Good day, and welcome to the first Monday of August. In certain Provinces, today is a Civic Holiday, so if you’re off work, then I hope you’re enjoying the day. This was a quiet weekend at the Pomeroy house as we spent most of it riding and getting everything ready for this upcoming week at Walton Raceway. We also had the Ferguson Family staying with us, which added to the entertainment factor. As you might have heard, the youngest Ferguson daughter Tea, had a nasty crash at Deschambault last Friday. She had surgery on her pelvis and spent all week in a Quebec City hospital. However, I’m happy to report that Tea is doing much better and as we speak, she and her Mom are on their way to Walton Raceway to meet up with the rest of the Ferguson girls. It’s been a trying week for the family, and I’m sure they’re looking forward to reuniting later today.
Well, the week we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived! In most motocross households, there are three “Eve’s” that we acknowledge. Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and on this day, it’s time to celebrate Walton Eve. As I write this, families from all over Canada and even the USA are beginning to arrive at Walton Raceway for the 31st Annual Walton TransCan. Oh, what a glorious week it will be, as this edition of the TransCan will feel and look a little different. First of all, when you drive at the gate and look to the left, you will notice a spa-like looking pond that was built last fall as a place to swim and cool off after those hot Walton days. Drive a little further and you will notice that the podium stage is now located on this side of the twin tunnels. This was moved because, as Brett and Melody announced via Social Media on Saturday evening, for the first time in many years, the TransCan track is running backward, or counter-clockwise if you refer to direction like that. Yes, this is the year for trying something different with the track, and in my opinion, it’s long overdue. Other than a few adjustments and adding truckloads of sand last year, the TransCan track has been virtually the same for over a decade. Years ago, the track used to run in a counter-clockwise direction, so it’s not like it’s never been done before. So, while certain sections may feel completely strange to most, I feel some key turns will have a better flow as left-handers this year. Who knows, perhaps by the end of this week, I’ll be one of the riders’s pleading that they go back to the ‘normal’ way in 2024, but for this year, I like the change in direction and hats off to the Walton Raceway crew for having the courage to change things up!
For this year’s Walton TransCan program, I composed a story where I asked certain people some questions about their TransCan experiences. Some of the responses ranged from touching to humorous as people gave their answers. One of the questions was to name your favourite Walton TransCan memory from over the years. As I read all the answers, I started thinking about my favorite memories. I have a long history with Walton Raceway that goes back to the late 1970s when my dad took me to a CMA race there. On that day, I remember watching incredible battles in the 100cc class, which back in those days was the most entertaining race to watch. It would be comparable to the Supermini Class of today as the bikes were fast, and the riders knew how to ride them extremely well. From there, my TransCan memories move to racing the Pro Nationals from 1994-2000, and then twice more in 2008 and 2009. Fast forward to 2013, and as a fresh 40-year-old, I raced the 40+ class, and for the first time, my son competed in the 50cc 4-6 class on his PW50. Since then, I raced the TransCan five times while my son has lined up every year. Sadly, he won’t be on the starting gate this week as he’s still recovering from the injuries he suffered at the WCAN in early June. Looking back though, my favourite memory is still from our first TransCan together in 2013. Everything from being at Walton Raceway all week to watching my son ride the deep Walton ruts on this PW50 was special. Mom was obviously there, and my parents even drove over to watch. It was just a special family event and as I sit here ten years later, I’m so happy we have those memories and so many others from the Walton TransCan. So here’s to the 2023 Walton TransCan and the new memories my family and your family are about to make.
In other news, Kourtney Lloyd and her MXON group announced late last week that Team Canada for 2023 will consist of Dylan Wright, Jess Pettis, and Ryder McNabb. This is by far one of the best teams we’ve sent to this event, so I like our chances of doing well. After watching videos of the Ernee circuit, I don’t think I’m a fan of the track. However, we’re sending the best three riders we currently have in Canada, so if anyone is going to go over to France and finish well, it’s this group. Also, even though this prestigious event is two months away, there is still a lot of fundraising to do. If you see the Team Canada merchandise tent this week at Walton Raceway, make a purchase, big or small, it will contribute in the massive task of getting Team Canada across the Atlantic Ocean in October.
Well, I have to pack for Walton, so I will cut this week’s column a little short. I hope everyone has a great week, and if you’re competing at the Walton TransCan, good luck, and please ride safe. We shall see everyone tomorrow morning at Walton Raceway. Thank you for reading and Thank-you to Yamaha Motor Canada for their continued support of the Monday Gate Drop. Please follow us this week on Social Media (@mxpmag), as we will be bringing you updates all week long. Kyle Thompson and I will be teaming up to bring you a daily wrap-up via Social Media beginning tomorrow live from the track. Finally, congratulations to all of our young Canadian riders who braved the adverse weather this past week at the Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National in Tennessee. It was great to see some proud Canadian faces on the podium last week and many other solid results. Thank you for reading, and have a great week!
2023 Walton TransCan Race Schedule: