St-Thecle was new ground for everyone on the National tour and many were exited to show their skills on virgin territory. Unfortunately Mother Nature decided to play games and teased us with nimbus clouds that eventually turned St-Thecle into the mud race of the season.

The fierce muddy conditions forced officials to reduce the event to one moto per class. It was a fight for survival. Tearoffs where almost useless as riders tried to keep it on two wheels for what seemed to be the longest mud moto ever.

(Shadow Valley Raceway, Morden Manitoba, June 28th)

Morden Manitoba always has a surprise up its sleeve. This year was no exception. Week’s worth of heavy rain was not helping the already soaked dirt. 2 years ago Morden was know as the worst mud race in Canadian history and this weekend was becoming a mirror image.

 

Saturday’s racing and practice was cancelled as winds picked up and played havoc with tents. Once Sunday rolled around the weather started to become absolutely beautiful. As the riders checked out the track, more and more where pleased with the conditions. It was looking like we would pull off a great day of racing. And we did.

MX2 – Leading Edge Kawasaki Teddy Maier pulled out with a great start in Moto 1 and held his lead comfortably till the checkered flag. Maier 1st, Evennou 4th, Hoyer 6th. Best finish this season for the Leading Edge Team. Moto 2 Teddy started in the same scenario but unfortunately his bike couldn’t hold out for the duration.

 (Castrol Raceway, Edmonton Alberta, June 21st)
 
As riders arrived on Friday and gazed at the pristine Castrol Raceway track, many were in awe of the dirt quality and high speeds this track will offer. After racing the track myself on Saturday, I knew that this would be the race to watch out of all the rounds so far.

 

The Pro practice on Saturday really showed the speeds that were possible. Surprisingly, as the day progressed, the Monster Energy Kawasaki Cernic’s Team was nowhere to be found. Finally the familiar faces of Paul and Jack Carpenter and Bobby Kiniry began to appear on track although too late for practice.

 

The team was not discouraged; only more excited to get the job done.
 
MX2 – Once again Canidae Motorsports/Monster Energy rider Dean Wilson dominated with a 1st overall. This was Wilson’s last stop on the Canadian Nationals tour and he will open the door for others to chase for the championship. Wilson is looking forward to the racing ahead of him in the United States.

 

Following closely and charging hard was Teddy Maier aboard the Leading Edge Kawasaki. Teddy is now sitting pretty in 2nd is looking forward to dominating the rest of the rounds as the series moves east.
 
MX1 – Finally some changes have been made to the podium! 

Up until now Colton Facciotti has won every moto since this stop last year but his winning streak came to an end with fast performances by his teammate Dusty Klatt and Monster Energy Cernic’s team rider Paul Carpenter.

 

 

The 2009 Monster Energy Motocross Nationals had one of the most anticipated starts in recent Canadian motocross history. Athletes from Hungary, South Africa, United States and the host country collected at the dusty and sun flushed Whispering Pines motocross track. The field was uncharacteristically stacked at the first stop of the tour and made the final podium hard to predict. It was also hard to predict how many speaker dancers there would be for DJs Mat the Alien and Vinyl Ritchie at the Monster Energy “Send It” Party.

Green lasers and lights illuminated the Thirsty Dog Night Club to keep the MX energy going through into the night. A collection of club regulars, motocross industry types and a loyal DJ fan base convoluted on the dance floor in an electronic flurry and very dense speaker dancing session. The energy, or…. errr…other enhancements, produced the sort of shirtless show that are usually reserved for much later in the night, if at all. Vinyl Ritchie began the party with a tribute to CCR since John Fogerty was also in town for a gig. That set the show off on the right foot. The party progressed as good parties do although time stood still for a moment while Mat the Alien unleashed some scratching skills. Guys went from ‘gawking at girls’ to ‘gawking at Mat’. And then it turned into a lazer light show until the….well…lights went out for those that indulged a little too heavily.

That was just a warm up kids. See you in Calgary on Saturday, June 13, 2009. SEND IT PARTY – ROUND 2 is at SNATCH Night Club, not too far from the track. Mat the Alien and Vinyl Ritchie are back. And so is one massive light and sound show.

Facebook Event page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=90674219474

Words by Paul Rak.
(Paul placed 2nd in the Old Timers...err... Masters Division. Congrats Paul!)

The season has begun. So much anticipation was felt in the pits as all the teams where prepping their athletes and bike. Small bets were being past around, as to who will win the first moto or will get the whole shot.

 

Finally at noon the gates dropped and the 2009 season is under way.

MX2 – Canidae Motorsports/Monster Energy rider Dean Wilson did a great job showing everyone that where he left off in Walton last season was just the beginning. Wilson went 1 and 1 in his motos.

 

Following closely was Iowa’s Teddy Meier. Riding again for Leading Edge Kawasaki Teddy finished 3 and 2 with a third overall. Great start for both of these Monster Energy riders.

MX1 – These very anticipated 2 motos were as exciting to the fans as they were for the racers and teams. Colton Facciotti was the winner of both motos and took the overall.

 

Paul Carpenter on the Monster Energy Cernic’s Kawasaki team finished a comfortable 3 and 5 with a 3rd overall.

 

Paul is very happy to be in Canada again defending his Championship from 2007. "Today didn't quite go as planned," commented Paul Carpenter after the race.  "I didn't ride the race that I thought I could but we still came out with a 3rd overall for the day.  I know our team will be ready to go next week and I'm looking forward to battling with these guys again."

This weekend was a perfect start to the 2009 season.

The first round of the CRMC Monster Energy Motocross Nationals got underway this weekend and all three Monster Energy Cernic's Kawasaki riders finished in the top ten.  Paul Carpenter lead the team with a third place overall finish while Heidi Cooke grabbed the win in the Women's Pro class. Read more of the MXP Magazine event summary here.

CMRC posted results here.

See you in Calgary next weekend at Wild Rose Motocross Park! Just off Blackfoot Trail. Directions here.