Frid’Eh Update #52 Presented by Grubwear
By Jeff McConkey and Billy Rainford
Week #51 belongs to Summerland, BC’s Brock Leitner. – Bigwave photo
Welcome to the penultimate (Do you hate that word or love it? There’s no middle ground.) installment of the DMX Frid’Eh Update for 2015, this week presented by Grubwear. Yep, it’s true, there are just 6 more shopping days until Christmas – it’s time to get started! Week #51 belongs to the rider from the west side of Canada, Brock Leitner (pronounced: Litner)
Brock is a very hard-working rider who has taken the next step in his development this past fall. He raced the Canadian AX Tour and the Future West Canadian AX Championships and is now taking a stab at the US AX Tour in the southeast. If you ever wonder why the top riders are the top riders, it’s because they do things like this…they race and ride a lot!
Brock hails from Alberta but has made the move to the beautiful holiday destination in the BC Interior: Summerland (Sounds pretty good, huh?). He had an up-and-down summer racing season in 2015 with his best overall coming in Regina at round 4 where he finished 13th overall. He finished 21st overall in the MX2 class and will run the #45 in 2016.
We fired a few questions at Brock to find out what he’s been up to and what his future plans are.
Direct Motocross: Hey, Brock. We’ve seen you more often than usual this fall, but let’s back up to last summer. How did your racing season go this past summer?
Hi, thanks a lot. I am very happy to do this. My summer, for sure, had its ups and downs. To start things off, at round 1 in Kamloops, BC in qualifying I ended up catching my foot and tore a bunch of ligaments in my foot/ankle. I tried everything I could do to hobble up to the start line and I did the hot lap and after the first jump I knew things weren’t good. I came back, loaded in the gate and said to dad, “Well, I guess we can try for a holeshot!” (Laughs). But that didn’t happen. I was very disappointed with all the work I put in to be sidelined for the first 2 rounds.
Come time for round 3 in Calgary, we were hoping my ankle would hold up. Obviously, riding knowing in the back of your mind that if that ankle catches you’re done is not easy! It holds you back from actually doing what you can. That weekend I had top 20 finishes and wasn’t happy about it.
After that weekend I put my head down and charged to a 13th overall in Regina that I was very happy about. Crazy how things turn around (Laughs). Going into the break, I continued doing physio and of course riding and training. Gopher was not the highlight to the start off the east. Catching my ankle again and re-stretching and tearing things was the start to a very long east coast. I just put my head down and put up with what I had to do.
Come time to Moncton, while I was having my best moto all year sitting 12th hunting down to get my first top 10, I cross-rutted coming down the straight before the uphill triple, resulting in a broken collarbone, scapula and one rib. That was very heart-breaking for me. One thing led to the next.
Needless to say, I had a rough summer but am feeling good for next year and going to put a lot of work in like always to get some good finishes and hope to show what Brock Leitner can do!
“…I put my head down and charged to a 13th overall in Regina that I was very happy about.” – Bigwave photo
What was the highlight of your summer?
The highlight of my summer was, by far like every year, traveling across Canada with the two people that brought me into this world. I wouldn’t pass up traveling with my mom and dad racing dirt bikes on the weekends for anything!
What made you guys decide to get so into the AX scene this year?
We haven’t done it since I was 11 years old, so me, mom and dad thought, “Well, why sit around when we can be racing?!” We are having a blast and it is a great experience for me.
How did the Canadian AX Tour go for you?
The Canadian AX Tour was a lot of fun. It was a great learning experience for me and I was even able to get my first podium. Placing 3rd at Calgary was an amazing feeling for me and I want more feelings like that!
What would you say is the #1 difference between motocross and arenacross at this level?
The biggest difference I feel is arenacross is very aggressive and if you don’t have a lot of experience you struggle. Another huge thing is starts. If you don’t get a start in arenacross it is very hard to make your way through the pack.
Brock says that starts and aggression are two keys to success in arenacross racing. – Bigwave photo
What did you learn?
I learned that starts are key and you have to be aggressive to get your passes done. Of course, you don’t wanna hit people, but if you touch a bit, rubbing is racing!
And now you are doing the US AX Tour. How is that going?
It is going great. I am having a lot of fun and learning a lot. There are some big names in that series and just to be able to race with them is a great learning experience and I feel it will better me in the long run. We didn’t go down with high expectations to finish well. We went down for the experience which I think will help me out with aggression and intensity for outdoors.
Tell us what your weeks have been looking like?
It’s been a blast traveling with mom and dad. We are creating great family memories. Me and dad made the trek down to get everything set up and race round 1. It was a lot of fun traveling through the States. Switching on and off driving we got ‘er done in 30 hours.
What does the rest of your winter look like?
The rest of my winter will be the USA AX tour and then down to Southern California in February for 3 months of training.
Brock will finish the AX Tour in the south east and then head to California for 3 months of preparation for the Canadian Nationals. – Bigwave photo
Will you head home for the holidays?
Yes, I am home right now for the holiday season and I will fly back to Memphis New Years Day to then race on the 2nd.
What are your plans for next summer?
My plans for next summer are just to focus on the Canadian Pro motocross nationals and hold that throttle wide (Laughs).
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself racing the Canadian pro nationals, AMA pro nationals and Supercross.
OK, thanks for taking the time today. Good luck in the rest of your races. Who would yo like to thank?
Thanks a lot, Billy. I really appreciate it! I would like to give a big thanks to all my sponsors. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. See you soon:
Redline Powercraft Kawasaki Canada
ROQ power tongs
Brocko rentals
Regulators oilfield hauling
Bonnet’s energy
Savage oilfield
Virus action sport performance
Lory’s oilfield
T Ram Canada
Mika metals
DT1 filters
Temecula Motorsports
Gp Chrysler
FMF
Scotty Motorsports.
Garnae boots
Gamma Powersports
Evens coolant
Fly Racing
Dragon Goggles
Hinson
C4MX
Graeme Brough Suspension
And most of all my mom and dad.
Brock and his dad are currently doing something they will look back on fondly the rest of their lives. Keep having a great time, guys.
Update #51 is brought to you by Grubwear. Give them a click to see how they can help you with your street cred.
This week, the Update is brought to you by the original Canadian thread brand, Grubwear. Starting in his basement sewing Star Wars bed sheets into shorts and shirts, Mike Jackson (yes, that’s really his name), has turned the Grubwear name into the long-lasting style pioneer it is today. Mike actually goes around the Greater Vancouver area posting positive vibe stickers all over the place. If you see one, snap a shot and send it in.
We’re going to be running a contest with Grubwear this coming week, so be sure to check it out when we get it going.
Jeff McConkey
Hey, guys. It’s almost Christmas and we could still ride outdoors here in Southern Ontario. The weather has been very warm for this time of the year and many brave riders are enjoying every minute of it.
A1 is Coming!
A1 is just around the corner and, before you know it, the Toronto round will be here. Thankfully, the good people at Feld realized that the one and only Canadian stop on the tour is a much needed stop. Over the years the crowd has gotten better each and every time. The first few years, the dirt came in frozen and full of rocks, and it rutted up big-time. As the dirt got better, the riders stopped sporting the hand guards and chest protectors. With the better dirt, I believe we got better racing. I still think James Stewart‘s ride in 2014 is the best single SX performance I have ever seen. Along with the Toronto SX comes the legendary DMX After Party. It’s a great time each and every year, and you’ll never know who will show up. In the past we have had big names like Chad Reed, Dean Wilson, Malcolm Stewart and many many more. I, personally, cannot wait!
James Stewart’s come from behind victory at the 2014 Toronto SX was the single best SX performance Jeff has ever seen, and that’s difficult to argue. – Bigwave photo
Silly Season
Silly season here in Canada is going pretty slow. It sounds like Shawn Maffenbier is still talking with KTM, but I’d be willing to bet he stays with Rockstar Yamaha and rides a 450. KTM Canada still hasn’t announced a MX2 rider yet. I would love to see young Jess Pettis get the spot. In the next 2 seasons Jess will turn himself into a serious podium threat. However, word on the street says the team will drop #4 Cole Thompson down to the MX2 class to go for that title while #11 Kaven Benoit points out and heads to the MX1 class for the Royal Distributing Fox KTM squad.
Where will Shawn Maffenbeier end up in 2016? – Bigwave photo
Not a whole lot of news out of the MX101 camp. Young Dylan Wright is down at South of the Border putting in his work. The team’s other rider from 2015, Jimmy Decotis, has landed an SX deal with the mighty Geico Honda team. Jimmy busted his ass and turned his career around with some hard work, and it’s nice to see him be rewarded. I don’t really see the team having an outdoor ride for Jimmy, so let’s hope he comes back up here to challenge for our MX2 title for KT (Kevin Tyler)and the MX101 team. I know it’s early, but if I had to put money on the 2016 MX2 champ, I would put it all down on a single digit rider. That’s all I’m going to say at this point.
That’s it for me this week. If you haven’t already, check out this weeks ‘Out of the Blue‘ with Katy Hopkins and our ‘On the Radar‘ with young Sam Gaynor. Have a great weekend and #smileforBC!
Billy Rainford
Thanks, Jeff. Like he said, Silly Season is starting to ramp up but there seems to be a lot of riders in the hot seat right now. With more and more fast riders showing up at the races and on teams, there isn’t a whole lot left for some of the up-and-coming Canadian Pro riders, let alone the established contenders! It’s getting to the point that you will need to put absolutely everything you and your family has to get to the level being shown at our national series these days.
What I mean by that is if you don’t spend 10-11 months of the year on your bike improving, you are not going to stand a chance in this new and improved top level competitiveness being displayed here in Canada. Think about it, we have Brett Metcalfe and Matt Goerke on one team and Mike Alessi and Vince Friese on another! What is a young Pro rider to do?! Heck, what is an established 10-15 place rider supposed to hope for?
Teams are stacking up pretty heavily with big American names. What is a Canadian Pro rider to do? – Bigwave photo
I’ll tell you what they do. They get really good at social media and hone those skills until companies see their benefit off the track as much as on it. As much as it pains me to say it, Pro Sports really exist for no other reason than to sell product. So, if you can get thousands (and in some cases, millions) of eyes looking at you and the products you represent, it can be as important to these companies as landing on the podium, and then some.
2015 and beyond is a world of 15-second videos and product placement. It sucks but in this day and age of instant gratification and shameless self promotion, there’s just no room for an introverted athlete unless they are winning every time they compete. So, if you aren’t going to win a Winter Am you’d better kill it on Instagram!
The Story Behind the Photo
We started a new feature yesterday that we’re calling, ‘The Story Behind the Photo.’ Sometimes you snap a photo that really strikes a nerve. It’s a very subjective thing, but you can usually tell when you snag a good one. In the first installment we went to the very popular Tyler Medaglia. Apparently, Tyler got his stories a little mixed up and there should be an amendment made to the original story. The idea of the column is to explain what was going on in and around the shot. Things aren’t always as they seem and sometimes there are very interesting circumstances or funny anecdotes that go with them.
Tyler Medaglia
“Nothing like hitting the spring races on the way home from a long winter of training. These races always feel good because of the form you’re carrying up from the countless hours on the bike. This was the first time I raced in the Husqvarna trim in Canada and first gate pick in moto 2 means it went well. Racing on the way home is a good way to break up the 35-hour drive, especially at one of my favourite places to ride. Can’t wait to do it again this year.
“My 2015 season was one of the funnest years in a while, just because of the variety of racing I did with good results throughout. I am aiming for more of the same for 2016 as it looks like my first race will be March 5, the first round of GNCC. The deal isn’t official yet with Husqvarna Canada, but it’s looking to be done shortly. I plan to start with GNCCs and then hit up the first two AMA Nationals before Kamloops for the full series in Rockstar Energy MX Nationals.”
OK, now here is what Tyler realized actually happened after we’d already published it:
[CORRECTION]
Well, we seem to have messed up our very first installment of ‘The Story Behind the Photo.’ Davey Fraser has pointed it out to Tyler that he was thinking of the wrong trip. Here is a new version sent over by Tyler:
Tyler Medaglia
I stopped in to ride at Jeremy’s on the way home. I raced a GNCC, too. That trip to Gopher was actually because once I got home the snowbanks were still over my truck, so Davey, myself and our friend, TJ Martin, decided to go on a trip to Ontario for 2 weeks whilst snow was melting in Nova Scotia.
We had made a rap about that trip, too, and one of the wheels fell off Davey’s truck during the drive. We raced, we go carted, we gambled, we rode a bunch of the old abandoned places I used to ride in the spring. Davey broke his brake caliper off his fork and raced that whole day with no front brake at all.
Thanks, Tyler. We’ll get this format sorted out and move on…
It’s gonna be an ear-bleeding good time in the Slaton Racing pits this winter!
Nuclear Blast Records partners with Slaton Racing for 2016
(December 18, 2015) – Nuclear Blast Records, one of the world’s largest heavy metal record labels has agreed to terms with Slaton Racing for the 2016 Monster Energy Supercross Series.
Independently owned for twenty-eight years and counting, Nuclear Blast Records is synonymous with the worldwide advancement of heavy metal, extreme music, and hard rock. Founded in Donzdorf, Germany in 1987 by Markus Staiger, Nuclear Blast boasts a roster of over 100 bands including Slayer, Meshuggah, Exodus, Testament, Nightwish, Carcass, and many others; representing eighteen different countries.
“Nuclear Blast Records is extremely excited about the partnership with YP.com Nuclear Blast KTM for the 2016 Monster Energy Supercross Season”, commented Nuclear Blast’s General Manager, Gerardo Martinez. “Growing up a HUGE moto fan and being able to help one of the more important and up and coming teams is a great deal; we get to work again with our long-time friend and former racer himself, Ryan Clark. We can’t wait for the season to start, Zac Commans and Cole Thompson have a lot of potential and the label and team can’t wait to see them out there. As usual, we are planning some cool things for the pits bringing together the two scenes.“
Visit www.nuclearblast.com for more information about the label and its artists. You can also follow Nuclear Blast Records on Twitter and Instagram (@nuclearblastUSA) to stay up to date on all tours and new releases.
Make sure you stop by the Slaton Racing pits to meet Zac Commans (Instagram/Twitter: @zaccommans), Cole Thompson (Instagram/Twitter: colethompson16), and rest of the YP.com Nuclear Blast KTM team when the 2016 Monster Energy Supercross season kicks off on January 9, 2016 in Anaheim, California.
For more information on Slaton Racing and its sponsors, follow us on Instagram, Twitter (@slatonracing), and Slaton Racing on Facebook.
2016 Ontario Racing Options
M.M.R.S. IS READY FOR AN EXCITING 2016!
Posted 12/11/2015
M.M.R.S. IS READY FOR AN EXCITING 2016!
Our 2016 schedule is finalized and we think that it will prove to be the best one yet!
M.M.R.S. is a motocross racing series that offers a high level of competition on a wide variety of well prepared and maintained tracks.
M.M.R.S. has always strived to develop riders that can compete at the highest level in the sport while also maintaining a safe riding experience to riders of all ages and abilities in a fun, family atmosphere.
We have worked hard to provide the best value and options for riders. We will be working in conjunction with MX101, AMO, Walton and Motopark this year. That means 8 of the highest calibre tracks in Southern Ontario will be on our 2016 schedule.
Riders will only need one membership! You can purchase you M.M.R.S. membership and use it at MX101 as well as all AMO events.
M.M.R.S. will also be hosting an Eastern qualifier at Muttco for anyone who is interested in qualifying for Walton as well as AMO Madskills and MX101 Ironman series races.
Our signature Sat. practice days prior to Sunday race days will continue most weekends.
Check out our website and 2016 schedule. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.
See you at the track,
Jean & John Maguire
www.mmrs.ca info@mmrs.ca 905-349-2711
facebook: Maguire’s Motocross Racing Series
| M.M.R.S. 2016 SCHEDULE | |||
| Pre Season | |||
| APRIL 23,2016 | COCHRANE’S | MX SCHOOL/PRACTICE | 9-4 |
| APRIL 24,2016 | COCHRANE’S | FLAGGER SCHOOL/MX PRACTICE | 9-4 |
| PROVINCIAL SERIES 11 race series -drop 2 | |||
| $10,000+ series payback and Amateur support | |||
| Payback and trophies based on best of 8 total series points | |||
| APRIL 30,2016 | COCHRANES | MX PRACTICE | 9-4 |
| MAY 1,2016 | COCHRANE’S | MMRS PROV | 8-5 |
| MAY 7,2016 | MUTTCO | MX PRACTICE | 9-4 |
| MAY 8,2016 | MUTTCO | RACE, MMRS PROV, EASTERN ANQ#1,MX101 IRONMAN, AMO MADSKILLS #2 | 8-5 |
| MAY 14,2016 | THUNDER MUD | MX PRACTICE | 9-4 |
| MAY 15,2016 | THUNDER MUD | MMRS PROV | 8-5 |
| MAY 21,2016 | MADOC | MX PRACTICE | 9-4 |
| May 22, 2016 | MADOC | MMRS PROV | 8-5 |
| May 23, 2016 | RAIN DATE IF NECESSARY | ||
| MAY 28,2016 | SAND DEL LEE | RACE, MMRS PROV,EASTERN ANQ#2,MX 101 IRONMAN | 8-5 |
| MAY 29,2016 | SAND DEL LEE | RACE, MMRS PROV, EASTERN ANQ#3, MX101 IRONMAN, AMO MADSKILLS #4 | 8-5 |
| JUNE 4,2016 | MUTTCO | MX PRACTICE | 9-4 |
| JUNE 5,2016 | MUTTCO | MMRS NATIONAL SERIES #1, MMRS PROV, MX 101 IRONMAN, AMO MADSKILLS #5 | 8-5 |
| JUNE 11,2016 | 9-4 | ||
| June 12, 2016 | WALTON | RACE, MMRS PROV, SWO ANQ #4, AMO MADSKILLS #6 | 8-5 |
| JUNE 18,2016 | MADOC | MX PRACTICE | 9-4 |
| JUNE 19,2016 | MADOC | MMRS PROV | 8-5 |
| June 25, 2016 | SAND DEL LEE | MMRS NATIONAL SERIES #2, MX 101 Ironman, MMRS Provincial | 8-5 |
| JUNE 26,2016 | SAND DEL LEE | MMRS NATIONAL SERIES #2, MX 101 Ironman, MMRS Provincial | 8-5 |
| 6 FT. TROPHY SERIES 10 Race series, drop 2 | ||||
| TROPHIES,+$10,000 AMATEUR & VET PAYOUT & SUPPORT (PER EVENT) | ||||
| JULY 2,2016 | COCHRANES | MX PRACTICE | 9-4 | |
| JULY 3,2016 | COCHRANES | MMRS SIX FOOT TROPHY SERIES | 8-5 | |
| JULY 9,2016 | THUNDER MUD | MX PRACTICE | 8-4 | |
| July 10, 2016 | THUNDER MUD | MMRS SIX FOOT TROPHY SERIES | 8-5 | |
| JULY 16,2016 | NO RACE | |||
| JULY 17,2016 | NO RACE | |||
| JULY 23,2016 | SAND DEL LEE | RACE, SDL CUP, MX 101 IRONMAN, MMRS SIX FOOT TROPHY SERIES | 8-5 | |
| JULY 24,2016 | SAND DEL LEE | RACE, SDL CUP, MX 101 IRONMAN, MMRS SIX FOOT TROPHY SERIES | 8-5 | |
| JULY 30,2016 | NO RACE | |||
| JULY 31,2016 | NO RACE | |||
| AUG 1,2016 | ||||
| AUG 6,2016 | ROCKY RIDGE | MX PRACTICE | 9-4 | |
| AUG 7,2016 | ROCKY RIDGE | MMRS SIX FOOT TROPHY SERIES | 8-5 | |
| AUG 13,2016 | NO RACE | |||
| AUG 14,2016 | NO RACE | |||
| AUG 20,2016 | NO RACE | |||
| AUG 21,2016 | NO RACE | |||
| 6TH ANNUAL M.M.R.S. NATIONAL | ||||
| $30,000+ PAYBACK & AMATEUR SUPPORT | ||||
| AUG 26,2016 | MADOC NATIONAL | PRACTICE | 9-4 | |
| AUG 27,2016 | MADOC NATIONAL | MMRS NATIONAL SERIES #3, MMRS SIX FOOT TROPHY, MX 101 IRONMAN | 9-4 | |
| AUG 28,2016 | MADOC NATIONAL | MMRS NATIONAL SERIES #3, MMRS SIX FOOT TROPHY,MX 101 IRONMAN | 8-5 | |
| SEPT 3,2016 | COCHRANES | MX PRACTICE | 9-4 | |
| SEPT 4,2016 | COCHRANES | MMRS SIX FOOT TROPHY SERIES | 8-5 | |
| SEPT 10,2016 | MADOC | MX PRACTICE | 9-4 | ||
| SEPT 11,2016 | MADOC | MMRS SIX FOOT TROPHY SERIES | 8-5 | ||
| SEPT 17,2016 | MUTTCO | MX PRACTICE | 9-4 | ||
| SEPT 18,2016 | MUTTCO | MMRS SIX FOOT TROPHY SERIES | 8-5 | ||
| SEPT 24,2016 | MOTOPARK | MX PRACTICE | 9-4 | ||
| SEPT 25,2016 | MOTOPARK | MMRS SIX FOOT TROPHY SERIES, AMO MADSKILLS #11 | 8-5 | ||
| OCT. 1-2, 2016 | THUNDER MUD | MMRS YEAR END WRAP UP | |||
DMX Poll Results
The question was, “What brand of bike will you be purchasing in 2016?”
Thanks for participating in this latest poll. Watch for a new question on Monday.
OK, we’re pretty swamped around here with Holiday preparations so we’ll leave it there for this week. Have a great weekend at the malls, everyone. Good luck with your parking. The weather is supposed to turn cold for the next few days around here leading up to the 25th, so get out to a practice track while you can!
10 non-blondes say, “See you at the races…” – Bigwave ohoto
