyle’s crash with Spencer Knowles in Moncton. It was a violent crash but I don’t think anyone thought he would still be going through this pain this far out. Hopefully he is on the mend, permanently. Good luck, Beats.

Ryan Lockhart has reported that “Johnny Montes is awake. He’s still in the ICU but is fighting like the pro racer that he is.”

Here is an update from Atlantic Motocross Facebook page:

"Johnny update: Johnny is conscious and speaking a little. He is a little frustrated that because of the trake he can’t speak more and he wants everything attached to him unhooked. He is moving arms, leg, eyes, head and making facial expressions. Has little patience and wants out of there! Big, big improvement last couple of days. "

Awesome news! Keep fighting, Johnny.

Good news for Johnny Montes but he still has a long way to go. Rod Snelgrove Facebook photo

Lots of racers are trying to find a way to make the 2013 season a reality. Quebec’s Michael DaSilva will be holding a ‘Quest for the West’ fundraiser in hopes of getting him to the entire series for next summer. You can see the full details here. 

Good luck, Michael.

As one of Journey’s long-time fans, Ryan Lockhart was finally able to realize his dream and see the band live at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC last week. It was a congregation of old-timers both on the stage and off as Lockhart was accompanied by Brad MacClean, Joey Sutherland, and Stan Slaboda while Journey was opened by Loverboy and Night Ranger. Wow, if any of that made sense to you, you probably have difficulty adding new contacts to your cell phone and your VCR might still be blinking 12:00!

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to have Ryan give us his professional review on the concert, so I got in touch with him. Here is how the night went:

I didn’t know Steve Perry was dead! (Edit: Turns out Steve Perry is not dead. After hip problems kept him from touring with the band, they were forced to go on tour without him. Steve Perry is working on a new album in his in-house studio in San Diego, California. From www.biography.com) I knew he wasn’t the lead singer but I guess he’s dead! You might want to Google that (I did).

No Steve Perry, no Randy Jackson, and no Paula Abdul. They have some new dude as the lead singer now. I knew beforehand that he wasn’t going to be there (Steve Perry left the band in around 1986!). I tried to drink enough beer that it kind of looked like he was there. That was my whole plan.

Did you see the picture of us with Night Ranger? Check out the dude in the back that looks like ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage (He IS dead.) That guy cracked me up.

The BC Boys with Night Ranger. "Sister Christian oh the time has come..." Ryan Lockhart Facebook photo

They’re just a bunch of old dudes living the dream! They were pretty good. Journey was a let-down and Loverboy was actually the best. Do you know my Loverboy story? Let’s just say it cost me some ‘special time’ with Kim Bassinger… Wow, I don’t have THAT good of a story! I did take my shirt off during Journey just because I had to.

Journey came out and everyone was pumped because Loverboy had just finished playing. Everyone was up on their feet. It was sold out. There were like 18 000 people there! Journey came out and everyone was thinking they were going to play their Greatest Hits CD and they started out with some song that nobody had even ever heard of!  It was a total buzz kill—nobody even cares about their new album because for all we know Steve Perry isn’t even alive (he is)! They played 3 songs that nobody liked and then they played one song that everybody knew and then 3 more songs that nobody liked. It was a pretty big let-down considering I’ve been a Journey fan forever.

When they played ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ everybody went nuts even though it wasn’t the same without Steve. I took my shirt off and ran up and down the aisle and this little security guard tried to kick me out but I ran away from him. Some other security guards were laughing. It was all just harmless fun. I was just having some fun with some old, washed-up pros…just like Journey (laughs).

Ryan’s bottom line: Journey was a let-down.

We also talked about the rest of the KTM Canadian Arenacross Championships and he has every intention of racing the rest of them but he went to see a specialist and she thinks there must still be some sort of foreign object inside the way his body seems to be trying to expel something through the ‘wound hole.’ Hopefully he gets it all sorted out before the final three rounds of the series get going January 18-19 in Chilliwack.

The Arenacross Tour makes its way to Rainsville, Alabama this Saturday. Cole Thompson has been honing his skills in this series and, so far, leads the AX class. Good luck this weekend!

Ok, that will do it for me. Have a great weekend at the Toronto Motorcycle Show, if you're going. Thanks for reading.

See you at the races... Bigwave photo