Frid’Eh Update #47 | Jerry Lorenz | Brought to You by RP Race Performance
This week, we feature an interview with Jerry Lorenz from Michigan in DMX Frid’Eh Update #47 brought to you by RP Race Performance.
By Billy Rainford
Welcome to Week #47 of the DMX Frid’Eh Update brought to you by RP Race Performance. I’m typing this from the Calgary Airport where it’s definitely below 0C and there is snow on the ground. just went to the Tim Hortons in Gate C and recognized the lady as the same one who served me back in the spring.
When I was a little kid, I sometimes lost my mind thinking about weird things. I’d often look at people and ask, “What’s it like being you?!” That question would absolutely freak me out. I’d pass by someone in the car or see them on the street and think about the fact that they didn’t know me and I didn’t know them and we simply went off and lived our lives.
Today when I saw this lady, I couldn’t help but think about the fact that this is just her daily work routine. She’s done this every day since I last saw her 8 months ago. Do things like that ever gnaw at your brain? Probably not, and I’m thinking that’s a good thing.
Anyway, there she was and I’m pretty sure she didn’t recognize me…
I just spent 10 days in Kamloops, BC looking after my mom who is suffering from advanced dementia. It wasn’t a big deal just two years ago. Yes, she was confused and there were times when I was pretty sure she didn’t know exactly who I was, but there were also times of pretty decent lucidity.
Fast forward two years and things have deteriorated. Yes, we all know this disease continues to get worse and worse until death, but to see it first hand is something different altogether. I find myself recording video of the things she does. I think the video serves 2 purposes:
- It forces me to not be so emotional about the whole thing.
- It’s absolutely fascinating!
Anyway, I won’t get into details about the things she does, but I just hope you don’t have to go through this with a parent or loved one because it just rips your heart out.
My mom was a banker for 54 years, looking after many of the biggest companies in London. She absolutely loved it and was very good at her job. And get this, I don’t think she missed a single day of work in all that time. I’m serious. She never got sick…ever.
I’m on my way back to London where I’ll spend about 24-20 hours at home before loading up the #DMXVan and heading south on the I-75 to Gainesville, Florida, for the Mini O’s at Gatorback Cycle Park.
The van was new in 2015 and I’ve been at every Mini O’s since, so that means this will be my 10th trip down. On top of that, I think I’ve been to every Daytona Supercross in that same timespan, so that brings the total up close to 20!
What can I say about the 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan?! This thing has been a workhorse! I have nothing bad to say about it. Aside from that crazy thing that happened on my very first trip across the country, it has been amazing.
I’ve only done the brakes once. I’ve never had to do the exhaust. I had to do the front right wheel bearing, and that’s it! Oh, the e-brake was sticking and the left rear blew up, but that could be considered my fault.
I paid $19, 999 for it back then and I’d say I got my money’s worth and then some. I’ll always remember what Randy Maffenbeier said that first summer when I told him what it cost. He said: “That’s a lot of vehicle for 20K!” I didn’t know how right he was!
Having said all that, you know damn well I just jinxed myself. My next DMX entry may be from the side of the road. Feel free to keep your fingers crossed all weekend…
Jerry Lorenz is the D14 rider who earned the #47 for 2025. He’s from Michigan and has been showing up at a couple of our nationals most years for a long time. This past summer he made it to 4 rounds. Here’s a look at his results:
I don’t think he’s done enough rounds to get a top 52 number, so this is our first Frid’Eh Update interview, I believe. Here’s what Jerry had to say when we contacted him this week:
Direct Motocross: Hello, Jerry. (Hello, Newman.) You’ve been coming to Canada for one-off races for a long time, but we’ve never done one of these interviews with you, so let’s back it way up. Can you tell us how old you are, where you’re from, and how you got into Motocross in the first place?
Jerry Lorenz: Haha, yeah I’ve been racing in Canada on and off for a while. I’m 36 and from Morrice, Michigan. For my 5th birthday my parents bought me a KTM 50 and it just took off from there.
And who did you come up through the ranks racing?
My classes were pretty stacked. At the amateur nationals, I had the Alessis, (Davi) Millsaps, (Kyle) Chisholm, the Sewell brothers.
Who was your idol when you were young?
My idol growing up was Jeremy McGrath.
I see on the Racer X Vault that you raced a Pro MX race way back in 2008. When did you turn Pro and what did you do for racing that year?
I actually got my pro license in 2005 and did I believe Millville, Broome Tioga, and maybe Steel City? Really not sure how I did…
Did you play any other sports when you were young…or now?
No, I did not play any other sports. I was always racing. Now in fall I’m big into hunting, so that takes up my winters.
Do you have a 9-5 job when you aren’t racing? If so, what do you do and is this a career for you?
Yes, I have full-time job. Actually 2. Lol. I work at JLL and we maintain a General Motors plant in Michigan. Then the beginning of 2023 my wife and I started a graphics design company (JNKYARD DESIGNS) so after I’m get home from that we are either designing or printing for the rest of the night.
Nice. When did you first come up to race in Canada as a Pro and why did you decide to come up here?
I believe my first race was in 2011 at Gopher Dunes. Matt Crown talked me into trying it so we just said okay let’s do it.
What would you say is the main difference between racing in the USA and up here in Canada?
I feel it’s a lot mare laid back in Canada than the US. In Canada everyone is super friendly and talking to each other. At the gate or in staging at a U.S round it’s real quiet.
What’s your favourite track up here? What’s your favourite track in the USA?
My favorite Canadian track is either prolly Gopher or Sand Del Lee. In the U.S it’s definitely Ironman MX.
You raced 4 rounds of our series this summer with your best finish being a 9th overall in the 450 class at Sand Del Lee. How did your summer go up here?
It was okay. I had a few motos that were good and where I knew I should be, but then a few that I was not happy with.
What have you been doing since our series ended?
Since the series ended I’ve just been working and hanging out with my wife and kids.
What are your winter plans?
Winter plans are just to work and enjoy life. Put a plan together for 2025 and get ready for that.
What are your racing plans for the future?
I’m really not sure. As of now I’m planning on running the East rounds again in Canada. Maybe get out west if I can figure some things out. For the last few years I’ve been on the “this is the last year” deal, but I seem to keep going. I think it would be cool to race Loretta’s with my kids their first year if they decide to race. So I’ll prolly keep racing until that point just incase I have to do that. Lol.
I asked Chat GPT to add 5 questions for you:
How has your training and preparation evolved over the years, and how do you stay competitive as you age?
Training has gotten a lot more difficult. Having a full time job or two and a family it makes it tough.. I do what I can with the little time I have and hope it works.
What would you say has been the biggest challenge in balancing motocross with other aspects of your life (family, career, etc.)?
I’d say the biggest challenge would be just the time. Making enough time to ride, workout, go to work, and then be with my family.
Can you share a moment from your racing career that stands out as particularly memorable or rewarding?
I’d say I have two. One was in 2009, at Unadilla. I finally got my bike where I was happy with it and I qualified 9th I believe just in front of (Chad) Reed. Unfortunately, the first lap of the first moto I was running around 12th and jumped down one of the hills and landed on (Matt) Georke’s bike. That ended my day.
The other was Southwick in 2008. I blew up my bike in the first moto and all we had left was my brother’s bone stock 250f with us. We did a motor swap. I had a terrible start and came from nearly last to 19th. The last 5 or so laps my dad just kept putting on the pit board: “Don’t blow motor.”
How do you manage injury prevention and recovery as you get older, and what’s your approach to staying physically in peak condition?
I just try and prepare myself the best I can. Knock on wood, but I’ve had a pretty good run with not too many injuries.
What advice would you give to younger riders who are just starting out in motocross, especially those hoping to have a long career in the sport?
My advice would be to just have fun with it. Don’t over-think things and if you have a bad race you gotta learn from it and move on. I was not very good at that and it made for a lot of long drives home.
OK, thanks for chatting with us this week. Is there anyone you’d like to thank before we let you go?
I’d like to thank my wife, my mom and dad, Matt Crown, MCR suspension, FXR, Magic Racing, FMF, gearne, xbrand, Hinson, Dunlop, JNKYARD designs, GUTS, Blud lubricants, Albright Precision, Martin MX, and anyone else who has helped me along the way. Thank you!
AMO Arenacross Rounds 1-2 this Weekend
Rounds 1 and 2 of the AMO Arenacross are this weekend at Chilliwack Heritage Park in Chilliwack, BC. (If you’re old, “🎵 Gone, gone, gone, she’s been gone so long…🎶” just went through your head.)
For as long as you can remember, racing in “Beaton’s Barn” has been showcasing some of the best indoor talent Canada has to offer. There was a time when the top of the results sheets were all from the west coast. And they would also take those talents south of the border to give AMA Supercross a shot from time to time.
Racing in Chilliwack from a young age definitely gives riders an advantage when and if they ever want to venture south to try their hand at the wild world of SX.
In 2023, #14 Quinn Amyotte upset the apple cart and took the title out from under the BC riders. The year before, #18 Parker Eales from Maple Ridge, BC took the #1.
Quinn will have his hands full defending the title this year as there will be some BC riders looking to bring the plate back to the west coast. Unfortunately, Julien Benek crashed in Georgia and won’t be running his MVP International Triumph, but his young teammate Blake Davies will be there going for the brand’s first Canadian win.
We spoke to both Julien and Quinn this past week:
BC just went through that crazy “Bomb Cyclone” weather event, but I just left Kamloops and everything was fine at that end. If you’re pout in the area, be sure to head to the barn and check out some of the best racing Canada has to offer!
WSX Championship Heads to Australia
It’s a double-header weekend in Perth, Australia for rounds 2 and 3 of the 2024 WSX Championship. We’ll have Cole Thompson and Noah Viney on the track to keep an eye on.
From WSX:
The WSX Australian GP is finally here, and as the final race weekend before the FIM World Supercross Championship’s 2024 finale in Abu Dhabi, marks one of the most important events of the current season.
As a double-header round – WSX’s first in history – there’ll be twice as much action and twice as many races taking place in Perth, but that also means that there are twice as many points available.
With the stakes twice as high than usual, everything that happens in Perth will be pivotal in the WSX 450cc and SX2 250cc World Championship battles, and after the season-opening WSX Canadian GP, there are countless storylines to follow at HBF Park.
In the lead up to rounds two and three, we’ve highlighted some of the biggest storylines below in our WSX Australian GP preview…
Can Ken Roczen match Eli Tomac?
Coming into the 2024 season, the question of who would come out on top – Ken Roczen, or Eli Tomac – was one of the most debated in the WSX paddock, and in Vancouver, that argument was settled.
Tomac left the WSX Canadian GP as the clear winner after executing a near-perfect evening, going 2-1-1-1 to propel himself to the top of the WSX Riders’ Standings with 100 points.
Roczen was comfortably Tomac’s closest rival, but despite winning GP Race 1, and especially after a rare mistake in GP Race 2, WSX’s two-time reigning champion always looked like the second-best rider of the night.
READ MORE: Inside Eli Tomac’s WSX Canadian GP domination
Following Vancouver, Roczen is coming into the WSX Australian GP with a 16-point deficit to Tomac, but with 210 points up for grabs, Perth is the key place for the German to get his aspirations of a third World Championship title back on track.
Stating that Roczen’s title chances were ever in doubt seems dramatic to say, especially after only one round, but as a double-header event, the WSX Australian GP accounts for 50% of all available points in the 2024 season.
In short, it’s already a now or never scenario, and Roczen must be on the pace. And if he is, Tomac needs to be with him if he wants to maintain his current edge. That 16-point gap can easily be extinguished.
Has Joey Savatgy closed the gap?
With a podium finish at the WSX Canadian GP, Joey Savatgy was the third-best rider in Vancouver, and across each GP Race, and even in the SuperFinal, he looked it. Tomac and Roczen were in a class of their own, and arguably, so was Savatgy.
Although a strong showing from Colt Nichols in the SuperFinal briefly put Savatgy’s podium in question, silverware was never really in doubt for the native of Thomasville, Georgia, and although he said he was happy with the result, he was honest about the nature of the situation.
“Eli and Ken are the elite of the elite,” he said post-race. “I have some work to do.”
READ MORE: ‘I have some work to do’ says Savatgy after Vancouver podium
Savatgy was eager to take advantage of the gap between Vancouver and Perth to put some extra work in, and some valuable preparation time will have surely been beneficial for the 30-year-old. That’s because his start to the 2024 WSX season wasn’t ideal.
Firstly, Savatgy joined Fire Power Honda late in the day before round one, which limited his testing time on a new bike, and on 450cc machinery which he hasn’t raced since 2023. And that’s failing to address that Vancouver was his first supercross race in some time.
With that context, Savatgy’s third place finish was actually quite a remarkable achievement, and with the blessing of more time to learn and prepare between races, he should be closer to the benchmark in Perth.
But the gap between rounds doesn’t just benefit Savatgy. It benefits every single rider. Can Savatgy be closer to the front, or will the gap be more pronounced than it was previously?
Can Dean Wilson get his 2024 season started?
Dean Wilson was a key contender in WSX last season, so when the Glasgow-born, Canada-raised racer was anonymous throughout the 2024 opener, it came as a big surprise.
While many expected Wilson to be up inside the top five with the likes of Savatgy, Nichols, and Vince Friese, he instead found himself battling over 14th and 15th in GP Races 1 and 2.
A fifth-place finish in GP Race 3 was as good as Wilson’s weekend got, and his overall 12th place finish marked his second-worst result in WSX, and worst weekend since 2022.
READ MORE: 2024 WSX Canadian GP WSX class results
With the season finale just a short distance away, Wilson desperately needs to get his season started in Perth, and he can’t wait around. He needs to reclaim lost ground, and fast.
As WSX’s defending World Supercross Teams’ Champion, Fire Power Honda is one of the strongest squads in the series and in Vancouver, Savatgy showed that first-hand. But now the time has come for his team-mate to do the same.
Wilson has shown himself to be a top rider in WSX, and a title contender with third in the standings last season after falling just nine points short of clinching a vice championship title.
Seeing what Wilson can achieve in Perth, and how he will approach the weekend in general, will be fascinating, but expect him to be on the pace from the off.
Can Shane McElrath resume where he left off?
2022 SX2 World Champion, Shane McElrath, was undoubtedly the favourite for victory at the WSX Canadian GP and dominated the 250cc class by going 7-1-1-1 to take the overall win on the night.
With 89 points on the board, he’s looking hot at the top right now, but that isn’t exactly a shock. Speed has never been an issue for McElrath. Where he struggles is consistency.
In 2023, the SX2 class saw McElrath dominate the season-opener in equally convincing fashion, but in Abu Dhabi, and again in Melbourne, he just failed to hit the mark. That’s why Max Anstie, who was at the top of his game, ran away with the title last year.
READ MORE: 2024 WSX Canadian GP SX2 class results
Heading to Perth, McElrath is still undoubtedly the rider to beat in the SX2 class. But how will he deal with the pressure of having a target on his back? Especially against a talented field of hungry young riders.
Maintaining his current form at HBF Park could easily make McElrath the primary title contender in SX2, but if he doesn’t manage to match his speed, he could also find himself on the back foot going into the season finale.
Who will step up in SX2?
In Vancouver, Max Anstie was McElrath’s closest challenger and holds second in the SX2 points standings, but as a Wildcard rider, the Briton won’t be back in Perth, and that means that there’s a vacuum that needs to be filled in the 250cc class.
The question is, who fills it?
Cole Thompson, who finished third overall at BC Place, is a natural choice and heads to Perth tied on points with Anstie which, given his rival’s impending absence, essentially grants him second in the standings.
Yet the Rick Ware Racing riders, Enzo Lopes and Coty Schock, are close behind, and based in what we saw in Vancouver, the pair are insanely quick.
READ MORE: How did WSX’s rookies perform in Canada?
Lopes only got better as the evening went on, and before his spectacular accident in GP Race 3, Schock was on course of an overall podium finish, potentially even finishing higher than Anstie.
These three riders have a key opportunity in Perth to become de-facto SX2 World Championship title contenders. Seeing which one steps up to the mark to challenge McElrath is a scintillating prospect.
How will WSX’s first-ever double header unfold?
WSX’s first-ever double-header event is already shaping up to be a race weekend to remember, and upon touching down in Perth, riders and teams alike will face an intriguing performance picture.
The opportunities on offer are already endless, but the scenario behind the racing is unique, because if a round doesn’t align for a rider on Saturday, they’ll be able to realign and regroup to try again on Sunday.
Making mistakes on Saturday, while costly, doesn’t spell complete disaster, but while riders who are initially off the pace can close in, those on the pace from the start should only be able to extend their advantage.
READ MORE: WSX Australian GP track map unveiled
On top of that, there’ll be track evolution to contend with, and not only will the circuit change on a lap-by-lap basis, but it’ll also change from day-to-day.
The circuit will never be the same, but with 14 gate drops taking place in only two nights, who knows what will happen!
2024 Vancouver Supercross Results
Results from Round 1 of the 2024 FIM WSX Championship at BC Place in Vancouver, BC.
BC Place
Vancouver, BC
Saturday, October 26, 2024
SX2 Race 1 (8 laps)
- 1 Max Anstie
- 21 Ryder Kingsford
- 2 Cole Thompson
- 69 Coty Schock
- 16 Enzo Lopes
- 43 Cullin Park
- 12 Shane McElrath
- 11 Kyle Chisholm
- 58 Derek Kelley
- 31 Brice Maylin
- 41 Kaleb Barham
- 73 Preston Boespflug
- 141 Maxime Desprey
- 111 Calvin Fonvielle
- 259 Julien Lebeau
- 7 Noah Viney
SX2 Race 2 (8 laps)
- 12 Shane McElrath
- 1 Max Anstie
- 69 Coty Schock
- 2 Cole Thompson
- 16 Enzo Lopes
- 43 Cullin Park
- 11 Kyle Chisholm
- 111 Calvin Fonvielle
- 141 Maxime Desprey
- 41 Kaleb Barham
- 58 Derek Kelley
- 7 Noah Viney
- 31 Brice Maylin
- 21 Ryder Kingsford
- 259 Julien Lebeau
- 73 Preston Boespflug
SX1 Race 1 (8 laps)
- 1 Ken ROczen
- 3 Eli Tomac
- 17 Joey Savatgy
- 4 Vince Friese
- 45 Colt Nichols
- 102 Matt Moss
- 20 Gregory Aranda
- 48 Mitchell Oldenburg
- 945 Anthony Bourdon
- 78 Cade Clason
- 727 Boris Maillard
- 34 Lucas Dunka
- 21 Ryan Breece
- 15 Dean Wilson
- 19 Luke Clout
SX1 Race 2 (8 laps)
- 3 Eli Tomac
- 17 Joey Savatgy
- 45 Colt Nichols
- 48 Mitchell Oldenburg
- 19 Luke Clout
- 4 Vince Friese
- 20 Gregory Aranda
- 102 Matt Moss
- 727 Boris Maillard
- 21 Ryan Breece
- 1 Ken Roczen
- 945 Anthony Bourdon
- 78 Cade Clason
- 34 Lucas Dunka
- 15 Dean Wilson
SX2 Race 3 (12 laps)
- 12 Shane McElrath
- 16 Enzo Lopes
- 2 Cole Thompson
- 11 Kyle Chisholm
- 41 Kaleb Barham
- 69 Coty Schock
- 141 Maxime Desprey
- 31 Brice Maylin
- 1 Max Anstie
- 58 Derek Kelley
- 111 Calvin Fonvielle
- 7 Noah Viney
- 259 Julien Lebeau
- 21 Ryan Kingsford
- 73 Preston Boespflug
- 43 Cullin Park
SX1 Race 3 (12 laps)
- 3 Eli Tomac
- 1 Ken Roczen
- 17 Joey Savatgy
- 45 Colt Nichols
- 15 Dean Wilson
- 48 Mitchell Oldenburg
- 4 Vince Friese
- 20 Gregory Aranda
- 21 Ryan Breece
- 945 Anthony Bourdon
- 102 Matt Moss
- 727 Boris Maillard
- 34 Lucas Dunka
- 78 Cade Clason
- 19 Luke Clout
Superfinal (12 laps)
- 3 Eli Tomac
- 1 Ken Roczen
- 45 Colt Nichols
- 4 Vince Friese
- 17 Joey Savatgy
- 12 Shane McElrath
- 16 Enzo Lopes
- 69 Coty Schock
- 2 Cole Thompson
- 48 Mitchell Oldenburg
- 102 Matt Moss
- 21 Ryder Kingsford
- 11 Kyle Chisholm
- 41 Kaleb Barham
- 1 Max Anstie
- 20 Gregory Aranda
SX2 Podium
- 12 Shane McElrath
- 1 Max Anstie
- 2 Cole Thompson
SX1 Podium
- Eli Tomac
- 1 Ken Roczen
- 17 Joey Savatgy
SX2 Points
- Shane McElrath 89
- Max Anstie 79
- Cole Thompson 79
- Enzo Lopes 76
- Coty Schock 74
- Kyle Chisholm 59
- Ryder Kingsford 52
- Kaleb Barham 50
- Cullin park 35
- Maxime Desprey 34
- Derek Kelley 33
- Brice Maylin 32
- Calvin Fonvielle 30
- Noah Viney 23
- Preston Boespflug 20
- Julien Lebeau 20
SX1 Points
- Eli Tomac 100
- Ken Roczen 84
- Joey Savatgy 79
- Colt Nichols 74
- Vince Friese 65
- Mitchell Oldenburg 61
- Greg Aranda wyrusza 54
- Matt Moss 52
- 32 (Not Kyle Chisholm as shown on WSX site)
- Ryan Breece 31
- Boris Maillard 31
- Dean Wilson 29
- Luke Clout 28
- Cade Clason 26
- Lucas Dunka 24
- Cedric Soubeyras 0
How to Watch:
North America
- FS1
- FS2
- REV TV
In North America, both the USA and Canada will have access to every 2024 WSX round via as live coverage on FS1/FS2 and live coverage on REV TV respectively.
Download Fox Sports on Google Play or in the App Store.
Download REV+ on Google Play or in the App Store.
2024 Mini O’s
RacerTV Set to Host Live Broadcast of 53rd Annual Thor Mini O’s from Gatorback Cycle Park
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (November 21, 2024) – The 53rd Annual Thor Mini O’s presented by Pro Circuit kicks off on Sunday, November 24 at the iconic Gatorback Cycle Park in Gainesville, Florida. This year Dunlop Motorcycle Tires brings you a week of FREE racing action LIVE on RacerTV.com. Whether you’ll be watching from in your living room, garage or camper it doesn’t matter just head over to RacerTV.com to catch it all.
Mini O’s is one of the oldest and most well-known amateur motocross races in America, as well as a long-time Thanksgiving tradition for motocross riders and their families. RacerTV is set to bring high quality, extensive racing coverage of the world’s best riders racing at the 2024 Mini O’s. The live broadcast will start the day off at 7:15 am Eastern each day and go until the end of racing.
Supercross practice starts on Saturday, November 23rd at 7:00 am EST, followed by live streaming racing coverage starting Sunday, November 24th at 7:15 am EST on RacerTV.com.
Sunday through Tuesday will feature Supercross heats and main events with Motocross racing to follow on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The new practice schedule will allow for an extended allotment of time for Supercross mains and Motocross motos, creating the opportunity for the 250 A, 250 and 450 Pro Sport, and B classes to race longer motos. Be sure to tune in for all of the racing action throughout the week to catch about 1,500 riders arriving from all over the world to take to the iconic track.
For more information on the event, visit unlimitedsportsmx.com and follow us on social media @unlimitedsportsmx and online at www.racertv.com.
*** If you or someone you know from CANADA is heading to the Mini O’s, please let us know in the comment section on either our Instagram of Facebook page ***
OK, I’m running on less than 3 hours sleep and my flight from Calgary to London is about to board. Have a great weekend, everyone. I don’t know what the weather has been like in London lately, but does anyone want to join me for a couple loops of Fanshawe on the MTBs? Let me know.
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