Frid'Eh Update #4 Presented by 2013 Toronto Supercross

Sponsored by: 

By Kyle Carruthers and Billy Rainford

Hey everyone and welcome to the DMX Frid’eh Update right here on, you guessed it, Directmotocross.com. Your #1 source for Canadian Motocross News, First. This week’s update is once again brought to you by Feld and the Toronto SX. The Toronto Supercross hits the Rogers Centre on March 23^rd and as always it is a huge gathering ground for Canadian motocross fans. Tickets are selling fast this year and they are expecting a great turnout so get your tickets fast! You can type in promo code RIDERSX or our friends at Walton Transcan’s code WALTON5 at the ticketmaster.ca check out to save $5.00 per ticket! Awesome deal, and that discount can really add up when buying a few or more tickets.

The Houston will be the place to be the weekend of the Toronto SX.

Also, make sure you make it down to our Supercross Pre Social Friday night and our Supercross After Party at the Houston Restaurant on Yonge Street for two nights of socializing and partying you will never forget. We will be giving away two passes this week on Facebook that will allow you to skip the line at the party Saturday so make sure you like our facebook page here and our twitter @directmx so you don’t miss how you can win them. There will be pro jerseys to give away, prizes from DMX, Walton, Gopher Dunes, MX101, Scott-Sports, FMX News, Roost Clothing, KTM and Yamaha and of course you never know who may just show up. We did see Chad Reed and Ken Roczen last year who came out for a good time. If you’re ever in Toronto make sure you check out the Houston and tell them DMX sent you. You will not be disappointed.

Redemption Racing rider Gavin Gracyk earned #4 last season. Bigwave photo

This week’s update goes out to the #4 of Gavin Gracyk who rode for the Redemption Racing team last summer. I have always been a fan of Gavin’s and have followed his career in Canada and in the States over the past several years. I was very happy to hear that Redemption Team manager Josh Snider had a deal set up with Gavin to compete this past summer. Gavin hadn’t been on a bike for a long time and started off the season slow, but quickly gained momentum in the closing rounds as he hit the podium at Walton and was able to secure #4 in the championship which is a new accomplishment for the Redemption Racing team. I got a chance to get to know Gavin a little better in Kamloops, when Josh Snider, Gavin and his wife Sheena, were kind enough to speed me to the airport so I didn’t miss my plane back to Ontario.  Let me tell you, if Josh ever wants to hang up the boots for good, he has a career as a wheelman for some kind of organization doing something. Thanks again guys for helping me make my plane!

Here's an update from Gavin:

Hey Everyone...

Hope you all are staying warm this time of year. Shena and I are still residing in Cairo, Georgia so we're thankful to say we get to enjoy warmth in winter :)

Looking back on 2012 we had a wonderful time traveling and racing in Canada. We were able to build some new relationships and rekindle others. I can't tell you all enough what a blessing it was for me to get to race again, especially after a long injury layoff. As you all know, it was a rough start for me, but then mid-season I began to find a groove (not quite my groove yet, but a groove). As the season quickly passed I became competitive too late. I do however believe that I learned even more about myself, and others throughout the summer. Learning is a beautiful thing, once we stop learning, we lose the ability to keep teaching.

Looking forward, I would love to continue to race again in 2013. However, as of right now I have no dirt bikes available to me.So with my wife and I expecting our first child in August, in the meantime, my goal is to stay diligent in helping all athletes and people in their pursuit to live healthy and purposeful lives.

And you just never know, I may see you at a racetrack soon.. EH?

> =)

Blessings!

Gavin Gracyk

The big news this week was no doubt the announcement of Jeremy Medaglia signing with MX101 and Yamaha Canada to compete in this year’s Canadian Motocross Nationals. Jeremy will be joining forces with MX101 rider Shawn Robinson as they take their new team rig across the country in chase of a title. Jeremy is heading to meet his brother and Gopher Dunes Red Bull Troy Lee Designs rider Tyler Medaglia to start training and testing his new bikes at their leased house in Gainesville. Florida. The Medaglia boys are on it so look for them to come out swinging this summer.

Racing series in Canada for the 2013 season is starting to get organized. In SWO we saw the MMRS and CMRC schedules released this week.  The CMX schedule will be out soon and it looks like we’re in for the best season yet. The opener is at Gopher Dunes on April 7^th for practice.

How about Canadian racer and KTM Employee Patrick Beaule completing the Dakar rally in 62^nd position out of 196 starters and then proposing to his girl friend Frederique Saindon at the finish line. Pretty cool to see someone from our industry be the first Canadian to finish the Dakar on two and 4 wheels (in 2012 he navigated the Aldo Racing truck to the Dakar finish line). Congrats Patrick and we look forward to speaking with you soon! You can see the full PR here.

Patrick has started off 2013 in a good way! Photo courtesy of Flanny Media

Ok now over to Billy.

First off, let me just wish Brent Allison a happy 50^th birthday. You made it. Father of pro riders Parker, Jared, and Bryton (oh, and Brad) ‘Benny’ must be the busiest parent at the track. It sounds like his work-load will be cut by 1/3 this summer as youngest brother Bryton has decided to hang up the leathers (is that still the correct cliché?). Look for an interview with Bryton soon here on DMX where we’ll get the story on his decision to quit chasing the Canadian nationals’ dream. I posted this picture of Brent from last summer over on MX Forum, but it cracks me up so I don’t mind using it again here today. I hope you guys treated Brent to a special day on Thursday and I can only imagine what this weekend is going to look like out there in Delburne, AB. Stay safe!

Happy 50th, Brent! Bigwave photo

Have you been paying any attention to the 2-stroke project thread going on over on MX Forum? Well, it’s moving into its next phase as Wes Sali from Kelowna, BC is about to start building a 250 2-stroke bike in a new 250F frame. There is the potential for American rider Austin Howell to be the one to race it up here this summer. Wes received the go-ahead from CMRC President Mark Stallybrass. There was a question as to whether or not the one-off bike would be legal to ride, but that hurdle has been dealt with and it’s now full steam ahead! Wes has promised to get us some update videos of the project along the way so watch for those here on DMX. Here’s a link to his Facebook page so you can follow along.

I figured we should update what’s going on with our Top 10 in each class again since there have been a few signings and updates:

MX2

1. Teddy Maier – Monster Energy Leading Edge Kawasaki – MX1

2. Jeremy Medaglia – MX101 Red Bull Shift Oakley Yamaha – MX1

3. Topher Ingalls – Currently racing West Coast Lites SX. Interested in racing up here next summer, but, as of yet, doesn`t have support.

4. Jared Allison – Yamalube BlackfootDirect.com Yamaha – MX2 – Still making calls for potential support.

5. Brad Nauditt – currently competing in KTM Canadian AX Championships on his Image Tech Airway MX Park Scott Hondas – Interested in doing our series if he can get enough support.

6. Kaven Benoit – Red Bull Royal Distributing Fox KTM – MX2

7. Parker Allison - Yamalube BlackfootDirect.com Yamaha – MX2 – Still making calls for potential support.

8. Spencer Knowles – GA Checkpoint Yamaha – MX2

9. Richard Grey – Rockstar OTSFF Suzuki – MX2

10. Dylan Kaelin – Finalizing his deal for this summer.

MX1

1. Matt Goerke – BTOSports.com KTM on AMA circuit

2. Bobby Kiniry – Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha – MX1

3. Dusty Klatt – Red Bull Royal Distributing Fox KTM – MX1

4. Gavin Gracyk – Waiting for deal to be finalized.

5. Tyler Villopoto – Monster Energy Leading Edge Kawasaki – MX2

6. Morgan Burger - At this point, Burger Brothers Racing - MX1

7. Tyler Medaglia – GDR Red Bull TLD Honda – MX1

8. Jay Burke – JBR Machine Racing FXR Hindle Honda – MX1

9. Colton Facciotti – Red Bull Royal Distributing Fox KTM – MX1

10. Shawn Maffenbeier – Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha – MX2 (on 2-stroke)

Speaking of Jay Burke, the hard-working, 9-5 Monday-to-Friday plumber and top 10 Pro racer is looking to put together a similar program to last year. He says it would be nice to hook up with someone to split costs. He will have to fly in and out on weekends so he is looking for someone who could stay out west with the truck and trailer. If interested, please fire me an email at billy@directmotocross.com and I`ll be sure to put you in touch with Jay.

See you at the races, Jay Burke! Bigwave photo

I was able to fly out to the KTM Canadian Arenacross Championships for rounds 7 and 8 last weekend. I’m always very aware of what others are doing while on flights and I’m always reaffirmed when I see people digging through briefcases and pouring over notes and numbers in preparation for some big, stress-filled meeting. Man, I don’t miss that. I also like to keep track of interesting quotes I encounter in my travels as well as just take notes on what I see going on around me. Here are a few things I noticed on my latest flights from London, ON to Abbotsford, BC:

-You know how when you’re sitting on the tarmac waiting to taxi out and take off and the plane always seems to raise about 30 degrees in temperature? Yes? No? Well, I learned that it definitely affects men more than women. I watched as people reached for the little air vent knobs (the ones that don’t work until the plane gets moving) and every one of them was a guy. Sort of explains ‘cuddle time’ at night too, huh.

-All flights seems fuller than they did just a couple years ago. When I used to fly east or west there were always empty seats. All of my flights were completely full. Now, this could be due to cutbacks at the airlines meaning fewer flights, but I never said this was a statistically valid experiment.

-Society is ceasing to exist as it once did. Remember when you used to take a flight and the entire group waited in anticipation to see what the in-flight movie would be and then you all enjoyed (or hated) it at the same time? People laughed together, fought tears together, and applauded together. Now, as soon as people sit down they instantly plow their faces into their phones, click through the available TV shows and movies on their own little screens, and basically try to avoid contact with anyone else until the flight is done. Yes, I appreciate having all the options we have today but something is definitely being lost.

-My flight first landed in Calgary and then we waited for the connection to Abbotsford. The Vancouver Motorcycle Show was taking place in Abbotsford so I guess people were heading that way. The people at Alpine Stars are doing something right because I counted 9 hats waiting for flights.

-The hockey strike was just about finished and the Australian Open tennis tournament was about to start. I noticed that the seats on the one side were CBA and the ones on the other side were FED: Collective Bargaining Agreement and Roger Federer. See where I’m going here?

-I had a bit of a wait for my ride at the Abbotsford airport. I noticed an attractive woman sitting at the little bar/café so I figured I saunter over and say hello. I sat down, ordered a coffee, and noticed she was pounding back the vodka sodas. Not 30 seconds after I’d sat down she started bawling. I got up and waited outside.

-I was impressed by how many motorcycle rigs, vans, and trailers I saw at the airport. I couldn’t believe how many people were getting picked up to go to the show…then I realized that the Tradex Centre was barely a stone’s throw from the arrivals area.

-To end my trip, I got the front row and then the attractive woman I noticed in the terminal sat two seats over. I told her to cross her fingers that nobody sat between us and she said she had her legs crossed. The door closed and nobody sat between us. She said I must have good fingers and I said she had nice legs. Boom, the rest is history…she went her way and I went mine.

We got the big news that Jeremy Medalia has landed at Yamaha and on a 450 for the 2013 season. Jeff McConkey got in touch with him as soon as we knew the deal was done and did an excellent interview with him. In case you missed it you can read it here. Congratulations to Jeremy and best of luck re-entering the battle in the MX1 class. I don't think you could say it's going to be easy but with the mentality the Medaglia brothers bring to their training and racing, it's going to be interesting!

Kevin Lepp was at the areneacross races last weekend and I had to ask him what his plans are for next summer. At this point, he will not be doing any racing. He is busy looking after his mother who is in a very tough battle with Multiple Sclerosis. MS is a disease that should really be cured by now. If you'd like to donate please click this link. Kevin recenlty announced that he and his fiance are expecting their first child too so he's about to be very busy anyway!

At this point, Kevin Lepp doesn't plan on returning to racing any time soon. Bigwave photo

While I was trying to update the list for 2013, I got this more indepth update from Washington State's Brad Nauditt:

Right now I am super-excited and looking forward to the gate drop at Naniamo! I feel that with the support I am receiving and the new mind-set I have gotten from this winter, I will be a contender for the 2013 season.

As of right now I have been racing the Canadian AX races in BC and just AX races wherever I can find them. I has been having a blast! I have been working on my program for 2013 and things are looking bright.

I am not going to release any information yet about what is in the works.

I decided to forego SX this winter in order to get a few things straightened out at home and regroup from the past few years and focus on the 2013 Outdoors. I am for sure racing the west rounds and the east is up in the air. If the west goes to plan then you will definitely see me lining up at Round 5.

I would like to thank: Imagetech, Motoconcepts, FMF, Scott, Mica Sports, Factory Connection, Hinson, No-toil, Hyper X Racewear, Airway Motocross Park, Dubya , Works Connection, Galfer, Hammer Head, MotoSport.com, Moto Tassinari, Ryno Power, Cycra, C4MX, Eds Premier Auto Body, Cathedral Paintworks,  and my Family and Friends and everyone that has ever supported me!!

Thanks for the update, Brad. Not that I want to see either of our titles go south of the border again, but I think our series is better with Brad Nauditt in it so I really hope he gets the support he needs to make all 9 rounds this summer.

I also spoke with *Idaho rider and all-round nice guy, Morgan Burger. He did the German SX series and wasn't too thrilled with his results. He said the highlight was getting a 3rd in one of the mains. He plans on hitting a few of the west coast LItes SX rounds starting with San Diego February 9th. At this point, he said it will just be him and his older brother Cameron heading up to Canada in June. He's trying to sort out the details so if you are still looking for a contender to support, I'm sure Morgan would be very open to anything.

With the right support, Morgan Burger could be a contender. Bigwave photo

GDR Red Bull TLD Honda rider Tyler Medaglia is currently living down in Florida with Shawn Robinson. They are training and racing as much as they can to be in top shape for June. They've been doing the Winter Ams down there and raced the Thundercross track in Okeechobee last weekend. Wyoming, Ontario rider Nicky Beatty was also at this latest round. Here are the A class and Pro results:

450 A - Class Finish Positions

450 Pro - Class Finish Positions

250 A - Class Finish Positions

250 Pro - Class Finish Positions

It was also good to catch up with Red Bull Royal Distributing Fox KTM rider Colton Facciotti this week. He's changing up his program a little bit this winter and it looks like he's going to be more prepared for round one than he's been in a while. You can read the interview here.

Cole Thompson continued his domination of the Arenacross Tour last weekend in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He won the AX Pro class and is now heading to Starkville, MS for the next round this weekend. We're only a couple weeks away from round one of the East Coast Lites SX series start at Cowboy Stadium February 16th. Team Thompson is busy down south getting ready to take another run at it. Good luck, guys!

OK, I'm just going to throw this out there because Jeremy Medaglia mentioned it this week. SInce all you guys have gone nutty over RC racing, let's set up a challenge race here in London at Tom Bitz's Man Cave Track (or whatever he's named the newly-made track). There's been a lot of talk about who's fastest and Jeremy even said he would get his MX101 team together and make the road trip here for the challenge. Steve Emery, if you're listening, make it happen!

The KTM Canadian Arenacross Championships take this weekend off before finishing things off the following two weekends in Chilliwack and Cloverdale, BC. We've got a tight battle going into the last races and this thing isn't over by any means. Here's a look at the points standings in both of the Pro classes:

Pro/Am Lites

Position    #            Total
1    28    Spencer Knowles           175
2    1    Brock Hoyer                    146
3    2    Ryan Lockhart                 139
4    620    Brad Nauditt                 105
5    402    Ryan Abrigo                   87
6    96    Jake Anstett                    70
7    8    Dylan Delaplace                 64
8    54    Josh Allen                        63
9    476    Collin Jurin                     57
10    33    Eric jeffery                      49
11    3    Dusty Klatt                       47
12    4    Brayden Stuart                 41
13    96    Kirk Hawes                     36
14    22    Dylan Kaelin                   36
15    12    Kavin Benoit                   30
16    621    Kyle Springman            28
17    147    Dex Koeleman              27
18    380    Kevin Lepp                   25
19    15    Jeremy Medaglia             22
20    491    Ethan Ladd                   13

Pro Open

Position    #        Name        Total
1    28    Spencer Knowles            160
2    1    Brock Hoyer                     156
3    2    Ryan Lockhart                  136
4    620    Brad Nauditt                   95
5    402    Ryan Abrigo                   70
6    33    Eric jeffery                       69
7    96    Jake Anstett                    67
8    476    Collin Jurin                     60
9    4    Brayden Stuart                   57
10    8    Dylan Delaplace               54
11    12    Kavin Benoit                   40
12    380    Kevin Lepp                   38
13    3    Dusty Klatt                      38
14    22    Dylan Kaelin                   34
15    88    Shane Wiebe                  29
16    96    Kirk Hawes                    28
17    147    Dex Koeleman              26
18    273    Josh Snider                  23
19    15    Jeremy Medaglia             20
20    54    Josh Allen                      15

Kyle Beaton may not be back racing but you can still get your fill of Beats next week as he and Spencer Knowles put on a motocross school out at the CHilliwack Heritage Park. Here's the PR:

OK, can someone tell me whose idea it was to let Britney Spears use that made up, affected accent she puts on in that new, terrible Will I Am song?! Wow, I just happened to have the music station on TV as I typed this and now I'm pissed off as I close it out. Thanks, Britney.

That's going to do it for me this week. We're back in BC next weekend for the arenacross races and keep tuned to DMX this week for all the updates and news. Have a great weekend and enjoy the Sunday coverage of the Oakland SX. I hope the temperature is warmer where you are than it is here in SWO.

See you at the races... Bigwave photo