Well, the moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived. Beginning today, riders and their families will make their way to the gates of the iconic Walton Raceway for the 2024 Walton TransCan. Monday and Tuesday are always special at this event as it allows everyone to get settled and reunite with their motocross family members. It also allows the riders to see the Walton Raceway track for the first time; to me, that is when things begin to feel real. It’s not only hard to believe that we’re already into August, but it isn’t easy to fathom that we’re once again preparing for the week of racing at Walton Raceway. Time flies when you’re having fun, and once again this past summer has been full of fun and adventure for us.
After travelling to the ECAN two weeks ago and then watching some of the racing from Loretta Lynn’s Amateur Championship this past week, I am sure excited about the racing this week at the Walton TransCan. We will see battles in every class featuring riders from all parts of Canada. It will be great to watch, and it begins with the first motor of the week on Wednesday afternoon. Speaking of Loretta Lynn’s. Our Canadian riders rode really well last week at the Ranch as they fought through the blazing heat of Tennessee. In particular, in the 250 C JR 12-17 Limited Class, young Tegan Kortenbach finished second overall with a solid 12-1-8 moto score. Also, in the 450 C class, Ontario JR rider Jamieson MacDonald took home the title with a 1-10-2 moto score. Both riders were a little inconsistent during their motos, but showed great speed and got the job done. Congratulations to every Canadian rider who made the trek down south; I’m sure it was an unforgettable experience. For a complete list of results, visit: Monster Energy AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship – Motocross Results by Trackside Results (resultsmx.com)
Now, back to the 2024 Walton TransCan. I spent part of today at Walton Raceway setting things up and checking out the track. The layout is pretty much the same as last year, which is good because everyone loved the track in 2023. There are a few subtle changes for this year, but if the weather remains nice, the track will again be good for racing. Here are a few photos from today, as well as the history story I wrote for the 2024 Walton TransCan program. Obviously, if you’re at Walton Raceway this week, you will get to read it, but here it is for those who can’t make it this year. Good luck to everyone this week, and please remain glued to our Social Media channels for updates all week long. Instagram: @mxpmag X: @mxpmagazine Facebook: @mxpmag
Thirty Years On
Three decades ago, the year was 1994, and the Walton TransCan was still in its infancy. On the radio, the heavy rock and glam bands of the 1980s had given way to names like Lisa Loab, Mariah Carey, and Coolio. The top movie in the theatres was the Lion King, and there was a lot of optimism in the air as the economy was slowly rebounding from a recession. This was great news for the Canadian motorcycle industry as sales were picking up and people were learning to navigate their way through the decade that would introduce life changing things like the internet and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. At the time, the Canadian Pro National Series was also in a transition stage as the CMA was quickly being replaced by the CMRC. In 1994, the CMRC staged their first ever pro series that consisted of rounds in only Ontario and Quebec. The final round of this new series would be held at Walton Raceway, a track with a lot of history as it used to host races in the 1970s. However, thanks to Chris Lee and his family, the Walton Raceway track had been reborn with a brand new event called the Walton TransCan which made its debut in 1992. So in 1994, the Canadian National Pro Series descended on the tiny hamlet of Walton, Ontario to conclude the first ever non CMA series in Canada. History was made that week, and it’s hard to fathom that it was thirty years ago.
Mother Nature was not kind to both the Pro National nor as the Walton TransCan in 1994, as rain played a big part in the week’s festivities. I recall the track being a mess for multiple races, and at the time, we had not seen mud like that for some time. But, the racing went on, and when I left Walton Raceway at the end of week, it was crystal clear that something really special had begun in Canadian Motocross.
Since that week in 1994, Walton Raceway has provided a plethora of memorable moments for both me, as well as my family. In 1996, the Pro National at Walton Raceway provided the stage for the first-ever televised National in Canada. It was a mixed emotion kind of day for me as I pulled both 250 moto holeshots, even leading for some time, but sadly I was unable to win either race in front of my friends and family. The following year, I battled Blair Morgan, Marco Dube, and USA Team Green sensation Nick Wey (the Drew Adams of 1997) for a podium finish, my best result ever at the Walton National. Racing a pro national at Walton Raceway is unlike any other track in Canada. With its deep ruts and chest hurting roost, to find success you have to be smooth, precise, and brave all at the same time. However, the feeling at the end of the day when you find success (especially for an Ontario Native), is amazing. Even today, I love walking around the Walton paddock on Sunday and seeing so many old motocross friends, and familiar faces. It’s like a race, as well as a reunion all wrapped into one!
From 2001-2010 the Walton TransCan week became more of spectator event for my family and I. At the time, I wasn’t racing, but each year we would head over to watch the racing, and of course, see old friends. In 2011 and again in 2012, I was the Editor of the Walton TransCan event program, so this is when I really got to witness the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. To go from the idea and planning phase in the Spring, to putting the event together in the summer, and then seeing the first family arrive at the track and receiving their event program in August, is pretty remarkable. So much work and effort for just one week in August, and then as soon as it’s over, planning begins for the next year. Of course, the one person who isn’t in the planning process is Mother Nature, and we all know how she can affect the races. Remember the storm of 2011 when a tornado touched down just up the road from Walton Raceway. That was a scary moment, but also a memorable one that ended up being another chapter in the book of Walton.
As much fun as the Walton TransCan had been for me in the first 19 years, the event took on a new meaning for me in 2013 when I not only raced the event for the first time as Vet rider, but I also got to experience it as a Moto Dad. That was the first year that my son Ayrton raced the Walton TransCan on his PW50 in the 50cc 4-6 class. That was an unforgettable week as not only did we have fun on the track, but off of the track we made so many lasting memories too. That was the first year they introduced the Strider races to the Social event calendar, and Ayrton dominated his class. There was the track building competition, the dinners at night, Bingo, Walton has Talent and the bench racing throughout the day. If you ever want entertainment, just listen to a five year old describe a lap around the Walton Raceway track. Also, it was the first time that my parents were able to experience a motocross race in their new relaxed role of Moto-Grandparents. No stress, no money invested, just sit at the fence and enjoy watching their grand-son compete at something he loves. My Dad told me after the 2013 Walton TransCan that being there brought him back to when he used to take me to watch local Ontario races when I was really young. Ironically, one of the tracks we visited was Walton Raceway in the late 1970s.
That year was certainly a life changing one for me as I witnessed the same passion and love for the sport in my sons eyes, that I had, growing up. The old saying that the apple never falls far from the tree kept playing over and over again in my head. It also made me fully comprehend the stresses that my Dad must have felt as far as making sure everything is ready to race. This includes the packing of the truck and trailer at home, making sure the bike is running properly, and of course keeping an eye on the race schedule to make sure your child doesn’t miss their race. But, at the end of day, the memories you’re making are invaluable. Throughout the next few years it was much of the same for us at the Walton TransCan. I would race the Vet40 class when my son would move from 50cc to 65cc and then onto the 85cc class. Each year we would create new memories, and although my Mom stopped attending, my Dad would try and be there. If he missed it then he’d want a detailed debrief the next time we saw him. Like it is for almost everyone in the paddock, the Walton TransCan turned into a family affair for us, and each year we wouldn’t miss it for anything.
This year we head back to the Walton TransCan looking for more success on the track and hoping to build some more incredible family memories off of the track. My son is now 16 years old and racing in the Junior classes. Although he doesn’t look anything like the little kid who won a 50cc participation award in 2013, that love and passion for motocross is still alive and well inside him. For me, I’ve graduated to the 50 Plus class and will be going for my 8th Walton TransCan title. My wife, Bernadette, who was also with me at the 1994 Walton TransCan, will also be there this year cheering her boys on and running the Pomeroy family kitchen. Unfortunately, one member of our team will be missing this year as my Dad sadly passed away in December. Due to his poor health he has missed the Walton TransCan the past few years. However, in the days following the event we would either call or visit him to give him a rundown of everything that went on. Obviously, that won’t be possible this year, but I have to think that he will be watching over us from perhaps, the best seat in the house.
Although a lot has changed over the past thirty years, it’s remarkable how many things have remained the same when it comes to the Walton TransCan. This is still an event that brings families together from right across Canada and the USA. An event where memories are made and champions are crowned. As someone who has been there almost since the beginning, and as someone who has worn many hats over the past thirty years, my advice is simple; do your absolute best to try and enjoy it! Yes, you’re most likely going to have some highs and lows. However, at the end of the day, you and you’re family are building memories that will last a lifetime. Trust me, in thirty years you’ll look back and wonder where all the time has gone.
