MXP Motocross 20.01 by Motocross Performance Magazine

C A N A D Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; S S O U R C E F O R M O T O C R O S S A N D O F F - R O A D

DEAN WILSON

POETRY OF RESILIENCE

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contents u M O T O C R O S S

V O L U M E

2 0

P E R F O R M A N C E

I S S U E

FEATURES

DEAN WILSON Poetry of Resilience

30 THE DRUMMONDVILLE FLYER Mike McGill looks at the career of Carl Vaillancourt. 36 CALIFORNIA DREAMING Palms tours the Fox Racing USA HQ. 42 THE MOTO SOCIAL A look at this new trend in our industry. 46

GOING ELECTRIC We take a look at the growing market of E-Bicycles.

58 TEST RIDER FOR A DAY Palms goes to Fox Raceway to test the newest WP Suspension. 62 TOOLS OF THE TRADE Boxo Tools are here to stay! 66 THE BEST OF THE BEST James Lissimore’s top photos from 2019. 80 YOUNG AND ON THE RISE Introducing Mars Millar.

SPECIALS

12 18

EXPOSED CAUGHT ON CAMERA

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR

by Chris Pomeroy

With Eve Brodeur

by Dylan Wright

by Andy White

FEMALE PERSPECTIVE

BROC TICKLE IS BACK Andy White talks about the return of this talented rider.

BEHIND THE LENS:

COLUMNS

FAMOUS LAST WORDS

GUEST COLUMN

INSIDE LINE

BY JAMES LISSIMORE

10 // MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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Photo: R. Schedl Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scene. Always wear protective safety gear. The illustrated vehicle may vary in selected details from the production models and may feature optional equipment available at additional cost.

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2020 FC 450 Rockstar Edition

MASTER YOUR CRAFT Inspired by the developments and successes of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team, the 2020 FC 450 Rockstar Edition is a purpose-built motorcycle for riders who desire a competitive edge. All-new graphics, a technically advanced engine, state-of-the-art suspension and a series of upgrades serve as the intelligent platform for those looking to take control of their destiny on the track.

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PHOTO BY JAM E S LISSIMOR E

BAM BAM GOES SIDEWAYS! Once again, Justin Barcia came out swinging in the 2020 Supercross Series.

MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE Â· MXPMAG.COM // 13

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PHOTO BY JAM E S LISSIMOR E

BACK IN THE BIGS Tyler Medaglia is back in the 450 class and ready to do some damage.

14 // MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE Â· MXPMAG.COM

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Your bike deserves

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MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE VOLUME 20, ISSUE 1

FOR SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES CALL: 416-633-1202

PUBLISHER: Charles Stancer/Mark Stallybrass V.P. OF SALES AND MARKETING: Charles Stancer EDITOR: Chris Pomeroy SALES MANAGER: Al Jaggard SENIOR WRITERS: Brian Koster, Mike McGill SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR: Shelby Mahon STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER: James Lissimore CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: James Lissimore, Drew Robertson, Leticia Cline, Andy White, Matt Wellumson, Sean Poitras, Lawrence Hacking, Kate McKerroll CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Virgil Knapp, Clayton Racicot, Bill Petro, Matt Wellumson, Frank Hoppen, Summer Denzler, Mike Vizer COVER PHOTO: James Lissimore MXP has the exclusive rights to the MRCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mailing list of racing license holders. Every MRC license holder from coast to coast receives and reads each issue of MXP. In addition to this exclusive list of readers, we are partnered with several motocross and off-road enthusiast organizations across the country including the FMSQ. FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES CONTACT: Charles Stancer 416-633-1202 charles@mxpmag.com mxpmag.com

Parts & accessories

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FAMOUS LAST WORDS WITH CHRIS POMEROY

“OBVIOUSLY, THIS ISN’T HOW ANYONE ENVISIONED THE SERIES PLAYING OUT, BUT IN THE BIG PICTURE THIS ISN’T EXACTLY HOW ANYONE THOUGHT OUR WORLD WOULD BE WHEN THE CALENDAR MOVED TO 2020.”

HYSTERIA SINCE THE DAY THAT WE WERE BORN WE’VE UNDERSTOOD THAT LIFE CAN CHANGE IN A HURRY. REMEMBER WHEN FORREST GUMP COINED THE PHRASE, “LIFE IS LIKE A BOX OF CHOCOLATES, YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO GET?” WELL HASN’T THAT RUNG TRUE IN RECENT WEEKS AS THIS COVID-19 VIRUS HAS TAKEN OVER OUR LIVES IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. BORDERS HAVE CLOSED, STORES HAVE CLOSED, AND WE’VE HAD TO WRAP OUR HEADS AROUND NEW TERMINOLOGY LIKE SELF-ISOLATION AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.

s I write this, the situation was still changing by the hour with new announcements and new instructions from our trusty Governments. One of the only positives is, in most parts of our beautiful country it’s now spring and no one has said that we cannot go outside to ride our dirt bikes. Maybe they have told everyone to stay home and avoid contact with anyone outside of our family, however, I did read that fresh air and sun are the best defence mechanisms against this virus, so I still would suggest that we keep riding. This year has definitely gotten off to a rocky start when you consider all that has happened away from our sport. There was the horrible helicopter crash that took the lives of Kobe Bryant, his daughter and friends. Although the official cause has been determined, my helicopter pilot friends told me that this was a classic case of pilot error and the crash could’ve easily been prevented.

Soon after that the Covid-19 Virus snowball began its journey downhill, and as of now it’s still going strong. Being a member of the media these days, it’s a strange endeavour to say the least. Gone are the days when the media takes pride in reporting the news fairly and accurately. When watching the news or gathering it from Social Media, sometimes it seems like the members of the media are just throwing darts when it comes to reporting the true facts. These days, if you’re wrong or you’ve slightly exaggerated the story, it doesn’t seem to matter as the next story comes along so quickly that your readers or viewers easily forget the mistakes you’ve just made. The one thing that has remained the same, though, since media was first invented is, if it bleeds it leads. People are still suckers for bad news, which has been really evident during the past few weeks. Up until the world’s sporting events got cancelled or postponed due to this virus, the Monster Energy Supercross Series was one of the most entertaining series we’ve seen in a while. Prior to the series being put on hold the day before Round 11 in Indianapolis, Eli Tomac and Ken Roczen were only a few points apart in the 450SX class, with Cooper Webb not far behind in third. Tomac and Roczen had been trading the red plate back and forth since the opening round in Anaheim, and I was quite confident the championship fight was going to go

down to the final round in May. Again, in this ever-changing landscape that we’re currently dealing with, who knows when or if this series will resume? At press time, Feld Inc. is talking about running two double header events in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City in May to conclude the series. Obviously, this isn’t how anyone envisioned the series playing out, but in the big picture this isn’t exactly how anyone thought our world would be when the calendar moved to 2020. Here in Canada, the opening rounds of the Rockstar Energy Triple Crown AXTour Series in Sarnia and Barrie are most likely in jeopardy. Even though they aren’t until late April and early May, at this point it looks as though no sporting events or large gatherings will be allowed until at least mid-May. Honestly, I can picture the opening round of the 2020 Triple Crown Series not being until Round 1 of the MXTour in Calgary. I hate to say it or even think it as the riders and teams have been preparing very hard for a normal schedule, but as it’s been made clear to us so many times on the news lately, nothing is off of the table. So, the Supercross Series is on hold, the opening rounds of the Triple Crown Series is up in the air, and it’s complete and utter uncertainty on the competition side of things. But life, and in particular the first MXP Magazine issue of this new decade, still rolls on. Amidst

all that is going on around the globe, I’m very proud of this issue. Our Cover Boy, Dean Wilson, is a great example of how we should all go about our lives when adversity hits us hard. This guy doesn’t know the meaning of quit, and once again he’s demonstrated his never-give-up attitude by returning to racing following his latest injury. Also, our cherished historian Mike McGill takes a detailed look at the racing career of Carl Vaillancourt. When you look back at the record books, Carl was one of the only riders that could outlast the legendary Ross Pederson in a championship fight. Carl worked hard, rode hard, and off of the bike was one of the friendliest riders in the paddock. He always did a bit of modelling on the side and to this day still remains as the only motocross rider ever to appear on the cover of Seventeen Magazine. How and why he got on the cover of that mainstream publication is a story that I’ll save for another day, but it was cool that in the days of Jeremy McGrath and Jeff Emig, our own Carl Vaillancourt was chosen over and above those 1990s legends. Finally, in this issue we also take a look a the new E-Bicycle movement and in particular the 2020 OASA race series. While it might now be up in the air as to when this new series begins, one of the interesting facts about it is, these races will take place at some of the same venues that our motocross races use. As you will read in this issue, E-Bicycles most certainly have a bright future, and in the coming MXP Magazine publications we’ll cover their ongoing progression. I hope you enjoy this issue, and everyone keeps safe and stays healthy. Thank-you for reading and I will see you at the races...whenever that is!

MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM // 17

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CAUGHT ON CAMERA

A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNAL FROM RACES AND EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

S Before the series was put on pause, all of the riders were smiling.

S There’s nothing like a win and a can of Monster to make a rider happy.

S Another generation of Villopotos wait for the gate to drop.

S Brett Metcalfe won’t be happy until he comes back to Canada to win

S Who wouldn’t want to walk the track with Ryan Dungey?

S Chances are Christian Craig won’t be sending Ferrandis a Christmas

another title.

card.

S Riders of all ages can’t wait to ride Anderson’s bike.

S Nick Wey still looks like he could line up on the starting gate.

S Zacho was all smiles until his practice crash just before Daytona.

S Andrew Short took a break from his new off-road racing career to visit

S Reed’s final season has been anything but what he thought it would

S The original Blu Cru was happy to see each other in Anaheim.

Supercross.

be like.

18 // MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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PERFORMANCE IS GENETIC Our championship winning DNA lives in every FOX MX Helmet

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FEMALE PERSPECTIVE WITH EVE BRODEUR

GLOBETROTTING THERE’S NOTHING THAT COMPARES TO THE BEGINNING OF A NEW YEAR, LET ALONE A NEW DECADE. IN MY CASE, STEPPING INTO 2020 MEANS THAT I HAVE OFFICIALLY SEEN THREE DIFFERENT DECADES IN MY TWENTY SHORT YEARS ON LIFE, WHICH MAKES ME FEEL SO MUCH OLDER SOMEHOW. IT’S A WEIRD CONCEPT.

ome people use the new year to start fresh and put together many new resolutions, whereas others don’t give it any meaning and just carry on like usual. I’m usually the latter, but with all the great things that have already happened for me in the past two months, it’s hard to not see it in a “new year, new me” type of perspective. I started off the year riding down in Florida with my family, the Cormiers and the Garants like we do every year. We mostly just ride at different tracks, hang out at the beach and check out the local malls, but it’s always a blast. One thing that my Dad and I noticed was very different this year, though, was how easy the transition was to get back on the bike after a few months off. Prior to this trip, I had been riding my road bike on a trainer, using Zwift, every day for at least an hour, and it made a world of difference! Finding the time and motivation

to commit to a schedule like this one is never easy, but the results are just so rewarding and the level of satisfaction is insane. It’s definitely something that I will continue doing to prepare for the pre-season training. With 2019 coming to an end and 2020 coming around, it was also time to sign some contracts and finalize everything for the upcoming season. My Dad and I had always believed in not changing something that was already working so great. However, due to circumstances beyond our control, we decided to switch it up a bit and start fresh for the new year after being with the same main sponsor for the past ten years of my career. With that mentality, a new partnership with FXR Racing and 6D Helmets for the next two seasons was made, and everyone is absolutely ecstatic about. My Dad and Andy White have been friends for the longest time and we’ve always mentioned that it’d be nice to work together one day, but we never had an opportunity to do so, until now. FXR is a big family,

and their gear, as well as casual clothing, is so comfortable and stylish, so I strongly believe that this will make a big impact on my 2020 racing season! We’re only a couple of months in and I already got to be a model for their 2021 Dealer Show a few weeks ago with a bunch of other FXR riders, and we had a blast. Their new collection is just amazing so it was really exciting to be a part of the event and help with their launch. Alongside FXR, we will be continuing with our long-time partners KTM Canada, Mathias Sport, Oakley, FMF, Dunlop and Twice Production, as well as our other new partner Össur CTi knee braces. Needless to say, I am ready for 2020 and I have a feeling that it will be my best season yet with my great team behind me and the sweet races on our schedule. As I mentioned in my last article, I recently graduated from college, which was a very big thing for me considering I had to mix it with the racing part of my life. It wasn’t always easy. The next step is getting a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, which I will start in the fall. So, that left me with a few months off before the winter training in March/ April, and once again, I wanted to use that time to try something new. Considering my boyfriend, Jamie Baskerville, is a big-time world traveller, it didn’t take

“SO, A MONTH LATER, I WAS LEAVING NORTH AMERICA (AND MY PARENTS) FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER AND WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO SRI LANKA, A LITTLE ISLAND UNDERNEATH INDIA AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INDIAN OCEAN.” long because we reached the conclusion that we needed to go on a trip. When deciding where to go, I only had a few requirements: it had to be in Asia, it had to be a backpack kind of trip and it had to be somewhere no one ever goes so we could be original. So, a month later, I was leaving North America (and my parents) for the first time ever and we were on our way to Sri Lanka, a little island underneath India and in the middle of the Indian Ocean. To say that the culture shock was big is an understatement. We started our trip in the least touristy part of an already not very touristy country, so it was pretty crazy! During the next two weeks, we visited fascinating historic temples, very sketchy and dangerous but insanely beautiful towers, local waterfalls hidden in the middle of the woods, did an 11 hour safari with beautiful animals, made a bunch of foreign friends, stayed at one of the coolest hotels ever near the beach, and surfed directly in the ocean again and again. If I could sum up Sri Lanka in a few words, I’d use: no safety laws (you can swing your legs out of a moving train and go up a very old and unsafe tower and it’s considered totally normal), exceedingly spicy food (one night I had the spiciest meal I have ever had and it was alfredo pasta. How is that even possible?) and absolutely crazy driving (no stops, no lights, you just go when you feel like it and hope for the best), but it’s a definite must see. It took everything we had to leave this incredible island, but once we did, we headed to Dubai and Paris to visit more beautiful places during our extended layovers. The trip was simply life changing and put a lot of things in perspective for me. Jamie and I loved every minute of it and we seriously cannot wait to go on our next one! So, I guess it’s safe to say that 2020 has already been pretty eventful and amazing in its first two months. I can only imagine what the rest of the year will bring on and I’m so excited for it! Until next time, have fun, work hard, get in shape for the upcoming season and TRAVEL.

20 // MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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A CHAMPION’S ULTIMATE WEAPON

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Cooper Webb – 2019 AMA Supercross 450SX Champion

Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scenes, always wear protective clothing, and observe the applicable provisions of the road traffic regulations! The illustrated vehicles may vary in selected details from the production models and some illustrations feature optional equipment available at additional cost.

KTM MXP 20.01.indd 1

KTM Group Partner

2020-03-23 1:37 PM

GUEST COLUMN WITH DYLAN WRIGHT

PHOTOS BY JAM E S LISSIMOR E

READY TO GO

WINTER TRAINING IS IN FULL SWING. SO FAR, THERE HAS BEEN A COMBINATION OF LOTS OF RIDING AND LOTS OF RAIN IN MY SCHEDULE. I SUPPOSE IT MEANS THAT I SHOULD BE READY FOR JUST ABOUT ANY TRACK CONDITIONS THE SERIES THROWS AT ME IN 2020. LOL

headed down south in midJanuary to settle back on to the bike after some time off. I have an extra challenge this year as I am having to get used to riding the 450 and make sure I’m 100% ready to do battle come April. I know I’ve ridden a 450 before, but it’s not the same to occasionally practice on one as part of your 250 training and to fully commit to riding one with the knowledge that you will be racing in the 450 class. I mean, that was always the ultimate goal, but at 22 years of age, I am taking this giant step! I ‘ve been super happy so far with how everything is going here in Florida. I feel that I’m making progress with my riding and am feeling really comfortable on the bike. That would seem hard to believe for anyone who may have witnessed my first few days of training when I got off to a pretty shaky start with a pretty big get-off in the first couple of days of riding. I was lucky enough not to get injured and walked away with only a few bumps and bruises that only required a couple of days off the bike. We made a few adjustments, and in no time, I was feeling like my old self again.

I decided to switch up my training a little bit again this year and called a new training facility home for the winter. The opportunity came up for Tanner, Ryder and I to come out to train at the Carmichael GOAT farm. I’ve been loving every second of this decision as I feel like what we have been working on will definitely help when racing comes around this year. The farm is located between Tallahassee and Cairo. It’s a great location! Although it’s nice to be out in the country where its very quiet and secluded, it’s also close enough to town so it’s super easy to get everything we need. If you’re wondering why they call it the GOAT farm, well, the main reason is that Ricky Carmichael is known as the “Greatest Of All Time,” but did you know that they actually have five goats here that cruise around? I honestly have so many good things to say about this facility. It has two supercross tracks and an outdoor track with conditions that actually emulate what we might encounter on race day. Big Rick and Jeannie (Ricky’s mom and dad) put their heart and souls into the facility and into helping us as much as they can. I can’t thank them enough for granting us the

“IF YOU’RE WONDERING WHY THEY CALL IT THE GOAT FARM, WELL, THE MAIN REASON IS THAT RICKY CARMICHAEL IS KNOWN AS THE “GREATEST OF ALL TIME,” BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT THEY ACTUALLY HAVE FIVE GOATS HERE THAT CRUISE AROUND? I HONESTLY HAVE SO MANY GOOD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THIS FACILITY.

privilege to train there. When we are on the track, Jeannie is the boss. As our coach, she always makes sure that we are at the top of our game, every second we hit the track. I have never seen someone so dedicated to the stopwatch. She is here all day, every day that we ride, making sure we get the job done right. And let me tell you, don’t hit one of her cones. LOL As for Big Rick, he works his butt off to have the tracks dialed day in and day out. He logs so many hours out here at the farm in either the heavy equipment or the water truck that he rivals the time the racers spend on the track. These owners definitely have a great way of really making everyone feel valued and at home here. It’s also very cool to have the opportunity to work with Ricky when he’s able to come out. Ricky is so down to earth and has provided us with some great tips and advice to help us improve as racers. I mean there’s nothing like learning from the G.O.A.T. himself. It’s definitely been a highlight of my offseason training. Another change that I have had to adapt to is being the oldest guy on the team. At 22 years of age, that’s pretty wild. Because I have the most years of experience as a pro racer on the Honda GDR Fox Racing Team, it sounds weird to be referred to as “the veteran.” It’s taking some time for me to get used to it. The last few years, I have had Colton as the older, more experienced racer to work with and to consult as my mentor. The good news is, Colton will be with us at every round we race this year so, ultimately, he still holds the “veteran” title on our team. Having said that, I realize that I am now the senior racer on the team. Whether it is expected of me or not, I feel that a certain sense of responsibility and a new level of expectations come with that. As the new 450 guy I have just been trying to follow Colton’s example and do the for the

other guys on the team what he did for me. We have had great team chemistry. Our compound is a very collaborative and supportive environment. We have all been working together to get the job done. Tanner Ward and I have been good friends for the past couple of years but being teammates has allowed me to get an even greater appreciation for the talent, effort and desire that he brings. On a lighter note, I have also learned a few other things about him. For instance, did you know that ???????? All kidding aside, I can tell you that he works hard, and having him to train and ride with is a great asset for me. And then there’s Ryder McNabb, the 14-year-old on the team with a load of talent on a bike. He reminded me just how much I have learned since I was 14-years-old and lined up for my first pro race as an amateur Intermediate rider. So, I have just been trying to share as much information with him as I can so he can be as prepared as possible for what is to come. While I may be the “veteran racer” on our team, I don’t kid myself. I still have a lot to learn. Just ask Colton!!! That is why I’m so grateful that Colt45 will continue to be part of the race team and that he will be by my side on race day. Add to that the new perspective and coaching I am receiving at the Carmichael farm this winter and I am feeling more optimistic than ever about the 2020 season. I also have to give a shout-out to my trainer Rob Mouland. Without him, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing on the big bike. As soon as the 2019 season ended and the decision was made for me to move up to the 450, Rob was already redesigning my program to help build the extra muscle and strength I will need to handle my bike the way I need to in order to compete with the true “veterans” of the sport I will be lining up against in 2020. For the first time, I will have more power than I will ever need. The focus for me right now is learning how to harness that new power. As I write this column, I hear from the folks back home that Spring is in the air. Sadly, so is the coronavirus that is wreaking havoc on our sport, our families, our communities, our country and the world. As for me, I am following the advice of health experts. I am staying away from public places, limiting our trips to town, and am remaining on the farm as much as possible. With all the races getting cancelled because of this disease, I am hoping that by the time our 2020 Canadian racing season is set to start that this virus has been contained or eliminated so we can all get back to racing. Until then, stay safe everyone and stay healthy!

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DE AN W IL S O N

POETRY OF

RESILIENCE B Y C H R I S P O M E R OY / P H O T O S B Y J A M E S L I S S I M O R E

“I KNOW I CAN BE A PODIUM GUY SO THAT IS OBVIOUSLY THE GOAL, BUT ALSO MY MAIN GOAL IS TO BE AT EVERY RACE. IF YOU WORK HARD AND JUST BE AT EACH RACE, GOOD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN.” MXP_20.01_Cover Story - Dean Wilson.indd 25

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veryone who follows motocross knows the story of Dean Wilson and his journey to the top of the sport. To say that it hasn’t been easy would be a gross understatement, as injuries and roadblocks have tested Wilson’s resolve. Since his outdoor 250MX Championship in 2011, Wilson has not only been one of the top riders in the USA but also one of the most popular. His never-giveup attitude and good ol’ Scottish sense of humour has given Dean a connection with the fans that very few riders have. After a dislocated hip suffered last fall at the Monster Energy Cup, Wilson did his best to recover and be on the starting line for the 2020 Supercross Series opener in Anaheim. Since then, he’s been getting better and better each week, and as we begin the second half of the SX series, Wilson is just outside of the Top 5 in the 450SX point standings. For this month’s cover story, we caught up with Dean as he was relaxing in the days after the Daytona SX.

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D E A N W I L SO N

POETRY OF

RESILIENCE

MXP: HEY DEAN, HOW ARE YOU? DW: I’m doing well Palms, right now I’m just relaxing and getting ready for a big day of training tomorrow.

DAYTONA LOOKED LIKE IT WENT OKAY FOR YOU. ACTUALLY, EACH WEEK APPEARS TO BE GETTING BETTER AND BETTER. Yes, Daytona was good. I had a good charge going but every time I got close to the riders in front of me, they would roost me with sand. Then I’d have to pull some tear-offs, and on that track it’s so hard to find a spot to do that. I kept losing time and then I would gain time, it was back and forth until the race ended.

“I KNEW COMING INTO ANAHEIM THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE A MASSIVE STRUGGLE AS I DIDN’T HAVE A LOT OF TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE SERIES.”

YES, I WATCHED THE RACE ON TV AND IT DID LOOK PRETTY FRUSTRATING FOR YOU. HOWEVER, OVERALL ARE YOU HAPPY WITH HOW EVERYTHING IS GOING? Yes, for sure! I knew coming into Anaheim that it was going to be a massive struggle as I didn’t have a lot of time to prepare for the series. Coming into A1 I had only been riding two weeks since my injury and I was still feeling a lot of discomfort, but I decided it would be better to race myself into shape rather than take the first month of the series off and then have to play catch up. Looking back now I think I made the correct decision.

I WAS ACTUALLY WATCHING SOME VIDEOS OF YOU FROM LAST YEAR WHILE YOU WERE IN AUSTRALIA, AND WHAT A DIFFERENCE COMPARED TO THIS YEAR AND YOUR PRESEASON PREPARATION. Yes, last year we did exactly how you’re supposed to prepare for a series. When I didn’t have a ride yet with the Rockstar Husqvarna Factory Team, I knew I would be racing a Husqvarna so we headed Down Under to race and do some training. It was great, and coming into last year’s SX Series I felt great and even ran up front at Anaheim. But sometimes you just have to deal with the cards you’re dealt, and this year I got injured in Vegas in October so I just had to make the best of it.

BACK IN SEPTEMBER YOU CAME UP TO CANADA AND WON THE MONTREAL SX. YOU LOOKED GREAT DOING IT, AND WHEN WE SPOKE THERE YOU SOUNDED VERY CONFIDENT HEADING INTO THE OFF-SEASON. AS YOU MENTIONED, DISASTER STRUCK AT THE MONSTER ENERGY CUP IN PRACTICE; WE’VE ALL SEEN THE CRASH AND IT DEFINITELY WAS A BIG ONE. WHAT HAPPENED, FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE? I felt great in Montreal and the plan after was to take some time off to recharge. Then I was going to do the Monster Cup and then start training for the 2020 season. I was planning on going to New Zealand and Australia again for those SX races and then it would be time for A1. My crash in Vegas was definitely one that could’ve been prevented, but looking back I wish I would’ve stood up and said something before my practice. With the track being built in a way that allowed us to go both ways, some of the take-offs and landings were groomed to be the same. On the section that I crashed on, Jordi Tixier had taken a big fall on it just prior to our practice and at that point something should’ve been done. A few of us top riders should’ve said something as the section was definitely sketchy. Anyway, I had jumped through the section already but when I came around again, I didn’t hit my original line. The line I hit didn’t give me any ‘pop’ and I kind of went straight instead of up. I ended up getting my front wheel over the fourth jump, but my back wheel clipped the top and I went over the bars. I landed hard, the bike hit me and I ended dislocating my hip and breaking it in three places. It was awful!

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D E AN W I L SO N

POETRY OF

RESILIENCE

I WAS TALKING TO A DOCTOR ABOUT YOUR INJURY AND HOW YOU WERE BACK RACING. FIRST OFF, HE COULDN’T BELIEVE YOU WERE BACK ALREADY, AND SECOND, HE SAID THAT THIS TYPE OF INJURY IS ONE OF THE WORST YOU COULD HAVE PAIN-WISE! Definitely, the pain was the worst I’d ever felt, and it lasted for hours. My hip was out for three hours, and the way I landed and the way they moved me, I was lying on that hip the entire time. It was awful and I wouldn’t wish that pain on my worst enemy.

WHAT WERE THE DAYS AND MONTHS LIKE AFTER AS YOU RECOVERED? It was a nightmare, for sure! For the first month I couldn’t move so I basically laid in bed and tried to be very still. I wasn’t able to get up myself, so when I did someone had to hold my leg a certain way so my hip joint wouldn’t move. From there, I would go to therapy in a wheelchair, then I was in a pool and I kept trying to build the strength back into my legs. I lost so much muscle and strength from lying around for so long. Once the pain subsided a bit, I began to feel better, and I made the goal of trying to get myself ready for A1. That was my goal and I thought about it every waking moment. That drove me to do everything possible to be ready. Through my recovery I spent a lot of time in a Hyperbaric Chamber trying to speed up the healing process. When I was in a wheelchair I would still go to the gym as well as do laps around my neighbourhood to build up my upper body strength. I did it all. Although I didn’t feel great at A1, I was still proud that I did the work to get myself there.

AS WE SPOKE ABOUT AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS INTERVIEW, YOU’VE STARTED OFF A LITTLE SLOW IN THE SX SERIES BUT EACH WEEK YOU APPEAR TO BE GETTING STRONGER AND MORE CONFIDENT. Like I said, the series didn’t start off well as I was still so weak. I wasn’t even able to squeeze my bike through the whoops because I was still experiencing pain. But each week I’m feeling better, and my strength and confidence is coming back. I’ve been working hard during the week and it’s paying off. The last few races I’ve been in the position to finish inside the Top 5 but I’ve had some back luck. I know I can be a podium guy so that is obviously the goal, but also my main goal is to be at every race. If you work hard and just be at each race, good things are going to happen.

IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH YOU’VE DONE A GREAT JOB OF LEARNING FROM EACH OF YOUR SETBACKS? I hope so! I’ve been at it a long time and I don’t want to get injured again, that’s for sure. I know injuries are a part of the sport, but if you can learn from each one then you can do your best to try to prevent another from happening.

I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU’VE BEEN AT THIS FOR SO LONG. THIS IS YOUR 11TH SEASON AS A PRO RIDER. WHERE HAS THAT TIME GONE? Has it been that long? Yeah, I guess you’re right, it has been a long time. I feel pretty good, and when you look at guys like Brayton and Reed, I think my best days are ahead of me.

YOU’VE OBVIOUSLY SEEN A LOT IN THE PAST DECADE, ARE YOU HAPPY WITH HOW THE SPORT IS NOW AND WHERE IT’S HEADED? I think the sport is in a good spot right now. I mean, it always could be better and hopefully in the future we can find ways to reach more fans and gain more sponsors. Right now, it’s hard to think of the big picture when we’re battling each weekend. As riders, we just take things race by race.

WELL DEAN, IT’S BEEN GREAT CHATTING WITH YOU AND IT’S INCREDIBLE TO SEE YOU BACK OUT THERE IN 2020. GOOD LUCK FOR THE REST OF THE SUPERCROSS SERIES AND ALSO FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR. I HOPE YOU KNOW THAT CANADA IS ALWAYS CHEERING FOR YOU. Thanks Palms! I always feel the support from Canada, and trust me, I keep a close eye on what’s happening there with your series. I appreciate you calling and thank-you for putting me on the first cover of 2020.

I THINK WHEN THE DAY COMES THAT YOU’RE ALL DONE WITH RACING, THEY SHOULD MAKE A MOVIE ABOUT YOU. YOU’VE BEEN KNOCKED DOWN A FEW TIMES BUT YOU KEEP GETTING BACK UP. YOU’RE AN INSPIRATION DEAN! Thanks Palms! I don’t why I keep doing it but I just don’t like giving up.

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QUESTIONS: Favourite City:

SEATTLE ALWAYS HAS A COOL VIBE.

Favourite Track:

I WOULD HAVE TO SAY MILLVILLE WHEN IT DOESN'T RAIN.

Favourite Section on a SX Track: DEFINITELY THE WHOOPS.

Favourite Athlete:

CONNOR MCGREGOR

Florida or California:

BOTH ACTUALLY. I LIKE CALIFORNIA IN THE WINTER AND FLORIDA IN THE SUMMER.

Favourite Restaurant: CHIPOTLE

Favourite Music: RAP MUSIC

First Thing You Do in the Morning:

HAVE A COFFEE AND DO 30 MINUTES OF CARDIO.

Breakfast of choice: OATMEAL, FOR SURE.

Favourite Training Tool:

I LIKE THE CONCEPT 2 ROWER AND SKI-ERG, BUT MY FAVOURITE IS MY SPECIALIZED ROAD BIKE.

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CARL

VAILLANCOURT

“The Drummondville Flyer” BY M I KE MCG I LL / PHOTOS BY B I LL PETRO AN D JAM E S LI SSI MOR E

Quebec has always been a hot bed for all kinds of motorsports. Fans in La Belle Province have always had a passion for any kind of racing and it shows with the number of great international competitors they have produced over the years. Of course, we all know Gilles Villeneuve and his son Jacques made it to the pinnacle of all motorsports in F1. Many top Indy Car racers hail from Quebec, and of course competitors of the two-wheeled variety both on asphalt and dirt.

The Duhamel family were legends on both road and dirt. Marco Dube was a multi-time National Champion, and some would argue that perhaps our greatest motocrosser, our GOAT so to speak, Jean Sebastien Roy, is of course a proud Quebecer. No discussion of Quebecois, and Canadian motocross greatness would not be complete, however, without including on of the all-time greats in his own right - 5-time National Champion Carl Vaillancourt. The 50-year-old Vaillancourt was inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2016. I actually beat the Hall to the punch on this one and inducted Vaillancourt into “Mike’s Canadian Motocross Hall of Fame” for MXP Magazine back in May of 2014. Perhaps not quite as prestigious but Vaillancourt’s dominance of Canadian moto in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s made him a first ballot shoe-in for the award, without question. The Drummondville, Quebec native Vaillancourt started his two-wheeled

odyssey by ripping around the local gravel pits on the outskirts of his hometown or on weekends at the family cottage. Carl’s older brother Pierre was the driving force behind the family’s introduction to dirtbiking, but Carl was understandably eager to get in on the action as well. When his older brother started racing locally, Carl would tag along and tear up the pits on his trusty little Honda MR50. “It was the ultimate pit rider back then,” chuckles Vaillancourt. “I was that little brat that almost runs you over when I’m ripping around your trailer all day long.” Eventually, Carl started racing locally in the Schoolboy class, and his father, who was himself a hockey player and had never been into bikes, quickly caught the motocross fever. The young Vaillancourt proved to be a bit of a natural and started winning a few races right off the bat. Injuries are unfortunately a major part of the sport of motocross, a fact that we are all too aware of and Carl was no exception to this rule. His racing career had barely

“THE DRUMMONDVILLE, QUEBEC NATIVE VAILLANCOURT STARTED HIS TWO-WHEELED ODYSSEY BY RIPPING AROUND THE LOCAL GRAVEL PITS ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF HIS HOMETOWN OR ON WEEKENDS AT THE FAMILY COTTAGE.”

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even started when it was derailed by a string of rather serious injuries. A nasty broken arm at the age of 11 was followed up by not just one but two broken legs in short order, in 1982 and then again in ‘84. Understandably, at this point Carl’s parents, or more specifically his mother, were beginning to think motocross may not be the sport for their son. “My Mom was freaking out a bit,” remembers Vaillancourt. “She suffered from it. My Dad was still

into it, but I was even questioning it myself. We all agreed at that point and said, “That’s it, you’re done!” It looked like the motocross career of Carl Vaillancourt may have been over at the tender age of 14 but the family held onto the bikes, and by the end of the ‘84 season, all healed up, Carl was starting to get the itch again and, as we all do, thought, “Hey, why not try a couple races and see how it goes.” Fortunately, things went well this time and

the family was back in the racing business. Proof of their newfound commitment to the sport came in the winter of ‘85 when the Vaillancourts packed up the new motorhome and headed south to Florida to train. Carl raced the entire Florida Winter AMA Series that year and won the highly competitive 250 B-Class Championship. While he was completely back into the racing scene, Carl goes on to elaborate that “My Mom was always scared I would get hurt again. She didn’t watch me race that much because she was so nervous. She would never watch a start, but she supported me.” The 1985 season turned out to be great one for Carl. Upon his return to Canada he dominated the 125 and 250 Intermediate classes, winning Provincial titles for both classes in Quebec, and he followed that up by winning both the 250 and 500cc classes at the Intermediate MX Nationals in Lethbridge, Alberta. On an interesting side note, Vaillancourt’s career took an unusual turn when it came to the subject of injuries. I’ve interviewed many ex-professional motocrossers over the past number of years and a common theme among them is always injuries. Over the years

the injuries stack up and generally take a real toll on the riders, both physically and mentally. Vaillancourt, however, was a bit of an exception to that rule. While he did sustain two separated shoulders and a broken collarbone during his pro career to go along with the injuries early in his amateur career, he was somehow able to stay relatively injury-free through the course of his professional career. “Yeah, it happened kind of in reverse for me,” he states. “I guess I was lucky. My knees are fine, my back is fine. I speak with some of my old friends like JSR and they are always talking about how sore they are and I’m good. No pain. I see a lot of people with sore backs and messed up knees from their racing days but I don’t have any major pain that keeps me from doing anything in particular.” Vaillancourt moved to the Pro class in ‘86 at the age of 16 and immediately began mixing it up with the top pro riders in Canada at the time. The field was pretty stacked in those days and Carl was battling with the likes of legends such as Doug Hoover, Jeff Surwall, Al Dyck and of course Ross Pederson on a regular basis. Carl finished up a very impressive 7th overall that season and

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“GOING HEAD TO HEAD MOSTLY WITH ROSS PEDERSON BUT PLENTY OF OTHER TOP COMPETITORS AS WELL, CARL WAS ABLE TO CAPTURE SEVERAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PLATES DURING THIS ERA.” the future was looking bright for the “Drummondville Flyer.” Vaillancourt credits a lot of his success in motocross to the amount of time he spent both racing and training south of the border in the US. “I wanted to race a lot in the States,” recalls Vaillancourt. “My sponsors weren’t crazy about it because it was hard on my equipment, but I loved to ride and I rode a lot and that’s what helped me improve.” Over his years of racing and riding in the US, Carl developed many strong relationships that he still maintains to this day. “Guys like Mike Treadwell, John Dowd and Keith Johnson. They were all like a second family to me. I would stay with them when I was down in the Southwick area. Carl even acted as mechanic and man friend for his old pal, fifty-five-year-old John Dowd this past summer when Dowd raced the Deschambault National. Johnson also raced and had Treadwell manning the pit-board for him. “It was only a five-hour drive from Drummondville down to Southwick so

when there was nothing going on in Quebec, Vaillancourt made the trip and raced the Spring Series and the Southwick National on several occasions. In fact, Carl’s exploits south of the border were quite impressive, which garnered him some serious attention from a few of the factory teams at the time. Racing the AMA Outdoor Nationals, Carl nailed down a few top ten results (Budds Creek 1992 and Gainesville 1993), and in the AMA Pro Supercross series he boasted a career best 5th place in the 125 class at the 1989 Atlanta SX. “That 5th in Atlanta was a real highlight for me,” admits Vaillancourt. The 125 class was really stacked that year. (Damon) Bradshaw, (Mike) Kiedrowski and Denny Stephenson were all in the class so there was some serious factory talent. I was very happy with that result, and I qualified for the East / West Shootout that year in Dallas and placed 9th overall, I believe.” Vaillancourt’s results opened some eyes in the US. “Of course, getting a factory ride in America was always the ultimate goal,” recounts Vaillancourt, “but back in those days the satellite teams like Planet Honda, who JSR rode for a few years later, just didn’t exist. So, something like that wasn’t even an option. I heard that Pat Alexander from Factory Suzuki was interested in me, but I guess that was just pit gossip. Nothing ever came from it.” At the time Carl was racing between 40-45 weekends a year, not to mention practice. That’s a lot of riding, and through most of his career he was on Hondas sponsored by his local dealer Drummond Moto. Vaillancourt clarifies that, during his professional career it was always through Honda Canada and Drummond Moto. This relationship lasted from 1982 all the way through until ‘92 when the Honda budget dried up and he switched to Kawasaki for one season. Vaillancourt goes on to state that during the late ‘80s and early ‘90s when he was in his prime, it was not unusual for him to go through a dozen bikes during a season. “What can I say,

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CARL

VAILLANCOURT I loved to ride and I rode a lot. They would wear out,” he laughs. To the average amateur, or even professional, this may seem like a tremendous number of bikes for one rider to go through but there was also a financial aspect to it as well, explains Vaillancourt. “At the time my deal was 50% below dealer cost, delayed billing.” What this means is Vaillancourt would get the bikes for half price, ride them and then sell them before they were too trashed for more than what he paid, keeping in mind he had yet to pay anything for them. “Honda was fine with this,” remarks Vaillancourt. “In fact, it was an acceptable practice as they saw this as being part of my salary.” Speaking of sponsors, Carl was one of the few, back in the day, to hook up with an outside sponsor when he signed a deal with Texaco Oil in 1988. “Let’s make the Texaco star shine,” chuckles Vaillancourt. “That was our pitch when we approached them. Carl had noticed that both Jeff Surwall and Doug Hoover had each landed an outside sponsor the previous season; Surwall with Labatt’s and Hoover with Esso or Imperial Oil to be precise, so he figured why not give it a try. With

the help of his brother Pierre, Carl put together what he thought to be a very professional presentation and was able to schedule a meeting with a top executive at Texaco. “We were well prepared,” recalls Vaillancourt, “and luckily for me the person I spoke with at Texaco just so happened to be friends with one of the top guys at Honda Canada. It was good timing I guess.” Vaillancourt landed the deal with Texaco for the 1988 season. The following season Texaco was purchased by Imperial Oil, who owned Esso and had been sponsoring Doug Hoover. Carl thought he may have lost the lucrative deal but in what was seen as a bit of a surprise move in Canadian motocross circles, Doug Hoover decided to retire so Vaillancourt simply took over the Esso sponsorship. “I did get worried of losing my deal, but they said they would honour the contract. All I had to do was change my colours ASAP. Hoover retired in 89’ anyway so it’s not like I took his contract,” remembers Vaillancourt. “It was the same budget as before. The only drawback was that I had to remove all the Texaco signage from my gear and my truck in about a week. They paid for it

all of course but it was a pretty hectic time trying to do all of that so quickly. And I always thought the Texaco star looked cool.” It certainly paid off for Vaillancourt however, as he was able to maintain the Esso sponsorship deal right up until 1993. These were the most successful years of Vaillancourt’s professional career. Going head to head mostly with Ross Pederson but plenty of other top competitors as well, Carl was able to capture several National Championship plates during this era. Carl scored the National title in the 500 class in 1990, 1992 and 1993 and

wrestled the 250 titles away from the rest of the competition in both ‘94 and ‘95. “I was a bigger guy, just like Ross, so I was able to go pretty good on both the 500 and the 250,” remembers Vaillancourt. “I always loved riding the 125 but at 190 pounds I was certainly at a disadvantage. Of course, Carl mentions Pederson as his number one competitor back in those days. “He was a big, strong guy. Not really a great jumper on the bike but he was in such great shape. He was so professional at the track and he hated to lose. Al Dyck was another guy that I always thought was really good - very fluid on the bike and a great starter. I was usually able to get by him later in the motos, though, but he was good too. Doug Hoover was also a great rider. Up until he retired in ‘88 he pretty much smoked me.” Carl also had the opportunity to represent Canada at the Motocross Des Nations alongside the aforementioned Ross Pederson and Al Dyck in 1989 in Gaildorf, Germany. “That was a real thrill to represent Canada, but I wasn’t really happy with the way I rode,” remembers Vaillancourt, who was tasked with riding the big Honda CR 500 that day. “It was so hard packed, like cement. I was just searching for a berm and couldn’t find any,” he chuckles. Regardless, the team finished quite well in 11th overall. Pretty impressive

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when you consider the caliber of the competition at that event, which was won by the powerful Team USA that consisted of Mike Kiedrowski, Jeff Stanton and Jeff Ward. One of the most memorable wins of Vaillancourt’s illustrious career came at the 1994 Montreal Supercross. “It was the Canadian final,” recalls Vaillancourt. “JSR was really coming on strong back then and Blair Morgan was emerging as a great rider as well, but I got a great start and was able to hang on for the win.” The Quebecois fans absolutely ate it up and loved every second of it. “It turned out perfectly,” recalls Vaillancourt. “The two French riders ended up 1st and 2nd. Everyone was happy!” For his part Vaillancourt would have preferred to have beaten a top American rider that night but understood that it’s a show. The fans certainly went home satisfied. While Vaillancourt spent most of his career with Honda and Honda Canada, he admits that by the end of ‘92 the budget had dried up and he was forced to look for a ride elsewhere. In 1993 he won the 500 cc National Championship for Kawasaki before switching to Suzuki for the ‘94 season, which saw him win the first of his two 250 titles. Still, it just didn’t seem quite right to see Carl racing on anything other than the familiar Honda, so in his final professional season he went back to his trusted brand by signing with Ontario’s Machine Racing. “That was a fun year,” remembers, Vaillancourt, who was teamed up with legendary Team Manager John Nelson that season. Nelson, never shy to offer his opinions, was quick to let Carl know what he thought about the wear and tear he put on his machines. “He called me the bike eater,” laughs Vaillancourt. “He would always be telling me ‘no more clutches for you. We’re out of clutches.’ But as I said, I rode a lot. I loved to ride so it was hard on the bikes.” Nelson may have given Carl a hard time but he always came through with what he needed, and Vaillancourt rewarded him and the Machine Racing Team with a 250 National Championship that season. It was to be Carl’s last title as he retired following the ‘95 campaign at the age of twenty-six. In what was an era of change in Canadian motocross, the career of Carl Vaillancourt was a highlight. In a period that saw the transition between the

CMA and CMRC sanctioning bodies, Carl set the bar for success and professionalism in the sport. The level of competition was still very good at the time but unfortunately the opportunity for sponsorship and financial success may have been at an all-time low in the early ‘90s. “I have no regrets,” states Vaillancourt. “I did well. I was able to buy my first house through my racing career and I still live there today. I may have retired from racing a little early but I feel that I accomplished everything I could have with motocross, and I left the sport with the number one plate on my bike.” Immediately after retiring, the plan in Carl’s mind, initially, was to jump right into the family business. Vaillancourt Portes et Fenêtres, a window and door manufacturing company in his hometown of Drummondville. After consulting with his brother however, it was decided that it would be wise for him to complete his University degree prior to jumping headfirst into the world of business. So, Carl was off to the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières where he completed his degree in Business Administration and Finance. “That was tough,” recalls Vaillancourt. “Going back to school after being out of it and only concentrating

on racing for so many years. But even though it was hard I was very happy that I did it. It was cool and it certainly helps with the business.” These days, when not conducting business, Carl spends his time, during the winter months anyways, with his family on the slopes, not just in Quebec but around the world. He and his wife, Karine, spend most weekends following the freestyle and moguls skiing exploits of their two children, Elliot and Sandrine. Elliot, now 20, was the Canadian National Junior Champion in 2015 and 2016, and the 2019 Junior World Champion in Dual Moguls. This season has seen Elliot competing for the Canadian National team and splitting his time between the NORAM and the World Cup Circuit. 19-year-old Sandrine, also a mogul skier, is currently competing on the Quebec Provincial Team. “It’s not a whole lot different

than motocross,” laughs Vaillancourt. “It’s just that instead of talking about dirt conditions all the time we now talk about the snow.” As for riding, Carl really didn’t do much of it for many years. “JSR would invite me out occasionally and we would go riding here and there. So, I still rode a bit but really not too much.” That all changed a couple years ago when a friend talked him into going on an Enduro-style adventure ride in Costa Rica. Vaillancourt was only a couple of hours into the once in a lifetime excursion and was having such a great time that he began to ask the question of himself. “Why did I ever stop riding?” His love for the sport had been re-kindled, and along with his buddies Serge and Gabby Gregoire he hopes to get back into it this year. “I’ve got a new KTM 350 in the garage that I picked up through my friends at

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CARL

VAILLANCOURT Gregoire Sports and I plan on doing some riding this year. Hopefully JSR can join as well, but he doesn’t ride much anymore.” Vaillancourt hasn’t even ruled out the possibility of hitting a couple of big Vet races, possibly even back at Southwick. Vaillancourt, fully aware that he’s not as young as he once was, is still in great shape and is ready to get back into the sport that he loves. “I know I can still go fast for 3 or 4 laps, and mix it up with the young guys, not top Pro guys, but I also know now when to back it off and take it easy,” he laughs.

I’m sure I can speak for all motocross fans when I say that I would be thrilled to see Vaillancourt back on track soon. He was one of our best, and certainly a classy and charismatic Champion. While his professional career may have been relatively brief, his results, achieved against some very stiff competition, speak for themselves. The story of Carl Vaillancourt, “The Drummondville Flyer” is certainly another colourful chapter in the history of Canadian moto.

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a i n r o g n f i i m l a a C Dre Fox e h t sits arters i V s Palm Headqu rnia o g Racin in Calif PH

Y RO ME PO RE RIS SSIMO H C LI BY ES JAM BY

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hen it’s the middle of January and you have driven to the airport at 4am in a snowstorm, “Welcome to San Diego Sir” is pretty much the best thing you could hear. If you’re headed to California and you don’t really feel like flying into LAX and braving the large crowds and busy traffic, the San Diego Airport is a great alternative as the terminal is new and definitely not that busy. Anyway, as I was headed out the door to grab my shuttle to the Alamo Rental Car, I received a warm greeting from a nice lady standing under one of the many palm trees that line the perimeter of Terminal 2 of San Diego International Airport. After grabbing my rental car and navigating the multiple side streets that take you to the interstate, I was now on I-5 North headed for the Fox Racing HQ in Irvine, California. Again, unlike driving to Irvine from LAX where the traffic can be a nightmare and the scenery isn’t much better, driving north up the I-5 from San Diego is a spectacular commute. Once you’re out of the San Diego city limits, the Pacific Ocean is clearly visible on your left. You pass through one of the most expensive cities to call home in the USA, Rancho Santa Fe. Then you drive pass the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course before passing by Camp Pendleton The main open concept foyer is where Fox holds their parties and get-togethers.

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The massive Ken Roczen mural is one of the most interesting attractions inside the Fox Racing HQ.

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“The magnificent building, which has served as the Fox Racing HQ since 2013, is complete with just about everything you can imagine.”

and then on to Orange County. The hardest part of the drive was actually trying to keep my eyes on the road as I wanted to keep looking at the beautiful ocean. In just over an hour I was pulling into the parking lot of the Fox Racing HQ for my long, anticipated tour. The magnificent building, which has served as the Fox Racing HQ since 2013, is complete with just about everything you can imagine. Between the retail store located in the lobby, all of the different departments inside, and a pit bike track in the back, there is a multitude of attractions to

One of the very cool hallways inside the Fox Racing HQ.

see, which is why my tour lasted all afternoon. As I walked into the front door and proceeded to the reception desk, the first familiar face I saw was that of Canadian BMX legend Drew Bezanson. Drew and his girlfriend were down in California for a few days to take in the warm temperatures as well as the BMX event that was taking place at Angel Stadium as part of the Monster Energy Supercross Fanfest. Unfortunately, Drew was nursing an injured hand so he was unable to compete, but he still wanted to be there to check things out. Drew also rides motocross and is a massive fan

This is the room where custom gear is built for Fox Racing’s top athletes.

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One of Ricky Carmichael’s old Fox helmets is displayed in the Marketing Department.

The cameras that filmed the original Terrafirma movies are some of the cool items on display.

of Supercross, so for him it was like killing two birds with one stone. After catching up with Drew for a bit I was then greeted by my tour guide, Jason Moore from Fox Racing Canada. When Jason found out that I was heading to California for the Anaheim SX, he suggested that I find some time to get the grand tour of this amazing building. For a media guy and long-time moto fan like myself, the Fox Racing HQ is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. So, with Jason at my side and photographer James Lissimore joining us with his trusty camera, we all made our way through the main security door and into the building that houses the brain trust of the enormous Fox Racing company. Once inside the main offices, the first room we entered was the video room. This is the room where a couple of guys edit and build all of Fox Racing’s extensive Social Media videos. Fox Racing’s Global Social Media platform is huge with over 2 million followers just on their @foxmoto Instagram account alone, so getting the videos edited properly is extremely

important. As the video guys showed us what they were working on, Jason spotted a very cool looking old camera hanging on the wall. As it turned out, this video camera was the exact one used to film the original Fox Terrafirma videos in the 1990s. As someone who was a big fan of those old videos, I thought this little piece of moto history was very cool. From there we moved down the hall and into the area where they have their inhouse get togethers and parties. There was, of course, a big mural on the wall of one of Fox Racing’s top riders Ken Roczen, as a vintage bike display that featured some really old bikes, Ryan Dungey’s

When I arrived at the Fox Racing HQ, the first person I saw was Canadian BMX legend Drew Bezanson.

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A few of the ‘Lit Kit’ or best dressed awards from the races.

Chad Reed’s 2012 race bike is on display in the main hallway. It seems that more than one person commutes to work using their bicycles.

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championship winning KTM and Chad Reed’s Two Two Motorsports CRF450. We were only 30 minutes into our tour and I was having a mild case of sensory overload because there was so much to see. Other than the actual manufacturing of the clothing and items that Fox Racing sells, the building houses all of the other departments that help to make up this successful company. Sales, Marketing, Design, Customer Service - it’s all under one roof. There is even a room in the back where Fox

Racing builds their custom gear for its sponsored riders as well as all of their sample products. While were in the room they were actually building Chad Reed’s gear for Anaheim 2. To see this process being done right before our eyes was also very cool. As I was walking by the Marketing Department, I noticed a pair of Rick Johnson’s old Fox boots. They were the original boots with the large Velcro straps instead of buckle. What really stood out about them was they were still dirty. As it turned out, these boots still had the dirt on them from Angel Stadium and the 1986 Anaheim SX, the famous race where Johnson battled David Bailey for the win. During our tour I noticed similar types of historic memorabilia scattered all over the different departments. It was like a motocross Smithsonian, displaying artifacts that tell the story of the history of our sport. As we made our way around the various rooms and cubicles that housed all of the different departments, it was interesting to meet all of the intelligent employees. The main thing that stood out to me was how happy everyone appeared to be. As the saying goes,

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All of the meeting rooms are named after famous Fox athletes.

The screen prints for Chad Reed’s A3 gear were waiting to be applied.

“Fox Racing believes this to be true so it is no surprise that they’re one of the most creative and innovative companies in the world.”

“A happy employee is a productive employee.” Fox Racing believes this to be true so it is no surprise that they’re one of the most creative and innovative companies in the world. But don’t take it from me, all you have to do is look at the product that Fox Racing releases every few months. Just when we think we’ve seen it all when it comes to motocross clothing and protection, Fox Racing releases something brand new. It was an honour to not only take a detailed tour of their HQ but also to meet the people who make it happen on a daily basis. As we said our goodbyes, Jason Moore suggested that we stop off at the Fox store to do some shopping. It reminded me of a recent Chad Reed video where he visited this very building for some meetings. As he left, he also stopped off at the Fox store to get some items for his family. As Reedy said, “You can’t come here without stopping at the store to buy something.” Once we left Fox Racing, we made the short drive to Newport Beach for some amazing chicken tacos at Sancho’s. It was the perfect e nding to a perfect day and certainly one that I won’t soon forget.

With a new on-site gym, it’s easy to get a quick workout in during the day.

Thanks Fox for the incredible tour!

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The Moto Socials PA R A D I G M S H I F T

BY L AW R E N C E H AC K I N G / P H OTO S BY V I K TO R R A D I C S , S I D TA N G E R I N E A N D K E V I N B RYA N

here is a welcome trend in motorcycling that concerns and perhaps benefits all riders from whatever discipline you choose to ride. This trend has been created by, among others, Toronto-based Viktor and Samantha Radics, the founders of The Moto Social events. Radics is a radical thinker, and a mover and shaker. Seven years ago he came up with the idea to hold a social event in Toronto, and he simply called it The Moto Social. Since the beginning it has blossomed into a worldwide community that has united moto heads

around the globe. What Radics has created is growth in the community of motorcyclists; community is a word he uses a lot. It is a success story that is based on the premise that we humans love to belong to a group; The Moto Social has given the average person from all walks of life a tribe to belong to or a crowd to run with. Viktor’s credo is simple; The Moto Socials promoted a sense of community that was designed to bring people together. The idea originated from riders telling Radics that their best friends don’t ride bikes and

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“The Moto Social promoted a sense of community that was designed to bring people together.” people they connected to ride with on various forums weren’t the types of people that they would become besties with. Vik reasoned that The Moto Socials connected more people more often and ultimately that would lead to closer relationships among a larger group of people. Viktor is a sort of figurehead among his people; he sets an example of the easy going standard of behavior that is adhered to by the entire group. “We tried to create an event that has a certain vibe. It is based on respect for the other person no matter how long you have ridden in years or distance or what you ride,” said Radics in a recent conversation. He continued, “We looked for the same qualities in our hosts, we sought out people who feel the same way we do. The idea of connecting people is paramount and that is the reason for the success of The Moto Socials.”

When asked about the commercial aspect of the events, Radics offered a brief explanation: “We purposely didn’t want the Socials to become marketing events for businesses. Our crowd will not react favourably to being marketed to in the traditional sense. We have accepted some sponsors in a subtle way. For example, Husqvarna bought almost everyone who attended the Toronto event a cup of coffee, and at the same time they had their new Vitpilens on display but it was done in a tasteful manner.” The Moto Social concept is simple; spread the word through social media channels to meet up, hang out and talk bikes. The Toronto Moto Social has become so successful that there were too many attendees for some locations and minor problems with traffic congestion arose. An easy solution was to hold a second event on the same evening in Hamilton to spread

out the group a bit. Some energetic riders attended both locations on the same night. Viktor explained the criteria they used to select locations, “The events are usually located outside a coffee house, and knocking back a ‘cuppa joe’ with your buds is what it is all about. We chose certain places that share our vibe. It has to be relaxed plus have enough space to accommodate up to 1,000 people and their bikes.” Imitation is a form of flattery, and guess what? The Moto Social ‘scene’ has become so prolific that in the Greater Toronto Area you can now attend a similar event nearly every night of the week during the summer months. The good news for the industry is the events give riders a reason to ride and it exposes motorcycling to the general public in a positive light, plus the host local businesses in the neighborhood usually do a brisk busi-

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The Moto Socials PA R A D I G M S H I F T

ness. When motorcyclists become welcome that can only be good for everyone concerned. In seven short years The Moto Social has now spread globally, with events hosted in different cities around the World including exotic locations such as Hamburg, Germany, Budapest, Hungary and Capetown, South Africa.

“We are just in the infancy of this phenomenon, and we are working on other ideas that we will announce in the years to come. Our camp weekend in Picton, Ontario in the summer was very well received and our Dirt Day this fall had so many people that want to join us we couldn’t supply enough bikes and had to turn people away until next time.” The numbers don’t lie; The Moto Social Instagram account has 12,000 followers, and the World Wide annual attendance is an estimated 20,000 visits at 107 events in 21 cities. One sure thing is Viktor and his crew are on to something good and the future is bright, so bright in fact, you may need to wear shades.

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Tickets Start at $15!

TICKETS START AT $15!

FORD FIELD

FORD FIELD MAR 21

Restrictions, exclusions and additional charges may apply. Subject to availability. Tickets at market pricing. Purchase tickets at venue box office or ticketmaster.com.

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OME BACK!

BROC TICKLE RETURNS TO RACING B Y A N DY W H I T E / P H O T O S B Y J A M E S L I S S I M O R E AND MIKE VIZER

WHEN YOU ARE AT THE PEAK OF YOUR CAREER AND EVERYTHING IS GOING AS PLANNED, YOU HAVE ONE OF THE BEST TEAMS SUPPORTING YOU, YOU HAVE A RACE TEAM MANAGER THEY CALL “THE MAN” MANAGING YOUR EVERY STEP, YOU LIVE IN SOCAL, THE TEST TRACK IS 10 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD, WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?

ell, for Broc Tickle, it all went sideways on April 13, 2018 when the FIM announced that he had failed an anti-doping test conducted at the San Diego Supercross on February 10, 2018. He was informed that he was suspended from further competition, effective immediately. According to the FIM, Tickle tested positive for 5-methylhexan2-amine, “a specified substance under Section 6 (Stimulants) of the 2018 FIM Prohibited List,” in a urine sample collected from him in a test carried out by the FIM. A WADA-accredited laboratory in Cologne tested the sample. Can you imagine the feeling Broc had at the age of 27 - you’re on a Factory Red Bull team, your results are good, the team and sponsors are happy with your race results and you get this news? Where do you even start to figure out how to delete this bad news? You know the team has no choice but to let you go, and all eyes are on you now. It’s not just the local racing community but the entire world of racing who is judging you now, too. Over the next few days I am sure Broc had lots of friends reach out to him. You know a few other riders have gone through the process with no real positive results. The big question on most people’s minds was, why would Broc take a drug that’s banned in the FIM handbook? I am not here to judge Broc. This article is not whether Broc is guilty or not. This is a story on the next chapter in Broc’s racing career. We all read the articles on Bubba and Cade Clason. Is the FIM too hard on the riders? Do we need the WADA/FIM in American Supercross? Now they have

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WEL COME

BACK!

removed another athlete from the starting line. Broc says he didn’t intentionally take any drugs to help him advance. Let’s leave it right there. So, what does Broc do now? Well, he hired a lawyer and did what anyone of us would have done (fight the FIM). During that time Broc had no ride. (Remember no more income was coming from his team or sponsors.) How do you pay the bills with no money coming in? The easiest way would be to start a Broc Tickle MX School. With a Supercross Lites championship under his belt you know he has some skills to pass on. That was the focus until the lawyers would have some good news or the suspension would run out. There was some talk that Broc might head to Canada and compete in the Canadian MRC series. Cade Clason, who was

in the same situation, was racing that series, but I guess Broc figured it would be best for his future if he didn’t try to anger the FIM people and it was better to just stay low. We now fast forward to midsummer 2019. You know you have approximately eight months left on the suspension before the FIM will let you compete. It’s time to start working on a plan! Who will hire a rider that has been out of the racing scene for the past two years? Who would want to risk that? Well, those were the hurdles that lay in front of him. Broc’s resume is nothing but solid. Lites Supercross Championship in 2011 with Pro Circuit, top 5 results in the 450 class outdoors, and was signed to one of the best teams in the industry at the time. We are only talking 24 months away from the series.

“THERE WAS SOME TALK THAT BROC MIGHT HEAD TO CANADA AND COMPETE IN THE CANADIAN MRC SERIES.” You’d like to hope with all the friends Broc has made over the years, he has the contacts to put a good program together. If you have been level headed and are pretty humble it shouldn’t be too hard to figure out a plan. Now it does help when you start getting emails and phone calls offering support. I was one of those emails/phone calls. I thought this might be a good way to get FXR onto a rider that can easily finish top 10 without costing the company a fortune. Once I talked to Broc I knew this was the right call. Broc was pumped to get things going. The big ques-

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tion on my mind was, “Is he going to have the right equipment to get him in the top 10?” This is where the real effort would be needed. The engine and suspension package had to be good. Over the many years of racing, Broc has figured out what works and what doesn’t. It’s easy to bolt the parts on, hit the test track and look at the stop watch. Now it’s time to find those seconds you can knock off to be competitive in this sport. This is also called hard work. You not only need to know what you’re doing but you also need a real supercross track to test on. It also helps that you are in good shape to test over and over too. Oh, and one more thing, you are doing this on your own dime! This is where the hard work pays off, putting in the time before the series starts, and getting that bike to be as perfect as possible so you feel competitive. With the suspension still in effect, Broc can only return back to the series at Round 8 in Tampa. This means he has some extra time to get the bike set up. This also means maybe a team might need a replacement rider by that time, too. So now it becomes really difficult to manage. For example, you have been building your own program for the past eight months, you have met lots of people on the journey, you have signed contracts, and have promised lots in return, knowing there might be a chance you will have to jump ship and ride for another team. That’s what we call the crappy part of the business… but it’s back to the focus right now: Get the bike set up and figure out the logistics and the budget first. Come January, Broc is feeling pretty good with all his sponsors signed. Fans are pumped that he is just a few weeks away from returning to the big show. Week by week he puts the time in at the test tracks, and he’s busy keeping the sponsors happy with social media. Broc is making the phone calls, lining up parts to test. He is also interviewing mechanics and staff to help out with the program. Then the phone rings and it’s J-Bone from JGR. “Hey Broc, as you know, Fred Noren is out for the supercross season. Are you interested in testing with us and maybe be that replacement guy?” Oh boy, now it starts. The first thing Broc did was arrange a meeting so he could test out the Suzuki first. Meet the team. Does it make sense to drop all the hard work and sign with a new team? Remember, Broc needs to make sure the ride he is on will get him support into 2021 and beyond. This is where you need to take a few steps back after you have tested the bike, me, the team and look at the options. I know it’s exciting to get the call but it also puts a ton of stress on the

“SO, MOVING FORWARD, WE KNOW BROC SIGNED THE JGR CONTRACT. IT ONLY MADE SENSE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE. SALARY, RACE BIKES, FULL-TIME MECHANIC, JUMP ON AN AIRPLANE TO TRAVEL TO THE RACES.” rider. It would not be easy making that phone call to AEO Motosports telling them you have a great opportunity to sign with factory Suzuki. That call will keep you up in the night wondering if you are making the right decision. So, moving forward, we know Broc signed the JGR contract. It only made sense when you look at the big picture. Salary, race bikes, fulltime mechanic, jump on an airplane to travel to the races. Man, it can’t get much better than that. Now it’s time to deliver and get some good results so people and sponsors are excited on your return. Back to testing in North Carolina now; new team, new bike, new people. Oh yeah, you have to move to the east coast now, too. I heard the weather in the east is not the same as Southern California in February. Jokes aside, Broc is hard at it working with the team. Only a few weeks to get the RMZ race ready for the big show in Tampa. You know all the media and fans will have their eyes and cameras on him for his return. This is why I wanted to sign Broc to a contract. I knew this might happen to him. Now I have a few more partners helping spread the word that Broc will make his comeback at Tampa supercross. What dollar figure can you put on that? In my view it’s a home run for FXR and Suzuki JGR to have a rider like Broc make his return back to racing.

Round one for Broc went well. He qualified for the main through his heat. Now it was time for the big show. Stay on two wheels, get a good start and don’t be a hero on your first night back. Finishing twelfth was perfect for the first race back. There were some big names in front of him that have raced the full series. I am sure the team was happy with that result. They will go back to the test track and will build on that. Talking with Broc, he said, “I felt good. I knew I had more to offer but I was riding safe for the first round. The whoops leading into the finish line were big. I really wanted to keep it safe for the first race back. We will build from here.” The following weekend, the series heads to Dallas, Texas, the hometown of the Dallas Cowboys football team. That stadium is one of the most impressive buildings I have ever seen or been in. I always enjoy attending this round, and it also helped that Broc was there, too. Another week of testing completed and now it was show time. As I was writing this article, Broc was competing in Dallas. After practice Broc was sitting in seventeenth. Moto 1, Broc had a good start but during the first lap he and Kyle Cunningham came together and Broc ended up breaking a few bones in his hand. Not what the team was hoping for, so it’s time to regroup. Off to the hospital to see the specialist and wait until the hand is better. They say he will miss five or six rounds. That puts him back in the series around Seattle. Unfortunately, that’s racing and it’s not what we expected. Overall, I am sure Broc knows he is on his way back to a full-time job on a team. I wish him the best of luck and we will see him at the next race in which he competes.

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PHOTO COU RTE SY OF: TH E MARIN “ WILDSIDE ” E N DU RO SE RIE S

THE

FUT

IS H

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UTURE

E-BICYCLES THE NEXT BIG THING

S HERE

ELECTRIC MOUNTAIN BIKES MEET THE MOTOCROSS & OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLE/ ATV COMMUNITY For the past few years there has been a growing market developed for electric bicycles. Their popularity started in Europe and has quickly grown in use. North American interest gelled three or four years ago and the sales of electric bikes has doubled and tripled every year since. eMTB racing started in Europe in 2015.

lectric Mountain Bike Racing came to the Western US in 2016 at an event hosted by Sea Otter. In 2018, Troy Lee Designs and Bosch electric motors presented “The Boogaloo,” a popular Class 1 eMTB race in California. The World governing bodies of both bicycles and motorcycles have undertaken to sanction World class eMTB events in 2019. The FIM held its first World Cup eMTB race at the Motocross GP of Imola in Italy in August. The UCI held its first World Championship eMTB race in August as well at MontSainte-Anne, Quebec. Also, in 2019, the largest off-road series in the World, the American Motorcyclist Association sanctioned (GNCC) Grand National Cross Country Championship Series, added eight rounds of eMTB racing to their 13-round National Championship Series for motorcycles

and ATVs. One of the eight rounds was an eMTB-only event at the famed Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Tennessee. The GNCC series boasted 17,380 total entries (mainly motorcycles & ATVs) and 62,640 spectators in 2019. The eMTB US National Championship series will have eight events in 2020. A major growth in eMTB numbers is anticipated in 2020, and thousands of event goers had demonstration rides on eMTB’s in 2019. The recently formed Ontario Action Sports Association has announced a six-race eMTB/ MTB series for Ontario in 2020. The first event takes place at Horseshoe Resort on May 17th. Further information on the series can be found at oasa.club It has been said that Motocross is the most physically demanding sport in the World. It’s also very expensive to keep a motocross bike in top shape, especially when riders need to practice a number of days and hours per week

in between the actual races. It also has a physical impact on a rider’s body. The search for a way to best replicate the demands of the sport while having a lower impact on the body and reduce the cost has found its way to electric mountain bikes. The type of electric bike to use is referred to as “Class 1.” There is no throttle, the max power allowed in Canada is 500 Watts (it’s 250W in Europe and 750W in the U.S.), and the maximum speed is 32 kph. The motor only helps when your legs are pushing down on the pedals, hence the name pedal assist or pedalec. Ebikes are heavier than regular mountain bikes, usually 10kg heavier; they do have beefed-up suspension to handle the weight. The main benefit of using electric mountain bikes is, it helps keeping track of your training zones and heart rate. A regular mountain bike is great for spiking your heart rate on climbs. You should be trying to stick to a certain zone for an amount of time, and this is easier to do on an ebike. Electric mountain bikes are great for a rider who wants to “change it up,” depending on what they want to achieve. Want a tough workout? Just turn it off - riding it that way will help your leg strength. If you want an easier, longer spin, you have a low, mid or max power range to choose from. Rather than servicing your bike, loading it up in your truck, gassing both up and driving a half hour or more to a local motocross track, you can just use your electric assist to ride to trails in your area. This increases your time training, eliminates the drive, and it costs a lot less.

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INTRODUCING THE ONTARIO ACTION SPORTS ASSOCIATION Action Sports are a fast-growing segment of the recreational market. The proliferation of electric powered bicycles, kick-style scooters and skateboards offer an opportunity for new Action Sport disciplines and the need for a professionally run organization to co-ordinate the many opportunities available for these new sports.

ence the formation of the Ontario Action Sports Association. The initial mandate of the organization is to provide contests, race events, and skills and safety training for the users of E and regular mountain and BMX bicycles, as well as E and regular kick-style scooters and skateboards. Attention is also being paid to the advent of Ebicycles, which are being developed along the lines of motorcycles with throttles. An example of this style of e-bike is the SUR-RON brand out of China which offers a model called the Light-Bee which has become so popular world wide that it is actually difficult to get your hands on one. This SUR-RON company is also launching models that are very much like a motorcycle similar to the well known KTM FREERIDE e-series. Skills and Safety Training Jamborees are a major part of the OASA’s mandate as eBicycles and kick-style eScooters are quickly becoming a major fixture of urban transportation. These vehicles are limited to speeds of 24 km/hour eScooters and 32 km/ hour eBicycles. They have no licensing or insurance requirements under the Highway Traffic Act. They are limited to users 16 years of age and older. Governments in both Canada and the U.S. see them as a major part of reducing traffic congestion in cities and towns as well as being part of the clean revolution. The OASA sees providing skills and safety training as a way to help reduce the misuse of these vehicles and provide users with useful information to help keep them safe and reduce accidents.

Contests and race events also fall under the mandate of the OASA. BMX Freestyle Park is a new Olympic Sport. While there are a number of contests for followers of the sport throughout Ontario, there is no coordinated sanctioning body to further the sport for Ontario competitors. The OASA will provide such coordination, holding a number of high-profile contests beginning this summer. BMX Racing is also an Olympic sport, and there is an organization doing a great job of promoting that aspect of the sport. Electric Mountain Bike races are finally here. The Ontario Action Sports Association will hold a 6-race Ontario Championship eMTB race series in 2020. Classes will also be available for regular mountain bikes. The series is modelled along the lines of the U.S. Grand National Off-Road Championship races, which introduced an eMTB U.S. National Championship class to their series in 2019. Scooters, skateboards, and kickstyle scooters are a new phenom rocking the Action Sports world. The International Scooter Association was formed in 2011 to sustain a future for the sport of Scooter Riding. In 2020, there are fourteen events worldwide leading up to the World Finals in London, England July 18th.

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52 // MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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THE SUR- RON LIGHT BE E Electric MX & Off-Road or “Just for Fun” riding is “WATTS” coming next. This category will be for all those that can’t imagine not twisting a throttle. Various e-vehicles (most famously, the ALTA) have come and gone over the last decade of the rapid Electric Vehicle development cycle. One of the most exciting up and comers is a new brand called SUR-RON out of China, whose popularity in Asia and Europe has skyrocketed. The Light-Bee model pictured above is a super-light weight e-Bike that first came to the USA a couple of years ago. The current exclusive US based North American importer can barely keep them in stock! Some competitive individuals, fortunate enough to get their hands on one of these cool units, have been competing in certain Sportsman classes against regular motorcycles in MX and Cross Country events! Their results have been surprising many of their gas powered competitors, who have witnessed their level of quality and performance! Electric MX and CC racing is definitely becoming a trend! OEMs like KTM, HUSQVARNA, YAMAHA, and HONDA are just a few who either already offer e-models or are soon to release. Electric… Is Here!

Here in Canada, the premier event for scooters is the North American Championship Qualifier, which will be held at All In Skatepark in Zephyr, Ontario near London, March 28th and 29th. The winner will receive a golden ticket straight to the World Final. The next nine riders will qualify for the ISA North American Final. There are now stunt eScooters being released in Canada and they are sure to find a place for themselves competing on the World stage in the near future. Meanwhile, eScooters for basic transportation are taking North America by storm. The Ontario government, in their bid to support emerging technologies

that can help move people safely and efficiently while limiting environmental impacts, has entered into a 5-year pilot project allowing eScooters to operate on municipal roads as long as they are approved by municipalities. No license or insurance is required but operators must be a minimum 16 years of age. Those under 18 must wear a helmet. The maximum speed allowed is 24 kph with a maximum power output of 500Watts. Weight max is 45 kg. Yes, there are electric skateboards as well. The designed in Canada “Juiced” boards are top of the line. Governments are sure to develop an awareness of them quickly. They have top speeds of 27 kph, faster than an eScooter, weigh 12 lbs. and have a range of 11 km with an in-hub motor and regenerative braking. Lots of fun for municipalities to look at laws for them.

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54 // MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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HOW TO TRAIN ON YOUR MOUNTAIN BIKE FOR MOTOCROSS Motocross riders need to exercise five to six days a week. In addition, or in place of, they also need to train on their motorcycle three or four days depending on whether or not it’s a race weekend.

sing a mountain bike for training is a great alternative when a track is not available. It’s also a way of saving your equipment and money. Training on a mountain bike also has a lower impact on the body. Many of the skills motocross riders need to practice can be done on a mountain bike. Here are a few tips to use when practicing on your mountain bike: LOOK AHEAD— Important for riding motocross and critical on your mountain bike as you can’t bull your way over some obstacles like you can when riding motocross. You should be able to read the changes in terrain so you can see potential obstacles ahead such as drop offs or hills. Being able to change lines or being able to determine the best line on a motocross track or when trail riding on your mountain bike is very important. PRACTICE BALANCE— so critical to both disciplines. There is a great skills area at Motopark where you can practice. If not at the park, just practice standing still on your bike using the crank and brakes to help you maintain your balance. PUMPING— Use your arms and knees to pump. This will increase

your speed on trails when riding your mountain bike. You can practice on any pump track – there is a great one at Motopark. BRAKING— Slightly different technique in some cases for mountain bikes. Keep one finger on each brake when trail riding. This gives you more control and helps prevent you from grabbing one of the brakes too hard, which can make you slide out if you grab too much back brake or endo if you grab a handful of front brake. It also helps keep control when going

downhill. On a mountain bike, you generally use both brakes simultaneously with the same pressure on both. Weight Transfer— It’s important to be in the proper position on your bike. Going downhill, keep your weight back and over the rear wheel. On uphills your weight should be more in the center. When cornering you should keep your weight to the front of the bike. MANUALS OR WHEELIES—Learn to lift the front wheel. This is important both on the motocross track and when trail riding to navigate over logs or rough terrain. Push straight down on the back, compressing your suspension while pushing the bike forward with your arms and lofting the front wheel.

CORNERS—Do all your braking coming into the corner, then let your momentum carry you through the corner. On a mountain bike, keep your pedals flat, especially when turning or in a berm. Make sure the inside pedal is not down. Concentration is a key attribute needed when riding motocross. It can also be practiced when riding a mountain bike through a trail or navigating a steep downhill. In order to concentrate, you have to not let anything distract you from the job at hand. An example for motocross riders is, they tend to think about the other riders on the track. What about the faster riders that are still behind you? The other problem is that MTB or MX riders may think about mistakes they made on the last lap instead of concentrating about what obstacles are right ahead of them and how they are going to navigate. Riders should be concentrating on where their braking points are at various sections of the track. Should they change lines in a corner or over an obstacle based on changes in the terrain? Obviously, it’s a great way to build the endurance you need for motocross. It also helps in working your core as well as building leg strength. Motopark has developed a program for those wanting to use their mountain bikes to train for motocross. Spend two hours with one of our instructors to run through the course and get some great tips for riding your mountain bike. The cost is $120 each for a private or duo session. Groups of 3 to 5 are $90 each.

56 // MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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“WITH THREE DIFFERENT XACT PRO SUSPENSION SET-UPS TO TRY, WE DECIDED TO START WITH THE STIFFEST SET-UP AND THEN WORK BACKWARDS TO THE SOFTER ONES.”

58 // MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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test rider for a day WORDS BY CHRIS POMEROY • PHOTOS BY JAMES LISSIMORE

ne of the things that I love about my career in motocross as well as my current job here at MXP is testing product. Whether it’s new bikes, new products, or even just improvements on existing parts, sign me up and take me to a track. You see, back in the 1990s there wasn’t a lot of testing going on at the pro level in Canada. It wasn’t because we didn’t want to, it was more due to the fact that in reality we didn’t have that much stuff to test. If I think back to 1996, for instance, arguably my best season of racing, I recall going testing twice: once for engine and jetting related performance and once for suspension. The first day I tried a few different pipes and silencers on my Hondas, mostly on my CR125, as well as different jetting combinations. Then on Day 2, my mechanic and I went riding with two sets of forks and one shock, as well as his favourite flat-head screwdriver for turning the clickers. I mean, I’m sure we could’ve tested more than we did, but at the time it was more important to ride laps and then go racing. With all of that in mind you can understand why I was so excited that part of my California trip consisted of heading to Fox Raceway to meet with the WP Suspension guys for a day, testing the latest WP Pro Component (XACT Pro) forks and shock. It took over a month to arrange as WP not only had to build suspension specifically for me but also find a day to meet during what is always a very busy January. Fortunately for them, the Supercross Series takes place right in WP’s backyard (actually you can throw a stone from the WP shop to the KTM/ Husqvarna Offices and SX track). However, with WP currently pushing their XACT Pro Suspension to the Canadian market, we figured out a day and made plans to meet. Fox Raceway (formally Pala Raceway) is one of many public tracks that make up the Southern California riding scene. With multiple tracks, fun layouts that suit riders of all levels, and good soil, I think it’s safe to say that Fox Raceway is one of best all around riding facilities in

Back in January I was lucky enough to get a small break from winter in Ontario and had the opportunity to travel to sunny California to not only take in Round 3 of the Monster Energy Supercross Series in Anaheim but also to experience a few other very cool things. the area, plus it features a spacious and level paddock area. Ever since Fox Racing took over the operations of the track, there is also a well stocked pro shop with just about anything you could ask for. As I drove in and signed my name at the front gate, it came as no surprise that I could see about a hundred bikes riding around the various tracks. After all, it was a beautiful Friday afternoon, and since a little bit of rain had fallen the night before, the conditions were absolutely perfect. Even though we had exchanged phone calls and emails with the people at WP Suspension, I really had no idea what to expect when it came to how detailed the test day would be. All they told me was to drive in the front gates of Fox Raceway and look for the bright orange WP Sprinter van, which was easy enough to spot as I drove through the busy paddock in my rental car. As I parked and got out my car, I saw a shining KTM 450SX-F, a WP technician, Dave O’Connor (Media guy for KTM), and Jay Moore and James Lissimore patiently waiting for me. After some brief greetings, George (WP Technician) went through exactly what we’d be testing throughout the day. To hear the words “We brought three sets up suspension for you to try, all with different settings” definitely brought a smile to my face. As I unloaded my gear bag and began to get dressed, I most certainly had that kid-in-a-candy-store feeling. Like the start of any serious riding day, the first thing George and I did was set the sag and go over what the initial session would entail. To give me a base feeling, my KTM 450SX-F was fitted with stock suspension for my first time on the track. As I headed out to what they call ‘the pro track,’ I was not only excited but also a little nervous as it suddenly

dawned on me that I hadn’t ridden a dirt bike in two and a half months. Not only were there about 40 amateur riders on the track at the time, but also ripping around on a bright red Geico Honda was Ryan Dungey. It turned out to be Dungey’s first public ride on a red bike. When I was doing a few slow warm-up laps, the big #5 flew past me. Even though my day had just started, it was already going pretty well, I thought. It didn’t take long for the stock settings to feel soft and uncomfortable on the fast and jumpy Fox Raceway track. Although KTM has one of the best stock suspension set-ups on the market, once the speeds get up and you desire the utmost stability, some modifications definitely need to be made. After a short warm-up moto, I pulled back into the paddock to discuss things with George. We were eager to remove the stock suspension and install the “Good Stuff” on my test bike. So, I sat and watched

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speed sections, my bike was now glued to the track, and in the jump sections, the suspension was staying up in the stroke and soaking everything up with ease. The only issue I felt was struggling to find some front-end traction on the entry to some of the corners. After 20 minutes, I came in, put my bike on the stand, then sat down with George. Since he does this type of testing on a weekly basis with all types of riders, he knew exactly what to ask and how to extract information. I told him that I loved the set-up, however since it was still early in the day and I was still a little rusty with my riding, I wasn’t able to be aggressive enough to work in unison with the stiffer set-up. For session #3 we went to the next softer setting on the forks (WP refers to this as their Comfort Fork). Also, George

changed to the stiff rear shock in hopes of keeping the rear end higher to balance the bike. When I returned to the track it was just after lunch and the busiest it was all day. At this point I had to up my aggression level, and thankfully the altered set-up was working well. The bike still felt balanced and predictable on the high-speed sections, and now it was tracking better as I entered the rutted turns. The only issue I felt with this softer fork setting was the front end as a package felt lower. The feeling did take some time to get used to, however I completed my session and returned to my WP pit area. Once again, I was greeted by George and Lissimore, who told me that I looked better but Dungey was still faster. I relayed my thoughts to George about how the bike felt, and he suggested sticking with the softer forks but going stiffer on the upper chamber pressure spring. This sounded like the perfect solution to fix the feeling of the front riding low. I knew that at this point we could’ve gone back to the softer shock or perhaps even changed the sag to help make the rear end sit lower, but George felt the stiffer shock was needed and changing the pressure spring was a good direction

to go. So, with my hands now getting a little sore from all of this riding, I headed out for session #4. I honestly didn’t have to ride more than a half a lap before I noticed how much better the front end felt. The stiffer pressure spring indeed kept the front higher without taking away from the added traction I was enjoying. It felt like the perfect set-up as the track was now at its roughest and most technical. Also, although I was beginning to feel the effects of all of the riding I’d done, I was definitely feeling very confident and my lap times proved it. I was happy, George was happy, and Lissimore was happy as now I was jumping everything on the track. I came in from the session with a big smile on my face and said the bike felt the best it had all day. However, with it getting later in the day and the track now almost vacant, I asked to try one more setting before we called it a day. Now that I was riding better and more aggressive, I wanted to try the stiffer setting from session #2. By this time, I was applying tape to my chewed-up hands, the track was closing in 45 minutes, Lissimore and Jay Moore decided to call it a day to beat the traffic back to Anaheim, and Dungey was long gone. Other than Brian Deegan and a few other die-hards, I had the Fox Raceway track to myself as I headed out for my final session. As I tried to put in some very aggressive laps, the stiffer set-up felt

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the WP technicians change my forks and shock faster than I’ve ever seen before. For anyone out there who has had to change a modern day KTM shock, you know how difficult it can be, because there is definitely an art to it. Obviously, the boys at WP are the experts. After some water and a pep talk from Lissimore, asking me if I knew that Dungey was faster than me and when was I going to start jumping everything, I was primed and ready for session #2. With three different XACT Pro suspension set-ups to try, we decided to start with the stiffest set-up and then work backwards to the softer ones. As I took to the track, which in just 30 minutes had already become a lot rougher, I instantly noticed how much more stable and predictable my bike felt. On the ultra high-

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good, but given how choppy and dry the track became, the bike didn’t quite feel as connected to the track as it did with the slightly softer setting. I think the stiffer setting would’ve been great for a rougher track like Gopher Dunes or even a soft and rutted track like Walton Raceway, but for Fox Raceway it was just a little on the stiff and rigid side. However, I stuck with it and rode until I couldn’t ride any longer. I was beyond tired with all of the laps that I’d put in, but at the same time I was about as happy as I could possibly be. This had been a truly incredible day of testing and riding and one that I will never forget. As we all sat around our pit and did our final debrief, we went over all of the settings we’d tried. I believe George appreciated my feedback

“THE STIFFER PRESSURE SPRING INDEED KEPT THE FRONT HIGHER WITHOUT TAKING AWAY FROM THE ADDED TRACTION I WAS ENJOYING.” on everything we did that day. The new XACT Pro WP Suspension is incredible, and the best thing is it’s available to the general public. For a price, you could have this exact suspension for your bike, regardless of the make or model. With all of the hours that WP has spent testing with all types of riders, they’re very good at knowing where

to start with your settings. For all the information on WP Suspension products and where to get them in Canada, visit www.wp-suspension.com. Whether you want to purchase a set of the XACT Pro Suspension or get your stock suspension re-valved, WP products can make your bike handle much better. In closing, I’d like to thank everyone at WP

and KTM for this incredible opportunity. It was an amazing day, and also thanks to Fox Raceway, George from WP, and Dave from KTM for all of their help and hospitality. If you have any questions about this article and the testing I did, feel free to reach out to me at chris@mxpmag.com. Thanks for reading.

519-836-1957 888-469-1128 Ext 221 5624 Highway 6, North Guelph, Ontario, N1H 6J2 2020 Canadian Kawasaki Motors Inc. Always ride responsibility. Always ride within the limits of your skills, your experience and your machine. Wear an approved helmet and protective clothing. The actions depicted here took place under controlled conditions with professional riders.

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62 // MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

MXP_2020_20.21_Hoosier Story.indd 1

2020-03-23 5:57 PM

When KTM, one of the leading off-road brands in the world, chose BOXO tool systems for their Montreal Training Centre and Service Department from among a long line of high-quality choices in the market, there must be something about the product that makes it stand out.

OXO has thought about the tool user not just the tools; “What first drew me to BOXO was the Modular EVA Foam; when we started looking for tools for our Technical Training Centre and Dealer Service Department the one thing that we wanted was to make sure everything was well organized. The Modular EVA Foam gives a clean look and keeps everything in its place,” stated KTM North America’s Bruce Willis When Roost Factory selects a brand to represent, that brand and the product’s performance and uniqueness are critical criteria. BOXO tools and tool storage solutions bring an edge to the traditional tool room. There are few people as OCD as tool people and we have observed what lengths they will go to in order to organize their set up at home, the shop, trackside or at the gate. BOXO took a major performance issue in the tool industry, one that has been hidden in plain sight for generations, and solved it! Though now obvious and a standard element of the BOXO offering, it is still not available anywhere else. One of the first things that

jumps out at you with the BOXO tools systems is its unique curation of the tools. BOXO takes tools and redefines the problem and solution from just a place to store tools, to creating a working environment that regardless of the environment enhances the user performance and effectiveness. The #1 thing to change the tone of an evening in the garage with your kids prepping for the weekend? Missing tools. There are many things that can drive the stress and tension to volcanic eruption levels on race day or at the gate. We have all been there, on our hands and knees looking for a missing 10MM! It’s a problem, it’s stressful and can make that bonding moment with your son or daughter a little challenging. BOXO has been a family owned and managed business for over 40 years. They have taken their firsthand experiences and challenged their designers to solve problems faced by the people who use the tools. In the immortal words of Rafiki from Lion King 1.5, “Look beyond what you see.” They looked beyond just designing and manufacturing great tools with a great warranty – they looked at how the tools were used and the challeng-

es faced in being efficient. Their goal is simple: provide the OCD tool user a complete solution that ensures they are as efficient, effective and productive as possible. Whether you wrench tools for a living or as a competitor – efficiency is critical. Central to that is “order” – the BOXO tools systems are curated and organized in a way that no other tool program offers. What better people to design the ultimate tool system than people who use them and live them day to day in the same world we come from? Chad Schley of SP Tools (Schley Products Inc.) has built a family business making their own custom tools for the craziest and most extreme applications – I don’t own an airplane but I really wanted to buy his aircraft tire changing tool – no way you are losing that baby! From aircraft to huge mining equipment, SP Tools has been making quality custom tools for over a generation. Selecting BOXO as their standard tool of choice was a natural extension of their own unique capabilities and offerings. On top of that the staff at BOXO are off-road riders and enthusiasts just like you and I, so all of the tools and toolboxes are tested thoroughly by the people they are designed for. You may have spotted the guys from Diesel Brothers putting their BOXO tools through some serious wrenching on their TV show and it’s not hard to see why they can be heard bragging regularly about how great the tools are! Monster and Rockstar teams are out to win – winning makes money and they picked BOXO. From dirty diesels to 2-stroke dirt bikes, BOXO is for the gearhead who loves to wrench and lives to ride! With a passion for powersports, BOXO was the perfect tool company to partner with the Roost Factory and the Rockstar Triple Crown series. As the Official Tool and Tool Storage solution, BOXO spent 2019 hanging out under the Roost Factory purple paddock tents at every round of the Rockstar Triple Crown Series. “The Roost Factory chose BOXO as one of their key brand

partners,” explains CEO Mark Rivers, “Because BOXO as a brand, a product, a solution, and the people who founded and lead the company are the embodiment of what Roost Factory stands for. They have a unique quality design with extremely well thought out features and a team of entrepreneurial, supportive and responsive leaders driving the company forward.” The Roost Factory team can speak firsthand to the quality, design and durability of these products after having BOXO on the race rigs, in the pits, and available to racers during a hectic AX, MX, SX and Off-road race season. During this 2019 inaugural season of the Roost Factory, the BOXO tools serviced hundreds of bikes in every type of weather and condition through multiple hands, and yes, we did lose some 10mm and 12 mm wrenches. but we knew it immediately. But as a result of the EVA Foam Inserts, we lost much less than we could have. From the clay clogged tracks of British Columbia to the sand filled pockets of Gopher Dunes, for the Roost Factory teams BOXO tools did their job. The Modular EVA Foam storage solutions kept the race rig organized and made it easy for racers to find what they needed, when they needed it. Dario Zecca, a Roost Factory Pro from Motocamp Canada, is a BOXO convert; “I would definitely recommend BOXO to any racer looking to buy a compact set of tools for traveling race to race. The tidiness of the BOXO initially drew me to this brand. As someone who is forever losing the 10mm socket, this toolbox makes keeping track of my tools easy!” Roost Factory Chief Business Development Officer, John Spar, is a dedicated advocate, nay BOXO evangelist, and a long-time user for several reasons. “When you grow up racing motorcycles and cars and pretty much anything with wheels, you become attached to your tools and the feel of a tool. If it feels right, you can work more efficiently and do the best job. Your toolboxes are the same. My old, cluttered toolbox drove me nuts. Nothing is worse than

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BOXO

TOOLS OF THE TRADE constantly having to dig through a drawer looking for the specific size socket or wrench. It wastes valuable time… especially when you are pressed for time at the track or even in the shop. Love at first sight! When I worked out of the BOXO box for the first time, the first thing I fell in love with was the precut foam inserts for every tool. I never wasted a second looking for a tool. It helped me see when something was missing or out of place. My crew guys are famous for putting tools where they don’t belong or in their pockets. Now at the end of the day or night, every tool goes back in its proper spot. The BOXO tools have won over every guy I work with.” Winning over diehard gearheads isn’t easy but BOXO continues to change minds by proving they have the right formula – they looked

“WITH A PASSION FOR POWERSPORTS, BOXO WAS THE PERFECT TOOL COMPANY TO PARTNER WITH THE ROOST FACTORY AND THE ROCKSTAR TRIPLE CROWN SERIES.”

beyond just tools and thought of the needs of the users and their issues. Just as Apple redefined an industry with its intuitive user interface, BOXO has changed the tool game by creating an efficient and effective environment not just another great tool, which by the way they are great at. Like so many industries, tools have an established pattern, and everyone has been trained to accept that, that is the way you do it. BOXO changed that. Their innovation extends beyond the environment to its tools as well; they continue to develop tools for situations and applications that we all experience every day but no-one has done much about it. We the consumer just adapt. It’s those consumer adaptions that BOXO has used as its inspiration for new tools – a big one that gained Roost Factory CEO Mark

Rivers’ attention was the fact that, “Historically, my go-to tools are a hammer or a pipe wrench. Needless to say, there are a lot of stripped nuts in my shop, but with my BOXO tool set I’m using the right tool for the job and all the tools work like they should! If you have issues accessing or applying nuts in tight places, their magnetic ratchet set is perfect slimline awesome!” The list of innovations and custom setups keeps rolling out of their factory much to the excitement of gearheads and tool guys across North America. With the Roost Factory and others preaching the good word of dirt bikes, BOXO launched their custom MX tool roll and tool box - more complete and better equipped than any competitor on the market, and competitively priced. It all adds up! With 40 years of experience and product development, BOXO continues to develop and offer a comprehensive range of sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, special auto repair tools, custom kits and more! Central to all their offerings is their tool management solutions; from the versatile and custom tool rolls for MX, SxS and ATV’s, to their portable three drawer tool solutions and their entire custom tool rooms! These impressive hand tools and toolboxes are not only functional, they are beautiful. The dedication to design, quality and genuine care that goes into producing each product is evident as soon as you lay your eyes on them. The first thing that drew John Spar to BOXO was, “Mainly the attention to detail, the high quality, and cost value on their tools and

boxes. Once you hold them, use them and work out of their boxes, you’re completely hooked. Every tool and box are made solid with care. Plus, I am still shocked at the price! Their boxes and tools are every bit as high quality as the brands you pay 3 to 4 times more. I’d say my wallet was happier. Of course, that was a false savings as the affordability just allowed me to buy more tools – all 100% essential!” The BOXO team controls the production process from the initial design phase through manufacturing and quality control processes to ensure all products meet BOXO’s high quality standards. Another notable benefit with BOXO is the lifetime warranty. Before putting a lifetime warranty on any product, companies must be prepared to confidently stand by their products. It’s rare to come across anything these days with a warranty over 5-10 years, let alone a lifetime warranty! A BOXO purchase is an investment in something else, whether it’s racing for fun or for a living, you can be rest assured that for as long as you, your kids or theirs are in need of a tool, BOXO has your back. Available today from Roost Factory, the exclusive distributor for Canada. Check out how you can use your RF sponsorship program to get into your own BOXO tool system today at www.hoosier-offroad.com/sponsorme or email Roost Factory to learn more about how RF and BOXO can help you with our layaway program or our financing solutions. Invest in yourself today at TheRoostFactory. com or email Roost Factory at info@ hoosier-offroad.com.

Find out more online at Hoosier-Offroad.com and Apply today at Hoosier-Offroad.com/SponsorMe 64 // MOTOCROSS PERFORMANCE · MXPMAG.COM

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BEHIND THE LENS:

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR BY JAMES LISSIMORE

The GDR Honda team of Mike Alessi (800), Colton Facciotti (1) and Dylan Wright (19) blasts off the line at the team photo shoot at Gopher Dunes last May.

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BEHIND THE LENS:

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR

Matt Goerke (2), Cole Thompson (16) and Mike Alessi (800) battle to be first into the first turn at Gopher Dunes.

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Nice light on Canada’s own Jess Pettis at the Glendale Supercross as they cracked open the roof at State Farm Stadium.

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BEHIND THE LENS:

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR

Sometimes, the weather just sucks. Shawn Maffenbeier gets greasy at the McNabb national.

I love the look of a freshly groomed MX track first thing in the morning. Walton TransCan 2019.

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East Coast transplant Tyler Medaglia grabs the holeshot at the Riverglade National.

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BEHIND THE LENS:

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a sucker for a good pan shot. Tanner Ward drifts through the trees at Sand Del Lee.

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There was a great battle for the lead between Colton Facciotti (1) and Phil Nicoletti (54) at Prince George, with Cole Thompson (16) giving chase.

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BEHIND THE LENS:

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR

You really have to have faith in your competition when you’re occupying the same airspace. Jess Pettis and Dylan Wright fly within inches of each other at the Riverglade National.

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I know this photo has already been used a lot but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s definitely one of my favourites of 2019. Tyler Medaglia gets low at the Monster Energy Kawasaki team photoshoot at Cahuilla Creek Raceway in Southern California.

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BEHIND THE LENS:

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR

The closest finish in Supercross history - Cooper Webb edges Ken Roczen by inches to take the win at Arlington.

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BEHIND THE LENS:

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR

The end to an amazing career. Colton Facciotti at Walton.

Oh Canada. Opening ceremonies at the Calgary Arenacross.

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YOUNG PRESENTS

AND ON THE

RISE ISE R

FOR THIS MONTH’S YOUNG AND ON THE RISE, WE HEAD TO BEAUTIFUL CANMORE, AB TO TALK WITH YOUNG 65CC RIDER MARS MILLAR. LAST SUMMER MARS AND HIS FAMILY TRAVELLED EAST TO WALTON RACEWAY FOR THE 2019 TRANSCAN. THIS WAS HIS FIRST TIME AT THE PRESTIGIOUS EVENT. ALTHOUGH HIS WEEK ENDED PREMATURELY WITH A CRASH, MARS VOWS TO RETURN IN 2020 TO TRY TO WIN HIS FIRST TRANSCAN TITLE. WITH WINTER COMING TO AN END RIGHT ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THE 2020 RACE SEASON ALMOST HERE, WE CAUGHT UP WITH MARS FOR A CHAT.

WITH

MARS MILLAR B Y C H R I S P O M E R OY • P H O T O S B Y J A M E S L I S S I M O R E

MXP: FIRST OFF MARS, CAN TELL US HOW OLD YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CALL HOME? MM: I’m currently 11-years-old and I live in Canmore, Alberta with my Dad. CAN YOU TELL US SOMETHING COOL ABOUT CANMORE? Canmore is located an hour outside of Calgary in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. There are tons of mountain bike trails and bike parks to shred; living in the mountains is pretty rad. I’VE NEVER BEEN TO CANMORE BUT IT DOES SOUND VERY COOL. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RIDING A DIRT BIKE? My Dad had me on a PW50 when I was 4; we rode trails and rode for fun for a few years. Then he took me to the track and I was hooked. YOU HAVE DEFINITELY COME A LONG WAY. DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST RACE AND HOW YOU DID? My first race was at my home track, Wild Rose MX Park in Calgary. I remember being extremely nervous and thinking my site lap was the actual race. I can’t remember how I placed but it was my first race, so I was just happy to be there having fun.

DO YOU HAVE A RIDER THAT YOU LOOK UP TO AND WHO SOMETIMES GIVES YOU ADVICE? Thankfully, the motocross community is like a family and I have a few guys that help me out, share advice, and push me in the right direction. JC Seitz and Charlie Johnston are great mentors, and my coach Owen Whelan last summer sure helped me push myself. WE KNOW YOU HAD A ROUGH TIME AT THE WALTON TRANSCAN LAST SUMMER BUT OVERALL HOW WAS YOUR SEASON? I felt this was my coming out season. I really pushed myself out of my comfort zone and had my best results yet. I really felt at Walton I could have had some amazing results, but this is motocross and mistakes happen. SPEAKING OF WALTON, IT WAS SO GOOD TO SEE YOU THERE. EVEN THOUGH YOU HAD SOME BAD LUCK, DID YOU HAVE FUN AND DO YOU THINK YOU’LL BE BACK IN THE FUTURE? Although Walton didn’t end as we had planned, it was the greatest motocross experience of my life. I met so many amazing people who truly dedicate their lives to this sport. It was awesome to be a part of that experience. I truly can’t wait to go back and redeem myself and hang with all my moto crew.

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WHAT GRADE ARE YOU IN AND WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SUBJECT? I am in Grade 6 and my favourite subjects are science and gym. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OUR YOUNG RIDERS WHO ARE COMING UP THROUGH THE RANKS AND WANT TO SUCCEED? I am still a young rider myself, but like in any sport, motocross takes time and dedication. The more time you have on the bike, the more confidence you have. Confidence is key to winning races.

THAT’S GREAT TO HEAR MARS. HOW HAS THE WINTER AND OFF-SEASON BEEN? Winter has been great. I’ve been out shredding on my skis quite a bit and riding at B-line, which is Calgary’s indoor BMX park. It’s been awesome but I’m itching to get back to moto. CAN YOU TALK TO US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR TRIP TO CALIFORNIA? The California trip was so amazing but the drive wasn’t the most pleasant, however it was so worth it in the end. We spent almost three weeks down there and got to pretty much ride all the tracks. The weather was good and riding every day got me super pumped for the 2020 moto season to get underway. On our last day we got to go to A1. Although this wasn’t my first supercross event I’ve ever attended, it was by far the most hyped. I got to see so many moto heroes and legends, so many people stoked for moto was awesome to experience. California is such an amazing place and I can’t wait to get back there!

“AT THE WCAN LAST YEAR I MANAGED TO PULL A SECONDPLACE FINISH. ALTHOUGH I WASN’T RIDING MY GREATEST, I FELT PRETTY LUCKY TO COME AWAY WITH A TOP PLACE FINISH.”

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE TRACK IN CALIFORNIA? To just pick one track would be difficult as they all had some pretty amazing features. I really enjoyed Perris a lot; riding under the lights was really cool, and I got to do some training with Ryan Honstein, which helped my moto skills. Iconic Fox Raceway was a really fun, fast track, which is where I got to ride with some of my Canadian posse. State Fair was also a really fun, jumpy track. Cauillia could have been my favourite track; I really loved the layout and the dirt but was having bike issues and couldn’t really put some laps in, but I did get to goof around on my Dad’s 350. T that was pretty fun, too.

YOU SEEM LIKE A VERY FOCUSED KID. YOU LOVE RACING, DON’T YOU? I love racing my motorcycle more than anything in world. The feeling I get lining up against my competitors is indescribable. Waiting for the gates to drop is the craziest feeling ever, and I honestly can’t wait to do it again soon.

IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH YOU HAVE HAD A VERY BUSY WINTER. AWAY FROM THE TRACK, WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING TO DO OTHER THAN RIDE DIRT BIKES? My favourite thing to do other than riding my dirt bike is to rip my skis with my crew, hit the dirt jumps or B-line BMX Park.

LOOKING BACK AT ALL OF YOUR RACING RESULTS, WHICH ONE ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? At the WCAN this year I managed to pull a second-place finish. Although I wasn’t riding my greatest, I felt pretty lucky to come away with a top place finish.

SECOND OVERALL SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT FINISH. I HEARD THE WCAN WAS A VERY CHALLENGING RACE. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TRACK TO RIDE? My favourite track to ride is my home track, Wild Rose MX Park. It has a couple different tracks with different layouts, so it definitely helps me push myself so I keep getting faster. I’VE ONLY RACED AT THE TRACK ONCE AND I REALLY LIKED IT AS WELL. WHAT IS YOUR FUNNIEST OR SCARIEST ROAD TRIP STORY? When my Dad and I were driving to Walton this year I was supposed to be helping him with navigation. We were pulling a big trailer, and when we got into the sketchy parts of Chicago, I directed a wrong turn that put us in an even sketchier part of Chicago. After stressing out a bit and with some help from Siri, we got back on the right track. Needless to say, Dad wasn’t impressed.

THAT IS VERY GOOD ADVICE, MARS. LOOKING AHEAD, WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN SAY FIVE YEARS? Hopefully, I see myself working my way through the amateur ranks and becoming a professional motocross racer. WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO THANK? This is definitely a big list as we all know motocross isn’t easy.... my Dad for always being there and having my back, Fox Racing Canada, Blackfoot Direct, Direct Suspension, Rynopower Canada, Husqvarna Canada, KTM Canada, LRX performance, M7 Designs, BFRmotocrew, UNLMT Skate&Snow, Canmore Lube and Muffler, Interframe Structures, and Sosa Original. I also want to give a huge thanks to the Seitz family for always looking out for me, treating me like one of theirs and helping me succeed - all the love. ANY NEW SPONSORS OR SUPPORTERS FOR 2020? For the 2020 moto season I’m riding for Blackfoot Direct and the Direct Suspension moto team. Having a dedicated team that is committed to moto will be an awesome asset to the season, and having access to their in-house suspension tech will only allow me to be more competitive on my bike. I can’t thank Dean Thompson and crew enough for taking me on - can’t wait to show them my results this season.

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THE INSIDE LINE

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

WITH ANDY WHITE

PHOTOS BY JAM E S LISSIMOR E

“WHEN IS THE NEXT ROUND? WHERE WILL IT BE HELD? IT’S GOING TO BE A LOGISTICAL NIGHTMARE THAT EVERYONE WILL BE INVOLVED IN AT SOME LEVEL.”

THE BIG PAUSE IT FEELS LIKE THE WHOLE WORLD HAS BEEN TURNED UPSIDEDOWN RIGHT NOW WITH THE INSURGENCE OF COVID-19. JUST WHAT DOES THE WORD COVID-19 MEAN TO THE MOTOSPORT WORLD? WHERE DOES ONE EVEN START TRYING TO ANSWER THAT ONE? AS WE ALL KNOW THIS MONSTER WILL BE AROUND FOR SOME TIME. THE EXPERTS TELL US TO STAY HOME AND PLEASE WASH YOUR HANDS, AND DON’T GATHER WITH TOO MANY PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THE ELDERLY POPULATION

eports tell us that COVID-19 kills less than the flu or other diseases out there. What we need to look at is the following: this is a new killer; it spreads incredibly fast; it is more fatal for the older generation, people with weakened immune systems and the people that may already be ill. I also feel we are extremely lucky to be living in Canada at this crazy time. The experts see what happened in China and now in Italy. The authorities in those countries were caught sleeping, in my view. No one expected this illness to travel that fast and spread with that kind speed. It’s time to react. This is why almost every sporting or entertainment event has been cancelled. They

have even cancelled and closed down schools at all levels. If we can contain this killer, we will be safe. The motosport world of racing has never seen this type of craziness before. Cancelling the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series after ten rounds with seven left to go, there is no way FELD will crown a champion now...or will they? I would not want to be the head dude with these kinds of decisions. Cancelling five rounds of SX must have cost FELD millions of dollars. The local restaurants and hotels are losing millions on this deal. I am sure most riders understand the level of urgency on the matter, but at the end of the day it really does suck. Racing costs a fortune; riders and mechanics now need to change their plans and prepare for the next round.

When is the next round? Where will it be held? It’s going to be a logistical nightmare that everyone will be involved in at some level. The factory riders will be told that, for safety reasons, the staff are not allowed to travel. This will slow things down for some riders. The teams that are doing well will be upset as this gives the teams that have struggled for some time to figure things out. How about the riders that are injured? Adam Cianciarulo now has time to get back up to speed. Same goes for Broc Tickle (I’m not complaining on this one). The economic impact will be hard for all in the sport, and fans will not be spending money to attend races. Riders will not travel in airplanes or stay in hotels, and restaurants will be empty. I read that KTM actually shut their factory down in Austria as they are not receiving the parts from suppliers in countries that are being hit hard. As most of the MX gear in the world gets product from China, I can see items’ delivery dates pushed back weeks if not months. Most helmets are made in that country, too. Italy makes a lot of the high-end MX boots. I’m sure this will affect inventory around the world. The big question will be down the road, will countries like the USA

allow items that were made in China to enter into America? Will the public ban Chinese-made goods? If you have a Facebook account you obviously have seen some real stupid news reports on, for example, Corona beer sales that are down 40%! How on earth can people think they are connected? I guess on the bright side, toilet paper stock is way up this month. I believe most in this industry will be affected at some level. Living in Canada is a bonus during these times, plus I guess it helps that there is still snow on the ground in some parts. We can’t really ride or race at this time of the year. You could watch the movies you have been putting off for a while. I am thinking you could actually work on your bike and get it ready for the season. Maybe you could even start training. I know, who wants to do that? It’s probably the best time to start working on things we keep pushing off. We don’t have any sports to watch on TV or any races to attend. I read a post on social media on Day 2 of the lock down that read, “Man, it’s only the first few days of this COVID-19 and I am already bored out of my mind.” I can totally relate to that quote. Let’s all make sure we do our part during these trying times, hunker down, stay inside and don’t attend events with more than 250 people. Please try not to spread germs, and wash your hands as many times as you can. If you feel like you might have the COVID-19 sickness, please call your Telehealth nurse or head to the hospital to get checked out. Don’t be a hero, just be smart!

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BROC TICKLE

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TUNE. RACE. WIN.

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PUT YOUR DESTINY IN YOUR OWN HANDS.

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