Man, where do I start with this story?! 2009 was the summer I spent crossing the country in a 1989 Buick Electra Estate Wagon. I flew out to BC to take this road hog off the hands of Darren ‘Pillow’ Pilling who, to this day, always has great ideas for how others can work harder. It was also the summer we put what affectionately became known as ‘Pirate Radio‘ together.
The idea was to hit all 9 rounds of the Canadian Nationals and do live audiocasts from each over the internet. It was the summer that I apologized over and over again for the spotty internet and broken audiocasts. It was a ton of fun to do, but the troubles were plentiful.
It was the summer that sits at the top of my list for most memorable series. Although it was a lot of work, the people I met that summer in almost every province have remained friends to this day.
Anyway, before I digress any further, here’s a look at the Whispering Pines round of the 2009 Nationals:
Dean Wilson was just turning Pro and raced our first three rounds. He proved he had what it takes to make it down south.
Kyle Beaton was on the Blackfoot Yamaha team with Scott ‘Donk’ Donkersgoed spinning the wrenches.
A much younger Jeremy Medaglia was on an OTSFF Suzuki 450 for the first part of the summer.
Dusty Klatt was the #2 rider in the MX1 class and would battle Blackfoot Fox Yamaha teammate Colton Facciotti for wins all summer long.
Lindsay, Ontario’s Kyle Keast ran the #5 OTSFF Suzuki and would finish 9th in MX1 that season. Watch for a Keast announcement very soon regarding the 2015 campaign.
Facciotti would retain his #1 plate for the 2010 season.
We were all introduced to the trophy girl who left the biggest impact – Red-headed Julie.
Spencer Knowles was the #72 rider in the MX2 class. ‘Spenny’ has dropped off the moto radar lately, but we all know that never lasts.
The quiet and friendly Eric Nye was the defending MX2 champ on the KTM team.
Nova Scotia’s Heidi Cooke was one of the dominant women’s riders back in 2009
It was also the year Whistler Brewery set Carmen and Company up with a whole lot of malt beverages. Here’s Brett Lee waiting for the ‘bar to open.’ Thanks for reading. See you at the races…
