Frid’Eh Update #39 Presented by Yamaha Motor Canada

Frid’Eh Update #39 Presented by Yamaha Motor Canada

By Jeff McConkey and Billy Rainford

Hello and welcome to Week #39 of the Frid’Eh Update this week presented by Yamaha Canada. In 2015, #39 was the rider out of Prince George, BC who turned a lot of heads as a young amateur rider just a few short years ago. In a sport the defines the old cliché, “What have you done for me lately?” you are only as good as your last results and young Jess Pettis knew he needed to come out of the gate swinging in 2015. Fortunately, he did just that!

Not only had he grown much taller, but he had a new-found confidence and control on his Yamaha right off the bat in Kamloops. It was obvious he was going to show everyone just how fast he could ride. We’ve gotten to know the Pettis family quite well over the years and have even ‘broken bread’ at their house in the middle of the huge province of British Columbia, so we were happy to see young Jess taking the next step in his professional career.

Here is what his overall finishes looked like from the 2015 Rockstar Energy MX Nationals:

11-6-21-9-16-11-6-7-9-9 for 9th overall in the MX2 class.

We caught up with the likable rider to get his thoughts on last season and what the future holds for him:

Direct Motocross: Hello, Jess. You had a very solid season this past summer. How would you sum up your summer of racing?

Yes, for sure the outdoors season went pretty good for me. My goal at the beginning of the year was, first of all, get through the season healthy, and being inside the top 10 every moto, and break into the top 5 in a couple motos. I succeeded my expectations so I was pretty happy with that, finishing up the series with a 9th overall.

You haven’t been on the big bikes all that long. When you first moved up, you had to shave the seat and lower the bikes. You’ve now grown into the bike and looked like a new rider this year. How have you been able to adjust?

Ya, haven’t been on the big bike for too long. I’m only 18 and have always been a small guy. Transition to the big bike was a bit difficult due to my size and weight, which allowed the bike to overrule me at times, but now I’ve grown and fit the bike a lot better. Last winter, I put in the work and I feel it payed off this summer.

What was your favourite race/memory from summer 2015?

My holeshot in Nanaimo and a 5th was a good one, and finishing up at Walton, getting through all 10 rounds healthy with a pretty good overall at the end of the series was awesome. Looking back at it, doing the whole series on a limited budget with help from some sponsors, but just me and the family doing it all on are own was tough but an awesome experience.

What have you been up to since we last saw you at Walton Raceway?

After Walton I was racing local races the three weekends after for some local sponsor love and enjoying some time at the lake and hanging out.

Will you race any Arenacross this fall?

I’m actually at the first round of the Future West Arenacross as we speak.

What are your winter racing/training plans?

Is AMA Supercross something that interests you? When would you give it a try?

Definitely my dream to make it to Supercross. Like I said, Arenacross is a stepping stone to get there. Possibly next winter. [We’ll] see how the outdoors goes for me, and maybe head down to California to get some practice on the tracks next fall.

What are your 2016 summer racing plans?

I would definitely like to do the whole series over again and better my number. It’s still pretty far away and don’t know the exact plans yet but definitely want to be there for all 10 rounds.

We went up in the mountains sledding when I was up in PG. Is that what keeps you busy in the winter? What else do you like to do besides mx?

Sledding is a big one. I enjoy it a lot and it keeps my mind off not being able to ride with the snow. If it wasn’t for sledding I would go crazy not being able to ride my dirt bike (Laughs). I also like hunting, snowboarding, and hockey. I try and have a well-rounded life.

Well, good luck this off-season. Thanks for the chat and who would you like to thank?

Awesome. Thanks, Billy. I would like to thanks Vernon Motorsports, Prince George Motorsports, Parts Canada, 100%, SSS, C4MX, Drill Tech, Top Gun Collision, Royal LePage, Double D Logging, D7 Mechanical, Wood Wheaton, White and Peters, mom and dad, and everyone else I forgot, thanks so much.

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Jeff McConkey

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Hey, guys. It’s the Friday after The Corduroy Enduro and I have survived. It was a very interesting experience. Yes, I DNF’d, but I still enjoyed the overall experience. But I have to be honest and say that it was some of the most un-fun time I have ever spent on a dirt bike in my life! Physically, it wasn’t as hard as I thought. But I guess you could say mentally, it was tough. I just wasn’t having fun in some sections and really wanted out. Isn’t the whole reason we ride a dirt bike because it’s fun? I know that’s why I ride. I know where my skill and speed is at, and I have accepted it, and I’m still having a blast. At this point in my life, with my age, and the amount of serious injuries I have sustained,  it has to be fun. There will still be a ton of internet heroes talking a lot of crap, but in the end it is all about fun for me and that’s just what I have with the sport and with DMX.

I was a little disappointed that I was unable to attend the London Ontario rounds of the AX Tour, but it looks and sounds like this series is in it for the long haul and will be around for long time. One thing we have to remember as fans and racers is that we really need to show our support so the series and the sport can grow here in Canada. I, myself, cannot wait to get out on the track and have some fun, then kick back and enjoy the Pro classes. We have been waiting a long time for indoor racing in these parts, so let’s make the best of it.

With the weather getting colder, it means our outdoor season is winding down. I will be trying to get as much seat time as I can before the snow falls. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Victoria Hett from Husqvarna Canada doesn’t need her TE 250 back anytime soon, as I would love to try a normal enduro this fall. I’m planning on lining up at the OCMC Club enduro October 24th, then possibly race the OCMC annual 6-hour race. In the past, I have teamed up with Australian Clayton Beckett. Like myself, Clayton is as fair-weather and soft as they come. We both worry more about how our bikes and gear look more than the results. “Looking good is 4 quarters of the battle.”

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Another short week for me. The MMRS fun weekend and season finale is this weekend at ‘Thunder Mud’ in Lindsay, Ontario. From what I have read, it sounds like it will be a super-fun weekend. Check out the website and make the trip to Thunder Mud. Be sure to check out this weeks ‘Out of the Blue‘ with Stéphanie Proulx. Have a fun and safe weekend, and always remember to #smileforBC!

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Billy Rainford

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Thanks, Jeff. Oh, man, I can’t wait to post his Corduroy Enduro article! While the rest of us were here in London for the first round of the Canadian National AX Tour, word kept trickling in about how Jeff’s day was going up in Haliburton, and it wasn’t good. We all know Jeff is as fair-weather as they come and that was half the reason we signed him up for what is known as the ‘Toughest Race in Canada.’ There was NO WAY he was going to finish this thing! Jeff racing the Corduroy Enduro is about as oxymoronic as it gets.

He kept worrying about what riding gear he would wear for the second day and I had to laugh because there just wasn’t any universe in which that was going to be an issue – I knew he wouldn’t make it to day 2 and so did everyone else. Fortunately, Jeff is a good sport. My only concern (and this goes for every sport where you line up to challenge yourself) is that once you drop out of a race, it becomes easier to do it. That’s why, no matter what the event, you should NEVER quit until you cross the line, if possible.

I remember 1996 or 1997 at the Hawaii Ironman Championships, one of the favourite women to win had trouble in the swim and I think she dislocated her shoulder in the swim or something. Did she quit? No she did not. I was in the race that year and didn’t exactly set the world on fire, to say the very least. It was dark when I finished and I remember seeing her still way out on the course doing what she could to get to the finish line. She never quit and made the cut-off time. It was one of those moments I will always remember and it helps me make it through the tough times during any event, no matter what kind of racing it is.

Sorry, Jeff. That wasn’t to make a further dig at you. I thought it was a nice story of perseverance and determination that just popped into my head as I was typing.

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Canadian National AX Tour

Racing got underway last Friday and Saturday in London, Ontario, for the first two rounds of the Canadian AX Tour Presented by Royal Distributing. We weren’t really sure which Pros were going to line up and we were pleasantly surprised when a slew of top-level riders hit the track in the Western Agriplex. There were definitely 4 or 5 favourites to win, but the rest of the riders were there to gin valuable indoor racing experience.

Monster Energy Thor Kawasaki teammates, #100 Jacob Hayes and #101 Chris Blose, were two riders at the top of the ‘favourites list,’ for sure. #148 Royal Distributing Fox Racing KTM Canada rider Cole Thompson has won this series in the southeastern United States and so he knows what it takes to win. But it was Rockstar OTSFF Yamaha rider #7 Bobby Kiniry who left London in command.

Both Blose and Hayes have 250s and 450s. Thompson is only racing the 450 and Clash for Cash. Kiniry only has a 250 and is racing all three classes (AX Lites Pro, AX Pro, and Clash for Cash).

Kiniry led every lap of the two main events on Friday and then took 3rd in the Clash. It was a dominant performance and serves notice that the hired guns in green are in for a fight.

The series takes the weekend off and gets going again next Friday and Saturday nights (Oct 9-10) at Hawatha Park in Sarnia, Ontario. It’s an outdoor track with more space and should make for some exciting racing. Get your tickets now!

Results:

Round 1

AX Lites Pro

1. 7 Bobby Kiniry YAM

2. 100 Jacob Hayes KAW

3. 101 Chris Blose KAW

4. 20 Dylan Wright YAM

5. 727 Dave Blanchet KAW

6. 373 Jacob Williamson KAW

7. 10 Nathan Bles KTM

8. 34 Westen Wrozyna HON

9. 204 Justin Roney HON

10. 631 Jordan Fredrick YAM

11. 65 Scott Champion KAW

12. DNS 69 Eric Jeffery KTM

AX Pro

1. 7 Bobby Kiniry YAM

2. 101 Chris Blose KAW

3. 148 Cole Thompson KTM

4. 100 Jacob Hayes KAW

5. 373 Jacob Williamson KAW

6. 10 Nathan Bles KTM

7. 34 Westen Wrozyna HON

8. 20 Dylan Wright YAM

9. 631 Jordan Fredrick YAM

10. 65 Scott Champion KAW

11. 558 Cody Golem HON

12. 727 Dave Blanchet KAW

Clash for Cash

1. 148 Cole Thompson KTM

2. 100 Jacob Hayes KAW

3. 7 Bobby Kiniry YAM

4. 101 Chris Blose KAW

5. 727 Dave Blanchet KAW

6. 373 Jacob Williamson KAW

7. 34 Westen Wrozyna HON

8. 10 Nathan Bles KTM

9. 631 Jordan Fredrick YAM

10. 20 Dylan Wright YAM

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Round 2

AX Lites Pro

1. 100 Jacob Hayes KAW

2. 7 Bobby Kiniry YAM

3. 101 Chris Blose KAW

4. 65 Scott Champion KAW

5. 373 Jacob Williamson KAW

6. 20 Dylan Wright YAM

7. 204 Justin Roney HON

8. 727 Dave Blanchet KAW

9. 34 Westen Wrozyna HON

10. 10 Nathan Bles KTM

AX Pro

1. 148 Cole Thompson KTM

2. 7 Bobby Kiniry YAM

3. 101 Chris Blose KAW

4. 373 Jacob Williamson KAW

5. 20 Dylan Wright YAM

6. 65 Scott Champion KAW

7. 727 Dave Blanchet KAW

8. 10 Nathan Bles KTM

9. 100 Jacob Hayes KAW

10. 34 Westen Wrozyna HON

11. 781 Zack Zager SUZ

Clash for Cash

1. 100 Jacob Hayes KAW

2. 101 Chris Blose KAW

3. 148 Cole Thompson KTM

4. 373 Jacob Williamson KAW

5. 20 Dylan Wright YAM

6. 34 Westen Wrozyna HON

7. 727 Dave Blanchet KAW

8. 204 Justin Roney HON

9. 10 Nathan Bles KTM

10. 781 Zack Zager SUZ

11. 65 Scott Champion KAW

12. 7 Bobby Kiniry YAM

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Unofficial Point Standings after 2 Rounds

AX Lites Pro

1. 7 Bobby Kiniry YAM 47

2. 100 Jacob Hayes KAW 47

3. 101 Chris Blose KAW 40

4. 20 Dylan Wright YAM 33

5. 373 Jacob Williamson KAW 31

6. 727 Dave Blanchet KAW 29

7. 65 Scott Champion KAW 28

8. 204 Justin Roney HON 26

9. 10 Nathan Bles KTM 25

10. 34 Westen Wrozyna HON 25

AX Pro

1. 7 Bobby Kiniry YAM 47

2. 148 Cole Thompson KTM 45

3. 101 Chris Blose KAW 42

4. 373 Jacob Williamson KAW 34

5. 100 Jacob Hayes KAW 30

6. 20 Dylan Wright YAM 29

7. 10 Nathan Bles KTM 28

8. 65 Scott Champion 26

9. 34 Westen Wrozyna HON 25

10. 727 Dave Blanchet 14

Clash for Cash

1. 100 Jacob Hayes KAW 47

2. 148 Cole Thompson KTM 45

3. 373 Jacob Williamson KAW 33

4. 101 Chris Blose KAW 30

5. 727 Dave Blanchet KAW 30

6. 7 Bobby Kiniry YAM 29

7. 34 Westen Wrozyna HON 29

8. 20 Dylan Wright YAM 27

9. 10 Nathan Bles KTM 25

10. 204 Justin Roney HON 13

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All the action can be watched live in the Valvoline AX Tour Live broadcast. Andy White, Chris Pomeroy, and I, along with Ryan Gauld on the floor, take you through the action. The hope is to have two cameras in place next weekend to ensure you catch all the bar-banging action.

In case you missed it, here is the link to the live broadcast from Saturday night:

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Monster Energy MXON Video Highlights

In case you raced the Corduroy Enduro last weekend and have been trapped under a rock all week, here are the video highlights from Ernée:

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Team Canada Vet MXdN Story – By David Halawell

David Halawell sent over this great story that takes you through the trip to Farleigh Castle in England for the Vet MXdN. It’s a fun read, so here it is again in case you missed it:

Thanks for taking the time to sum up your trip for us, David. This is an event that we may have to make an effort to attend in 2016!

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2015 Corduroy 2-Day Enduro Results

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AMO Sandstorm This Weekend at Gopher Dunes

[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.directmotocross.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/All-you-need-to-know-for-Gopher-Dunes-Oct-4th.pdf”]

Future West Arenacross Starts This Weekend in Armstrong, BC

Action gets underway tonight in Armstrong, BC for the 2015 Future West Arenacross Series. Clayton Racicot is out there shooting photos of all the action, so watch for some pictures when the dust settles early next week. It looks like defending Pro Open class champion Ross Johnson will be there this weekend before heading over to Europe. The always fast Brad Nauditt is there as are this week’s honoree, Jess Pettis, and defending Dash for Cash winner (and expecting father) Ryan Lockhart.

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Brett Metcalfe to Return to Australia to Race Supercross

Just saw this over on Full Noise that FOC (Friend of Canada) Brett Metcalfe will return to his native land to race Supercross at the end of the month. Good luck, Brett.

You can read more details HERE.

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Tyler Medaglia Racing GNCC Again this Weekend

Parts Canada Thor Husqvarna Canada’s roving rider, #3 Tyler Medaglia, is testing his off-road chops again this weekend as the Amsoil GNCC series hits the hills of Pennsylvania this weekend. The Car-Mate Mountain Ridge course in Central City, PA is where he’ll be lining up.

At this last event at the famed Unadilla course in New Berlin, NY, Tyler was well on his way to a top finish until he ran into a few troubles that were out of his control. He proved to himself and the rest that he has the pace to compete for wins and, after speaking with him last Sunday at the Parts Canada Showcase, he’s hungry to get back out there and prove it this week.

You can actually watch all the action LIVE Sunday HERE.

Good luck, Tyler.

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So, let’s end this one with a little story, shall we? Emily and I went out for a Blizzard at DQ last night. The closest one happens to be at a big bowling alley not far from our house, so that’s where we went as it was getting near what must have been closing time. We decided to step into the actual bowling area to eat our ice cream. Do you bowl, or have you ever sat and watched bowling? Here’s how I sum up a group of people who hit the lanes for a one-off ‘fun’ night:

1) Everyone gets there all excited to rent those funny little shoes (You really don’t want to be the one who has their own shoes).

2) Teams are picked and enthusiasm is through the roof!

3) The first bowler steps up, takes their time choosing the right ball. The crowd goes wild.

4) The first ball is thrown and whether or not it’s a good roll doesn’t matter. The crowd goes wild.

5) You toss your final ball of that frame, turn back to the adoring group all full of smiles and ‘high fives.’

Let’s move ahead to your next turn…

1) You didn’t even really know it was your turn because you were so bored you were just messing around on your phone.

2) You don’t care which ball you use. Just get your turn over with.

3) You don’t even make eye contact when your turn is done. You just awkwardly avoid everyone and sit until the next player is up.

4) Nobody cheers for anyone any more. It’s quiet and the slow march toward the final frame seems to take forever. The thrill is gone…fast.

That’s how I sum up bowling.

My dad got talked into playing in a league with some old drinking buddies. He went a few times and then one night when I knew he should be ‘having fun,’ I asked him why he wasn’t there. He said he’d just gotten too sick of all the damn high fives! I get it, dad.

Anyway, that will do it for this week. Have a great weekend and enjoy some of the final warmish days of the fall. If you’re hitting the trails for a cycle or a run, they’re getting pretty covered with leaves so watch for roots and rocks – it’s ankle-turning season!