Frid’Eh Update #36 | Tyler Shewchyk Interview | Brought to You by Dirt Care
By Billy Rainford
Welcome to Week #36 of the DMX Frid’Eh Update brought to you by Dirt Care cleaners and lubricants – a Canadian company.
It’s been a long week in the editing lab for me. After getting home from the final round of the 2026 AMA Pro Motocross Championship at Ironman MX, I’ve been pretty much in front of my laptop the entire week looking at videos from the races. I think that was the most Canadians racing an AMA pro-level race that I’ve ever seen.
As I’m typing this Update, the 250 video is uploading to Youtube, featuring #800 Preston Masciangelo, #247 Tegan Kortenbach, #613 Cole Pranger, #380 Preston Kilroy, and #431 Ryder Malinoski.
Preston Masciangelo made the 250 motos, so I gave him a call to talk about the day’s racing and you can listen to him voice-over the video action.
Tyler Shewchyk is the rider with #36 for the 2026 Canadian Triple Crown Series. We featured the likeable rider from Waterdown, ON back in 2022. That time, he just squeaked in at #52 so it’s high time we did another one with him.
Here’s a look at his 2026 summer season with the Guaranteed Comfort Honda team:
Here’s what Tyler had to say when we contacted him this week:
Direct Motocross: Hello, Tyler. The last one of these we did was back in 2022 when you squeaked in at #52, so we’d better do a little re-up on your history. Fist off, can you tell us where you’re from and how you got into motocross in the first place?
Tyler Shewchyk: I’m from Waterdown, Ontario, and have loved dirt bikes for as long as I can remember. Somewhere around the age of 6, my dad and I started riding dirt bikes as a hobby. That developed into local racing, and it just kept snowballing from there. We learned together at each step of the way.
You were always #777 (which I hated writing in my little notepad) as an amateur. What was the reason behind that number?
Well, before my dad or I got into racing dirt bikes, he payed hockey. His number for hockey was 7. So when we went to sign up for our first couple races as 7 or 77 and those numbers were taken. The natural progression was to pick 777! Which we ended up really liking and sticking to, even though writing it can be difficult. lol.
Did you grow up playing any other sports or are you into other sports now?
I did. I grew up playing hockey, which I really enjoyed when I was younger. As I got more serious into racing in my teens, it came to a point where I had to pick a sport to focus on. Hands down I picked Motocross. I mainly just watch/ follow along with Motocross and Supercross, but I do keep a distant eye on hockey!
Are you a full-time RV guy? Where do you call home?
Yes, pretty much full time RV life for me. I normally find somewhere to stay during the couple of cold months before heading for training. Besides that, home is where I park it! Most times you can find me in Millgrove, Ontario.
You ride for the Guaranteed Comfort team. Are you an HVAC guy with them? Is that a full-time gig for you?
I am not an HVAC guy by trade, but last winter I worked along side the HVAC team at Guaranteed Comfort as a helper. I am actually an electrician by trade. So we will see if it is full time for this year. I would like to do some work in my field, but Chris (Egan) has very generously left the door open if I am looking to work for him.
Watching you this past summer, you seemed to find another gear in the latter part of the summer. Was there a reason for this increase in speed or am I imagining things?
Thank you for that. Yes, I feel as well like this year in a whole I was able to find a little something extra for myself! The last two seasons have been really solid on the training and riding side! I’ve been able to get more hours on bikes pre-season than ever before. As well as my fitness has been improving year to year. I believe for me that effort and work from the past two years is starting to compound. I hope that feeling continues!
Our series ended in the middle of August. What have you been doing since then?
The season ending felt like it came very fast this year. Like I blinked and ‘bam’ there it was. Since though I have been taking some time to get everything in order before heading back to work. Helping the team out getting some bikes put back to stock and ready for sale, as well as getting some time away from the track with family and friends.
I don’t think I remember you heading south to race SX or MX in the USA. Is that something you’re interested in?
No, I haven’t ever been south to race SX or MX in the USA. I have thought and talked about it. I would love the opportunity to try some Supercross. The issue I run into is going to do a couple, you put in so much time and effort to be ready you might as well do a whole coast. I just don’t know if that’s feasible. But maybe one day I will get the right opportunity and give it a go! MX, on the other hand, I would love to do the last two next year if it works out with the Canadian schedule!
Let’s get your numbers: What is your age, weight, and height?
I am 25 years old, 158 pounds, and 5’ 9” tall.
What are your plans for the rest of the season?
I plan on continuing to race until I can’t. Between AMO stuff and local USA stuff I try and hit as many as I can as long as it makes sense. I love riding and try to keep doing it until the snow is here.
What are your winter plans?
If everything goes to plan, I hope to head back to Dreamland and start training in February. Until then, I will be working and hitting the gym to keep the fitness as good as possible.
And finally, what are your racing plans for next summer?
Next summer I hope to compete in the full Triple Crown Series again. As well as, a good amount of the AMO races, and if everything goes smoothly maybe a couple AMA Pro Motocross races!
OK, Tyler, thanks for taking some time with us this week. Who would you like to thank?
Thanks to you too, Billy. I would love to thank the Guaranteed Comfort racing team for all their support. As well as all our sponsors, their belief in me means the world to me. And that belief drives me to work hard and get better. Thank you:
Guaranteed comfort Mx
Honda moto Canada
Hudson Motorcycles
Renegade race fuel
Hall race fuel
Ogs moto
Matrix concept
Newf
Race winning brands Canada
Je pistons
Rekluse
Hgs
Woody graphics
Twin air
Twisted development
Fox racing Canada
Lenox
Powerband racing Florida
Seco seat covers
KRMC moto
Team Canada MXON Roster Changes
Unfortunately, Sebastien Racine‘s collarbone rehabilitation is going to take him through the MXON in Ernée, France. Therefore, Team Manager, Kourtney Lloyd, is left with a decision to make to replace the SSR Kawasaki rider from Casselman, ON in the Open class.
The obvious choice is Tanner Ward, but we will wait until Kourtney announces her decision before we make any other guesses.
Videos from Ironman MX
Photo Gallery HERE
2026 FIM Intercontinental Games to Include MX and Ryder McNabb
PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Sept. 2, 2026) — FIM North America announced its roster for the 2026 FIM Intercontinental Games, taking place Dec. 10-13 at the famed Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna in Goiânia, Brazil, with all six FIM Continental Unions (CONU) battling for global bragging rights.
After a successful inaugural event in 2024, the 2026 FIM Intercontinental Games will provide an opportunity for FIM North America — which is made up of the American Motorcyclist Association, Canadian Motorcycle Association and Barbados Motoring Federation — to once again compete against the remaining CONUs from around the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and Oceania.
“The FIM Intercontinental Games offers an excellent opportunity to showcase the abilities of our North American riders on a global stage,” FIM North America President and AMA President and CEO, Rob Dingman, said. “We are confident in the group that we selected to represent our continent, as each of these racers have shown the necessary skill, determination and pride to compete on behalf of our CONU in this international competition.”
This year’s event will include circuit racing in Supersport and Supersport 300 classes, with riders racing aboard FIM-provided Yamaha YZF-R3 and YZF-R7 motorcycles. New this year, motocross will be added to the racing schedule at the FIM Intercontinental Games under an MX2 format.
Teams will be made up of four riders per category, including one female rider per team, with 12 total racers representing FIM North America in Brazil.
The list of FIM North America competitors includes:
Circuit Racing:
Team Manager — Michael Martin
Supersport (SSP):
- Josh Herrin
- Max Toth
- Blake Davis
- Mallory Dobbs
Supersport 300 (SSP300):
- Hank Vossberg
- Matthew Chapin
- Kensei Matsudaira
- Ella Dreher
Motocross:
Team Manager — Steve Westfall
MX2:
- Zach Osborne
- Ryder McNabb
- Preston Kilroy
- Mayla Herrick
The FIM Intercontinental Games (ICG) returns to the calendar this year for its second edition – scheduled to run from 11-13 December at the Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna in Goiania, Brazil – where teams from all six FIM Continental Unions (CONU) will come together for this biennial gathering of the FIM Family.
Following on from the hugely-successful first edition that was held at Spain’s Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto in 2024, this year’s event has been expanded with the addition of a Motocross category for MX2 machines to run alongside the established Supersport and Supersport 300 classes that featured two years ago. This means that for the second ICG, that will be staged in the central state of Goiàs, for the first time the coveted title will be decided across both on circuit racing and off-road disciplines..
Winners in 2024, FIM Europe will defend its title in the face of stiff opposition from the other CONUs of Africa, Asia, Latin America, North America and Oceania with each CONU fielding four riders in all three categories. Each CONU is allowed to include one ‘specialist’ rider with a permanent place in an FIM World Championship during 2026 along with the requirement to have a minimum of one female rider per category who is also permitted to be a permanent FIM World Championship rider this season.
All other selected riders must be considered ‘rising talents’ and cannot have taken part in any FIM World Championship in 2026 as a permanent rider.
With twenty-four riders per class, a total of seventy-two competitors from twenty-five nations – an increase of six participating countries compared to the inaugural event – will contest the 2026 ICG.
Machinery for competitors in both Circuit Racing disciplines will be provided by Yamaha with a fleet of YZF-R3 and YZF-R7 models available, while Motocross competitors will race on motorcycles supplied locally, in accordance with each rider’s requested brand and model, andcompliant with FIM regulations.
On the opening day of the ICG (Friday 11 December), SSP and SSP300 teams will take part in a non-timed test practice followed by FP1 and FP2. MX2 teams will be on track for free practice and FP1. The following morning, SSP and SSP300 teams will all take part in Qualifying 1 and Qualifying 2, while MX2 teams will be on track for FP2 and a Timed Practice before the first points-scoring races across all three classes are staged in the afternoon.
On the final day (Sunday 13 December) teams across all three classes will take part in a short warm-up before lining up for Race Two and, for MX2 only, a concluding Race Three.
FIM President Jorge Viegas, who first envisaged the ICG in 2002, said: “It is incredibly exciting to be visiting Brazil for the second edition of the FIM Intercontinental Games. The inaugural FIM Intercontinental Games was a landmark event and for me the culmination of a long-standing ambition, but the intention was always to expand the number of categories and competitors and I am delighted to say we are moving in a very positive, defined direction.
“Bringing all six FIM Continental Unions together in this manner is very important, allowing us to celebrate the shared FIM Family values of fairness, inclusion and unity in a competitive, yet friendly environment with participants from across the globe.”
SMX Playoffs
2026 Corduroy Enduro
The Corduroy Enduro September 17-20 in Gooderham, Ontario, has become an event I look forward to hitting for the past couple years. As long as the Motocross schedule allows, I’ll head back up to the small town northeast of Toronto every time.
FRIDAY GP: VINTAGE, E-BIKE, ADV
SUPPLEMENTARY RULES (ALL RACES)
OK, have a great Labour Day Weekend, everyone. Remember when it was the May long weekend, like….yesterday?
Al Strickert sent this photo over earlier today after I sent him a shot from the 1980’s out of the blue. See how many you can name. Hint: It’s from 1983 at Hully Gully.
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