The final day of 2012 is upon us. I suppose it’s only fitting that I get the last word in before we start fresh in 2013. I have been told many times in my life that I can never shut up; I can never just let it be. Sometimes that’s worked out but other times it’s left me in some serious hot water. Never the less, here is the final Monday Maniac of 2012 coming at you.
The 2012 year was a pretty solid one from my vantage point. MXP had a good year publishing a great magazine. Our website, www.mxpmag.com, took leaps and bounds forward to becoming a way better website for our fans. Both took many hours, lots of arguments, many mistakes, and countless moments where I was like “screw this, I’m out of here”, but we made it work. We got through each day as a small business and delivered a very respectable product to the industry. I would have to put the racing side of things in the same category. There may have been tons of BS behind the scenes but every time the gate dropped the racing was solid. No matter what could happen off the track the passion we all have for this sport came through each and every time the gate dropped at a CMRC National, CMRC provincial or MMRS, CMX, TVR, Steel City, OCMC, BCMA, ADRA, AMXQ, and the Atlantic region. Racing is racing and that’s why we choose it as our job or hobby. We love it. It’s a simple fact. It doesn’t matter what class, what club, or what spot on the map you do it, just as long as you do it with the intentions the sport was made for: FUN.
1. This time of year is all about reflecting on what happened. Here are a few moments that stick out in my mind from 2012:The true ending of a legacy. Blackfoot Racing called it a career after 12 years as the best team that has ever graced a motocross track in Canada. They actually ended it in 2011 before the 2012 year started but the fact that they were missing in the pits was a big moment for me. I had been racing or working during their entire 10 year domination. At times I hated them, at times I wanted to be a part of them, and at times I just sat back and watched the professionalism and class they brought to our stage. It was sad to not see the truck in the pits this year. It was like they died but will never be forgotten. On this last day of 2012 I raise a glass one more time to Blackfoot Racing for showing all of us in Canada that dreams can come true outside of Hockey.
I don’t think I was the only one, but I may be the only one that shares this thought. I missed this truck in 2012.
2. Royal Distributing KTM Red Bull Fox tried to pick up where Blackfoot left off by hiring the most dominating pair of riders since 2006: Dusty Klatt and Colton Facciotti. Both these titans were hired to bring KTM their very first MX1 title in Canada. They failed. Some things were out of their hands but all the hype and money did not win a title in 2012. It was a frustrating year for the MX1 riders under the KTM tent. Facciotti got injured right away and Klatt took a while to get comfortable with the new machine. They never gave up though and Klatt resurged at Ste-Julie to take the win and show that KTM will not go away without a fight. The marketing and passion the company shows for motocross is something that so many of us can learn from. It’s impressive to see what they have done considering their company is way smaller than their competition. Will 2013 be their year in Canada? They will be hard to bet against.
3. The injury bug in 2012 was off the charts; Kyle McGlynn, Kyle Keast, Colton Facciotti, Kyle Beaton, Shawn Robinson, Tyler Medaglia to name a few. Why was this year so tough on some of the best riders in the world? Are these guys going past the edge? Are the tracks the issue? Was it a bike problem that made it go bad for them? So many questions as to why these hard working, amazing athletes were carted off the track from the sport they have devoted their lives to. For Kyle Beaton it may mean the end of his career due to the severity of his injury. I can only imagine what he has been through for the past months in rehabilitation, surgeries, pain and emotion. It’s a fight for him to be able to just walk properly let alone throw a leg over a bike again. Motocross is tough; we have all said it many times. This is the part of the sport that is scary and we all wish it didn’t happen, but it does.
4. The hardest part of any job you love is walking away from it to pursue other dreams. Brett Lee was the face of CMRC for over a decade. He was the guy that was able to put out a fire if it was started, tell a great tale of his many years spent in the dust and dirt, and always made you feel welcome no matter the circumstance. In 2012 he decided that his tenure was up and he walked away from his position at the CMRC. It will be sad to not have “knub” at the nationals this coming summer. I also applaud his willingness to take a risk, switch careers and focus on his family. It takes a big man to quit a job and an even bigger one to take a risk like he is. The first year as part owner of the Trans Can marked one of the best ever. I can only imagine better is to come from “Spesh.”
5. Monster Energy Leading Edge Kawasaki replaced Blackfoot in 2012. Matt Goerke only lost two motos on his way to the MX1 title. Teddy Maier hit the podium at 4 of 9 rounds and claimed 1st at the five others. The domination this team showed matches what Blackfoot did for many years. At times you were overseeing the green team up front, but then again it was astonishing to see how dominating they were. Now we know 100% that MX1 Champion Goerke will not be back to defend his title. Teddy Maier has now moved up to MX1 and Tyler Villopoto will drop down to MX2. There are still two spots on the team to fill and the Cole Thompson rumour is still on the table for him riding MX2 for the team. Once the gate drops on the 2013 season, will this team be able to repeat the dream season it had in 2012? I’m one of thousands excited to see how it turns out.
There will be a few changes to this team but the goal remains the same. Can the dream be reached two seasons in a row?
So these are just a few moments that really stuck out in my mind as we head into the New Year. Already there are some really cool changes to the national scene that have me excited about the new season ahead. The two-stroke rule will be very cool to see how that plays out. Will any notable racers line up in the MX2 class on a two banger? It will be very interesting to see and smell!!!
A clip from the movie “New Year’s Eve”. Fast forward 40 seconds. I just like this speech.
So to end this off I want to wish each and every person a Happy New Year. May this night be full of happy times spent with good friends wherever you may be celebrating it. It’s a night where hopeless can become romantic, where a resolution can become a revelation. It’s the one night of the year where you can right the wrongs or make the changes where you see fit in your life. It’s a fresh start. However you attack it is up to you. Just remember, you’re in control!!!
Happy New year!!!