Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
Just over a month ago when the NBA and NHL put the brakes on their 2019/2020 seasons, who could’ve predicted where we’d be today. Since that week in mid-March, countries (including Canada) are on lock down, most businesses are closed, and both the Rockstar Energy Triple Crown Series as well as the Monster Energy Supercross Series have been postponed. Everything as we know is currently on pause and no one seems to know when it will all be over. However, with each passing day, more and more updates are available about this dreadful Covid-19 Virus. Doctors and health officials appear to be learning more about this virus by the hour, and as of yesterday there appears to be some light at the end of this dark tunnel. Even though experts figure that a vaccine is still many months away, some Covid-19 patients around the world have been responding very well to a certain treatment, and according to our own news outlets, those treatments have now begun in Canada. But, these are things that you and I cannot control, and really all we can do is sit and wait until we’ve given the green light to return to work, school, or somewhat of a normal existence. While we wait patiently for the world to start turning again, let’s take a look at where we stand today with regards to our race series.
Rockstar Energy Triple Crown Series:
As we know, our top series has had its schedule readjusted to not begin now until June 7 in Calgary. Originally it was supposed to start in two weeks in Sarnia with the opening round of the AXTour, but with no large gatherings allowed for who knows how long, there will be no pro racing in Canada until at least early June. Even this appears to be a best case scenario as late last week the City of Calgary announced that there will be no permits issued for events that are schedule before June 30th. We’re not sure where this leaves the opening round at Wild Rose MX Park and whether an event there falls under the City of Calgary, but as of now the MXTour schedule hasn’t changed and Jetwerx told us that a final decision won’t be made until May 1st. If the series cannot go to Calgary in June then we’re not sure where that leaves the remaining western rounds. Like everything, this is part of the wait and see game in which we’re all becoming way too familiar. Here is their website: www.rockstartriplecrown.com
Monster Energy Supercross Series:
We think everyone breathed a big sigh of relief when it was announced two weeks ago that the series was going to be completed in the Fall. With not too many venues able to hold events in May, and the Lucas Oil Pro MX Nationals set to begin in early June, there were fears that the remaining rounds of SX would be scrapped completely, thus handing the 2020 450SX Championship to Eli Tomac. Thankfully, it was obvious to everyone involved that the series needed to be finished the right way, and while the exact dates and venues haven’t been finalized, we know that the final seven rounds will be in September and possibly early October. www.supercrosslive.com
Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Nationals:
As I mentioned above, this series has also had its schedule revised and now the opening round will be in Florida on June 13th. Gone is the popular Hangtown National, and the round at Fox Raceway in Pala, California has been moved until the end of the series in early September. Again, with everything currently under lock down, beginning the series in early June is very optimistic. Hopefully, though, it all works out and the gate will drop on June 13th just outside Jacksonville. www.promotocross.com
Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National MX Championships:
Yesterday, MX Sports’ Tim Cotter announced a number of scenarios that are now in place for both the qualifying process as well as the final National Championship event schedule for late July in Tennessee. The four plans that Mr. Cotter announced are as follows:
Plan A: The Area Qualifiers as well as the Regional Qualifiers will go ahead as scheduled. The final National Championship event will proceed as normal. However, as Mr. Cotter stated, this plan is already out the window as all events have been cancelled through the month of April.
Plan B: The Qualifiers will begin in early May and go until late June. This will ensure a normal qualifying process, and again, the final race at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch will go ahead as planned. As of right now, this is the plan that is in place. If you go to www.mxsports.com/events you can view the updated schedule.
Plan C: This is when things get a little tricky as this plan is based on the lock down continuing into May. For Plan C, all area qualifiers will be cancelled and they will proceed straight to a ‘Super’ Regional Qualifying System. Under this plan there will be three Regional Qualifying Races in each region in June and they will be separated into Youth, Amateur and Vet events. This plan will have all riders qualified by the end of June and the final race will still proceed as normal.
Plan D: This is plan is based on things really going off of the rails in the next few months and no racing until mid-summer. Given that other main stream sports leagues like the MLB are talking about starting their seasons in early May, as well as major airlines planning on resuming operations at or around the same time, we’re hopeful that racing will be back on the track some time in May. For Plan D, there will be no qualifying and the final race in Tennessee will take place over the span of two weeks. Over that two weeks all of the qualifying and final races will be run and champions will be crowned in all classes. This is obviously thinking way outside of the box, but we don’t know what the immediate future holds for racing at any level in Canada or the USA.
Walton TransCan:
Since this event doesn’t take place until mid-August we think it will be business as usual for the 2020 Walton TransCan. What might be affected is their Regional ANQ’s, but they are of course dependent on when racing is allowed to resume in Canada. If things really go sideways and there are no ANQ’s, then classes that are usually full might be on a first come first serve basis for gate spots at the TransCan. So it might be best to sign up early to ensure your spot, even if you’re not sure what is going to happen. Finally, the ECAN in Deschambault and the WCAN in Kamloops have no changes right now and will take place as scheduled. Let’s hope things improve sooner than later for all of our races and our tracks. When this Covid-19 Pandemic is finally over everyone will have their own story of loss and despair at some level. For our tracks, those that usually open during this time of the year are obviously losing money each and every day that they’re closed. The sooner it’s safe for them to open and have riders come out the better for everyone. Happy Easter everyone and be safe over this holiday weekend. www.waltontranscan.ca
