Frid'Eh Update #52 Presented by Orange Motorsports

Sponsored by: 

By Kyle Carruthers and Billy Rainford

Hey everyone and welcome to the final DMX Frid’Eh Update of 2012. I hope everyone had a great Christmas with their families and friends. It’s been a whirlwind year here at DMX and for the Canadian motocross industry and like everyone we are anxious to get the 2013 season started. It all kicks off next weekend in Angel Stadium for Anaheim 1 as the best of the best line up to kick off the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross Championship. Although that will be what keeps most of our Canadian eyes to the TV, it won’t be long till the snow starts to melt and many of us can gear up for our outdoor season as amateurs and the gate drops for the 2013 CMRC National series. We haven’t gotten a schedule yet, a PR announcing title sponsorship or other things, but we are sure there is going to be a series, right guys?

This week’s update goes out to Dakota Kessler who earned national #52 for 2012. I don’t know Dakota personally so Dakota if you’re reading this shoot us an email so we can catch up with you. Next week when the New Year starts we will go back to dedicating it to rider #1 who in this case will be Matt Goerke who at the moment is gearing up for A1 on his Butler Brothers BTO Sports KTM 450. This is also about the same time we get a bunch of hate mail from disappointed riders who are higher than #52 and don’t make it. We are sorry we can’t get to everyone but here are some riders who just missed making the #52 mark in 2012 who we thought we could give an honorary mention to:

Like I said, 2012 was an awesome year and here are some of the top things that stand out in my mind in no particular order.

1. The hype around the 2012 KTM Royal Distributing Red Bull Fox Racing team – It was still 2011 when KTM already had three of Canada’s top riders signed in Colton Facciotti, Dusty Klatt and Jeremy Medaglia and added two of the biggest sponsors in the industry with Red Bull and Fox Racing alongside the Royal Distributing sponsorship. Although the team didn’t have the championship season they hoped for, they still did an awesome job marketing themselves, creating an image and hype leading up to it. It was the first time in a long time that we actually got a real press conference that took place at the Red Bull head office in Toronto.  Even if they didn’t win a title, they still created the most attention week in and week out during the off season and the nationals.

Klatt came through for KTM earning #3 for 2013. Bigwave photo

2. The Parts Canada Walton TransCan – The week-long event at Walton was fantastic. The crew put on a top notch event, which came with an updated facility, great track conditions, great racing and great entertainment including country singer Jason Blaine. It was one of those weeks that reminded us why we do what we do -- because we all love it as racers and fans.

Jason Blaine rocked the crowd. You can see his music video filmed at the event here. AK Photo courtesy of Walton Transcan

3. Westen Wrozyna goes to Monster Cup – It isn’t every day we get a chance to see a Canadian compete at a Supercross event even as an amateur. After an amazing showing at Loretta Lynns Westen Wrozyna got the invite from Feld to go and compete and he waved the Canadian flagged proudly as he went onto an 8^th in the second moto. The Wrozyna’s were kind enough to take Billy along to document the journey and he had a blast doing it. It was great to see a Canadian and a family friend experience this as a youngster.

Westen Wrozyna at th Monster Energy Cup on Las Vegas. Bigwave photo

4. The MMRS National in Madoc Ontario – The MMRS National is a new event and every year it gets better. It is a big money race with over $20,000 up for grabs between amateurs and pros. I got the chance to MC the event and had a great time doing it and meeting some awesome people. The track was prepped to perfection and this event will no doubt be growing for 2013.

The MMRS National will return for 2013. Bigwave photo

5. The mud at Nanaimo – Round one always sticks out in everyone’s minds and I am sure the down pour and storm that hit Nanaimo all weekend made it even more memorable. It wasn’t the muddiest race we have ever seen, but it was bad enough for 90% of us to wreck a new set of shoes and for most of the racers to do some damage and havoc on their fresh new race bikes. It’s all part of the sport!

There's never a happy medium in Nanaimo -- it's either perfect or a quagmire. You can see which it was in 2012. Bigwave photo

KTM Eastern Sales Manager Patrick Beaule is competiting in the Dakar Rally race again. He has done a great job setting up his program with great sponosrs as he looks to be the first Canadian to compete in the event on both 4 and 2 wheels. He will be riding his KTM Adventure bike and here is a cool video we spotted on his preparation. He is looking for support, so if you're interested in helping a great guy who supports and works within our motocross industry, he is your man. Good luck in your training, Patrick, and we look forward to following your success.

Ok now over to Billy, who should have something a little more interesting...

Thanks, Kyle. Like you said, I really should have something more interesting but with it being the week between Christmas and New Year's, my mind actually wandered from motocross for a few days. I know, it's crazy! By the way, is there a special, shorter name for this week?

I'll start off with a few awesome news bits: Teddy Maier and Aaron Barsanti are now a fathers and Jay and Meg are now 'The Burkes.' Congratulations, everyone, you're all grows up!!

We all knew Jay had to lock down such an amazing woman before she smartened up!

The happy couple: Meg and Jason Burke. Facebook photo

Aside from those three great things, I don't really know about too much else going on except the odd person heading south to ride or people getting ready for A1. Actually, there is really cool news about that. Our own Scott 'Donk' Donkersgoed has found himself a spot turning T-wrenches for #11 Kyle Chisholm. Congratulations, Donk. See you soon. Also, he will be under the Red Bull Royal Distributing Fox KTM tent this summer working with none other than Colton Facciotti. Watch for an interview with the gregarious mechanic very soon here on DMX.

Let's see what Joey Leadbeater has been up to lately... Bigwave photo

Since there wasn't a ton of local riding going on, I thought I'd dig into my photo reserves to see what I could come up with. I feel we need to keep in touch with those who have graced our tracks in the past and I want to make a point of keeping tabs on some of our favourite riders from days gone by. As I was wandering I came across this photo of Joey Leadbeater from the 2007 Walton National. I got to know Joey a little while he was up here and always found him to be a polite and friendly guy. I got in touch with him to see what he's been up to since he last raced up here in Canada. Here's what he had to say:

In 2007 I finished out my amateur season at Loretta's with a 5th overall in the 250B class and the plan was to step into Canada after that and get my feet wet for a little while. I showed up in Walton with no expectations -- just looking to get my name on the radar and to get a feel for what it was all about. The vibe was great!!! Everyone was super nice and very inviting. I felt right at home!!  The tracks in Canada were great -- high speed, rough and huge floater jumps! What could be better?! Did I mention the fans were awesome!!  I quickly found a home for 2008 with Battleford Supercycles (OTSFF support team) and finished out my Canadian adventure with Murphy Motorsports.

Somewhere along the way my head and vision became clouded and I forgot what I loved about motocross and found myself lost and confused. I took some time to regroup and I guess I never bounced back, so I rebuilt my social life with friends and family and started my own landscaping company called Sunscapes Landscaping (www.sunscapesohio.com).

Joey keeps himself busy with his own landscaping business these days. Photo courtesy of Joey Leadbeater

I haven't touched a bike sinse and my national number 29 bike still sits at my house collecting dust to remeind me of all the great memories I have from Canada and all the great people I met and became friends with along the way. I still have future plans of going back to Canada someday to do some racing but until the day happens I recently purchased a 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 to take out some of my rage!! :p  It still doesn't come close to the feeling of being on a bike though.

Don't worry about Joey. The landscaping business has been a rewarding experience! Photo courtesy of Joey Leadbeater

Yep, that was a heck of a big job!

I drove Carmen the Buick Electra to my parents' place and then hopped in their less-boatish vehicle and made the trip north. On my way home today, I was reminded of why driving the big boat is so much fun. 1) It's easily the most comfortable car I've ever driven long-distance 2) It puts a smile on just about everyone that passes it, and 3) I have yet to drive somewhere without having someone pull up beside me to wave and say hello. Today it was Randy Hall and his wife who locked up the brakes, rolled down their window and said hello. It was great to see you, Randy. Sure, it's absolutely horrendous on gas but the positives easily out-weigh that one negative.

We're only 3 days away from the New Year and only one week away from A1. I hope everyone had a great 2013, has an even better 2013, and let's all hope this upcoming supercross season lives up to its potential. Have a great weekend and a safe celebration. See you at the races...