Monday Morning Coffee

Monday Morning Coffee

By Billy Rainford

Well, there goes another Halloween weekend. Yes, tonight is actually the big night for the door-to-door portion of the festivities, but it’s always the Saturday night before the 31st that is ‘grown up Halloween.’ If you’re from the Ontario region of Canada, you may be familiar with a motocross track that everyone seems to list at or near their top of favourites – Auburn. Tom Bitz was the owner of that land and used to hold memorable races at his facility until just a few years ago. Unfortunately, Brett Lee tried holding a few more events on the land 2 hours north of London, but his plans seemed to be the catalyst for torrential downpours. Every time he tried to hold a race, the heavens opened up and the place got flooded out. It was uncanny and spelled the end for the racetrack. Where am I going with this, you ask?

‘Bitzy’ owns the building in downtown London that holds the annual Halloween Bash, and it’s always a great time. As it should be, you aren’t allowed in without a costume, and some people must quit their jobs to work on some of the masterpieces! When the awards were announced, it was my old buddy, Des, who won with his picture-perfect Lemmy from Motorhead costume. It was absolutely spot on!

They couldn’t find him when Tom made the announcement so I think the y moved on to the runner-up, spaceman. It was also great…but not Lemmy great.

Of course, Bitzy couldn’t name himself as the winner but…

That’s Tom ‘Bitzy’ Bitz in his over-the-top ‘Little Bastard’ costume at his Halloween party Saturday night | Bigwave photo

He is actually sitting in a little buggy he could roll around the party in. That’s a zombie mom standing behind him that appears to be pushing him. It was good.

Emily went as Madame Yes.

And I was Dr. Sinister.

Emily was Madame Yes and I was Dr. Sinister (Google it, Bowker!). Growing up, I was just about the biggest Flintstones fan you could be. In fact, my buddy, Craig, and I used to play ‘Flintstones Hangman‘ when we were supposed to be listening to the teachers in Grade 13. Each answer had to be a character from the show.

The episode with Madame Yes and Dr. Sinister is arguably the greatest, but certainly the scariest, show they ever did! “We were on our way to the supermarket to get some brontosaurus burgers…and some buns.” Meh, we didn’t win the contest, but it was fun.

We only get maybe 4 kids at our door on Halloween here, so I’d better get over to the store and get way too much candy to eat myself, starting at about 8pm tonight!

Arenacross Series Go Head to Head in Penticton

Round 5 of the Canadian National Arenacross Tour met head on with the Future West Canadian Arenacross Championships Saturday night in the interior city of Penticton, BC. With ‘Clash for Cash’ points leader, #2 Colton Facciotti, racing a Honda CR500 2-stroke at Gopher Dunes over the weekend, it left #101 Chris Blose as the top rider from the AX Tour to hold down the fort against the top riders from the western series.

#1 Ross Johnson from Washington State is a 3-time champion and wanted to show what he could do against the top riders in the other series. Supercross main event regulars (and teammates) Noah McConahy and Chris Howell, were also in attendance. 2016 MX2 runner up, #15 Shawn Maffenbeier, joined in and found himself on the podium, once. Undefeated rider in the Future West series, #20 Jess Pettis, wanted to keep his streak alive but didn’t have the Lites main he wanted but grabbed 2nd in the Pro Open main.

Penticton Arenacross Results

Saturday, October 29, 2016

South Okanogan Events Centre

Penticton, BC

Pro Open

1. 101x Chris Blose YAM

2. 20 Jess Pettis YAM

3. 59 Noah McConahy HSK

4. 701 Karl Normand KTM

5. 21 Davey Fraser HON

6. 1 Ross Johnson HON

7. 8 Keylan Meston YAM

8. 15 Shawn Maffenbeier KTM

9. 35 Sebastian Lave HSK

10. 101 Ryan Lockhart KAW

11. 5 Brock Leitner KAW

12. 87 Chris Howell HSK

Pro Open podium: Chris Blose, Jess Pettis, Noah McConahy | James Lissimore photo

Pro/Am Lites

1. 101x Chris Blose YAM

2. 15 Shawn Maffenbeier KTM

3. 59 Noah McConahy HSK

4. 1 Ross Johnson HON

5. 5 Brock Leitner KAW

6. 21 Davey Fraser HON

7. 101 Ryan Lockhart KAW

8. 20 Jess Pettis KAW

9. 700 Codie Rouse KTM

10. 8 Keylan Meston YAM

11. 87 Chris Howell HSK

12. 35 Sebastian Lave HSK

Pro Am Lites podium: Chris Blose, Shawn Maffenbeier, Noah McConahy | James Lissimore photo

Clash for Cash

1. 101x Chris Blose YAM

2. 1 Ross Johnson HON

3. 59 Noah McConahy HSK

The Future West series takes some time off, but the AX Tour series heads to Calgary for the double-header finale this coming weekend. Chris Blose is the now the only rider capable of taking home the Parts Canada $25000 Triple Crown for winning the final 3 ‘Clash for Cash’ races. See you in Calgary!

Dutch Supercross Results

Half Canadian, Cole Martinez, and Canadian national regular, Jesse Wentland, were in Holland for this one too.

Hayden Halstead Races First Ever GNCC Event in Indiana

Watch the Racer TV archive:

Tim Gajser | The Rookie: Road To Glory | Part 1

Have you watched this Tim Gajser Fox video yet? No? Well, it’s pretty good, so here’s another chance.

Australian SX | Round 3 Results and Points

Oct 29, 2016

Wayville, SA

SX2 
1 Hayden MELLROSS
2 Gavin FAITH
3 Wade HUNTER
4 Wilson TODD
5 Jackson RICHARDSON
6 Dylan WILLS
7 Kyle WEBSTER
8 Tomas RAVENHORST
9 Joshua CACHIA
10 Joel WIGHTMAN
11 Jordan HILL
12 Aaron TANTI
13 Nathan CRAWFORD
14 Connor TIERNEY
15 Mitchell NORRIS
16 James BROWN
17 Luke CLOUT
DNF Kale MAKEHAM
DNF Jesse MADDEN
DNF Geran STAPLETON

SX2 Championship Standings (after round 3 of 6)
1. Hayden MELLROSS 69
2. Jackson RICHARDSON 59
3. Wade HUNTER 58
4. Gavin FAITH 47
5. Joel WIGHTMAN 38
6. Geran STAPLETON 36
7. Dylan WILLS 35
8. Jordan HILL 34
9. Wilson TODD 31
10. Tomas RAVENHORST 28

SX1 
1 Justin BRAYTON
2 Daniel REARDON
3 Kyle PETERS
4 Wil HAHN
5 Jay MARMONT
6 Dean FERRIS
7 Kade MOSIG
8 Jesse DOBSON
9 Jay WILSON
10 Adam ENTICKNAP
11 Lawson BOPPING
12 Luke WILSON
13 Chris CAMILLERI
14 Boyd HOCKING
15 James ALEN
16 Joel NEWTON
DNF Todd WATERS
DNF Jonathon KRUSIC

SX1 Championship Standings (after round 3 of 6)
1. Justin BRAYTON 75
2. Dean FERRIS 57
3. Wil HAHN 56
4. Daniel REARDON 52
5. Jay MARMONT 45
6. Kade MOSIG 44
7. Kyle PETERS 38
8. Jay WILSON 37
9. Adam ENTICKNAP 36
10. Luke WILSON 35

Round 4 – November 5th – Avalon, VIC

It’s almost time to head to Florida…

Moose Racing Endurocross Heads to Boise, Nov 5th

And look who’s leading the Women’s series…

FOR SALE: ‘Like new’ 2015 Scott Speedster XL/58cm. Alloy frame, carbon fork, Shimano Ultegra. $999 takes it! It’s coming to Florida with me unless it’s sold, so act fast…

Have a great work or school week, everyone. The forecast in these parts of the country will allow for lots more riding, so go enjoy it while you can.