MXP: Hey Newf! Let’s begin with the WSX in Vancouver next weekend. A few top riders like Ken Roczen and Eli Tomac will be racing. Cole Thompson and Dean Wilson will also be aboard a Fire Power Honda. Noah Viney will be there racing in his first-ever WSX event, so there will be some Canadians to cheer for. How do you think this race will be, and from what you’ve heard, how are ticket sales going?
RL: I’m really looking forward to it. It’s not every day that you have the chance to go watch a SX so close to home with some really good riders. The problem is that Vancouver is not a strong motorsports-driven city, and that will show when it comes to people in the seats. The venue is huge, and even if they can put 15,000 – 20,000 in the seats, it will still look pretty empty. Those numbers, I think, will be the best case. Either way, I know the local motocross community is looking forward to it, and we will all be there to support it.
MXP: Future West MX will be hosting their final event this weekend. Overall, how has the 2024 Series been, and what are you expecting this weekend?
RL: It’s been a great series overall. We have had good luck throughout eight rounds with great weather and some really good track. There is no question that this weekend is getting to be a little late into the season as far as the weather goes, so my fingers are crossed that it turns out to be ok. We were supposed to be done two weeks ago, but since we had to cancel Kamloops in August, this is the makeup round. The plan is to get our motos in on Saturday and then do our year-end banquet on Saturday night, which will consist of some really cool trophies and prizes. We have food coming, and most importantly, we just want to give the families who have followed and supported the series a time to celebrate.
MXP: Looking ahead to the 2025 Triple Crown Series. We’re going to give you four names, and we were hoping you could tell us which rider (and why) you think can make a big jump next year and be a consistent podium finisher and perhaps even a moto winner in the 250 Pro/Am class. Sebastien Racine, Wyatt Kerr, Quinn Amyotte, or Dylan Rempel?
RL: You could argue that it’s time for all of them to make that leap. None of the four guys are rookies, and from my understanding, all four have solid programs leading into 2025. If I had to pick just one, I would have to go with Racine, and I say that because we have seen in the past that he has had the potential to do it. He’s had podiums and probably should have won Moto Two at SDL three years ago. Consistency has been his issue, and I can’t pinpoint what is holding him back. If he is going to make a go at a championship in 2025, he needs to be on that podium a lot more than what we have seen in the past two seasons.
