MXP: Hey Newf, the first question is a big one. How was the opening weekend in Chilliwack?
RL: Everything went well. The track was great for a round one and I think everyone really enjoyed it from the 50cc class to the Pros. Things went smoothly and we had a pretty decent crowd for Saturday night. Amateur entries were a little on the low side but then again it was still summer last weekend with it being 30 degrees outside. It was the hottest AX I have ever been to (laughs). We started out with a good Pro class and the racing was tight, but it was a bit of a bummer that a few guys got hurt. Tanner Ward and Julian Benick getting the worst of it, but I would assume that Julian will be back this weekend as he was only banged up. Tanner got the worst of it and will be off the bike for a few weeks but decided to stick around to help me with the schools again.
MXP: Will there be any changes for this coming weekend? Also, are you heading to Calgary next weekend for the Triple Crown AXTour Series?
RL: Nothing too big on the side of changes. We always change the track for the second weekend to make it interesting for the riders. We always try to improve on the side of how things are running but all in all we feel like we have a pretty solid program in place and stick with what we know. No, I don’t think I will be making it out to Calgary. It’s been a busy summer which has spilled over into fall. It’s Bowen’s birthday next weekend plus I’m going to World Vet’s here in a couple of weeks and want to get some more time in on the bike.
MXP: It was announced this week that Jess Pettis is racing Calgary as well as the German SX Series. We’ve both been to Germany for a few of those races and I think you’d agree that they’re pretty tough. What do you think of Jess Pettis and his return to racing?
RL: It’s great to see that Jess is back healthy and ready to race. Personally, I would have liked to see KTM have him out here for our Future West races but it will be great either way to see him line up in Calgary. The German SX races are tough and I learned very quickly when I did the series in 2006 that it’s a different type of race. The tracks are tricky with the most bizarre dirt I have ever ridden on, but with Jess’s talent and bike skills, he will be fine. I think I can speak for everyone, we all just want to see Jess have a good off-season and stay healthy so we can see what he really has to show come the opening round of outdoors in 2023.