Frid’Eh Update #28 | Sam Gaynor | Brought to You by Dirt Care

Frid’Eh Update #28 | Sam Gaynor | Brought to You by Dirt Care

By Billy Rainford

Welcome to Week #28 of the DMX Frid’Eh Update brought to you by Dirt Care. The interview portion of this one come to you from Bangor, Maine, on my way east to River Glade just outside Moncton, New Brunswick. People always ask me what crossing the border is like right now or how I’m treated when I’m down here. Well, it’s actually never been better! The dude only asked me 1 question when I crossed into the USA near Niagara Falls. And I’m sitting in a McDonalds right now and someone just actually came over and asked if I’d like a coffee refill! I don’t think I’ve ever had that happen in a McD’s before.

As I closed in on Bangor late last night, we got hit with a huge thunder and lightning storm. Every few miles they had signs that warned hydroplaning was possible. “Pfft, why is everyone going so slowly?” he asked himself and then drifted across both lanes toward the median! The right lane was very cupped out and held a few inches of the downpour. I slowed down and hit the next exit.

The sun is back out this morning and they say the humidity is supposed to drop tomorrow, so i’m not sure if that’ll be the same for Moncton, but it would be nice.

Sam Gaynor is the rider we’re honouring this week. We’ve all known Sam since he was a little, tiny kid. He’s always been one of the fast ones we keep an eye on, so he knows what it’s like to be in the spotlight.

Sam and his family are also some of the people I’m closest to when at the races, so it’s been weird not seeing his dad, Jeff Gaynor, smiling away working on Sam’s (or anyone’s) bike as I find my place in the pits. As I always say, this sport is full of great people and families and the Gaynors are right up there at the top of that list for me.

By most accounts, Sam has had a fantastic career. However, he suffered the dreaded scaphoid injury in his wrist and it’s been what has taken him out. He did more to try and solve the issue than most people would ever dream of doing. It’s been a gruelling time for him. He still tried to continue racing with pain and limited mobility all while developing his own business. You won’t find a harder working, more determined person than Sam anywhere. That’s a fact.

Let’s get to our interview to see how he’s doing lately and what the future holds for him.

Direct Motocross: OK, Sam, believe it or not, there may be some people unfamiliar with Sam Gaynor. Can you tell us where you’re from, how you got your start in Moto, your age, height, and weight? We’re getting personal right off the hop!

Sam Gaynor: I am from Flesherton, ON, I am 25 years old, 5’8” and I weigh 158 pounds

I’m always worried we’re not going to see you again, so can you tell us your best motocross memory? You’ve been around a long time. 

It would be hard not to say Loretta Lynn’s in 2018. It was such a fun weekend, I got on the box in the last race and took the Canada flag up with me, which ultimately got me to go to RedBud that year for the Team Canada youth ambassador program. That week itself was amazing and the things it led to! 

In your opinion, who is the greatest Canadian motocross racer of all time? And who was the best you ever went up against?

That’s a hard question! I feel like Colton Facciotti was definitely one to remember. I can’t say I raced him but I circulated the track at the same time! lol. As a young racer I always looked up to Bobby Kiniry. I loved his bulldog mentality and how great he was with fans.

You had one of a racer’s most feared injuries, the scaphoid fracture. You also went through absolute hell trying to get it fixed. We went into that detail last time, but can you tell us how it’s doing these days? Is it something you’re aware of all the time still?

Not very good. I need to get a partial wrist fusion but I’m tired of surgeries so I’ve put it off for a bit. I’m planning to get that done this upcoming winter. I still feel it everyday and still go to physio weekly to keep it mobile.

I know they did some pretty intrusive stuff on your legs too. Do those bother you or is it like that part of the process never happened?

Yes, unfortunately my knees bother me which is unfortunate because there was nothing wrong with them before these surgeries. My right one swells up from time to time. 

I was half expecting to see you on the line this past weekend at Gopher Dunes. Do you have a bike right now and are you riding at all?

 I still have my premix championship bike which I will keep forever. At the end of last year we also got my 2 450’s from Louis and AVL, so right now we actually have 3 bikes! 

Can you tell everyone what it is you do for work?

From 7-4 I build high end custom saunas for “Mill Lane Sauna’s” and then from 5-midnight I work for myself with “80 Grit Woodworking.” It’s busy for sure! 

OK, I saw your video on Instagram. Are you getting ready for anything? Is there a chance we do see you racing this summer at a National round?

Ahah, who knows! That’s just a buddy’s backyard track! I’ve only ridden about 5 times this year. I am hoping to make it to Walton, as long as everything works out with work! 

What does your dad do to keep busy now that he’s not with you at the races every weekend? Sometimes that’s the toughest part when a rider steps away! Lol 

He rides lots of mountain bikes, looks after grandkids, he rides dirt bikes, plays golf every Wednesday, and makes sure his lawn looks like a golf course. lol

Who do you have picked for our 250, 450, and WMX titles this summer?

For the 250’s I got Ryder Malinoski, 450 I got Dylan Wright and WMX I think Jordan Jarvis has the experience to get it done.

As you step away more and more, do you have any regrets about your career?

I wouldn’t say I have any regrets, but there’s things I wish were a bit different. I wish I never went down to a 250 in 2021. I feel like I lost all the momentum I had gained in 2019/2020 on a 450. But ya live and ya learn! 

Is there a track that was your favourite over all the years? And what about one you just didn’t like at all?

That’s a good question. I think my favourite track over the years was either Walton or Gopher (Dunes). There was also some cool tracks in the states like Monster Mountain and Loretta Lynn’s, so it’s hard to pick just 1. Least favourite would have been Club MX front track. I never got along with that track and I felt like it didn’t relate to our tracks in Canada. 

What is something you’d tell a young rider who is heading to the pro ranks as advice? 

Don’t get too high on the highs or too low on the lows. It’s a hard sport and injuries and adversity are inevitable, so it’s all in your outlook. Make sure you leave it all on the track, blood, sweat, puke or whatever it may be. It’s only 30 minutes out of your whole day.

Have you moved on to any other sports or activities that you never had time for before? 

Unfortunately, no sports. I am so so busy with my own business that I don’t really have any time for anything else. I have just been working 16-18 hours a day for the past few months.

OK, it will be great to see you on the line at Walton, if that happens. Good luck with everything. Is there anyone you’d like to thank while you have the chance?

Thank you for this interview! I appreciate it. Huge thanks to my parents, Steve Simms, AVL, Mill Lane Saunas, and everyone in my past that helped me over the years get to live out my childhood dream!

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Top 5 Progress Report

Let’s have a look at how we think the top 5 is doing at the halfway point of the Canadian Triple Crown Series.

WMX:

1. 301 Jordan Jarvis 189 – Jordan gave herself a big task this summer, racing the AMA WMX and our Canadian series. Sometimes they fall on the same weekend and it’s made for some interesting weekends for her. She came in as the one to beat and is leading the points.
2. 1 Jamie Astudillo 169 – Jamie is a fighter and believes she can beat Jordan. She hates the sand and looks forward to the rest of the tracks we’ll see in the east, so let’s see if she can take some W’s and close this title chase.
3. 2 Kaylie Kayer 155 – When I see Kaylie ride I always feel like she should be winning some of these things. Let’s see if she can get some starts and stay at the front.
4. 7 Brandy McLarty 147 – Brandy had her breakout ride this past weekend at Gopher Dunes. She looked great! Let’s see if she can keep the ball rolling on the hard-packed River Glade track this week.
5. 4 Kiana Kurtz 126 – Kiana needs to get up front and ride with the podium racers longer. She’s got the skills but needs to test herself at the front.

250:

1. 31 Ryder Malinoski 174 – Ryder is starting to squirt away from the rest of the field. He will need to be stopped this week if anyone wants to challenge him for this title.
2. 177 Kade Johnson 157 – Kade came in as one of the favourites, along with the other fast, young American riders, and is still within striking distance. He’ll need to get better starts than he did last week or else he’ll keep falling back.
3. 24 Dylan Rempel 156 – Dylan is right there in this fight. He’s our fastest Canadian 250 rider and has the pace to take wins from these fast AMA riders. He’ll need to get it done this week.
4. 27 Josh Boaz 111 – Josh has had some great rides but has drifted back of the top 3. He looks to have the rest of the field covered, but let’s see what he can do with a holeshot.
5. 247 Tegan Kortenbach 97 – Tegan is in the early running for “Most Improved Rider.” H’es starting to believe he can run with the top 3 but he’ll also need a start and to minimize mistakes to finish up where he belongs.

450:

1. 9 Dylan Wright 184 – We saw the team falter at their home race last week and I”m sure that didn’t sit well with many of them. We all know Dylan is the fastest out there but he can’t have any more mishaps with Kullas in the field.
2. 151 Harri Kullas 172 – Just watching Harris ride tells you why he’s been all over the world doing this. He seems unflappable but will need to get uncomfortable if he wants to beat Dylan.
3. 12 Sebastien Racine 148 – Sebastien has been the bright light for the rookie 450 riders. He’s showing he’s got the speed to round out the podium, but there’s another rider also going for that spot.
4. 84 Tanner Ward 129 – Tanner is not happy with his season so far. I think he really needs to show Seb his rear wheel this week to establish himself as the next Canadian in the ranks.
5. 14 Quinn Amyotte 116 – Quinn seems to be having fun out there in 5th place. He will have to lose the smile if he wants to challenge and beat the 2 Canucks right in front of him. Nah, keep smiling, Quinn.

Let’s go for Round 5 at River Glade!

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Southwick this Weekend

I know this much: #177 Kade Johnson won’t have his “sure thing” mechanic wrenching for him this weekend. Nope, TJ Lanphear will race Southwick one more time if he can make it into the motos. Good luck, TJ.

Let’s see who races Saturday and then makes the “short” drive northeast to race River Glade.

Times are Local/Eastern

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Click HERE to register

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Videos from Round 4 at Ste Julie

In case you haven’t seen them yet, here are the videos from last week.

And there’s also FACES AT THE RACES to check out.

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I got a random 604 call just before hitting the border so I answered it. It was dude named Tug Gulkison who has JSR‘s 2006 Blackfoot race bike and he’s looking to sell it. He’s going to get me all the information, so if you’re interested in this piece of Canadian MX history, stay tuned for your chance to own this bike.

I’ve now crossed the border into New Brunswick. I think I’ll finish this Update here and head over to the track to see if there are any newsy things going on that I can pass along. Have a great weekend, everyone.