We drove last year and had issues getting there. It was just exhausting and we didn’t even want to put a helmet on when we arrived. So when they mentioned this idea at Raymond, I said “We’re in!” Dean Keast had met Gerald Heinrichs from Big Steel Box a number of years ago. Gerald’s son Ryan began his racing career around the same time as Casey and through racing formed a friendship. “I really like the Keast family and Dean and I hit it off,” said Gerald. Gerald, a partner in the shipping container company Big Steel Box, got into motocross more and more as his son did the past couple of seasons. “We support Future West and this year we had our $10,000 contingency program in BC. Part of the deal is riders must run our stickers so 80% of the bikes in BC run our stickers to be qualified for the contingency. It is a good market for us. People in motocross are in line with who our customer tends to be. On top of that we love the sport.” Gerald laughed that the idea to send the kids to Walton was hashed out over a couple of beers in Raymond. The friends came up with the idea to send everyone out east. Big Steel Box provided the container, the logistics and shipping; the families just had to get themselves there. In BC, the boys knew that on any given weekend they were the riders to beat. Standing in the field at Walton was more of an unknown. ”Maybe because we are parents, we are very proud of our kids and believe in them, but we did believe each of them could win,” said Oliver. “Sure you never know for
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Left: After winning, Wyatt Waddell was congratulated by Cycle North’s Kourtney Lloyd who spent the week keeping a close eye on all the BC riders. Above: Casey Keast was the first to arrive at Walton Raceway and leave with his first ever National Championship in the Super Mini class. Bottom right: The look of a champion: Even on the podium, it was hard for Jacob Piccolo to turn his game face off.
sure who is there, maybe a fast kid from out east or an American, but we wouldn’t have made the trip if we didn’t think we could compete.” It was Jake Piccolo who would strike first. When Jake rolled into the winners’ circle the entire group shared in that moment. “For the other three boys seeing Jake win, being interviewed by Ryan (Gauld), getting the WASP cam handed to him and especially the yellow winner’s bib was something all the boys wanted. It was motivation. It was motivation for all the boys to compete on the track and it help to push them,” said Oliver. Dan Piccollo, Jacob’s Dad, echoed the thoughts. “It was awesome for the boys to have each other and for us as families to be working together like we were.” Jacob spent the week dueling Ontario rider Jake Tricco in the 65cc 10-11, 85cc 7-11 and Super Mini classes. The two kids captured the race fans on site with their obvious skill and speed, and split championships, Piccollo taking the 65cc but also the Dunlop Silver Tire for outstanding mini rider at the event. “Everyone really fed off each other. We helped each other and this group was part
2013-10-23 4:40 PM