SDL CUP 2015- July 4-5th 2015
The weekend set up perfectly for the inaugural FXR SDL CUP. We got rain for the most part during the week leading into the weekend which set up the Track for perfect racing conditions all weekend long. The MX101 crew had the SDL track which is located just outside Richmond Ontario looking spectacular as always.
This was also the first race held like this at SDL as there were no race memberships or licenses required to race allowing racers from near and far to come enjoy 2 full days of racing action.
The weekend saw just under 800 entries line up in the gates which made for epic racing battles all weekend long in all the classes. With the partnership between MX101 and MMRS there were allot of classes to fit in but the MX101 crew kept a great pace to the race day to making sure all classes got lots of track time to do battle.
As mentioned the battles all weekend long were epic starting with the 50’s and seeing the future of motocross race on this SDL track I know the sport will be in good hands in the future. The battle between #122 Sebastien Racine and the #61 of Ben Mistelbacher was fantastic to watch. Sebastien headed into Saturday’s race not having lost a single moto in the 50cc 7-8 class all year at SDL. That changed in moto 1 on Saturday with the “Missile” taking the moto win with “Rocket” not far behind. Sebastien would go one to take first in the next 3 moto’s on the weekend. Not too far of them and leading some laps was the 161 of Jamieson Macdonald putting in solid laps and giving the 2 Cobra riders fits on his KTM, Jamison would also go on to go (1-1)(1-1) in the 50cc open class followed by #87 Cameron Maunders and the #22 of Callum Schrader who battled all weekend long. Big congrats to Fiona Koenig who came to SDL for the first time and took the overall on both days in the 4-6 500cc class.
The next hotly contested class was the Supermini’s. With the upcoming Eastern Supermini Nationals around the corner this saw the odds on favorite to win this Tanner Ward attend this weekend’s event. With $50 holshot awards handed out for each moto in this class gave these riders another reason to push harder. Tanner started off the weekend like I thought he would going 1-1 on Saturday, but on Sunday with an early issue in moto 1 blowing through the first
corner saw him dead last but with the stiff competition in the class saw him work his way back to 5th he would take the moto 2 win and take 2nd OA but the story of that first moto was Thomas Rendall taking the Holeshot cash a leaving the field in moto 1 showing great speed and smooth riding. Thomas knowing what was on the line had a very impressive 2nd moto taking second and giving him the overall on the Sunday. Not to be out done on the weekend were some very impressive rides by #411 Jairred Killeen(2-9), #90 Christian Sparks (3-5) #710 Estaban Racine (5-4). Congratz to the 3 riders who were able to take home some of MX101’s $$ getting Holeshot awards Tanner Ward x2, Christian Sparks and Thomas Rendall.
With this many entries this meant full gates in the beginner classes and since this class never gets talked about I am as without all the new riders coming into the sport we don’t have races to run so keep coming out racing and kicking ass. With 35+ riders in both the MX2 and MX3 classes congrats goes out to 398 of Kyle Busby going 1st OA on Saturday and 2nd OA on the Sunday also putting in strong rides was the #14 of Curtis Driscoll and the #247 of Felix Leclerc. In the MX3 class this saw the #140 of Ben Kolman going 2-2 on both days giving him the overall on the Weekend also congratz on your first ever moto win! 2nd on the weekend would go to #657 of Carter Kavaner (12-1) and 3rd to #14 of Curtis Driscoll (4-6).
Another part of this Great SDL CUP event was they gave away awards for the top rider on the weekend in the Junior, Vet and Mini rider classes. So you have to Ironman up and race as many classes as you could if you wanted a chance to win this $100 cash award. Congratz to Sebastien Racine winning the mini rider award, Quinn Amyotte in the junior classes and to Karl Asta in the vet classes.
What would a report be without a quick chat about the pro class. As we are in between the Canadian Nationals right now 99% of the Pro’s did not attend this race even with a 200% pay out. One rider who did not miss this was our local Pro Dylan Wright. Dylan currently sitting in 8th spot coming off the western region swing of the Nationals came out to prove and to show us that he is ready for the east! And he did just that! Dylan was super-fast as always on his home track but what impressed me the most was you can see the changes in Dylan’s style on the 4 stroke he is so much smoother then the berm blasting clutch melting 2 stroke rider he once was. Again I’m talking about a 17 year old kid who is showing the poise and maturity this year of a much older seasoned rider. Be on the lookout for Dylan in the east!
I would love to go on a chat about every class but I’m extremely tired from a fantastic weekend of announcing, awards and wrenching on my sons 2 bikes now.
So I will end with this. Congratz to the MX101 TEAM for such a SOLID inaugural event. Everything from the track to a very slick diamond plated podium made this event fantastic and one that everyone will want to come back to next year. Thank you to MMRS for partnering with them allowing all the riders to be able to cross series this allows for bigger gates in all class which then translates into better racing on the track with battles from 1st to last giving every rider that competitive feeling in your belly whether it’s the thrill of a victory or the agony of defeat it’s that feeling that keeps us wanting more. J
Keep that right wrist twisted!
Photos Mike Maunders & SDenzler Photography
