Faces at the Races|Nanaimo Round 2
By Billy Rainford
Photos by Bigwave and Emily Nicholson
It’s that time again! Time to have a look inside and under the helmets at the people who make the Rockstar Energy MX Nationals as enjoyable a time at professional races you can possibly have. ‘Emily the Intern’ took over some of the camera duties for this, so a special thank you to her for her work. Oh, and as always, no animals or feelings were hurt in the making of this installment of ‘Faces at the Races.’ Get extremely comfortable for this one! Let’s see what we have for this week…
We decided to spend the night in downtown Vancouver before grabbing the $88.70 ferry over to Nanaimo the following day.
We grabbed the ferry out of Horseshoe Bay and, wouldn’t you know it, some guy drops to the floor with his first-ever seizure! Emily was there before the sound of the thud made it to most people’s ears! She took over the medical needs as the ferry was forced to return to port. I got a free lunch and coffee for just staying out of the way…
The Women’s West Nationals took place during Amateur Day Saturday at the Wastelands tack.
#6 Jamie Munro relaxing before hitting the track.
Having some fun before the gate drops.
He looks like he could use a good laugh.
Working on next year’s A1 track.
Women’s West co-organizer, Sierra Roth.
I was looking for a funny caption that had to do with wooden hands, but came up short. You got lucky, Kourtney Lloyd.
Buzzing off the cement starting pad.
“Blue 23…blue 23…”
Darryl Danyluk.
Ryan Lockhart getting ready to lay down yet another beating.
A little pre-race nerves in Camille Bunko’s eyes here. They never go away and it actually ends up being one of the main things you miss about racing.
No nerves here, though. Actually, some people laugh and smile as a way of coping with the stress.
#5 Dominique Daffé and Brittany Danyluk waiting to race.
Sierra and Kourtney.
Women’s West co-organizer, Kristi Moore.
Lexi Pechout with her cool skimboard trophy.
Dominique again.
3-up heading through the pits. They were actually giants…
Defending West champ, Sara King prepping her gate.
Helping out around the starting line.
#6 Cade Clason not helping one little bit…
This could be one of my favourite pit boards ever!
Future champions.
Danika White getting her RTR Performance Holeshot Award.
Points lead. What’s not to smile about?!
He found something to not smile about…
Playing it cool at the riders’ meeting.
Jeremy and Tyler Medaglia Sunday morning.
#67 Kyle Biro is looking forward to turning his luck around as the series heads for his home province soon.
#73 Cody Matechuk was set to impress everyone a little later Sunday afternoon.
BC fast young guns, Riley Heinrichs and Casey Keast.
Just go east, Dylan!
Jared Petruska will sit this one out recovering from banging his head.
Has anyone ever seen a single one of Dave Snider’s photos? Even one!
Breakfast of MX2 champions?
Todd Sewell looking forward to ripping his 250 2-stroke…of course he’s smiling!
A serious moment for #28 Keylan Meston.
Welcome to big team life, Hayden Halstead. Get those posters ready.
I caught André Laurin getting down and dirty in the pits.
Donk in his happy place.
And Brett Metcalfe in his.
No, wait a second now…
“Now where’d I leave that 12mm…?
If you don’t know Doug Pettis, you should. Go up and say hello this week in Calgary. Seriously, tell him we sent you.
Lot’s of cool FXR jackets in this pit.
Nope, sorry Cale Foster, I didn’t actually get a shot with your eyes fully open.
I could just hear Yosemite Sam’s voice going, “Rassa-frassa…”
Um, we already have a bald guy!
#18 Brad Nauditt felt good after getting back out front.
#217 Casey Keast got 5th in the first MX2 moto and yet there’s a chance he won’t head east if he doesn’t get some more support. Can we let this happen? Riders only have so many good years in them!
Watch for #101 Mark Worth to settle in a bit more this weekend in Calgary. He’ll be challenging for podiums.
Cole Thompson and Steph LeBlanc heading to the line.
#36 Davey Fraser on his sweet Husky 2-stroke.
Be patient, Kyle. It’ll come.
#171 is Ryan Lalonde from Victoria, BC. He was way up in 7th in moto1.
Right back at ya, Kyle Springman.
When the red plate talks, people listen. Actually, I couldn’t hear from where I was standing.
Dylan Kaelin getting ready to kill it!
Pre-race burn out. Yes, it’s a thing!
Kevin Tyler getting ready to prep the gate.
To mousse or not to mouse…
Josh Cox.
The MX101 guys had there hands full during the first moto.
We get this look a lot. Adam Turner isn’t quite sure what to make of DMX.
#14 Jeremy Medaglia did NOT have a good day. Hopefully, he’s feeling better today.
Mike Smith is the guy behind #101.
Yep, life’s a lot easier when Brad is pulling holeshots.
This has ‘meme’ written all over it!
Did I ever tell you I had the first pair of these things in Canada? Don’t guess how old I am!
Darryl Murphy going with the George Costanza technique: look angry and carry a clipboard. Nobody will bother you.
Dylan Wright getting in the zone.
Mark Worth actually led the first few laps on moto 1.
Cole Thompson was the MX2 man this past weekend, though.
Vince Friese and Mike Alessi picking gates before moto 1.
Monster Alpinestars Kawasaki guys.
Paul Delaurier has a pretty solid rider on his hands.
Gibby earned his money in Nanaimo.
There’s just no way you can stop a random chain break from happening.
Donk doesn’t know what to do with his hands.
Yes he does!
Colton Facciotti is the guy who is ‘closer than he appears’ in Davi’s rearview mirror.
Steve Simms had an angry rider on his hands after the red flag incident. Matt Goerke did not sound happy in our interview, to say the very least.
Keylan had a great battle with Cade Clason in moto 2.
Nate staying focused.
There is another! (Lame Star Wars reference)
Getting #26 Riley Brough ready to get 15th.
#585 is Brad Ludwigson from Washington.
#679 is Jackson Nickolet who is apparently very young and doing very well! He grabbed 20th.
#352 is Alex Harvill. He can jump really really far.
Who let these guys through the gate?!
Kelly was pumped to have a signed Shawn Maffenbeier Coke can.
Trying to think of a good ‘Home Alone’ reference here. All I have is, “Aaaaahhhhhhh!”
This takes some pre-planning. Something I’m not great at.
“I’m gonna go out and freak everyone out, k?”
Hayden Halstead was happy to have both parents at the first two rounds. Now HE’S home alone. lol
This guy.
Davi Millsaps is a pretty intense individual.
Scott product placement.
Cole and Steph again.
“Ya, that’s what I would have done, too,” says JSR.
More Scott product placement.
Bring on the motos!
Meh, whatever…
I’m up here!
The Wastelands.
Is this spot taken? No, it is not.
Cat’s eye view?
Shawn Maffenbeier.
This is what Mark Worth looks like, in case you didn’t know.
Kristi and Dominique watching some motos.
SWAG!!!
Half a thumbs up from Cole.
Nailed it!
I haven’t spoken to #32 Michael Da Silva that much yet this year. Hey, Michael, think of a topic for Calgary.
CT.
T-Dags.
That’s Mr. Meany to you.
EXTREEEEME CLOSE-UP!
Matt Goerke was not in the mood for jokes, Sunday.
Kaven Benoit will hit the podium soon.
Watch for non-mailbox numbers on #21 Kyle Swanson this week in Calgary.
What time is it, Kevin Tyler? Business time!
Cole grabbing his Royal Distributing Holeshot cash.
Brad takes moment for himself at the side of the stage.
MX2 podium: Cole Thompson, Shawn Maffenbeier, Brad Nauditt.
Mike is 0-4 in holeshots this season, believe it or not.
The start pad pat down.
#19 Morgan Burger quietly grabbed 9th overall in Nanaimo.
Colton getting set to chase Davi around the Nanaimo track.
Stephen Anderson decided to hop on a plane and head west. Ex-airline workers can do that.
Some last-minute motivation for Matt.
This guy has the speed to run the table. Who is going to stop him?
Anything I should know about, guys?
Littlest Brough working the pit board.
Jess Pettis discussing something with Stu McQueen.
Facciotti fans.
Who wouldn’t love watching dirt bike races and eating ice cream? We should tell people…
The beer garden bleachers.
Shawn will be trying to reclaim this in Calgary.
Emily gets artsy in the Redemption pits.
You’ve gotta love that little lens.
100% product placement.
Meeting some friendly people in the pits.
We got invited into the MX101 pits to enjoy some amazing lunch prepared by Char Munro.
Imagine what this stuff does to the riders’ bodies!
Davi’s rear tire in the impound after his moto 2 win.
The Medaglias.
Brett Metcalfe won the Royal Distributing Triple Crown for snagging both MX1 holeshots. That’s $1200!
Davi explaining the red flag incident from his POV.
I used to work with a girl from Nanaimo and she actually called it ‘Stinktown.’
Another artsy moment.
Jocelyn and Colton.
Donk needs some sleep.
So does Matt Bannon.
Mr. Arsenault has a couple fast sons on his hands. Keep an eye out for them.
MX1 podium: Colton Facciotti, Mike Alessi, Brett Metcalfe.
The end of a long day.
Go Canada go!
Everyone gets Lucky at a dirt bike race!
Totally poaching someone else’s photo op. I bet they’re picture is nice.
High above the action.
Classic champagne moment.
Michelle Halstead loved her first trip to the west coast.
Yep, it’s loud.
Swag flew overhead.
Davi is really good on the podium.
MX1 champagne time.
The view from the top corner.
Seriously though, I would have tried to have all the letters ready for the nationals.
Once we get our Vimeo issue sorted, the Weekly Wrap-Up Show will be up on the site.That is a nice backdrop.
Did you make it? That may have been the longest one ever! I did this just to pass time waiting for rush hour to end. Have you ever headed east out of Vancouver at 5? Uh uh, it’s not good. Thanks for looking. See you at the races…
