Monday Maniac #9

Always remember, your focus determines your reality – George Lucas. I figure I will keep the Monday morning motivational quotes going. Plus, I figure where I’m sitting writing this week’s Monday Maniac, this particular quote rings true more than normal. I’m in the heart of Motocross, the meca of everything that is this sport in North America or maybe the world for that matter: California. I am down here staying with Zach Deiana and his sister Payten as Zach preps for the 2013 race season. Also down here are many other Canucks like Colton Facciotti, Keylan Meston, Matthew Davenport, Shawn Maffenbeier, Danny Mathe, Dylan Langlois, Kaven Benoit, Shawn Robinson and more. They are all down here focused on training in preparation for the upcoming season. It’s pretty sick to see so many racers down here working their butts off but the reality is there can only be two champions by the end of 2013.

California is a pretty sick spot for sure at this time of year having so many tracks, and all within an hour or so of each other for these guys. Plus, for a guy like me looking for some stories or ideas for the mag, it’s basically endless. Today I am going to the Rockwell Gym with Zach to see how John Louch and his crew train some of the top athletes. In fact every Monster Athlete gets a free pass to Rockwell Gym if they choose that spot to train. It’s part of being under the Monster umbrella. Then I’m off to Rockstar Energy Suzuki race shop to visit my old buddy Dave Gowland for a look at what he does on a daily basis. The shop may be a little quiet since Davey just had his worst night of the year, but still is up by 12 points over Villopoto and will hold onto that red plate. Still I am so pumped for the visit and can’t thank Dave enough for the invite. Then Tuesday we’re off to Perris Raceway where Zach hits the track and trains with a new riding coach. I won’t release his name because the guy has asked to keep it on the down low, but I’m pumped to meet the guy, for sure. Dude knows his stuff. On Tuesday, I’m actually hoping to cut a few laps on a KTM 350 that Todd Shumlick of Perform X has offered me. He is down here with all the names mentioned above and about 20 others. He is running his winter camps this week and next. Wednesday should be really fun as I believe I have a Geico Honda race bike to test for the day. I will know more about that tomorrow. The KTM boys are also headed down for their photo shoot this week. They will have a big surprise for me when I see them. I think I know but when I see it, it will become reality. So enough of me babbling on but I am super busy and loving every minute of it. It should be a fulfilling week for me and MXP.

The Supercross tour hit St. Louis this weekend and it may have been the most exciting race of the year. Dramas filled right from the get go and from my point of view a questionable win. If you get a chance to watch it once again, be sure to focus on the pass Ryan Villopoto made for the win. Two Red Cross flags were waving and two yellows. AMA rules state that passing is not allowed under Red Cross, but okay under yellow. The pass is made while a Red Cross is right there. I’m not sure how the AMA can let that one slide. Villopoto was the fastest guy for sure but he disobeyed the rule before the red flag and got docked, then did it again and got away with it. Poto could have waited and made the pass a lap later or even a couple corners later. Adrenaline is hard to control and maybe Ryan didn’t see the Red Cross but the AMA saw it all and I think they made the wrong call. But that’s just my opinion.

What about Cole Thompson this week. He gets carted off in practice after a big get off, but bounced back to get in the show. Then he charges from 14^th to 8^th in the main event. The kid is one tough cookie. The amount of respect the kid is gaining throughout the industry has to earn him a ride for 2014. He will keep up this hard work and get great results. It has to get noticed. The kid is legit and just needs the right support.

Poor Jon Jon Pauk and Nicky Beatty both failed to make the night show this week. It’s the first miss for Pauk, but the night show still eludes Nicky. This coming weekend is Daytona where both riders may feel a little more comfortable.

How about that track this weekend? The 450 main had 6 guys within 2 seconds for more than 10 laps. That’s the kind of racing the fans wanna see. The dirt was a little looser, which made all the riders charge hard into turns and on the gas out of them. Let’s hope more tracks are like that so we see the best racing all the time.

I got a very interesting phone call from one of my best friends this week and he shared his thoughts on Canadian moto. He’s scared about the industry and the future of our sport in Canada. He was asking me, “What is at the end of the tunnel for amateurs these days.”  He made a lot of sense, which surprised me even more. He was really bothered by the fact that our teams spend Canadian dollars on American riders. It’s true. Like why spend the money of Bobby Kiniry, Tyler Villopoto, maybe Brett Metcalfe, maybe Austin Pollitelli, now Brad Nauditt and maybe more. I like and respect all these guys as racers and friends. He stated that, “How can young Canadian kids aspire to become a Pro when they have little to no chance if they can’t win right away.” As I said, it makes perfect sense what he said, but on the other hand JSR, Dusty Klatt, Colton Facciotti, and Tyler Medaglia have raised the bar so high for Canadians that the Canadians like Dylan Kaelin, Jay Burke, Brock Hoyer, Allison Brothers, etc. are left in the cold cause they don’t win immediately, which leaves these teams looking to the States to beat our top riders. Is it wrong that our Canadian teams spend our Canadian money on American riders? I mean it’s been happening for many years now. Hell, Blackfoot hired American riders to beat their top guys Blair Morgan and JSR back in the day. It’s crazy to think about it but I’m not sure what side to be on. The one thing that I do know is that evolution can’t be stopped. Riders will get faster racing faster riders. Whether a Canadian or an American racer, the bar will be raised no matter what. Share your thoughts with me on this. E-mail me gauldy@mxpmag.com your opinion, for or against.

To end this I have to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to the Deiana family. From Shaky Jake, Jody and Dan back home to Payten and Zach down here. The way they have invited me into their home for a week is something that will be tough to repay. Thanks guys

That’s all for this week kids!!!