Denaye Giroux Blog: Up and Away

To start this off I just want to say a big congrats to all of the girls who raced the first round of the Women’s Eastern series at Gopher Dunes this past weekend. It sounded like the weather was hotter and more humid than ever over there and looked to be a great turn out. Anyone who has had a chance to race at that facility knows how rough and grueling that track can get, so to say you finished a national moto there is something to be very proud of. We weren’t sure how many girls were going to line up for the east rounds with a couple of the top contenders out. I can recognize a few of the names from past years racing out east with those girls, but most of them are new, up and coming ladies which is great to see! Close to full gates at both east and west rounds is only a good sign. Maybe one day we will see the series having qualifiers. How cool would that be?!

 Before my journey out to the western women’s series I had got some big news, and now that it is a for sure thing I can share with all of you that I got an invite to ride in a Snowbird! Denis Bandett, who is a former motocross racer, got a hold of Rick Bradshaw at the shop and asked if I would be interested. This is what he had to say. “On the July 19 weekend in Lethbridge, Alberta we’re attending the annual Air-Show there. On Friday the 18th we are having a Media Flight Day. The flight will consist of a practice flight with the Snowbirds. The angle we’re going with is that motorsport enthusiasts are the perfect match for the Canadian Armed Forces. Motorsports and the Military are very similar. Manipulating machines to achieve a desired result, either by riding or working on them is something that we do daily. For me the connection is very real. I feel that my past helped me get to where I am today. The Snowbirds are looking at taking a current racer from each fuel burning racing category. I’m looking to take a Saskatchewan person up with me who is an achieved Motocrosser. That person is Denaye Giroux. She’s a respected racer and a past Champion who represents the young audience we want in the Forces. It’s not to recruit her specifically (unless she wants to) but to introduce young people like herself to the possibilities the Canadian Forces can offer.”

 After reading what he was offering me, I was absolutely blown away, completely flattered and excited to get this once in a lifetime experience. On Thursday morning Brendon and I will be heading up to Lethbridge where I have to go through a few physical exams, seat checks and suit fitments before I am given the clearance to go. By the way I have never wanted to gain weight in my life before, but because the seat weight minimum is 130lbs I am making sure I don’t slip under that and miss my chance at this experience. One of the last emails I received had said “please note that these are challenging flights and passengers will experience some sustained G-Forces and have a genuine experience of what is required to fly like a Snowbird- it is not a roller coaster…” If that doesn’t get your heart pumping I don’t know what will.

 I got a chance to meet Denis today (Tuesday). He stopped into the shop before heading to Roblin, MB where the Snowbirds will be doing a show, Wednesday, July 17th in which I will be going to get a sneak peek of what I will get to experience on Friday. This is something I will never forget and I can’t wait to fill you all in on how it goes. If you are around the Lethbridge area on Friday, July 19th or Saturday the 20th make sure you stop by to watch the Show!

Denaye