Regina National Photo Report

Photos and Captions by Billy Rainford

Round 4 of the 2015 Rockstar Energy MX Nationals rolled into Moto Valley in Regina, Saskatchewan, this past Sunday. We all remember what the weather did to the second motos last June, so we were all holding our breath as clouds threatened to do the same again this year. It DID rain and storm pretty hard during the first MX1 moto, but it seemed to be just what the clay-based track needed and the crew was able to till it up and the second motos were pretty much picture perfect.

Here’s a look at some of the racing action:

You pretty much roll the dice with the weather out here in Canadian 'big sky' country. The day would bring us everything but make for really good conditions.

You pretty much roll the dice with the weather out here in Canadian ‘big sky’ country. The day would bring us everything but make for really good conditions.

#32 Jared Petruska went down in the first sweeping right turn of the first MX2 moto. He was out for a while and was then taken off for evaluation. The race was red-flagged as he was in the middle of the track.

#32 Jared Petruska went down in the first sweeping right turn of the first MX2 moto. He was out for a while and was then taken off for evaluation. The race was red-flagged as he was in the middle of the track. I talked to his girlfriend, Dominique Daffé, and she said he’s doing OK. He took a couple days off work. Nothing is broken but he “definitely has a concussion.”

#746 was Bryan Brimhall from Lake Elsinore, California. He had a super-star man-friend for the day in Brett Metcalfe. DNF-22 wasn't what he was hoping for... He looked like he was having a lot of fun on the 2-stroke though.

#746 was Bryan Brimhall from Lake Elsinore, California. He had a super-star man-friend for the day in Brett Metcalfe. DNF-22 wasn’t what he was hoping for… He looked like he was having a lot of fun on the 2-stroke though.

#29 Duroy Racing KTM's Jeremy Pronovost is surely looking forward to the softer tracks of the east. 15-25 put him back in 19th but watch for some breakout performances in the sand.

#29 Duroy Racing KTM’s Jeremy Pronovost is surely looking forward to the softer tracks of the east. 15-25 put him back in 19th but watch for some breakout performances in the sand.

#84 Teagan Williams put himself in some of the better battles Sunday. 19-14 gave him 18th.

#84 Teagan Williams put himself in some of the better battles Sunday. 19-14 gave him 18th.

I think everyone was impressed with the talent level #56 Schrader's Yamaha rider Kyle Biro put in as an Intermediate. He qualified 7th fastest and then battled with established Pros all day. 11-31 put him 17th and top Intermediate.

I think everyone was impressed with the talent level #56 Schrader’s Yamaha rider Kyle Biro put in as an Intermediate. He qualified 7th fastest and then battled with established Pros all day. 11-31 put him 17th and top Intermediate.

#57 Strikt Racing Kawasaki rider Todd Minnie seems to have left his early-season demons behind him and has put in some solid rides the past couple weekends. 14-15 gave him 14th.

#57 Strikt Racing Kawasaki rider Todd Minnie seems to have left his early-season demons behind him and has put in some solid rides the past couple weekends. 14-15 gave him 14th.

The strong rides of #153 Ryeley Gallup had a few people wondering who he was! His solid 8th in the first moto was impressive. 8-19 for 12th.

The strong rides of #153 Ryeley Gallup had a few people wondering who he was! His solid 8th in the first moto was impressive. 8-19 for 12th.

#17 Redemption Racing Fly Dragon KTM rider Seth Rarick is due for some better luck. He got off to a great start in the 1st moto but ran into the back of Creson and went down putting him back in last place. He regrouped for the second and finished 11th overall (17-9).

#17 Redemption Racing Fly Dragon KTM rider Seth Rarick is due for some better luck. He got off to a great start in the 1st moto but ran into the back of Creson and went down putting him back in last place. He regrouped for the second and finished 11th overall (17-9).

#20 Canada's Motorcycle FXR Yamaha's Dylan Wright just didn't mesh with the track until late in the day. He never really got himself up toward the front where he belongs. 10-11 put him 10th.

#20 Canada’s Motorcycle FXR Yamaha’s Dylan Wright just didn’t mesh with the track until late in the day. He never really got himself up toward the front where he belongs. 10-11 put him 10th.

#39 Vernon Motorsports Yamaha rider Jess Pettis is starting to come into his own. Watch for his results to continue to improve. 9-10 gave him 9th.

#39 Parts Canada Vernon Motorsports Yamaha rider Jess Pettis is starting to come into his own. Watch for his results to continue to improve. 9-10 gave him 9th.

#620 GA Checkpoint Fox Yamaha's Brad Nauditt got out to a great start in the first moto but then had some troubles putting him back in the pack. 12-7 gave him 8th.

#620 GA Checkpoint Fox Yamaha’s Brad Nauditt got out to a great start in the first moto but then had some troubles putting him back in the pack. 12-7 gave him 8th.

I had a good talk with California rider #444 Drill Tech Fox Yamaha's Dustin Creson Saturday. He said he just needs some better luck to be up near the front and he got in Sunday. He was pushing some top riders all day and finished 7-8 for 7th.

I had a good talk with California rider #444 Drill Tech Fox Yamaha’s Dustin Creson Saturday. He said he just needs some better luck to be up near the front and he got in Sunday. He was pushing some top riders all day and finished 7-8 for 7th.

#762 Devil's Lake MX Yamaha rider Blake Savage is also starting to perform like he should. He was up in the top 3 mix most of the day. 4-5 tied him for 5th for 6th.

#762 Devil’s Lake MX Yamaha rider Blake Savage is also starting to perform like he should. He was up in the top 3 mix most of the day. 4-5 tied him for 5th for 6th.

We wondered how #9 Strikt Racing Scott Yamaha rider Morgan Burger would do in MX2. He's getting comfortable in the top 5 lately. 5-4 gave him the edge over Savage for 5th.

We wondered how #9 Strikt Racing Scott Yamaha rider Morgan Burger would do in MX2. He’s getting comfortable in the top 5 lately. 5-4 gave him the edge over Savage for 5th.

#1 Royal Distributing Fox Racing KTM's Kaven Benoit dominated the first moto for the win but went down in the second and struggled to get going again. His 1-6 tied him for 2nd but actually put him 4th.

#1 Royal Distributing Fox Racing KTM’s Kaven Benoit dominated the first moto for the win but went down in the second and struggled to get going again. His 1-6 tied him for 2nd but actually put him 4th.

This was #14 Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha rider Shawn Maffenbeier's home race. You could tell where he was by the cheer of the crowd. His consistent 3-3 gave him 3rd.

This was #14 Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha rider Shawn Maffenbeier’s home race. You could tell where he was by the cheer of the crowd. His consistent 3-3 gave him 3rd.

#21 Honda Canada TLD GDR's Jeremy Medaglia was great off the starts and that helped him stay out front to challenge for wins. After a great early-moto battle with Decotis in the second, he wound up 2nd overall (6-1).

#21 Honda Canada TLD GDR’s Jeremy Medaglia was great off the starts and that helped him stay out front to challenge for wins. After a great early-moto battle with Decotis in the second, he wound up 2nd overall (6-1).

#105 Canada's Motorcycle FXR Yamaha's Jimmy Decotis continues to prove he's obviously not just a sand specialist. His 2-2 motos gave him another overall.

#105 Canada’s Motorcycle FXR Yamaha’s Jimmy Decotis continues to prove he’s obviously not just a sand specialist. His 2-2 motos gave him another overall.

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MX2 Podium: Jimmy Decotis, Jeremy Medaglia, Shawn Maffenbeier. (Points were sorted out later and the order you see here was corrected)

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Shawn and Jeremy lunge toward the enthusiastic crowd with the champagne while Jimmy gets stuck in the gate.

Gate choice was at a premium at Moto Valley. The edges are much firmer than the centre so mechanics worked hard to get the gate packed.

Gate choice was at a premium at Moto Valley. The edges are much firmer than the centre so mechanics worked hard to get the gate packed. There’s just no way young McCoy Brough can stomp as hard as Derek Schuster!

The day started out rough for #69 Redemption Racing Fly Dragon KTM's Eric Jeffery. An ugly crash in practice nearly took him out, but the bike made it look worse than it was, fortunately. 19-15 gave him 18th.

The day started out rough for #69 Redemption Racing Fly Dragon KTM’s Eric Jeffery. An ugly crash in practice nearly took him out, but the bike made it look worse than it was, fortunately. 19-15 gave him 18th.

Monster Energy Thor Kawasaki's Teddy Maier doesn't usually make an appearance in these things until much later. After a solid 5thi n the first moto, a header pipe issue put him in the mechanics' area in the 2nd and then a throttle issue took him out for the day. 5-DNF for 16th.

Monster Energy Thor Kawasaki’s Teddy Maier doesn’t usually make an appearance in these things until much later. After a solid 5thi n the first moto, a header pipe issue put him in the mechanics’ area in the 2nd and then a throttle issue took him out for the day. 5-DNF for 16th.

There were great battles all over the track Sunday and #74 RTR Performance FXR KTM rider Josh Allen was in some of the best ones. 18-13 gave him 15th.

There were great battles all over the track Sunday and #74 RTR Performance FXR KTM rider Josh Allen was in some of the best ones. 18-13 gave him 15th.

#194 Devil's Lake MX Yamaha's Jake Streichert grabbed the holeshot of a lifetime in the first MX1 moto. He hung on as best he could and finished 10-16 for 12th.

#194 Devil’s Lake MX Yamaha’s Jake Streichert grabbed the holeshot of a lifetime in the first MX1 moto. He hung on as best he could and finished 10-16 for 12th.

#35 Red Line Thor Yamaha rider Matthew Davenport rode alone for most of the 2nd moto until #30 Kyle Keast appeared out of nowhere! 16-8 gave him 10th on th day.

#35 Red Line Thor Yamaha rider Matthew Davenport rode alone for most of the 2nd moto until #30 Kyle Keast appeared out of nowhere! 16-8 gave him 10th on the day.

The Honda Canada TLD GDR rider, Keast, said he put in 2 lights out laps to end the 2nd moto that almost scored him 8th. 11-9 for 9th.

The Honda Canada TLD GDR rider, Keast, said he put in 2 lights out laps to end the 2nd moto that almost scored him 8th. 11-9 for 9th.

The rain in the 1st MX1 moto threatened to ruin the day bit actually made things better. #23 RTR Performance FXR KTM's Dylan Schmoke had another solid day with 9-10 motos for 8th.

The rain in the 1st MX1 moto threatened to ruin the day bit actually made things better. #23 RTR Performance FXR KTM’s Dylan Schmoke had another solid day with 9-10 motos for 8th.

We're almost going to have to start calling #761 Redemption Racing Fly Dragon KTM's Cade Clason 'The Invisible Man.' He's the next guy after the top 6 battle and always ends up riding alone in 7th. He'll have to either speed up or slow down to have some company! 8-6 gave him 7th.

We’re almost going to have to start calling #761 Redemption Racing Fly Dragon KTM’s Cade Clason ‘The Invisible Man.’ He’s the next guy after the top 6 battle and always ends up riding alone for 7th. He’ll have to either speed up or slow down to have some company! 8-6 gave him 7th.

#7 Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha's Bobby Kiniry looks like he's searching for answers out there. After grabbing the holeshot in the second moto he finished 6-7 for 6th overall.

#7 Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha’s Bobby Kiniry looks like he’s searching for answers out there. After grabbing the holeshot in the second moto he finished 6-7 for 6th overall.

We're still waiting for #3 Parts Canada Thor Husqvarna rider Tyler Medaglia's breakout ride this summer. You know it's coming though! 7-5 put him 5th.

We’re still waiting for #3 Parts Canada Thor Husqvarna rider Tyler Medaglia’s breakout ride this summer. You know it’s coming though! 7-5 put him 5th.

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Racing was that close all day.

#148 Royal Distributing Fox Racing KTM rider COle Thompson put his smooth riding style up in the mix all day long. One mistake from any of the top 4 riders would have changed results instantly. 4-4 put him 4th.

#148 Royal Distributing Fox Racing KTM rider COle Thompson put his smooth riding style up in the mix all day long. One mistake from any of the top 4 riders would have changed results instantly. 4-4 put him 4th.

If there's a shot of #1 Honda Canada TLD GDR rider Colton Facciotti that exemplifies his riding style, this is it. His firs moto battle with Metcalfe was one for the books. 2-3 motos gave him 3rd overall.

If there’s a shot of #1 Honda Canada TLD GDR rider Colton Facciotti that exemplifies his relaxed riding style, this is it. His firs moto battle with Metcalfe was one for the books. 2-3 motos gave him 3rd overall.

Medaglia and Thompson.

Medaglia and Thompson.

I don't know how #101 Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha's Matt Goerke stayed calm all 2nd moto with Metcalfe this close to him the entire time! It showed he has nerves of steal. His 3-1 gave him runner-up spot but he leaves with the red plate again.

I don’t know how #101 Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha’s Matt Goerke stayed calm all 2nd moto with Metcalfe this close to him the entire time! It showed he has nerves of steal. His 3-1 gave him runner-up spot but he leaves with the red plate again.

I liked the old school feeling of this shot...just like a conversation with #123 Monster Thor Kawasaki's Brett Metcalfe. You always get class and the straight goods from him. He had another solid day and took the overall with 1-2 motos.

I liked the old school feeling of this shot…just like a conversation with #123 Monster Thor Kawasaki’s Brett Metcalfe – you always get class and the straight goods from him. He had another solid day and took the overall with 1-2 motos.

The next round in the sand at Gopher Dunes should be one for the ages!

The next round in the sand at Gopher Dunes should be one for the ages!

MX1 Podium: Brett Metcalfe, Matt Goerke, Colton Facciotti.

MX1 Podium: Brett Metcalfe, Matt Goerke, Colton Facciotti.

It was great to see Saskatchewan native Blair Morgan out at the races. Can you imagine this bench-racing session?!

It was great to see Saskatchewan native Blair Morgan out at the races. Can you imagine this bench-racing session?!

OK, I'm late for the FXR Racing Ride Day here in the outskirts of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Watch for photos from the day later here on the site. Thanks for looking, and see you at the races...

OK, I’m late for the FXR Racing Ride Day here on the outskirts of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Watch for photos from the day later here on the site. Thanks for looking, and see you at the races…