Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
words by Brent Worrall
photos by Darin Marr
I made the trek through the snow covered mountains of the BC Interior early Friday morning anxiously anticipating the resumption of the highly publicized and well supported Future West Kawasaki Canadian Arenacross Series. I was happy to put the holidays in their place for another year and kick off the 2014 Canadian Motocross season in Cloverdale at the Agriplex with my extended Moto Family. As I approached the Cloverdale Rodeo Grounds and saw the many Steel Horse Haulers strategically lined in an almost celestial formation, I could feel the anticipation in the 8c fog filled air.
As I mounted the wheels that are my feet, my first mission was that of the reconnaissance variety circumnavigating the facility pits to survey the numbers that would prove to be the equation that would be solved on the track over the course of the next two nights. After exchanging a lot of smiles, a few handshakes and headshakes, amidst conversation of consumption of holiday indulgences, I meandered into the Future West Office. Once reacquainting with the protocol and sponsors that have made this great event possible, it was time to get to what was on my mind the most – the race track.
With the Cloverdale track being much smaller than Chilliwack, the racing at rounds five and six was tighter than ever.
How would the series, shifting into a venue that facilitated Barrel Racing and Rodeos, be transformed into an Arenacross track that would provide a level playing field that entertained the anticipated packed barn? Yet for those of you who are unfamiliar with the two venues hosting this year’s series, I have to tell you that the floor footprint of this weekend’s site in Cloverdale is less than half the size of The Red Barn in Chilliwack.
As I made my perch atop my announcing platform at the crest of the roller that led into the main grandstand side sweeper, I was pleasantly surprised to see that we had somewhere in the vicinity of twenty plus Pros behind the gate for Pro practice. The mix of riders from far and wide in short order would begin to throw down as if we had been racing week in and week out. As most of you know, some of our riders have been competing and riding down south as others have had to improvise as to how they would simulate the on-track experience in preparation for this first round of 2014. I must say practice was, as always, entertaining as riders tried everything inside and outside, coupled with the bee bopping to the alternate rhythm sections. I soon realized that a good start was a must but I also realized that we would be treated to some great battles from start to finish, not just up front but throughout the pack.
Casey Keast is one of the very fast young BC riders who has mastered the skill of racing indoors.
As we approached the opening ceremony and rider introductions, the grandstands filled to near capacity. If I had to estimate, I would say the targeted attendance number was excellent for a Friday Night. My position was right beside the starting line. I can tell you, of the ten gates that made up row one, you did not want to be in the four to the left of the doghouse. The left four warranted an immediate right to facilitate the funneling of the start straight. As the riders approached the gate for their qualifiers, I detected a little more individual rider’s focus and intensity, and less interaction amongst competitors. Knowing that in this type of venue and racing, even a fraction of a second could mean the difference between winning or losing. I was not surprised and looking forward to seeing whose focus would pay off.
The Pro Lites Main was music to the ears as Maple Ridge Motorsports’ Tyler Medaglia led gate to wire on his KTM 250 two-stroke and looked good doing it. Spectra Power Sports RMR Suspension’s Brock Hoyer, who had not been on his bike since November or at least his bike with wheels under it, ran a solid second throughout most of the moto but could not hold off a hard charging Cycle North Honda rider by the name of Jeremy Medaglia. The other Cycle North steed, saddled by the series points leader Ross Johnson, would settle for fourth. KTM 250 two-stroke rider Jake Anstett would round out the top 5.
After taking rounds four and five off, Tyler Medaglia was back in Cloverdale on his Maple Ridge Motorsports KTM two-stroke.
The first Pro Open of the weekend’s holeshot went to T-Dags but he made a couple of minuscule errors in the early laps, which would see him seated fourth in short order. Jeremy Medaglia moved into second and G.A. Checkpoint’s Spencer Knowles, who made his return to the race track this weekend after his unfortunate Dash for Cash crash in Chilliwack, would run third. Race leader Johnson, mounted on the 450, would have to be the rider that showed the most improvement from the previous rounds, but Cycle North’s Jeremy Medaglia reeled him in to take the win. Jeremy would probably be the first to tell you that arenacross is not his forte, but as you know he is a competitor and has been doing his homework away from this series; it paid dividends this weekend. Top five in the Pro Open come checkers were Jeremy Medaglia, Ross Johnson, Spencer Knowles, Tyler Medaglia & Brad Nauditt.
The Dash for Cash was an entertaining as always race. The two that went toe to toe in the Finale were Maple Ridge Motorsports rider ‘The People’s Favourite’ and Brad Nauditt. Lockhart got a good jump on his 450 and played some solid defense as Nauditt threw everything he had in his playbook at him. It included a solid bump/slam, take your pick on the right hander after the finish line double. Ryan knew it was coming and kept it upright and focused on the next 180’ that would set up the whoop section, which would provide Nauditt’s final attempt to snatch the Bag of Cash from Lockhart’s grasp. In the end, to the delight of the roar of the grandstand, the man we all know as just simply ‘The Newf’ was once again, in his own words, ‘having fun’ and definitely not losing any traction as ‘The People’s Favourite’. I made this YouTuber video from my GoPro as I had probably the best seat in the house for this battle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJZiiTER2N4
So far in the Kawasaki Canadian Arenacross Series Ross Johnson has been the picture of consistency and this past weekend was no different for the Cycle North Honda rider.
The amateur racing was very entertaining and was contested by a good mix of old and new. Some of the classes were lined with riders who had not yet contested the series, but some who had been at earlier rounds were absent. These events can been challenging for everyone, but from my vantage point and opinion, I thought the majority managed well and had a great weekend. The ambience was enhanced by the live entertainment provided by Todd Richard, the other entertainment that rolled out of Future West’s race weekend entertainment Trailer. I was also pleased to make the acquaintance of some new faces and riders that have crossed over from BMX and off-road racing to get their feet wet in the sport of Motocross. I believe we are going through a growth of the sport in the west. The future is bright under the Future West umbrella.
Without selling Saturday night’s action short, the highlight of the weekend for me was seeing my friend and our Moto Brother, rider Braydon Stuart and his family at the track Saturday afternoon. As you may know, Braydon was involved in a scary crash in an arenacross race on November 30th in Monroe, Washington, which had him sustain head a injury, one that he is still working very hard to overcome. I was honoured to present him and his family a cheque for $5030 from the Moto Show Auction fundraiser. Myself and the rest of all who got to experience his presence were pleasantly surprised to see the progress he continues to make and look forward to Braydon making a full recovery.
Although Ryan Lockhart didn’t have the weekend he was looking for in Cloverdale. He still remains as the “King” in the Dash For Cash races.
Saturday’s on track action was witnessed by an absolutely packed house and they did not go home disappointed as G.A. Checkpoint’s Spencer Knowles led the Pro Lites main and was able to put a little of his pride back in his pocket as he climbed back onto the top step of the podium after battling through the earlier series Dash for Cash mishap. Cycle North’s Jeremy Medaglia would stamp a pass that had me rolling backwards on my platform as it was getting a little closer to me than what I was comfortable with. When the checkers came out it was Knowles, Jeremy, and Ross Johnson followed by Washington State’s Brad Nauditt and Ryan Abrigo.
Moving on to the Pro Open, Jeremy Medaglia got a great jump but was passed shortly by Brock Hoyer and shuffled back to fourth where he would rub graphics with his teammate Ross Johnson as moved into second place. The battle heated up in the two thru five spots as Knowles moved past Johnson into 3rd, and Ryan Abrigo was on the charge in that tightly bunched crowd as well. They were within a couch width apart as they approached the deteriorating whoop section. Halfway through it Spencer lost his front end and went down hard. Johnson narrowly escaped but the spill collected Abrigo in its unavoidable wake. Tyler Medaglia also went down hard as he unavoidably approached the downed casualties at speed on a narrow race track. Both Spencer and Tyler would retire to the pits and have to wait until the next rounds to put up better results. As for the epic battle shaping up on the business end of the moto, Jeremy Medaglia would make a last lap pass stick on a much improved Brock Hoyer to take the Pro Open win. Brock Hoyer ended up second and Ross Johnson would maintain the last podium step. Washington State riders Greg Crater and Jake Anstett would finish fourth and fifth.
The lead for who will wear the crown of the 2013/2014 Future West Canadian Kawasaki Arenacross Championship is tightening up at the top and setting up some racing that you’re not going to want to miss on Janaury 31st & February 1st in Chilliwack.
See you there!
Brent ‘Airmail’ Worrall
The pit bike racers enjoyed the tighter confines of the Cloverdale Arena.
