9 FOR 9

9FOR 9

TANNER SCOTT TALKS TRANSCAN PERFECTION

WORDS BY ALLISON KENNEDY DAVIES

PHOTOS BY ALLISON KENNEDY AND JAMES LISSIMORE

ou won’t make it five feet into the Y Scott residence without uncovering some evidence of this family’s motocross and snocross racing history. However, you might get greeted by a basset hound, a lab or even a nearby horse before you make it that far. The Scott’s are a racing family, there’s no doubt, and their Oro Medonte home and shop are a testament to the time, energy and sacrifice this family has put into going fast. Beyond the amazing collection of family portraits, and up the stairs, you’ll find Tanner’s room. Every inch of the walls and shelves are covered with trophies and race bibs but the desk against his wall holds his most prestigious award yet – the 2021 Fox Racing Instinct Bronze Boot alongside his custom TransCan championship hats.

If you hadn’t heard the name Tanner Scott before this year’s TransCan, you probably have now. As a junior this year, Scott swept the Schoolboy, 250 Junior and Open Junior classes, winning 9 of 9 motos, claiming three championships and bringing home the boot. It’s a feat not many have accomplished at TransCan and one that’s quickly turned the spotlight on Tanner. As a family, all three racing Scott’s—Tanner, his brother Hunter and his father Jim have claimed TransCan championships over the years. But undeniably, this one seems to be the start of something special. We caught up with Tanner to find out how he felt about this year’s TransCan and to get his thoughts on his 2022 season. We also made him drag his Husky out onto the snowy track for some sweet photos.

HEY TANNER. FOR STARTERS, HOW OLD ARE YOU AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

I’m 16 years old, I live in Oro Medonte and I’m in grade 11.

TELL US A BIT ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN THE SPORT? WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR EARLY YEARS OF RACING?

I got started racing when I was age 3 because of my dad. My brother, who just turned 18, raced back then too and they got me into it. I don’t remember much about the early days except for racing at Motopark on the 50 track and going to Mini O’s back in 2011 and 2012.

YOU’VE BEEN A REGULAR AT MOTOPARK FOR MANY YEARS NOW AND YOUR COACH ZEB SAID HE WASN’T SURPRISED BY YOUR SUCCESS AT THE TRANSCAN THIS YEAR. HOW DO YOU THINK MOTOPARK HELPED YOU PREPARE FOR WALTON THIS YEAR?

I’ve been going to Motopark since 2016. They have a solid training program that includes everything from nutrition to training and riding. It’s an all-around solid plan to have you in shape come Walton. The days are all planned out from working out to doing motos and lessons.

Most of my buddies, especially Jadon and Crayden, stay for all 6 weeks and I have a bunch of buddies that are in and out throughout the season. You always have people there to push you. Sure, you could do all that training at home but having the motivation of other people pushing you and the entire Motopark scene keeps me having fun and enjoying it.

Zeb has been a big help throughout the years. He’s helped me with training, improving my riding and helping me get in shape. Basically I just live there for the whole summer, except I go home on the weekends. As soon as school is out I’m there until TransCan. I’ve got lots of friends there and there’s so much to do.

HEADING INTO THE TRANSCAN THIS YEAR, WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS?

Going into the TransCan, going 9 for 9 honestly was way in the back of my head. I knew there were only a few people who’ve done 9 for 9. Overall, I didn’t want to get too far ahead of myself. I just wanted to win motos, have a good week and ultimately win championships. Obviously the biggest goal is to come out healthy with as many championships as possible.

AT WHAT POINT DURING THE TRANSCAN DID YOU START TO REALIZE THAT YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO SWEEP ALL 3 CLASSES?

Well, to be honest, I was really nervous for the first 3 motos. I was expected to win so the weight on my shoulders was really heavy. Grabbing good starts was helping. Once I started the second day and I was rolling in my motos, I started to realize it was possible but I’d have to be perfect. It was definitely on my mind in the last motos but I tried not to think about it and ride like it was just another race.

WHAT DID THE LAST LAP OF THE LAST MOTO FEEL LIKE THEN, WHEN YOU MUST HAVE REALIZED IT WAS HAPPENING?

It didn’t feel real in the moment (laughs). I finished the moto and got off the track and thought, “I really did that.” It was such a good feeling. It took me all night to process what had happened and then going up to accept the award and stuff was awesome.

I HEAR THERE WAS A POST CHAMPIONSHIP CHAT WITH FORMER 9-FOR-9 WINNER PETER RAYMER. WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT?

My dad is good friends with Peter and he’s been around for years. Going into TransCan, he was bugging me and asking me if I was going to be able to match his record. He was pretty stoked for me. He was definitely planting the seed in the back of my mind before Walton even started.

THE LIST OF TALENT THAT’S RECEIVED THE BRONZE BOOT BEFORE YOU IS LONG AND IMPRESSIVE. HOW DID IT FEEL TO HEAR YOUR NAME CALLED FOR THAT AWARD? WHAT DID IT MEAN TO YOU?

It was very … I don’t know the word for it (laughs) but it was a really cool feeling. When they called my name, I felt like I was on top of the world. Getting up there and holding that award in front of all those people was really scary but also really awesome.

HEADING INTO 2022, YOU’RE NO LONGER FLYING UNDER THE RADAR. HOW WILL YOU BE PREPARING FOR 2022 IN TERMS OF TRAINING? ANY TRIPS OR EXTRA RACES PLANNED?

Last year I did really no training in advance. The month before moto season I finally got off the video games (laughs) but this season I’ve just been plugging away and keeping in shape and working out consistently since the season ended. The plan is to go back to Motopark for 6 weeks this summer. The goal for this year is to go to Loretta’s and race down South as much as possible and get some experience with the competition in the U.S. Then we’ll come home and race TransCan.

WHAT ARE YOU GOALS FOR 2022 AND BEYOND?

Honestly, I’d really like to get a top 10 at Loretta’s. That’s next on my bucket list and is definitely one of my goals for 2022.

THANKS SO MUCH TANNER. WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO THANK FOR HELPING YOU OUT?

I’d like to thank St Onge Recreation, Husqvarna Canada, J.C., Jeff and Danika from Fox Canada, Brentwood Roofing, LGS, DND, Bondi Engines, Zeb and Motopark, The Renting Guide, TL Tire and my mom and dad.

INTERVIEW WITH ZEB DENNIS

HEY ZEB. HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING WITH TANNER?

We started working together when he was on 60s. He’s 16 now, so he was probably 9 when we started and here we are 7 years later. He’s always ridden a class up. He’s always been the small kid on a bigger bike.

TANNER OR TJ? WHAT DO YOU CALL HIM?

When I’m mad I call him Tanner (laughs). Most of the time I call him TJ.

DO YOU RECALL YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF HIM ON THE BIKE?

In the early days, he was never the standout guy but he was always a grinder. His brother Hunter overshadowed him back then. He had lots of broken visors during motos (laughs). He was a hucker. He had a decent work ethic on the bike, but off the bike he wasn’t a hard worker … until a few years ago. That’s definitely changed now. When he finally got on the 125, he started getting race wins and won his first championship. I’ve had Tanner at Motopark for 6 weeks over the summer for the last 6 or 7 years. Jim pretty much dropped him and Hunter off so I’ve seen TJ cooking steaks on the BBQ for his friends since he was a kid (laughs).

WHAT’S BEEN THE MOST IMPRESSIVE THING ABOUT HIS PROGRESS SO FAR?

Honestly, he got those first couple of wins and the kid is on a mission now. We have a workout program for kids who will do stuff at home and he started doing it last winter. He came to Motopark and grinded it out this summer. He works out all week, he eats right, he’s training. He’s ready.

OBVIOUSLY GOING 9 FOR 9 AT WALTON IS A FEAT FEW CAN ACHIEVE. HOW HAPPY WERE YOU FOR HIM AND WHERE DO YOU SEE HIM GOING IN THE FUTURE?

It gives honestly gives me goosebumps when you ask me that. I went 6 for 6 and got the Bronze Boot back in 2000. Peter Raymer did 9 for 9 as a junior too. We gave Raymer the late night phone call after TJ got his awards and it was cool to hear them chat. Nobody really thought it was possible for Tanner until around the last two motos.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE TANNER’S RIDING STYLE NOW, AFTER HIS HUCKER BEGINNINGS?

TJ’s riding style is very laid back. He carries alot of momentum and doesn’t rely on aggression. He looks effortless—almost Facciotti-ish on the bike—but he goes fast. He was getting good starts at TransCan and when he got the holeshot in that last moto and was pulling away, we were just holding our breath until the checkers.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR TANNER GOING FORWARD?

I am hoping he continues to be a great role model for the younger kids at Motopark. You need to roll with confidence, but we work hard at Motopark to represent the way we should. If he stays in shape and keeps having fun, he’ll be fine when he gets back on the bike. I think he’s going to keep turning heads.